What Does Snowflake Mean

Take a quick glance at any tire’s sidewall and you may think you’re viewing Egyptian hieroglyphics or some other strange symbolization. In reality, every number, letter or figure present represents something unique about your tire, information that is easily decipherable. Yet, there is one curious symbol that may leave you mystified — a snowflake set within a craggy mountain design. Please read on to learn what the symbol means for this very season-specific tire.

Mountain/Snowflake Symbol

You don’t need an anthropologist to tell you that the mystery figure found on the side of some tires is called a mountain/snowflake symbol. This character is commonly found on the sidewalls of winter (snow) tires designed for cars and light-duty trucks — what tells you that the tires provide superior traction on snow and ice in severe winter conditions. The symbol was developed by the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association and is always joined by the letters "M" and "S" (e.g., MS, M/S, M&S, and M+S), representing mud (m) and snow (s) capabilities.

But those tires with both M+S lettering and the mountain/snowflake symbol do and represent the type of tire you want to have installed on your vehicle when driving in blizzard conditions.

The Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac line is an excellent example of winter tires that meet or exceed the industry’s severe snow traction performance requirements. Other winter tires to consider include Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2, Bridgestone Blizzak, and Continental ExtremeContact. Although every manufacturer designs tires uniquely, all winter tires possess critical safety attributes such as enhancing vehicle grip and performance in wintry conditions and shortening your braking distance.

Two Winter Tires or a Full