Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF)
The three-peak mountain snowflake symbol shows that a tyre has passed a standard snow traction test.
What is Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF)?
It is the recognised mark for winter tyres in the EU. Many all-season tyres also carry it. Unlike M+S, it requires an actual test. In Germany, tyres with only M+S marking made after 2017 do not count as winter tyres.
How it works
The tyre’s grip on snow is measured against a reference tyre and must exceed a set level.
Why it matters for your car
Countries with winter tyre rules increasingly require this symbol. The symbol does not say how good the tyre is on ice or in the wet.
Other terms
- Automatic Transmission
- Biodiesel (FAME)
- Car Fire Extinguisher
- Detonation (Engine Knock)
- Dynamic Load Management
- Engine Number
- Fuel Pump
- High-voltage Service Disconnect
- Horsepower (Power)
- LPG (Autogas)
- Range Anxiety
- Recovery Points
- Right-Hand Drive (RHD)
- Roadworthiness Defect
- Rod Knock (Big-end Knock)
- Stud Extractor (Screw Extractor)
- Test Drive
- Transmission Fluid (ATF)
- Vehicle-to-grid (V2G, Bidirectional Charging)
- VVT Solenoid (Camshaft Control Valve)