Every year, motorists have a question: when to put winter tires? The fact that drivers ask such questions is understandable - installing winter tires too early can lead to their premature wear, and the car on winter tires feels less comfortable. But if you don’t take care of replacing the rubber in advance, then one day they risk “hitting” frosts and snowing, and operating a car on summer tires at such a moment will not only be uncomfortable and unsafe. Accordingly, you need to understand when to put on winter tires so as not to miss the right moment.
Table of contents:When to put winter tires legally
Regulation "On the safety of wheeled Vehicle» contains a strict definition of when winter or summer tires.
According to the law, in the summer months (June, July and August), you can use any rubber on a car, except for studded tires, since it negatively affects the roadway. IN winter months(December, January and February) you can use only tires that are designed for winter, while both studded and non-studded tires can be used.
Please note: For use during the winter months in Russian Federation Only tires with the designations are allowed:M+S,M&S orMS. These markings indicate that the tires are intended for winter use. At the same time, such designations may be present on all-season tires, then their operation in winter period allowed. If all-season tires do not have this marking, they cannot be used in winter.
It should be noted that regional authorities have the right to change the terms of use seasonal tires. For example, regional government regulations may require the use of winter tires from October to April. At the same time, legislators do not have the right to reduce the terms of the ban on the use of tires of one kind or another.
From the foregoing, we can conclude that at any time of the year, according to the law, winter studless tires can be used. Winter studded tires can always be used, except for the summer period. And summer tires can always be used, except for the winter period.
When to change your car to winter tires
As you can see, the legislation does not have an exact date when you should change your shoes to winter tires but it must be done by December 1st. In Russia, often by December 1, there is already an abundant layer of snow on the road, in such conditions it is unsafe to operate a car on summer tires, so you need to have time to change your shoes in advance.
It is important to remember that when replacing tires from summer to winter, it is imperative to check the tire pressure, as well as perform a wheel alignment, otherwise all sorts of problems may arise, for example, the car will spontaneously pull to the side while driving.
It is worth noting that among motorists, November 15 is often called "Change Day summer tires". It is generally accepted that this is the ideal date to replace tires. But, given the Russian climate, it is definitely impossible to say that on November 15 it is necessary to change the car's shoes.
Penalty for using summer tires in winter
There is a widespread belief that for the operation of summer tires in winter, a fine will be imposed on the driver. But this view is erroneous, because Nowhere in the law are sanctions imposed on the driver when using summer tires in winter. Indeed, the legislation considered such a bill, but it was not adopted and in this moment there are no legal penalties for using summer tires in winter.
Timely change of tires on the car allows you to ensure better handling, safety.
Therefore, it is worthwhile to take care of the selection of suitable tires in advance and determine good time for replacement.
But it is also recommended to reduce the speed of movement, increase the distance between cars, increase vigilance. Since not all car owners change tires on time, sometimes dragging them to a strong drop in temperature.
If the question arises at what temperature to change shoes for winter tires, it is worth noting that there is no exact answer, as well as a set date. The final decision must be made by the driver himself, evaluating weather.
Important:
The first time when the asphalt, the road may be covered with ice, snow, the car must already be equipped with winter tires.
It is believed that it is good to change tires when the average daily temperature drops to + 5–7 degrees, and this weather persists for a week. Here it is important to take into account the critical indicators - the lowest and highest. After all, when +7–9 degrees are exceeded, winter tires begin to lose their advantages. And with a strong decrease, driving on summer tires becomes unsafe.
When planning a replacement at an average temperature of 5 degrees, it is easy to protect yourself. During this period, the fallen snow does not linger on the surface for a long time. And there are no long queues in tire centers. The average daily temperature indicator can be lowered or increased depending on the operating conditions, the region.
Possible exceptions:
- If the car is required every day and must be constantly on the move, you can install winter tires a little earlier by choosing a temperature of +10 degrees. But then you should take care of more careful management, maneuvering, especially in turns, at speed.
