When should you change your tires to winter ones? And is it necessary to do this in principle? These questions constantly interest drivers, because new tires- pleasure is not cheap. In addition, many are sure that summer tires Oh, you can safely drive in winter.
Is it so? Each driver has his own answer to this. In addition, the eternal desire to save money in this situation sometimes has crucial. However, research and practice have shown that timely replacement tires are a guarantee of road safety. And if driving on winter tires in the summer is still an acceptable option, then summer tires in the cold season can play a cruel joke on you. It’s not for nothing that tire manufacturers produce their products for both cold and warm periods.
And then there's Russian legislation obliges to change the car's shoes with the onset of cold weather. The question of when to wear winter tires now has a specific answer prescribed by Russian law. However, Russia is a large country, and the climatic conditions on its territory are very diverse. This means that you need to focus not only on the legislation of the Russian Federation, but also on what the weather is like outside the window.
Here's a video about it:
Why change seasonal tires on your car?
Any salesman in a tire store can give you a long lecture on this matter. However, theory is one thing, and practice is quite another. Only when the driver begins to realize that replacing tires is a matter not only of his own safety, but also of all participants traffic, he will stop looking for a compromise with his conscience and wallet.
First of all, you need to remember that with a sharp drop in temperature, summer tires lose their properties. That is, road traction becomes worse, which often leads to skidding. Naturally increases braking distances on such a car, and this is only with a slight drop in temperature. Summer tires simply become harder, and the small tread width does not allow them to fully perform their functions under such conditions.
If we talk about ice and snow on the roads, then in these cases Driving on summer tires becomes simply dangerous both for the driver and passengers of this car, as well as for other cars and pedestrians.
When to wear winter tires in Russia
Everyone understands that there is no clear answer to this question. First of all, here you need to be guided by the following parameters:
- Weather conditions in the region.
- Legislation of the Russian Federation.
We will write about the second a little later. But as for the first, there is a specific rule on this matter: at a temperature of +5, summer tires no longer fully perform their functions, which means that it is at this temperature that the car should be changed. But no one forbids doing this earlier, while it’s, say, +10 outside.
Important! According to the law of the Russian Federation, you can drive on winter tires in the summer, but on the contrary, it is prohibited.
When driving on city roads, cars are not in such difficult conditions, like on the highways or expressways. Exactly on high speeds and the discrepancy between the tires and the weather conditions will be most noticeable. Again, on turns and when hard braking created especially dangerous situation, in which untimely replacement of tires can become a decisive factor for the occurrence of an accident.
These are real situations that happen in the hundreds every year. domestic roads. Why is that? Yes, simply because in addition to unfavorable weather conditions one should also add specifics road surface in most regions.
But now about the pleasant things. The cost of purchasing winter tires is completely justified, taking into account all the above factors. Especially, quality tires with adequate driving style they will last more than one season. This means that the costs will not be as large as it might seem at first glance.
Legislation
As for the legislation of the Russian Federation, regarding the period of driving on winter tires there is quite specific rules. Here is paragraph 5.5 of Appendix 8 to the technical regulations of the customs union TR CU 018/2011 On the safety of wheeled vehicles:
5.5. It is prohibited to operate vehicles equipped with tires with anti-skid studs. summer period(June July August).
It is prohibited to operate vehicles that are not equipped with winter tires that meet the requirements of paragraph 5.6.3 of this appendix. winter period(December January February). Winter tires are installed on all wheels vehicle.
There is an addition to it, which states that regional authorities can increase the above mandatory service life of cars with winter tires.
From all of the above, we can conclude that driving on studded tires in the summer is prohibited. And from December to March you can only travel by winter tires Oh.
We have sorted out when to put on winter tires according to the law. But, do not forget that in most regions of the country it gets cold much earlier than in December. And significant warming in March is rare even for relatively warm areas. So, in Moscow and Saratov you can put on winter tires as early as October.
As for driving on winter tires in summer, this is not prohibited by law. But we must remember that when high temperatures winter tires lose their properties, and the rubber on them literally melts. Therefore, such driving can simply ruin expensive tires that can be successfully used for their intended purpose in winter.
Fines
Here it is impossible not to touch upon such an issue as fines or any other administrative punishment for the lack of appropriate tires installed on a car in the winter. It turns out that no one can fine you for summer tires in winter. However, a fine may be imposed for worn winter tires. On the one hand, this is not entirely logical. But you just have to come to terms with some articles in the legislation.
