When to wear summer tires

When is it legal to install winter tires in 2019?

Good afternoon, dear reader.

Every year, as cold weather approaches, drivers begin to wonder when to put on winter tires. Currently, the answer to this question is partially regulated by a regulatory legal document.

In this article we will talk about the legally established deadlines for changing summer tires to winter ones. In addition, a fine for improper use of tires will be considered.

When is it legal to switch to winter tires?

Let's consider 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 in the summer (June, July, August).

During the winter period ( December, January, February ), the operation of vehicles of categories M1 and N1 that are not equipped with winter tires that meet the requirements of paragraph 5.6.3 of this annex is prohibited. Winter tires are installed on all wheels of these vehicles.

A period different from that specified in paragraph one of this paragraph may be established by the legislation of a member state of the Eurasian Economic Union in connection with climatic and geographical factors characteristic of member states of the Eurasian Economic Union.

So, what can be understood from this paragraph:

During the summer months (June, July, August) only studded tires are prohibited. This requirement applies to all vehicles.
During the winter months (December, January, February), only winter tires are permitted. You can put both studded and non-studded tires on your car. The main thing is that they are marked “M+S”, “M&S” or “MS” and the corresponding drawing (in the picture on the left). The requirement applies only to category B (M1 cars and N1 trucks). The restriction does not apply to other vehicles from November 11, 2018.
The terms of the ban on exploitation can only be increased by the legislative authority of any level (federal, regional) and cannot be reduced. Those. In your region, for example, the use of studded tires may be prohibited from May to September. At the same time, regional authorities cannot reduce the period of the ban, i.e. From June to August, cars in all regions must not use studs.

Thus, there are the following intervals for using car tires:

Summer tires (without M+S marking, etc.) can be used from March to November.
Winter studded tires (marked M+S, etc.) can be used from September to May.
Winter studless tires (marked M+S, etc.) can be used all year round.

Let's look at a table with periods of possible tire use throughout the year:

When to change summer tires to winter ones

The range of tires can be compared to a shoe closet based on their intended purpose. Each car owner has his own set for the vehicle, which can consist of rare sports tires or aggressive off-road tires combined with regular standard tires for quiet trips on smooth roads. This choice is individual. But there are also basic kits that every car enthusiast needs, we are talking about summer and winter tires. Unlike situations with other types of tires, when replacing these “shoes” it is not enough to rely on personal ideas about the timing. Tips from lawyers and weather forecasters will help you navigate correctly.

Question about changing tires

When is it legal to change tires?

Traffic regulations do not regulate the technical condition of a car that is allowed to drive on public roads. Another document is devoted to this side of the issue - the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union “On the Safety of Wheeled Vehicles”. In the list of clause 5 “Requirements for tires and wheels” of Appendix No. 8 to this set of rules there is clause 5.5, which states:

“It is prohibited to operate vehicles equipped with tires with anti-skid studs in the summer (June, July, August).

During the winter period (December, January, February), the operation of vehicles of categories M1 and N1 that are not equipped with winter tires that meet the requirements of paragraph 5.6.3 of this appendix is prohibited. Winter tires are installed on all wheels of these vehicles.”

Vehicles of categories M1 and N1 respectively mean passenger cars and light trucks (with a carrying capacity of up to 3.5 tons). The condition of clause 5.6.3, referred to in the previous paragraph, looks like this:

“The tire is considered unsuitable for use at the Residual tread depth of winter tires intended for use on icy or snowy road surfaces, marked with a sign in the form of a mountain peak with three peaks and a snowflake inside it (Figure 5.1), as well as marked with the signs “M+S” ", "M&S", "MS" (in the absence of wear indicators) during operation on the specified coating - no more than 4.0 mm."

An example of tire markings approved for use in the winter months

In other words, passenger cars and light-duty vehicles are prohibited from driving on studded winter tires all summer, and on summer tires of any type all winter. The Code of Administrative Offenses does not provide for a fine for violating this rule, but the traffic police inspector has the right to impose a penalty for non-compliance with the technical condition of the vehicle due to insufficient tread depth.

And to really use all-season tires all year round, you need to check the following:

There is a sign on the tires with mountain peaks and a snowflake
It is accompanied by the marking “M+S”, “M&S” or “MS”
Tread depth is at least 4 mm

However, the law does not regulate the choice of tires for the spring and autumn months. Therefore, in order not to miss the moment of replacing tires, you need to know the difference between the physical properties of summer and winter tires.

