US tires no good in Europe
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 507
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From: Massachusetts
2014 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabrio
US tires no good in Europe
Just a little warning for anyone planning to move to Europe and bring their car with them. If you have US tires that are not EU approved (circle with an "E" and some numbers), you'll have to buy new tires here to be able to drive it. Talk to your tire retailer for EU-approved tires.
For example, NONE of the Continental tires made in the US, even the high end ones, have EU approval, and Continental will do exactly squat to help you with that, even though they are a German company. This crap cost me €700 for a set of summer tires.
Also, it's best to buy all-weather tires, otherwise in most countries you'll find up having to go back and forth between summer and winter tires.
For example, NONE of the Continental tires made in the US, even the high end ones, have EU approval, and Continental will do exactly squat to help you with that, even though they are a German company. This crap cost me €700 for a set of summer tires.
Also, it's best to buy all-weather tires, otherwise in most countries you'll find up having to go back and forth between summer and winter tires.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Massachusetts
2014 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabrio
- The TUV, when you take your car for the mandatory 2 year inspection.
- The tire shop, when you need a tire fixed or your summer/winter tires swapped.
- The insurance company, when it refuses to pay your claim in an accident that was not your fault because you had unapproved tires.
- The police, when they pull you over because you were speeding in town, or because you ran a red light.
The list goes on and on...
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2012 CLS63
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 507
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From: Massachusetts
2014 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabrio
The thing is, DOT certification is the same as TUV certification. The only difference is that in Germany tires are tested for noise levels, while apparently in the US they are not. Continental says my tires met all the EU requirements, but they just hadn't sought EU approval because they were being sold only in the US. A stupid global company thinking that no one else goes global with their products.
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Massachusetts
2014 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabrio
If they stop you, yes, they most certainly will, especially with a car that can top out at 155mph (and only that far because of the electronic limiter). In Germany, cars that can do that kind of speed on the autobahn are required to have appropriate tires.
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MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,273
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 507
Likes: 25
From: Massachusetts
2014 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabrio
Ockham's Razor -- if you did, you did so many years ago when there was no regs or enforcement, because if you were here now, you'd know there is no such thing as "tire police" except in your own sarcastic imagination.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: san diego
2001 viper rt-10, 2007 SL65
AH! But there are insurance adjusters. If the German adjusters are anything like ours, they are looking for a way to get out of paying off. That is where you are truly exposed.
