Snowflake Symbol

[Thai]

I think the snowflake is taking its place right next to M&S as a logo with limited usefullnes. The article below sums up the situation nicely and only reinforces the bits and pieces I've found over the last couple of years convincing me that neither the absence nor presence of the logo have much informational value. Add the fact that snowflake tires are torture tested at reduced speed and you have the unseemly potential for a tire maker to try get the snowflake on a tire of dubious quality and performance, soley so it can pass the easier test.

See my post above:

Hate to quote myself, but here is more info: Don

So, indeed, the snowflake symbol is truly the BARE MINIMUM requirement...and people are calling for tougher guidelines for winter tires.

 

[JB.]

...if i had 2 tires that met my needs, but only one has the snowflake symbol, then i will buy the snowflake tire for peace of mind that it has been at least tested and passed the minimum requirement.

I just don't see that as being much more than hypothetical. Given the subtle, uncertain, and even potentially inverted nature of the snowflakes meaning compared to a similar, logoless AT, I would expect more important differentiators to always be present to break any tie.

Unfortunately, the most unambiguous information conveyed by the presence of the logo is that the tire was endurance and low inflation tested at a reduced speed.