Thus, driving on winter tires in cold period years is a safety measure for each driver, and not a compulsory measure.
What is the difference between winter tires and summer tires?
Most owners are sure that the difference is only in the thickness and tread pattern. But this is far from true. The following is a list of all the differences between winter and summer tires:
- Rubber alloy that provides optimal grip under different conditions temperature conditions. As a result summer tires more intended for drive fast, but only on roads with good quality coverings. Winter tires are more flexible, so they are not suitable for driving at high temperatures.
- The tread depth of winter tires is greater, although sometimes only slightly, it all depends on the type of tire.
- The tread pattern of winter tires is more pronounced, sometimes supplemented with studs or Velcro.
Important! Best before date winter tires approximately 3 times more than in summer. But this indicator is only relevant when driving winter ones at appropriate temperature conditions.
In addition, when purchasing winter tires, you need to pay attention to the presence of the following type of designation:
Winter tires always have the M+S marking or any other marking with these letters.
It is its presence that will be the main parameter when buying winter tires.
How to choose winter tires
To make it easier to choose tires for winter driving, you should understand its classification in more detail. Surely, when you come to a tire store, they will offer you European or Scandinavian type winter tires. It should be immediately noted that the Scandinavian tread pattern looks more impressive, which is why it can be seen more often in tire or car advertisements. But that doesn't mean it's suitable for all road conditions.
However, it is designed for driving in the most severe conditions. What does it mean? It's simple: if in your region in winter there is a large number of precipitation, while the roads are constantly icy, these tires will suit you.
The European type is considered more universal; it is suitable for winter roads in regions with a relatively mild climate. In the manufacture of such protectors, harder rubber is used, which will be difficult to drive on ice, but it is ideal for city roads in winter.
Here are some differentiating characteristics of Scandinavian and European tires:
- European tread pattern type is different big amount gutters for water drainage, including both deep and shallow. Basically they are located diagonally.
- The Scandinavian type of tread usually has one or more grooves in the center. Side grooves diverge from it. This type of tread copes well with wet snow on the roads. But their direct purpose is driving on slippery and snowy roads.
It is the Scandinavian type that is most often supplemented with spikes; recently they can be replaced with suction cups.
Attention! When purchasing studded tires, you need to understand that they are not always suitable for driving in soft conditions. climatic conditions. They need to be purchased if the winter period is associated with constant snowfall and icy roads.
All-season tires
The desire to save is often the main reason for purchasing all-season tires for your car. But before making this investment, you should remember that all-season trucks are only good in relatively warm climatic conditions. Generally good demi-season tires really more resistant to sub-zero temperatures than summer. But that doesn't mean you can drive it. deep winter during icy conditions.
That is, if you live in a temperate climate zone, where -15 in winter is force majeure, then you can still buy demi-season tires. At the same time, it still wouldn’t hurt to ask what temperatures the rubber is designed for. Accordingly, when choosing, you should focus on the average temperature of the region in which you live.
If you live in a region where -10 is normal in the fall, then demi-season is clearly not the best choice For safe driving in the cold season. Just like the summer one, it will lose its elasticity when low temperatures. At the same time, the braking distance increases significantly and the ability to grip the road is lost.
Therefore, it is better to listen to the opinion of experts and promptly replace summer tires with winter ones. This measure will not only help you save money, but will also ensure the safety of you and everyone who will be with you on the road.
In recent years, there have been regular conversations and rumors that Russia will soon introduce a fine for using winter tires in the summer and summer tires in the winter. They were even called exact dates, and sometimes even called Exact sum 2000 rubles fine for summer tires on a winter road. First of all, we want to reassure all drivers at once - these fines for out-of-season tires were not introduced in 2019, and bill N 464241-6 “On Amendments to the Code Russian Federation about administrative offenses(on ensuring safety during the operation of vehicles)", which stipulated fines for using summer tires in winter, was not adopted in the first reading.
But what kind of tires can a car owner be fined for if his vehicle runs on summer tires in winter and winter tires in summer? How to behave in a dialogue with a traffic police inspector?
However, vehicle owners need to know the intricacies of the issue of regulating the legality of using a particular type car tires in the summer and winter periods, since it is possible that soon another bill will be approved in the State Duma and penalties will be introduced. In this article we will look at the problem in detail.
Are there penalties for out-of-season tires?