Find out the price of tire fitting for your car

The difference in the properties of summer and winter tires

There are two main factors that directly influence the seasonal purpose of tires and their behavior on the road:

Tread type (pattern and depth).

If on summer tires the direction of the gutters is designed in such a way as to remove dirt and water from under the wheels, and their small depth is sufficient for traction with the road (7-8 mm on new tires), then the pattern of winter tires is designed to provide the car with maximum stability on a snowy and slippery road.

Hence the wide, deep grooves (9-12 mm), dividing the surface of the products into large blocks, and thin lamellas, making these blocks more plastic.

Composition of the rubber mixture. Both summer and winter tires are based on natural rubber. Its natural properties cannot be improved so that the tire remains plastic and provides the car with stability at both low (below -5°C) and high (above 25°C) temperatures.

All-season tires operate in this range, from -5°C to +25°C. And weather deviations to a lesser or greater extent require the selection of seasonal tires.

The composition of the summer one is calculated so that it is soft and does not wear out too quickly at temperatures above +7°C. If you leave it on the car when the thermometer drops below this figure, the tires will become hard, grip will deteriorate, and over time cracks may appear on the surface.
And in the case of winter, the priority is the plasticity of the material at low temperatures (up to +7°C). Due to their special softness and stickiness, such tires wear out noticeably faster in warm weather than in cold weather.

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At what temperature is it time to change tires?

The limit point of the thermometer at which both summer and winter tires begin to change their properties and behavior is +7°C. It is at this average daily temperature that it is recommended to change summer tires to winter ones. We are not talking about situations when the night or day temperature drops to +7°C; what is important is the indicator that weather forecasters obtain by measuring the temperature at the same time at regular intervals over several days.

Graph of tire efficiency versus temperature

In the Moscow region, this value is usually set in October - for example, in 2018, already on October 4, the average daily temperature was 6.33°C. And in Kazan, almost the same figure was recorded the next day, October 5, and after that it rarely rose higher.

How to choose winter tires?

Despite the common features (deep tread and soft rubber), different types of winter tires differ in purpose. There are three main ones:

Friction. These are tires with deep tread, but without studs. They are divided into two types:
1. European. From the name it is clear that the depth and location of the lamellas on its surface are intended for warm and slushy European winters - such tires are not suitable for the Russian climate.
2. Scandinavian. Its primary task is to provide traction on snowy and icy roads. This is achieved due to large contact spots with the canvas, which break through the top layer of ice. It is worth taking a closer look at such tires if you frequently travel on poor-quality roads and those that are rarely maintained and cleaned.
Studded . Metal studs on such tires work mainly for contact with ice, so they will not be the best option for snowy tracks and off-road conditions, but will become indispensable in regions with extremely low temperatures and little precipitation.

Examples of winter tire tread patterns

All-season. The ideal conditions for such rubber are the off-season and warm winter, because at temperatures below -5°C it loses its plasticity, and in the heat it becomes too soft and wears out quickly.

To make winter trips as comfortable as possible, it is worth analyzing the climatic norms of the region and assessing the frequency of trips into the city or outside of it, and making a choice based on this.

General recommendations

These rules will help make tire replacement convenient and timely, and further trips comfortable and safe:

Winter tires should be purchased in advance so as not to miss the right moment to replace them while looking for the best option. This will also help you save money: in summer, such tires usually cost less.
It is important to monitor the weather forecast and your own driving sensations.
It is better to entrust the replacement of tires to specialists, especially if for this you need to put them on the same disk as the summer one. Among other things, during the procedure they will be able to check and adjust the balance. If you sign up at a large service center, you can immediately rent a place to store summer tires.
After installation, it is necessary to monitor the tire pressure: due to temperature changes, it may change, requiring adjustment.

Conclusion

Seasonal tire changes are regulated by law and recommended by weather forecasters, taking into account changes in the physical properties of rubber compounds. What tires are installed on a car directly affects its behavior on the road in winter. Therefore, before choosing and replacing tires, it is important to assess the climate and conditions in which the car will be used.

You can learn more about the technical requirements for seasonal tires and the importance of replacing tires from a video consultation with a TransTechService specialist:

When to change tires to summer tires in 2020 according to the law

Does this mean that you need to change your tires as soon as the snow melts? No! It is important to be patient and wait not only for a stable “plus” during the day, but for the absence of overnight (and sometimes daily) short-term frosts that are quite possible in our climate. In this sense, as they say, it is better to “move.”

