Twice a year, motorists are faced with the question: when to change tires Is it time or is it too early? Are there any rules for changing tires to summer tires according to the law?
Hello dear blog readers.
It is worth warming the spring sun, drying the asphalt a little, and showing the temperature to the thermometer at about +5 degrees, many people immediately begin to ask when to change tires to summer tires according to the law? And many hurried drivers are rather in a hurry to change the tires on the car for summer. The weather at this time is very unpredictable: today it is melting, tomorrow frost and snow may fall! March is a tricky time. And, apparently, the beginning of April this year will be somehow incomprehensible ...
- On January 1, 2015, a new technical regulation of the Customs Union came into force, which provides for restrictions on the minimum allowable tread depth of rubber: for summer tires - 1.6 mm, for winter tires - 4 mm. In addition, the technical regulation of the Customs Union "On the safety of wheeled vehicles" introduced a ban on the operation of summer tires in winter and studded tires in summer, called the "Law on studded tires". According to this document, the duration of the winter period is 3 months - from December 1 to March 1. But due to the fact that climatic conditions in different geographical regions can differ significantly, this period can be extended, but not reduced in any way.
However, in Russia, despite the fact that in order to eliminate the possibility of using unsuitable tires, amendments were made to the traffic rules, clearly describing which tires are considered summer, which winter, and which all-season, this bill is not in full force.
This is due to the fact that the rules do not spell out a ban on a specific time of tire operation. It turns out that, despite the restrictions established by the technical regulations, drivers are only responsible for the use of studded tires in summer, but not for summer tires in winter. The main thing is that the tread depth meets the designated standards.
From April 4, when the changes to the traffic rules come into force, drivers will need to hang an identification mark under the glass - the letter "Ш" in a triangle. Here you can print the Thorns Sign on any color printer. The fine for this violation is 500 rubles.
If we take into account the recommendations of car tire manufacturers and experts in this industry, then it is worth changing car tires when the average daily temperature of +5 - + 7 degrees has been kept in your region for several days.
Remember that it is the air temperature that directly affects car tire properties. If you change tires ahead of time (when the temperature drops and frosts are still possible), then summer tires will become harder and therefore it will be quite difficult to drive a car. If you now need to choose and buy summer tires, then I want to remind you what designations are on tires and what they mean.
At the same time, automotive experts do not recommend driving on winter tires when it is more than +10 degrees outside. Indeed, in this case, tires wear out much faster, and fuel consumption also increases.
After you have read this article, you understand that there are no strict limits when changing winter tires to summer tires. From this we conclude: it is worth changing winter tires to summer tires when the temperature (even at night) will surely stay above 0, preferably above +5. Judging by the forecasts, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, this will not occur until mid-April. So change when you are ready, and you yourself feel and understand that it is time. In the meantime, it is better to be patient and wait a little longer. Do not spare the thorns, your safety is the most important thing!
That's all for today.
Now you know when to change tires for summer!
By the end of the week, weather forecasters promised the first frosts. Many drivers think about changing summer tires at the last moment, and then the hype begins. The main question is when to go to the tire shop: now or wait for real frosts?
When is it legal to change tires to winter tires?
The country does not have a clear decree on the mandatory change of a set of tires that is suitable for the summer period to winter. Basically, drivers are guided by the technical regulations of the Customs Union, which indicates the expected date of installation of tires intended for driving in the winter. Drivers who are worried about their own lives and the health of their passengers, as well as the safety of other road users, must change the kit no later than December 1 of the current year.
Traffic police officers, when stopping a vehicle, do not have the right to issue a fine if the driver moves in a “not re-shod” vehicle, for example, on December 2, since regulations have not yet been developed in the country that allow financially punishing violators.
First of all, you need to use common sense. In many regions of the country, on the first of December, winter is already raging with might and main, so it is necessary to change a set of summer tires for winter tires before this period. You also need to pay attention to weather forecasts. When an ice crust appears on the roads, it is not recommended to use summer tires, as the grip with the road surface decreases, as a result, an accident may occur.
In turn, tire manufacturers say that after the air temperature drops to plus 7, you can safely replace summer tires with winter ones, since their properties begin to change at this temperature. The rubber becomes harder and prevents proper traction. Regional authorities are developing recommendations that are related to the expected period of tire replacement in order to reduce traffic accidents.