Back in 2014 in State Duma country, bill No. 464241-6 was introduced, which proposed supplementing Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation with part 3.2:
“Part 3.2 as follows: “3.2 Driving a vehicle in violation of the requirements for the operation of tires and wheels - entails the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of two thousand rubles.”
For two years, consideration of this bill was postponed, but on October 20, 2016, it was sent for consideration to the State Duma and was to be considered in three readings. But in fact bill on fines for using summer tires in winter time didn't even pass the first reading, and on November 1, 2016, it was decided to postpone its consideration until indefinite term, and as of 2019, consideration of the “tire bill” has no longer begun.
So what is the fine for summer tires in winter today?
The issue of changing winter and summer tires in Russia today is NOT regulated by anything, and drivers do not need to be afraid of fines for using summer tires in winter, or sanctions for another version of tires that are not suitable for the season - simply because there are no such fines! Car owners, at their own discretion, decide to replace summer tires with winter ones, based on weather conditions and air temperature. If we talk about specific dates, then in central Russia the unspoken guidelines are November 15 for changing tires from summer to winter, and March 15 for switching from winter tires to summer.
Of course, these dates are rather arbitrary, and they differ in certain regions of the Russian Federation. Drivers, relying on common sense, when changing tires, focus not on dates, but on weather conditions. That is, if it’s already spring on the calendar, and there’s still snow on the roads and the forecast promises icy conditions, then no one will “change their shoes” to summer tires . And if in the warm Crimea or Sochi in November, and sometimes even in December, it is sunny, warm weather, and the road surface is dry and clean, then drivers are unlikely to switch to winter tires urgently.
What penalties were offered for summer tires in winter?
As we said above, rumors that in soon at the legislative level it will be prohibited to “shoe” a vehicle out of season, this has been going on for a long time, and several bills have been submitted to the State Duma for consideration, but various reasons, not one even passed the first reading. The essence of these tire bills was as follows:
- To be fined for driving a vehicle using tires that are not in accordance with the season (the driver must, or “change the shoes of the car” taking into account the average daily temperature.
- Fine the driver for being in summer time operates the vehicle on winter tires with studs.
- Refusal if Transport accident The culprit was on out-of-season tires.
But, as we see, so far all these legislative initiatives have not gone further than bills, and you still decide for yourself when to change tires from summer to winter and vice versa! There is no fine for summer tires in winter in the Russian Federation!
Is there a penalty for wearing winter tires in summer?
If you study the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union TR CU 018/2011 “On the safety of wheeled vehicles”, you will find out that for Russian motorists he brought new rules. In this technical regulation, in paragraph 5.5 of Appendix No. 8, there are the following provisions on the use of certain car tires at different times of the year:
- You can drive on summer tires from June to August (they must be studless).
- From December to February, drivers can take part in road traffic while driving a car shod with winter tires (studded or not).
- In the CU regulations 018/2011 you will not find the concept of “all-season tires”.
- Compliance with tire wear limits is mandatory.
At the level of regional authorities, it is allowed to change the months of the established ban on the use of tires by season - these nuances must be recorded in regional regulations.
If we talk about whether there is a fine for winter tires in the summer, then this issue has remained unresolved for a long time. At the first stage of discussions, there were proposals to establish a fine of 5,000 rubles for such violations - but such an initiative did not find approval among deputies. There were other proposals regarding the size of the fine for driving in the summer on winter tires.
In fact, in 2019, there is a fine for driving in the summer on winter tires only indirectly under Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, that is, if you drove in the summer with a heavily worn tread (“bald” tires), the depth of which is less than 4 mm, then The fine for “bald tires” will be 500 rubles(or warning).
What are the penalties for driving on bald tires in 2019?
The expression “bald tires” has long been used among drivers, meaning driving on tires where the tread has worn out almost completely. According to the new rules, driving on tires with worn tread may result in punishment in the form of a fine of 500 rubles (or a warning). If we turn to the traffic rules and its provisions on the admission of a vehicle to operation, the driver is prohibited from taking part in road traffic if the remaining tread height of the tires of his vehicle:
- freight transport - less than 1 mm;
- passenger car- less than 1.6 mm;
- moped or motorcycle - less than 0.8 mm;
- bus - less than 2 mm.
According to Art. 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, traffic police officers can issue a fine to the driver for this violation - 500 rubles.