- Travel scheduled during the off-season can also cause a premature change. And if the degree periodically rises to +9, it is worth reducing the speed.
- Irregular use of the car allows you to lower the average daily temperature to 0. This option is suitable for car owners who can freely switch to public transport waiting for favorable weather conditions to change.
- If winter tires are presented as a separate set and the owner of the car can replace the wheels himself, temperature indicators can be reduced to 0, but no more.
When thinking about the temperature at which to change tires for winter, it is worth considering the weather conditions. If the weather has changed, the temperature has dropped too low, and installed tires it does not correspond, it is impossible to go by car.
Recent innovations in legislation provide partial regulation temperature regime to change tires. The Wheeled Vehicle Safety Act sets out certain periods when the use of winter tires is necessary and when it is prohibited.
What are the rules:
- studded tires should not be used during the summer months;
- with the onset of the calendar winter, the car must have appropriate tires, studded and non-studded tires are allowed. The main thing is that they have a designation in the form of a snowflake, which distinguishes winter tires and inscription M-S(mud-snow).
That is, deadlines they do not indicate from what date winter tires are mandatory in Russia, but they require the use of appropriate tires from December. It is noteworthy that the established periods of the ban can be increased if necessary, but their reduction is not allowed.
Consequently, the authorities in a certain region may ban the use of studded tires from May until the end of September. And since the ban cannot be shortened, studded tires are not allowed in all regions in the summer.
- application summer models from the beginning of spring to the last month of autumn;
- operation of winter tires with spikes from the beginning of autumn until the end of spring;
- driving on winter non-studded tires throughout the year.
Therefore, car owners who have summer non-marking tires and winter tires with spikes do not have to worry. It is necessary to carry out a shift during the autumn period from September to November. Regarding the return replacement, it will be required in the spring from March to May.
Of course, when choosing winter tires with spikes, it is worth considering that high temperatures are highly undesirable. The tread wear will be too fast and the studs will fly out of their seats. If non-studded tires should be used at an average daily temperature of +7, then at what temperature should winter studded tires be used?
Here it is recommended to pay attention to the opinion of experts who recommend installing such tires at an average daily temperature of 0 degrees. In this case, the rubber will work on full power revealing its benefits.
Sometimes all-weather tires are installed on cars, which owners use throughout the year. Now it is allowed in the winter only if available markings M-S otherwise the car will have to be changed with the onset of winter.
Now the penalty for the lack of the required tires in winter is not imposed. But an appropriate project has been envisaged and is being developed, which will increase the vigilance of car owners and safety on the roads.
However, penalties apply if the car has worn winter tires. Sometimes the driver may only receive a warning. But problems arise if winter tires are used, where the tread is worn down to 4 mm at the most worn points. The road is icy or covered in snow.
Still, when thinking about what date to put winter tires on, you need to pay attention to the climate, although November is considered the deadline. But as practice shows, it is worth applying for a tire fitting before November 15.
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Capital Organization Center traffic(TSODD) recommended that Moscow car owners change their tires to winter ones. In its message, the department reminds of the upcoming cold snap - in last days weeks the temperature will cross several times zero mark, creating the prerequisites for the formation of ice.
The TsODD asked car owners to be extremely careful while driving, reminded of the increase stopping distance and the inadmissibility of sharp maneuvers on slippery road, as well as possible queues at tire shops. In addition, the department noted, the capital's roads have already been washed with a special shampoo - this compulsory procedure before the onset of winter, which increases the efficiency of de-icing the streets.
When to change tires?
TsODD is not in a hurry at all - tire manufacturers and auto experts recommend producing seasonal change rubber when the air temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius. Below this temperature, summer tires lose their elasticity and traction even on dry pavement, and above this, increased wear of softer winter tires begins. It is also not worth waiting for stable frosts, because even now at night and in the morning the risks of unexpected ice and snow are increasing, in which summer tires are helpless. In addition, it makes sense to carry out the replacement as soon as possible also in order to avoid queues in the workshops. Premature replacement will practically not affect the condition of the roadway and the behavior of the car.