This is especially true for those who travel along suburban secondary roads (and icy yards). Because city streets and highways are actively treated with de-icing reagents.

Technical Regulations of the Customs Union “On the safety of wheeled vehicles” 018/2011, in particular paragraph 5.5, prescribes: “ The operation of vehicles equipped with tires with anti-skid studs is prohibited in the summer ( 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 during the winter period ( December, January, February ). Winter tires are installed on all wheels of the vehicle.

The terms of the operation ban may be changed upward by regional government bodies of the member states of the Customs Union.”

But let's return to the timing of replacement. In your region (more southern warmer) the authorities may prohibit the use of winter tires, for example, from March to November. Or in the northern regions - order the use of winter tires from September to May. At the same time, authorities at the regional level cannot limit the duration of the ban in force on the “union” territory: from December to February, cars throughout the Customs Union must use only winter tires, and from June to August - only summer tires.

Thus, if we proceed strictly from the deadlines specified in the Technical Regulations, we get:

Has the “winter tire law” been adopted in 2019?

During the off-season periods, autumn and spring, car owners need to “change the shoes” of their vehicle. To avoid accidents, it is necessary to change tires on time. Can the law help motorists in this matter or is it necessary to focus only on weather conditions?

We'll tell you when to change your shoes to winter tires in 2019 according to the law. And will there be a punishment for those who continue to drive on summer tires until the very frosts?

Regulatory Requirements

Until now, Russia has not adopted a law on winter tires. In 2019, the official website of the traffic police does not contain recommendations on replacement periods. The car owner can only rely on the requirements of the Technical Regulations “On the Safety of Wheeled Vehicles” TR TS 018/2011, but most importantly, on weather conditions.

The fact is that the requirements of the technical regulations do not take into account the climatic features of the regions of the Russian Federation:

winter tires must be worn from December to February;
studded tires are prohibited from June to August;
All-season and winter studless tires can be used all year round.

The technical regulations do not contain any further restrictions. The question of when to switch to winter tires in 2019, according to the law in a particular region, should be decided by regional authorities. It is they who, depending on climatic conditions, set the requirements for tire change periods. However, such regulations have not been adopted in the country. Therefore, “re-shoeing” a car is entirely on the conscience of the car enthusiast.

Since the law on winter tires has not been adopted in 2019, the situation on the roads may be as follows. For example, in Moscow you can use summer tires until December. In other regions, snow falls as early as October. Or in Sochi you can do without winter tires in December.

It is worth taking into account annual climate changes. The weather varies depending on the year. For example, in St. Petersburg, frosts can be as early as late October in one year, and in another year the warmth can last until mid-December. Therefore, a single criterion for switching to winter tires from December 1 for the entire country is irrelevant.

Winter studless tires can essentially be used all year round. There is no direct ban on this. Many drivers like to use Velcro rubber for the entire 12 months. Of course, this sharply reduces its service life.

Responsibility for using tires out of season

If the law on changing tires really worked in Russia, this could improve the situation with road surface wear. But at the federal level, drivers are not held accountable for using tires out of season.

There were attempts to make changes to the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation so that citizens would at least comply with the requirements of the regulations. For example, in 2014, the State Duma considered bill 464241-6. Its authors planned to introduce a fine for non-compliance with these standards (i.e. for using studs in the summer and for driving on summer tires in the winter months) in the amount of two rubles. But the bill did not even pass the first reading in the State Duma of the Russian Federation and was finally rejected in 2018.

Therefore, drivers often don’t even think about when the transition to winter tires in Russia takes place, and from what date. Some people use winter tires or all-season tires throughout the entire 12 months. There is no liability for using tires out of season. The result is an increase in accidents in rainy weather, as well as wear and tear on the road surface.

The opposite situation also occurs. Some extreme driving enthusiasts use summer tires in the winter months. But there are still fewer such drivers than fans of winter tires.

The only liability that drivers who do not care about the condition of the vehicle’s wheels can be held accountable for is tire wear. If the tread height is severely worn and is less than 4 mm, then the driver will face either a warning or a fine of 500 rubles.

Experience of other countries

In European countries, unlike Russia, the requirements for tires are stricter. For example, the transition to winter tires in Finland in 2019 is regulated. Studded tires have been allowed in the country since October 1. But it is mandatory to use any type of winter tires only from December 1st. Summer tires are allowed from April 1st. By this date, the use of tires with studs must be completed. But studless tires are formally allowed for all 12 months.