According to rumors, deputies plan in the future at the legislative level to increase the amount of the fine for driving on bald tires by 4 times. Such a jump can be considered quite justified, since due to the fault of drivers driving onto the road on bald tires, great amount Road accidents, especially in the winter months when the roads are icy.
Will there be a ban on studded tires?
On the requirements for vehicle tires in different seasons We talked for a year, and now we will consider the question of what changes regarding the use of studded tires are planned at the legislative level.
For countries that are members of the Customs Union, the technical regulation TR CU 018/2011, which we discussed above, establishes the following conditions:
- Studded tires are prohibited from being used in the summer – from June to August;
- Rubber with studded tread must be on all wheels of the vehicle (that is, you cannot have both studded tires and non-studded winter Velcro tires at the same time;
- The maximum number of studs per linear meter of tread is 60 pieces. This requirement will apply to tires that were manufactured after January 1, 2016.
If we talk about potential fines for using tires with spikes today, they are not established at the legislative level! Therefore, drivers from countries that are members of the Customs Union should not yet fear penalties. But the fine for driving a car on studded tires and not having a “Spikes” sign is 500 rubles.
Driving on all-season tires (Velcro) in 2019
It’s worth mentioning everything separately seasonal tires, you can drive a car quite comfortably in both winter and summer. Actually, these non-studded all-season tires are designed for road use throughout the year.
Please note that such tires can only be used in winter if they have the markings “M+S”, “M&S” or “MS” (which means “Mud & Snow”, that is, in English “mud and snow” ) and although the use of all-season tires in the winter months is not otherwise permitted, there is still no penalty for this.
How can traffic police officers fine you for tires?
Above we have already outlined the situation regarding legislative framework on questions seasonal change tires and fines for using out-of-season tires. A natural question arises: how will traffic police officers directly on the road monitor whether drivers comply with the standards specified above?
Today there is only one possible way establishing compliance with the seasonality of tires is passing technical inspection. But even here there were problems. For example, new cars that have just left the showroom may not pass inspection. And with cars in use, not everything is clear either - the responsibilities of their owners include undergoing maintenance only once a year, which means that the tires’ compliance with the season will be checked only once a year.
To summarize, I would like to note - despite the fact that fines for out-of-season tires have NOT been introduced in 2019, every car owner must take a responsible approach to the issue of the readiness of his vehicle for current road conditions! It is in your best interests to prepare your car as much as possible for certain weather and climatic conditions!
With the arrival of winter cold, every car owner must change summer wheels to winter ones. And this is where a lot of questions begin. How to do this, which tires are best to choose and when exactly are the deadlines for “re-shoeing”.
Our country is enormous in size and it must be said that weather situation different in all regions, therefore the timing of tire replacement is set according to different terms. The first to begin preparing for winter are the most northern regions, this happens already in mid-October, and often earlier. But the topic of winter tires is relevant for many regions
Russia, therefore the issue of winter “footwear” for a car is a burning issue for all car enthusiasts. So, what are the features of winter tires and when should you install them?
What is the difference between winter tires and summer tires?
Some owners passenger cars think with confidence that the main difference between summer and winter option consists only in the pattern on the tread and its profile depth. Of course, there is a difference in this too, but that’s not all. First of all, this different compositions rubber. The “summer shoe” mixture is much more resistant to high rates temperature. 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 sharply cold outside, it becomes “oaky” and does not provide the necessary grip.
It is worth mentioning the temperature threshold at which similar changes. 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 perform their main function and become dangerous.
Winter wheels have softer tires and are not so susceptible to lower temperatures, but at +7 and above they begin to spread out, which inevitably leads to rapid wear, as well as some inconvenience on an asphalt or concrete road.
Tread profile height also affects ride comfort. The deeper the pattern, the better the wheels adhere to the surface. There are also special devices in the form of spikes that provide more reliable ride on slippery places roads. Not all drivers install them, but those who use this device, without a doubt, have a safety advantage on winter roads and highways.
When can you use winter tires?
With the change of season for drivers, “ headache” associated with changing wheels, and many cannot determine the period when it is finally time. Indeed, there is no clear answer for counting, and everyone solves this problem for themselves independently. Specific numbers and the process itself depend on geographic location and climatic conditions.
There are rules set unspoken. They say that as soon as the air temperature stops rising above +7 degrees, you can start changing the shoes of your car. But several experienced drivers They give the following advice: if you go outside in the morning and find ice on the puddles, this is a sign to change your tires for the winter.