As for fines, the government is just now considering a bill that could financially oblige drivers to change tires in a timely manner after it is passed. Citizens who install worn-out winter tires with a tread depth of less than 4 millimeters on their cars pay a fine of 500 rubles to the state treasury, while traffic police officers pay attention to the condition of the road. If it is snowy or icy, then the process of imposing a financial penalty may occur.
Most motorists, especially experienced ones, have their own ideas about this. Many, for example, believe that it is not worth rushing to change tires in the fall. The first snow falls and melts, after the first frost there is always a warm period. Winter tires on warm pavement do not feel very good and wear out quickly.
But even a minor accident with minor damage will cost more than a couple of tenths of a millimeter of rubber wear on warm asphalt. Moreover, for safety reasons, tires are generally not recommended to be used for longer than three years from the date of their production. Even if the tread depth is still large enough, the rubber becomes old after three years and holds the asphalt worse.
In the off-season, neither summer tires nor winter tires can be a universal solution. Winter really worsens the performance of the car on warm pavement, summer makes it uncontrollable on slippery roads.
Therefore, a compromise is important and an assessment of what is more dangerous is important. It is definitely more dangerous to be on a slippery road with summer tires. Therefore, it is better to sacrifice the dynamics on a warm road and the slight wear of winter tires and install them early.
Speaking about the choice of the moment for installing winter tires, many experts advise focusing on the average daily temperature. If it drops to a stable 7-8 degrees of heat, it is believed that this is the time to install tires for the winter season.
It is clear that a rare driver will be able to calculate the average daily temperature on their own or search for such data on the Internet. Therefore, our advice is simple - be guided by the timing of turning on the heating in your city. Heating in houses begins to be served exactly when the average daily temperature reaches 8 degrees Celsius.
If you put on winter tires earlier, it's okay. In any case, since neither summer nor winter tires are ideal, you will need to change your driving style. In the off-season, you should not make sudden maneuvers, accelerate and brake sharply. It is necessary to maintain a higher than usual distance and carefully monitor the condition of the road.
Particular attention should be paid to bridges and flyovers. Roadways in other places can remain safe during frosts, and “black ice” appears on bridges. This is due to the fact that the road here cools down faster, the earth still warm after summer does not warm it. It is in such places that accidents very often occur in autumn, especially if the driver continues to use summer tires.
Russia is a country with a pronounced change of seasons, which, of course, affects driving in general and car tires in particular. On the eve of the winter season, we will tell you when it's time to change tires, what kind of fine threatens those who like to drive on tires out of season, and what prevents us from complying with the law?
○ Why don't car enthusiasts change tires?
Russians are known for their desire to drive fast, but not always safe. One of these risks is associated with the use of tires out of season. This happens for various reasons. Some are forced to save money by the crisis, others do not want to stand in the seasonal queues of tire shops, others simply do not plan to install a new set, being ready to throw away the old one.
Whatever reasons prompted you to leave tires out of season, there can be only one plus, and that is very conditional - savings on tire services. There will be many more cons, including material ones.
The first and most important drawback of out-of-season tires is a decrease in the controllability of the car, and thus the safety of the driver and passengers. At the first spring sun, the already soft winter tires begin to warm up from the warm asphalt. The rubber becomes viscous, and the controllability of the car decreases, with sudden braking, the car will easily be dragged forward, the consequences can be very unpleasant.
Harder summer tires in winter give reduced traction and the car simply “wears” on the road, which in itself is not safe.
The second problem is increased wear. GOST the minimum tread height of a passenger car is set at 1.6 mm, but you should not fall short of this by buying a new set already by 2 mm. Using tires out of season will bring the purchase costs closer.
With proper use, a set of rubber will last up to three years, but if you do not change it, the wear rate will increase by an average of three times. Studded tires serve well in the cold season, but with the establishment of heat and complete cleaning of asphalt from ice, the studs simply fly out of it, forcing you to buy a new set for the next season. In addition, on a summer road, studs lengthen the stopping distance, creating the risk of an accident. But even non-studded winter tires, warmed up by the summer sun from their softness, wear out three times faster.
The reasons why you shouldn't skimp on a tire change are clear, so when is the right time to get it done?
○ Terms of transition to winter and summer tires.
Let's start with the fact that at the moment in Russia there is no full-fledged law that has come into force that obliges to change tires as such, or establishes the timing of such a replacement. In the US and Finland, shift dates are rigidly set. If the inspector notices the car “shod out of season”, the driver will be fined.