What tires can be used in winter?
Winter tires differ from summer tires in a deeper tread with developed lugs and many sipes that help the tire cling to ice. But there is also an official definition, spelled out in legislative documents. According to the technical regulations of the countries Customs Union, winter tires are marked with a sign in the form of a mountain peak with three peaks and a snowflake inside, as well as the signs "M + S", "M & S", or "M S".
The document establishes and the degree is limiting allowable wear for winter tires - the tread depth should not be less than 4 mm, which meets the requirements of most European countries. In addition, the degree of studding for studded tires is regulated: the maximum number of studs per linear meter of tread should not exceed 60 pieces, and a larger number is allowed only after special tests have been carried out, which will prove an insignificant effect on wear. pavement. Moreover, there is even a standard for the weight of the spike and its protrusion (for car tires- 1.2 mm +/- 0.3 mm), however, most mass models of winter tires meet all these requirements.
Is there a ban on the use of tires out of season?
From January 1, 2015 Technical regulation countries of the Customs Union regulates the use of seasonal tires. The requirements of the document are compulsory use winter tires from December to February inclusive, as well as a ban on the use of studded tires in summer period from June to August. Moreover, each region can adjust these boundaries independently.
However, there is no punishment for non-compliance with the requirements of technical regulations in Russia yet. Officials considered a number of bills, the toughest of which provided for a fine of 10,000 rubles. A more loyal option was limited to a fine of 2 thousand rubles. The document should have been adopted at the end of last year, but no changes to the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation have been adopted so far. Theoretically, the use of unsuitable tires falls into the category of other violations with a fine of 500 rubles, however, the practice of applying such punishment for wrong tires in Russia there is no.
What does the tire label mean?
The type designation 195/65 R16 82T contains information about the tire dimension, i.e. diameter, tread width and height. IN this case 195 is the tread width in millimeters, 65 is the profile height to width ratio in percent (tire height is 65% of 195 mm, i.e. 127 mm). R is the type of tire (radial), 16 is the diameter (not the radius, as is commonly believed) of the rim in inches. The number and letter at the end encrypt indices maximum load and maximum allowable speed, in this case 475 kg per wheel and 190 km per hour. Tires designed for cars off-road, are often marked with the letters SUV and usually have more high index loads.
The marking also allows you to find out the date of manufacture of the tire, encrypted with a set of four digits after the DOT symbol (for example, DOT XXXX XXXXX 3512). The first two digits indicate the week of the year, the second - the year of manufacture.
Studded or non-studded?
The type of winter tires depends on the operating conditions. In regions with cold and snowy winters, where roads are often covered with ice, it is better to opt for studded tires. Those who will have to mainly ride on rolled snow and wet asphalt should give preference to Velcro. In the central regions of the country, you can navigate according to this rule: in megacities where roads are treated with reagents, you can use non-studded Velcro, on country roads, studs are preferable.
However, this does not mean at all that tires of the wrong type cannot be used in other conditions. Studded tires are noisier, especially on hard surfaces, but modern European "studded" tires with fewer studs are much more comfortable. On the other hand, the best examples of Velcro in terms of grip on ice are already approaching good spikes. Finally, contrary to popular belief, dry or wet pavement winter studded tires work just as well as non-studded ones, and the idea that iron studs glide on asphalt is nothing more than a myth.
Another important point: when using studded tires, the appropriate sign must be affixed to the car - such a requirement is contained last changes SDA, adopted in the spring of 2017. The punishment for non-compliance with this requirement should be sought in 2.5 part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses on non-compliance with the conditions for ensuring road safety. The fine is 500 rubles, but the inspector has the right to prohibit the operation of the car altogether.
Directional or asymmetrical?
If tires with a standard symmetrical tread can be installed on a car in any position and arbitrarily rearranged, then directional and asymmetric tires require a different approach.