However, weather conditions have the final say. For example, police officers are always sympathetic to situations when in April a person drives a car with studded tires to frosty Lapland and vice versa.

Thus, despite the requirements of the law, the climatic characteristics of individual regions must always be taken into account when choosing tires.

Expert advice

Since there is no law on changing tires to winter ones, and the official website of the traffic police does not provide detailed explanations, motorists need to rely on the opinions of experts. They recommend putting on winter tires when the temperature is less than +5 degrees. The same requirement applies to the situation when switching to flying tires. If the temperature is above 5 degrees, then you can change the tires to the summer version.

Tires in the off-season: when to change shoes?

“Kitty, buy winter tires for my swallow. Just not studded ones, so they don’t itch while walking.” It is useless to argue with my dear, and the household is replenished with a set of “Velcro” devices mounted on disks.

Darling thinks about safety and even looks through the automotive press. But, unfortunately, the advertising thesis “at temperatures below plus seven degrees Celsius, the properties of summer tires deteriorate and driving becomes unsafe” is taken too literally. She is ready to change the car’s shoes almost in the first ten days of October, when there are no queues at the tire shops. And then he torments the winter wheels until the May holidays, because in the spring there is always not enough time for such trifles as changing the shoes of the car. The shortcomings of a summer wheel on ice and snow are immediately noticeable to her, but a winter “Velcro” wheel rolls and rolls on the asphalt.

Shock therapy in this case works better than words. Hyundai Solaris and its owner are invited to the Smolensk Ring race track, where serious men are testing equally serious equipment. The car is shod with Michelin X-Ice 185/65R15 winter tires, and in the trunk is a set of Hankook Optimo K415 summer tires of the same size.

The weather is ideal: cloudy, no precipitation, air temperature +4 ºС. It is at plus four that the snowflake symbol lights up on the dashboard of many cars - they say, be careful, it can be slippery! Meanwhile, dry asphalt and snow are not expected under the wheels in the near future.

The lesson begins with braking. A strong blow to the pedal at a speed of 100 km/h and the accompanying chatter of ABS make a much greater impression on the female psyche than the numbers on the display of a high-precision measuring device. We don’t torment the lady with intermediate results, quickly change the wheels - and the next series of braking. Then a short calculation and announcement of the result: winter tires in these conditions are inferior to summer tires by four meters of braking distance! This is only a palm less than the length of the Solaris hatchback.

Perhaps on other asphalt and with other tires the difference will be different, but in this case it is not the absolute indicators that are more important, but the trend.

Measurements and assessment of controllability are underway. You can see genuine interest in the woman’s eyes – Hyundai has never driven her so vigorously before!

After the races on the ring track, the test driver shares his impressions. So, on summer tires, the car brakes better and responds quickly to steering turns, but when accelerating on curves, the unloaded front wheel slips. Hence the unpleasant squeal of skidding tires.

On winter tires, the ABS kicks in earlier and you have to brake early; reactions to steering wheel turns are not so clear, but the Solaris accelerates well out of corners. Under traction, an unloaded wheel, shod with Velcro, clings to the asphalt better.

Then we invite the guest to look at the lap time. Winter tires beat summer tires! Maybe not by much, just a second per lap, but they are consistently faster. And of course, there is a question from the male part of the population: what is more important for a beautiful lady - a small increase in acceleration dynamics or a noticeably shorter braking distance? No additional arguments were needed - priority was given to braking.

The lady made her own conclusions. Replacing wheels is not only a physical, but also a mental transition to winter operation. Even in the autumn or spring off-season, when there is no snowfall or ice, the braking distance on clean asphalt is no longer the same as in the summer. Therefore, only those who do not think about their own safety and the safety of others ride on winter Velcro in late spring, and even more so all year round.

– It was interesting, thanks for the science!

When to change tires according to the new law?

On January 1 of this year, the technical regulations of the Customs Union “On the safety of wheeled vehicles” came into force. It follows from it that from the beginning of December to the end of February, winter tires must be installed on all wheels of the car. Any – studded or non-studded. The main thing is that they are marked M + S. By decision of regional authorities, the seasonal period can be extended. In addition, the law prohibits the use of studded tires in the summer (from June to August inclusive). Formally, “Velcro” cars do not fall under this clause of the law, but we strongly recommend not to ride them in the heat. How to act in the off-season? According to actual weather, taking into account the long-term forecast. In central Russia, winter tires are usually appropriate from late October to mid-April.