In Russia, there is a technical regulation on the safety of wheeled vehicles, which prohibits the use of:
- Studded winter tires in June, July and August.
- Summer tires on any vehicle wheel in December, January and February.
Of course, these are not exhaustive rules and it is necessary to focus on the climatic conditions of a particular region. Experts advise to install summer tires not earlier than the temperature is above +5 С / +7 С Before that, night frosts may occur, after which morning frost on the roads is possible. Usually this is March 10 - 15, but in the Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory on March 1, spring is in full swing, and in the Magadan Region they will hear about it only by April. This is one of the reasons why the Vehicle Safety Law governing tire replacement is still not fully in place, regional specifics need to be taken into account. At the moment, it spells out a ban on the use of winter studded tires from May 1 to September 30, and summer tires from December 1 to March 1. Winter non-studded tires can be left for the whole year.
As for winter tires, experts do not recommend delaying the change by more than November 15th. According to statistics, by this time in most regions of the country there is already a high probability of precipitation in the form of snow or ice.
The law does not prohibit all-weather tires, but when using it, it is important to take into account the climatic factor, at too low temperatures it will not be sufficiently stable, and in too hot summer it will become too soft. In addition, it must be marked "M+S", "M&S" or "M S"
○ Penalty for driving with winter tires in summer.
Code of Administrative Offenses does not contain an article indicating the fine for using winter tires in summer, but the possibility of its introduction is already being discussed. The most likely fine at the moment is 500 r. But even in the future, only the use of studded tires will be liable.
But even now the traffic police inspector has the right to draw up a protocol, having found increased tread wear on your car or winter and summer tires on the same axle.
The law on winter tires in the winter in Russia exists. And it's not the first year. This means that in the 2019 season it is necessary to change into winter tires. It remains only to figure out when it is necessary to change tires, from what date it is forbidden to drive a car with summer tires: from October, November or December, and what a fine if it is not changed in a timely manner, as well as what can be considered winter tires and other requirements for them.
When to change shoes in the winter of 2019?
By official law since December 1, 2019. If somewhere you see data that it is necessary to change into winter tires from November 1 or even October or on other dates in a legislative context, then this is not true.
The legislation unambiguously and accurately indicates the terms within which it is necessary to operate only winter tires:
- December (not November)
- January,
- February 2019.
In general, this is all you need to know about the law on winter tires and the timing of their replacement in Russia. If you need "proofs", then they are lower! It is also important to know the specific requirements for winter tires on a car.
What does the law say?
And here's what:
5.5... It is forbidden to operate vehicles that are not equipped with winter tires that meet the requirements of paragraph 5.6.3 of this annex during the winter period (December, January, February). Winter tires are installed on all wheels of the vehicle.
The terms of the prohibition of operation can be changed upwards by the regional government bodies of the states - members of the Customs Union.
This is an excerpt from the Technical Regulations. The same is written in the traffic rules. As you can see, no November, and in terms of the time when you need to switch to winter tires, there are 2 important subtleties:
- paragraph 5.5 of the regulation refers to another - 5.6.3 regarding the satisfaction of the requirements for winter tires, even established within the period prescribed by law,
- regional administrations can apply their own rules when changing a car to winter tires.
On the last point, we have good news for you - as of 2019, not a single region of Russia has changed the general procedure for replacing tires, and everywhere in the country it is necessary to wear winter tires starting from the first of December.
But the first point needs to be taken a little more carefully - it is here that we are given clear criteria for what winter tires are according to the law in principle. And let's find out!
And until December only summer tires?
Of course no. For summer tires, the requirements do not apply to all the remaining 9 months. It is simply forbidden to drive on winter tires in the summer months - June, July and August, this is prescribed by the same paragraph 5.5 of the Technical Regulations. So, in October or November, for example, you can drive even on summer or winter tires.
Important note!
What tires are considered winter tires by law?
Here, too, everything is quite simple! Winter tires that you change from summer to December must have 2 indispensable attributes, without them it is not considered winter, and you, therefore, violate the rules of the regulation:
- marking in the form of a mountain with 3 peaks and a snowflake inside,
- written designation with a combination of the letters M and S.
This is what the label looks like:
This is what a real winter tire looks like with it:
And the law does not prescribe any differences for winter tires according to their type - be it studded tires, Velcro or all-weather.