Therefore, take any of the options as a rule, because nowadays it’s quite difficult to guess with weather conditions. After frost comes warmth and remains for almost a month. There were off-seasons in the middle zone when we had to change tires twice during one fall.
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 remains zero even during the daytime.
You can pay attention to the following indicators, which give an idea of the periods of changing wheels in different regions mills.
- Moscow – from 15.10 – 25.10 the period for installing winter tires, and from 10.04 – 16.04 we install 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, 10/17-10/23 summer tires.
These are deadlines for replacement, so in some cases the “shoes” should be replaced earlier, this will save time, money and nerves. IN service centers The real rush begins when the weather changes suddenly, so you should take care of changing your tires in advance to avoid long queues.
Features of using all-season tires
I must say that this European type tires designed for mild climates. In our conditions, you can use such rubber 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 mud or snowy roads.
Important! At high temperatures, the use of out-of-season wheels is unsafe, since the braking distance can increase by up to 40%, and wear increases by 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 is that it has absorbed the characteristics of two types of rubber, but this does not make it a panacea; moreover, it is quite dangerous for 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 significantly save money spent on seasonal re-shoes.
Fines for improper use of tires
Since 2015, technical regulations have been in force in our country, which were developed in the Customs Union. This document states that during the period from December to February you cannot drive on the roads without winter tires. It is further written that in the summer months (June-August) you should only use summer option rubber. Naturally, Russia, which has many regions with different climatic features, makes adjustments to increase these intervals.
Important! The main thing that motorists should know is that there are penalties if the car is “shod” out of season. Its size reaches 500 rubles.
Each individual area has its own timing for replacing wheels, so you need to be guided by them. Traffic police officers are also guided by the climate characteristics of a given region and do not have the right to fine you if you are still within the deadline for replacing your tires. Usually, negligent drivers are punished in the form of fines with the onset of persistent cold weather.
When using winter tires, is the “studs” sign required?
If the driver uses studs on the treads of his car, be sure to have distinctive sign, telling other drivers about it. What is it for? On uneven surfaces Russian roads, anything can happen. Spikes fly out from under the wheels. There have often been cases of damage windshield those who are traveling 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.
Penalty for not having one identification mark for those drivers who have spikes on their wheels are described in our article.
In 2017, the legislative bodies made some amendments to the traffic rules, namely those that clearly regulate the use of winter tires. 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 tires in the winter, the driver will face a fine of five hundred rubles.
Timely replacement of wheels is not a whim, but a necessary measure for the safety of all road users. Skidding and ice on the road can lead to dire consequences. Every year a large number of people die on the country's roads for this reason. Until your car is ready to go on snowy roads without the appropriate equipment, you should not tempt fate and expose yourself and other people to emergency situation. A car is not only a means of comfort, but also increased danger. If you remember this constantly, you can avoid many negative consequences.
Throughout 2015, car enthusiasts discussed a new bill on how winter tires should be used. Many drivers still don’t know whether the law has been adopted or not. That is why it is important to understand this issue. Moreover, the violation traffic rules entails the imposition of fines.
Winter tire law
First of all, you should understand what kind of law it is about changing tires to winter ones and what its main provisions are. It is important to know that this is what the Technical Regulations are called Customs Union, which was adopted on January 1, 2015. It sets requirements for the safe use of transport.
From now on, it is prohibited to use tires designed for winter driving and equipped with studs in the summer. And, on the contrary, in winter it was forbidden to travel by car. summer wheels. At the same time, the legislation establishes the requirement that all wheels must be replaced at the same time.
However, the law on winter tires also has a large number of shortcomings. One of the most significant is the fact that there are no articles that would impose requirements on tires used on freight transport, as well as by bus.
In addition, it is not entirely clear how the compliance of rubber with the requirements specified in the law will be checked. Only technical inspection points have the corresponding powers. However, new cars are exempt from this obligation.
Why you should change your tires on time
When figuring out when to install winter tires according to the law, you need to understand why it is so important to comply with the requirements of this regulation. Main goal of development Technical regulations is to improve road safety.
Failure to install winter tires in a timely manner may result in whole line problems:
- increasing the braking distance significantly increases the likelihood of accidents;
- a decrease in traffic speed leads to traffic congestion;
- the car is slipping because it cannot overcome even not very steep inclines.