At asymmetrical tires different pattern of outer and inner tread. As a rule, the outer part has stiffer tread blocks that work in corners, the inner part has smaller tread blocks for better water evacuation, and solid ribs are located in the middle part to improve exchange rate stability. Install such tires in accordance with the marks on the sidewalls: outer side tires are indicated by inscriptions such as "Outside" or "Facing Out", internal - "Inside" or "Inwards".
Directional tread pattern is a technology that effectively removes water and slush from the tire contact patch with the road. The slurry is removed along the guides, which can significantly reduce the risks of aquaplaning. Such tires can only rotate in one direction, and the direction of rotation is indicated by an arrow on the sidewall of the wheel and the inscription "Rotation". For places where there is more water on the roads than snow, these are preferable.
Is it worth buying Run Flat?
The Run Flat technology means that the tire can be used even with a puncture. These tires are different. reinforced sidewalls able to withstand the load when the tire pressure is lost. On punctured tires with Run Flat technology, you can drive about a hundred kilometers at speeds up to 80 km per hour. In addition, they allow you to get rid of the spare wheel in the trunk. Such tires are much more expensive and are usually equipped with premium cars.
In order to determine the permissible degree of wear of rubber, it is not necessary to use rulers and other devices. Manufacturers put special protrusion marks on the tread, by which you can determine how much the tire is worn out. There are also more intricate indicators. For example, as the tire wears out, an inscription like “NO SNOW” appears on the tread or, conversely, is erased.
Should I be afraid of Russian-made tires?
Most of the tires sold in Russia foreign brands are localized and have long been produced at local factories. The exception is tires of rare dimensions or those that have just appeared on the world market. Tire enterprises are always full-fledged plants, equipped according to all company standards and with the same strict quality control. Moreover, Russian-made tires are often exported, since production in Russia is cheaper. In the case of imported tires, manufacturers tend to keep prices down to maintain parity with locally produced tires.
Where can't ride on spikes?
There are no bans on the use of studded tires in Russia and the CIS countries, and those who want to drive their car to Europe may have problems. Studs are strictly prohibited in Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and the Czech Republic.
Snow chains must be used instead of studs in all these countries except Ireland and the Netherlands, but only under certain road conditions and with a restriction top speed usually not more than 50 km/h.
Novice motorists often look in the rules for the date when it is necessary to “change shoes” for the car, as well as the official justification for punishments for tires that are out of season. SDA do not contain such information. But the operating conditions of tires, data on winter version tires and fines can be studied in the appendix to the Rules of the Road.
A fine of 500 rubles. or a warning when checking on the road are regulated by the Code of Administrative Liability, which refers to Appendix No. 1 in the SDA.
Where is the tire change date?
The period of operation of studded tires, winter friction rubber is in the Technical Regulations, which came into force on the territory of Russia from the beginning of 2015. The international regulation, which the member countries of the Customs Union have joined, indicates that studded tires cannot be used in the summer. Winter tires must be installed for the winter period (from December 1 to February 28 (29), and the use of friction tires (colloquially "Velcro") is allowed at any time of the year.
Punish employees for inappropriate tires for the season traffic police not entitled, because Russian legislation there are no sanctions for the operation of a car in summer tires in winter and vice versa. However, there are rules according to which a driver can be fined for a worn tread, deformation of tires, disks.
SDA on the condition of tires, disks
In 2018, the Rules of the Road with Appendix No. 1 “List of malfunctions and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited” are relevant. The fifth paragraph regulates allowable depth tread pattern and deformation, in which the use of transport entails the risk of an accident for all road users. This paragraph determines the application of penalties in the amount of 500 rubles. The motorist can also simply be warned about the inadmissibility of using a car in poor condition.
Tread depth
Tread depth measurement is required if no indicator is available. If it is provided for by the design of the tire, then wear is determined by it. Tread depth set in the SDA:
- for motorcycles, mopeds - 0.8 mm;
- For passenger cars and trucks with a carrying capacity of less than 3.5 tons - 1.6 mm;
- for trucks (from 3.5 tons) - 1 mm;
- for buses and route transport, in which there are more than 8 passenger seats - 2 mm.