Other requirements
Another important requirement that applies to winter tires is the limitation on their wear. Specific figures are given in the SDA - 4 millimeters, this is the permissible residual tread depth of winter tires. But there is an exception - if your tire is equipped with wear indicators, then such rubber can be used until the last indicator.
Also among the requirements for any type of tires:
- the absence of side cuts and cracks in which the cord is visible (if the cord is not visible, then you can ride),
- no delamination of tires,
- the index of speed and mass of the car must correspond,
- there must be all bolts or nuts on the wheels,
- if studded tires are installed, then on the car.
What's the penalty?
If you did not have time to change your shoes for winter tires in the 2019 season and drive on summer tires, then ... there will still be no fine!
The fact is that the Code of Administrative Offenses currently in force provides for traffic police fines for violations of the Rules of the Road. But the obligation to change summer tires to winter ones is not spelled out in the SDA at all, but, as we quoted above, in the Technical Regulations. There are no penalties for violations of this regulatory act for 2019.
The network is circulating information that from December 1, 2019, a fine has been introduced for summer tires in winter. This is nothing more than a myth and you will not find official confirmation of it anywhere.
Everything is clear and simple here:
- directly for the fact that you did not change the car into winter tires, there is no fine,
- but there are sanctions for mismatching tread depth and other requirements for winter tires.
If the traffic police officer wants to fine?
Then he is going to write out a decision with a high degree of probability under part 1 of article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. It provides for a penalty in the form of a fine of 500 rubles for non-compliance with the Basic Provisions in the SDA, namely, they contain the above requirements for the tread depth after rubber wear, the presence of a cord, the absence of nuts / bolts, and others.
It will be written in the resolution - a violation of clause 5.1 or other Basic Provisions for the admission of the vehicle. But the majority of drivers, out of inattention, will not look at the decision and will assume that they were fined for not changing their summer tires to winter ones. And even if after they see the substitution of the violation by the traffic police inspector, then it will be difficult to prove the opposite.
When is the best time to switch to winter tires?
There are no traffic police requirements regarding conditions such as:
- at what temperature to change shoes,
- from what date before the start of the official winter (December) to change tires,
- the presence of ice on the road surface.
There is only an obligation to operate the car with winter tires in December, January and February.
But according to the experience of motorists, 2 main stages can be distinguished that pass into the winter:
- those who change their shoes immediately after the first snowfall - it is rational to do this if you often drive on the highway, your car is not very stable in corners and / or the summer tires are already pretty worn out; it also makes sense if you have Velcro - after the first snow thaws, they will not deteriorate on clean asphalt,
- those who change their shoes when the real winter begins - if you drive mainly in the city, your car has four-wheel drive, then this approach is for you.
With the advent of winter cold, every car owner must change summer wheels for winter ones. And this is where a lot of questions start. How to do it, what kind of rubber is best to choose and when exactly the deadlines for “changing shoes” come.
Our country is huge and I must say that the weather situation in all regions is different, therefore, the timing of rubber replacement is set at different times. The northernmost regions are the first to start preparing for winter, this happens already in mid-October, and often even earlier. But the topic of winter tires is relevant for many regions.
Russia, so the issue of winter "shoes" for a car is a burning issue for all motorists. So, what is the peculiarity of winter tires and when should they be installed?
What is the difference between winter tires and summer tires
Some car owners think with confidence that the main difference between the summer and winter versions is only in the tread pattern and its profile depth. Of course, this also has a difference, but that's not all. First of all, these are different compositions of rubber. A mixture of "summer shoes" is much more resistant to high temperatures. Such rubber allows you to reliably "cling" to the road surface, it does not blur at high air and asphalt temperatures. However, when it gets very cold outside, it becomes “oaky” and does not give the necessary grip.
It is worth mentioning the temperature threshold at which such changes occur. The lower threshold is determined by the temperature +7, and the critical point is at zero. At zero temperature, summer wheels slip and do not fulfill their main function, they become dangerous.
Winter tires have softer tires and are not so susceptible to temperature drops, but at +7 and above, they begin to blur, which inevitably leads to rapid wear, as well as some inconvenience on an asphalt or concrete road.
Profile height treads also affect ride comfort. The deeper the pattern, the better the wheels grip the surface. There are also special devices in the form of spikes that provide a more reliable ride on slippery places on the road. Not all drivers put them on, but those who use this device undoubtedly have an advantage in safety on winter roads and tracks.