Rules for using wheels
The Winter Tire Law establishes certain rules for the operation of tires:
- In summer it is forbidden to use tires that are equipped with spikes. The ban period is from June to August.
- In winter, from December to February, you cannot drive cars that are not equipped with winter tires.
- All year round you can use special non-studded rubber (the so-called Velcro). It must be appropriately marked with the letters M and S.
- Depending on the climate, local authorities have the right to change the terms of use different types rubber. They can only be changed upward.
- The tread depth in winter should be at least 4 mm, and in summer - 1.6 mm.
Types of winter tires
Usually there are two types of winter tires - with studs and Velcro. Each of these types of tires has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The so-called Velcro are made of special quality rubber. It is very soft and resistant to low temperatures. This allows us to guarantee better grip with the road. These tires can be said to stick to the road surface. They are best suited for use in regions with mild climates, as well as in urban environments. However, Velcro has a longer length than In addition, they perform worse on ice and snow.
Tires with studs are considered the safest. They are great for extreme cold. At the same time, the excellent grip of studded wheels with the road can significantly reduce the braking distance. Such tires perform well on icy roads, as well as those covered with wet snow. Such wheels have much worse performance when used on wet asphalt. However, such wheels also have disadvantages. They are quite heavy and when moving on high speed They make a lot of noise. In addition, the spikes wear out very quickly, and fuel consumption during their operation increases.
Tire service life
Not only is it important that the law requires that the tread depth be required level. Therefore, you need to know how long you can use and how to increase the service life of tires.
It is impossible to calculate how long it will take for the tread to become unusable. This can only be determined during use. Studded tires wear out the fastest. They can be used for no more than three seasons. Velcro can be used much longer. All-season tires will last the longest. However, they should not be used under extreme weather conditions: in extreme heat or frost.
Thus, it is impossible to predict how long it will take for a tire to fail to comply with the law. However, there is a way to extend their useful life. To do this, you should not drive on wheels that are not appropriate for the season.
Tire category confirmation
As for the so-called all-season tires, the law does not provide any information on how to certify such tires. But manufacturers have found a way out - they issue two categories of certificates for the same tires. One confirms the possibility of their use in summer, the other in winter.
All winter tires will soon have special markings in the form of mountain ranges. This badge is international confirmation that the tires are made of special arctic rubber, which is designed for use at low temperatures.
Which tires were outlawed?
It's no secret that car tires with studs spoil the road surface. That is why they established standards on how many studs winter tires should contain. Russia supported this law.
The only difference is the number of spikes per linear meter. In Europe, this indicator is allowed at 50. In Russia it was increased by 10.
Thus, the manufacturer will have to prove that the number of studs meets the requirements established in the standards. For this purpose, a specialized testing facility is traditionally used. To determine whether tires comply with established standards, a vehicle drives a certain section of road 100 times at a speed of 100 km/h. After this, a strictly defined section of the road is weighed and the result is compared with the weight before the test. If the result falls within the established standards, the tested tires meet the requirements.
Today, the tire testing procedure is widely used in European countries. However, in Russia such testing laboratories does not exist.
As a result, it is not possible to check tires for compliance with standards. It turns out that in winter you can use almost any tire with spikes.
When to change tires?
If you remember the rules for using wheels established in regulations, the question, according to the law, will be automatically removed. To avoid disagreements with traffic police officers, this must be done before December 1. Tires must be reinstalled before June 1st.
But don’t forget about safety requirements. In accordance with them, it is not always advisable to have an administratively established period within which the transition to winter tires is carried out. The law specifies only recommended periods, but life should be guided by common sense. Regarding the timing of tire replacement, there are the following recommendations:
- You should install winter tires when the road has been covered with ice several times. It is not always advisable to change tires to winter ones immediately after the first frosts, which happen in Russia even in September. Hold the car on slippery road not easy. Therefore, you should not delay too much with replacement. summer tires for the winter, waiting for the snow to completely cover the ground.
- There is no need to rush to get rid of winter tires. You should wait until there is no ice on the road even at night.
Punishment for failure to comply with the law
Those who do not comply with the law on winter tires will not face punishment. The point is that on this moment fines for untimely replacement there are no tires.
However, the Code of Contraventions establishes that when using worn-out car tires The car owner faces:
- warning from a traffic police officer;
- a fine of 500 rubles.