Such indicators are set for a road surface without snow and ice. In ice and snow conditions, the tread depth must be at least 4 mm. If the indicator is 3.5 mm or less, then a penalty is provided - a fine of 500 rubles.
What tires are considered winter tires?
Since the tire assortment includes several seasonal varieties, the characteristics of winter tires were prescribed in the SDA. This is a special marking (three-peak peak with a snowflake, Latin letters M S), tread depth of at least 4 mm. For universal tires in winter, these rules are also relevant. When purchasing a set of all-season tires, it is worth clarifying the presence of markings, otherwise a fine may be issued on an icy track during the check.
The traffic police have the right to fine the driver if the wear indicator is visible on the tire. Studded tires can only be used from December to February, the wear rate for it is the same.
What violations of tire operation are prescribed in the rules?
The application provides that you can not operate a car if:
- there is damage to the tires, exposing the cord;
- the tread or sidewall peels off;
- absent fixing bolt(screw);
- the cord is stratified;
- there are cracks in the disc or rims;
- the shape (size) of the mounting holes is broken;
- there is a discrepancy (in size, load) of the tire model of the machine.
On one wheel axle it is forbidden to install tires different in:
- size, design, model, tread pattern;
- degree of wear (new and scratched, new and remanufactured)
- seasonal characteristics (for summer and for winter).
If the vehicle is equipped with spiked tires, then they must be on all wheels.
Examples of violations of traffic rules that relate to tires
- One car has winter (with marking) and summer (without marking) tires.
- The pattern of sipes on the tread of tires located on the same axle is different.
- There are studded tires on the front axle, and friction tires on the rear axle.
The fine for such a violation is 500 rubles, the basis is the Code of Administrative Offenses (Article 12.5).
Each driver knows that tires are divided according to the seasons of operation, that is, summer and winter tires are on sale. Despite this, many car owners are subject to certain doubts about replacing one rubber with another. You can even meet the practice of using summer tires in the season of frost and cold weather. A particularly similar approach to the operation of tires is often found in the southern regions of our country, where winters are usually mild and there is practically no precipitation.
Is it really possible to use a set of tires of the same seasonality all year round, or is it still unsafe? What characteristics does summer tires provide at zero air temperature? Can winter tires provide the same dynamic performance as summer tires? And would buying an all-season tire be the best solution? These questions are answered below.
Car tires out of season
It is known that generally accepted rules set a temperature limit of +7 degrees for summer tires. Question research seasonal operation car tires showed that summer tires retain almost all of their characteristics when the ambient temperature drops to zero degrees. If the thermometer shows “minus”, the time has come to change shoes.
At low temperatures, the rubber compound summer tires loses elasticity, becoming rigid. In turn, this affects handling, stability, traction and braking. On snow, summer tires will be useless due to the tread structure. On asphalt, such rubber shows optimal properties.
Winter tires, on the contrary, show excellent grip on snow and ice due to the structure of the tread and withstand low temperatures due to soft rubber compound. However, on asphalt, winter tires show uncertain braking, and when the temperature rises, it loses grip.
Winter tires vs all-season tires
In the mild southern climate, snow rarely falls in winter and does not last long. In such conditions, many car owners consider it unnecessary to spend on buying two sets of tires. And for economical drivers, manufacturers kindly offer all-season tires. It should be noted right away that not a single major European brand produces such rubber. You will have to choose from Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian tires. Serbian tires and other representatives of the Baltic countries may appear on the market.
Why don't world leaders release all season tires? Because the essence of all-season tires is averaging all the indicators for a compromise between safety in winter and handling in summer. In any case, there are losses on both sides. All season tires behave worse than summer and winter separately. Their use is justified in conditions of a limited budget, cool summers and mild winters.
Experienced drivers have long come to the conclusion that the only safe way save money on buying winter tires - do not drive in winter. If the car is operated in areas where the air temperature in winter drops to a maximum of zero, and the winter passes without snow, you can safely limit yourself to a set of summer tires.
