M+S (mud and snow)
The maker declares the tyre a snow tyre: its tread pattern, compound or structure is designed to do better than a normal tyre at getting and keeping the car moving in snow.
What to do with it
Where a law or a sign asks for winter tyres, check which marking that rule accepts: the regulations here define both M+S and the three-peak mountain with snowflake (which needs a snow test), not where either is required. Goodyear notes that an M+S tyre may have a lower speed rating than the car’s summer tyres; it then needs a speed sticker in view.
- What it looks like
- The letters M+S, M.S or M&S on the sidewall, often near the size; on all-season and winter tyres, sometimes beside a mountain with a snowflake.
- Set by
- UN Regulation No. 30, paragraph 3.1.5; UN Regulation No. 117, paragraphs 2.11 and 2.11.1 (definitions) and 4.2.6 (Alpine symbol)
In detail
- UN R30 3.1.5: “The inscription M+S or M.S or M&S in the case of a snow tyre.”
- UN R117 defines the snow tyre by design intent and has a separate class, the snow tyre for use in severe snow conditions, which must pass a snow test and carries the Alpine symbol (three peaks with a snowflake).
- Michelin: for tyres with only the M+S marking, performance in winter conditions is not subject to regulatory testing.
- The mountain-and-snowflake symbol has its own page: it is the same drawing as the snow-grip mark on the EU tyre label.
What it does not mean
M+S alone does not prove a tyre passed a snow test, and it does not mean the tyre is for mud off-road.
Markings that go with it
Sources
Each document was fetched and read on the date shown; the clause is the one that sets this marking.
- UNECE, as published in the Official Journal of the EU: UN Regulation No. 30 — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of pneumatic tyres for motor vehicles and their trailers, Revision 3 (OJ L 201, 30.7.2008) — paragraph 3.1.5: Tyres bear “The inscription M+S or M.S or M&S in the case of a snow tyre”. Checked 2026-09-28.
- UNECE, as published in the Official Journal of the EU: UN Regulation No. 117 — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of tyres with regard to rolling sound emissions and/or to adhesion on wet surfaces and/or to rolling resistance (OJ L 218, 12.8.2016) — paragraphs 2.11 and 2.11.1 (definitions) and 4.2.6 (Alpine symbol): “‘Snow tyre’ means a tyre whose tread pattern, tread compound or structure is primarily designed to achieve in snow conditions a performance better than that of a normal tyre”; the Alpine symbol is added only for a snow tyre for use in severe snow conditions. Checked 2026-09-28.
- Michelin (UK): Tyre markings explained: How to read a tyre? — “M+S mention”: “However for tyres with only M+S markings performance under winter conditions is not subject to regulatory testing.” Checked 2026-09-28.