In this case, the employee who detected the offense can choose from these options directly. In practice, the driver rarely manages to limit himself to a warning. Most often, traffic inspectors issue a receipt for payment of a fine. This can also encourage the car owner to comply with the deadlines for replacing winter/summer tires. The law is intended to improve the level
Thus, compliance with the requirements of the new law on the use of winter tires will not only protect you from paying fines. By listening to them, you can significantly improve safety on the road.
The high tread height of the new winter tire pleases the eye of the car owner. At first glance, it seems that the service life of winter tires will be long. However, in practice this does not always work out. What affects the duration of use and the degree of wear of a winter tire - every driver must answer for himself.
Tire service life - what to consider
When determining the service life of winter tires, the time when operation is possible and safe, taking into account traffic rules requirements and manufacturer's recommendations.
In most cases, the manufacturer stipulates the physical suitability of the product, or legally this indicator is taken equal to 10 years.
The practice of using winter tires shows that deadlines do not always coincide with reality. For winter tires various manufacturers, according to reviews, in Russia the average service life is:
- European manufacturers. Mileage taking into account different models is in the range of 50-60 thousand km.
- Russian manufacturers. Many models are licensed, or own developments, the quality of which has improved. The mileage ranges from 40 thousand km and above.
- Tires from China. On average with average functional characteristics, tires exhibit good wear resistance. There are known cases of mileage on one set of up to 80 thousand kilometers.
Car owners at the stage of choosing a set of wheels - studded tires or Velcro, should take into account that the duration of use does not exceed several seasons or 30 thousand km. It's connected with increased wear protruding elements.
Factors influencing wear
Along with the mileage and quality of the product itself, there are a number of operational factors that directly or indirectly affect the service life of winter studded tires. Factors should be taken into account both at the stage of purchasing a set of tires and during the entire shelf life.
Date of manufacture and storage method
The tire's release date is marked more than 10 years ago and is represented on the sidewall of the tire in the form of a 4-digit code. The first pair of digits indicates the week from the beginning of the year, and the second two indicate the last digits of the year. You should not pay attention to new wheels that have been in storage for more than 3 years.
The aging of winter tires has a significant impact a long period storage during the off-season. Ideal conditions would be a room without significant temperature fluctuations or excessive humidity. When choosing a storage method, the following options are not allowed:
- edge storage, which leads to loss of shape;
- stacking, which leads to “flattening” of the wheels;
- hanging a tire without a rim, which causes stretching into the “egg”.
The best option for storage is to hang the tire attached to the rim by a metal rim. If it is impossible to independently organize this method, you should contact specialized service providing such a service.
terms of Use
Some regular factors affecting tires also significantly reduce the service life:
- Mileage. It is clear that as mileage increases, the tread wears out. But also long downtimes have a destructive effect on the wheel. Therefore, it is important to choose a rational middle ground between frequent trips and rare car trips.
- Tire pressure. Initially in winter, increase the indicator by 0.2 bar relative to established by the manufacturer auto. A reduced pressure of 0.5 atmospheres reduces the service life by 20%, and an even smaller value becomes not only ruinous, but also dangerous. Equalize the tire pressure immediately!
- Movement under load. At constant fully loaded Even the best winter tires will reduce the service life of a car by 20-30%.
- Operating Parameters. Wheel balancing should be checked at least once a year - for example, before the start of the season. As necessary, diagnose the condition of the camber angles and the condition of the suspension - this will also reduce tread wear.
Increased road surface temperatures significantly increase tread wear winter wheels. Remember that studded tires are also used on clean asphalt. Therefore, you should strictly follow the traffic rules and change tires in a timely manner.
Driving style and road conditions
Long-term tests of the operation of winter tires have shown that for winter road conditions, driving at a speed of 120 km/h leads to complete wear and tear 40% faster than leisurely driving at speeds up to 90 km/h. Don't forget that speed directly affects the spikes that fly out. Although recently the fastening of the spikes has become more reliable.
High speed should also be correlated with the condition of the roads. It's easy to deduce here winter wheel out of order in an instant. Do not forget that the condition of winter roads is significantly worse than the surface in summer.
Operation when wear level is exceeded
Many car owners know about the residual wear level set for winter tires - 4 mm. That is why, when this value is reached, such wheels continue to be used during the warm season.
Tire tests show that even after a year of operation, braking properties tires are reduced by 10%. And almost bald tires winter purpose on summer asphalt it’s simply unsafe. The risk of a road accident increases many times over.