When to use winter tires
With the change of season for drivers, the “headache” associated with changing wheels begins, and many cannot determine the period when it is finally time. Indeed, there is no clear answer for the countdown, and everyone solves this problem for himself on his own. Specific numbers and the process itself depend on the geographical location and climatic conditions.
There are rules set tacitly. They say that as soon as the air temperature has ceased to rise above +7 degrees, you can start changing shoes for your car. But, some experienced drivers give the following advice: if you go outside in the morning, ice is found on puddles, this is a sign to change tires and a winter option.
Therefore, take any of the options as a rule, because in our time it is quite difficult to guess with weather conditions. After frost comes heat and remains for almost a month. There were off-seasons in the middle lane, when you had to change the wheels twice during one autumn.
In Moscow and the regions around the capital, usually by the end of October, all drivers have already changed their tires, since during this period the temperature is zero even in the daytime.
You can pay attention to the following indicators, which give an idea of the periods of changing wheels in different regions of the country.
- Moscow - from 15.10 - 25.10 the period for installing winter tires, and from 10.04 - 16.04 we put summer tires;
- Novosibirsk - 12.10 - 17.10 winter, 24.04-30.04 - summer;
- Irkutsk - 10.10 - 16.10 winter, 25.10-30.10 - summer;
- Perm - 12.10 - 17.10 winter tires, 17.10-23.10 summer tires.
These are the deadlines for replacement, so in some cases you should replace the “shoes” earlier, this will save time, money and nerves. In service centers, a real rush begins when the weather changes dramatically, so you should take care of changing the wheels in advance so as not to get into long lines.
Features of the use of all-weather tires
I must say that this is a European type of tire designed for mild climates. In our conditions, such rubber can be used if the thermometer does not show below +7. The special marking "M + S" on the wheels indicates that these tires can be used when operating on muddy or snowy roads.
Important! At high temperatures, the use of off-season wheels is unsafe, as the braking distance can increase up to 40%, and wear increases up to 50%. But that's not all, fuel consumption also increases and can exceed 15%.
What are the other features of the "off-season"? The fact that she has absorbed the performance of two types of rubber, but this does not make her a panacea, moreover, she is quite dangerous to use in any season. Such tires are suitable only for regions close to European ones, or for those who rarely drive their car. Thus, you can save a lot of money spent on seasonal re-shoes.
Penalties for misuse of rubber
Since 2015, a technical regulation has been in force on the territory of our country, which was developed in the Customs Union. This document states that in the period from December to February it is impossible to drive on roads without winter tires. It is further written that in the summer months (June-August) only the summer version of the rubber should be used. Naturally, Russia, which has many regions with different climatic features, makes adjustments to increase these intervals.
Important! The main thing that motorists should be aware of is that there are penalties if the car is “shod” out of season. Its size reaches 500 rubles.
Each individual area has its own terms for replacing wheels, so you need to be guided by them. Traffic police officers are also guided by the climate of the region and are not entitled to fine you if you still meet the deadlines for replacing wheels. Usually, negligent drivers are punished in the form of fines with the onset of persistent cold weather.
When using winter tires, do I need a "studs" sign?
If a driver uses spikes on the tread of his car, be sure to have a distinctive sign that tells other drivers about it. What is it for? On the bumps of Russian roads, anything can happen. Spikes fly out from under the wheels. Often there were cases of damage to the windshield of those who travel nearby. Therefore, when warriors see such a reinforced vehicle in front of them or nearby, they begin to slightly increase the distance, thereby protecting themselves from unpleasant surprises.
The penalty for not having such an identification mark for those drivers who have spikes on their wheels is described in our article.
In 2017, the legislative bodies made some amendments to the traffic rules, namely those that regulate the use of winter tires with clear writing. We look forward to the release of this law, which is still being finalized. While the situation with fines remains the same, that is, for the lack of appropriate rubber in the winter, the driver will be fined five hundred rubles.
Timely replacement of wheels is not a whim, but a necessary measure for the safety of all road users. Skids, ice on the road can lead to dire consequences. Every year, a large number of people die on the roads of the country for this reason. Until your car is ready to hit the snowy roads without proper gear, don't push your luck and put yourself and others in an emergency. A car is not only a means of comfort, but also an increased danger. If you remember this constantly, you can avoid many negative consequences.
