Why you can't drive on winter tires in summer

Is it allowed to drive on winter tires in summer?

As stated in the traffic rules law

The answer to the question whether, according to the Rules, the use of out-of-season tires is prohibited is clear - no, it is not prohibited. Justifications below.

Dear readers! The article talks about typical ways to resolve legal issues, but each case is individual. If you want to find out how to solve your particular problem , contact a consultant:

+7 (812) 317-60-09 (Saint Petersburg)

APPLICATIONS AND CALLS ARE ACCEPTED 24/7 and 7 days a week.

It's fast and FREE !

Since July 1, 1994, the Road Traffic Rules, approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1090 of October 23, 1993, have come into force on the roads.

It says that a motorist is prohibited from operating a vehicle if the tires:

have external damage (for example, cuts or punctures exposing the cord);
the size or permissible load do not correspond to the vehicle model;
delaminate along the frame or sidewall.

In addition, you should not drive a car if:

tires with different parameters are installed on one axle (for example, a radial tire is installed on the left front, and a diagonal tire is installed on the right front);
the remaining tread depth (measured with a caliper) is less than the value regulated by law (for example, for standard passenger cars of category M1, the depth must be more than 1.6 mm).

Is it possible to drive a vehicle in summer on winter tires?

Despite the fact that the traffic rules do not directly prohibit drivers from driving a car equipped with winter tires in the summer months, this does not mean that this action is permitted.

The corresponding ban is stated in the Technical Regulations TR CU 018/2011, approved by the Decision of the Customs Union Commission No. 877 of December 9, 2011 (hereinafter referred to as the Technical Regulations).

It says that in the summer (June, July, August) you cannot drive a car that has tires with anti-skid spikes.

This legal norm should be interpreted literally - that is, in the summer months you can drive on winter tires (and any other tires in general) if they do not have studs.

If the spikes are removed or knocked out

It seems that the absence of all the studs transfers the tire to the studless category, which means that driving one in the summer, according to the technical regulations, is allowed.

Velcro

In the colloquial language of car enthusiasts, this type means a studless winter tire.

As for driving in the summer on such tires, yes, it is allowed, and still in accordance with the same norm of the Technical Regulations, which prohibits driving in the summer exclusively on tires equipped with anti-skid studs.

What are the road hazards?

Many motorists believe that if winter tires “hold” the car perfectly in snow or ice conditions, then in the summer, when the danger of slipping is minimized, they will perform even better.

Therefore, when driving a car equipped with winter tires in the summer, the driver will increasingly notice the effect of increasing hydroplaning, which will not have the best effect on road safety.

Moreover, winter and summer tires differ in composition - softer material is used in the production of the former.

Increased softness affects the wear of tires when used in the summer - a motorist who has been driving on them all summer risks incurring additional financial costs associated with the purchase of a new set of wheels by the time autumn arrives.

Neglecting to replace tires also risks:

noticeable increase in braking distance;
slow vehicle reactions to steering wheel rotation;
decreased directional stability on the highway and in city conditions, etc.

What are the fines?

As of 2019, there are no sanctions for using out-of-season tires in the current version of the Administrative Code. However, legislators planned to introduce corresponding liability.

Although the driver may well be charged under Part 1 of Art. 12.5. Code of Administrative Offenses and punish either in the form of a warning or a fine of 500 rubles.

Bill to penalize out-of-season use

On March 3, 2014, members of the Federation Council Tyulpanov, Dobrynin, Klishas and deputies of the State Duma Ilyasov, Kolesnik, Andreev and Gerasimova came up with a legislative initiative to tighten liability for citizens who violate the requirements of the Technical Regulations regarding tires and wheels.

The corresponding bill No. 464241-6 provided for the addition of Art. 12.5. Code of Administrative Offenses with a new part 3.2., which would regulate the imposition of a fine in the amount of 2000 rubles for any violation of the requirements of legislative acts regarding wheels and tires.

However, the matter did not go beyond the first reading by the State Duma. At the moment, the project has been rejected, so the desire of some legislators to tighten responsibility remains so.

Will the car pass?

To purchase an MTPL policy, for driving without which liability is provided for in Part 2 of Art. 12.37. Code of Administrative Offenses (traffic police fine 800 rubles), you must first issue a diagnostic card, that is, undergo a technical inspection.

The DC will not be issued if:

non-compliance of the tread pattern height with the requirements established in clause 5.6. Appendix 8 to the Technical Regulations;
installation of different tires on one axle;
there is a section of the treadmill where the tread pattern height is below the minimum set value.

A motorist who arrives at a service station in the hot season with out-of-season tires will be able to undergo a technical inspection provided that the tire meets other established safety requirements.

Video: What happens if you drive on winter tires in the summer? Every driver should know this!

Due to frequent changes in legislation, information sometimes becomes outdated faster than we can update it on the website.
All cases are very individual and depend on many factors. Basic information does not guarantee a solution to your specific problems.

That's why FREE expert consultants work for you around the clock!

Ask a question via the form (below) or via online chat
Call the hotline:
- Moscow and the Region - +7 (499) 110-43-85
- St. Petersburg and region - +7 (812) 317-60-09
- Regions - 8 (800) 222-69-48

APPLICATIONS AND CALLS ARE ACCEPTED 24/7 and 7 days a week.

Is it possible to drive on winter tires in summer and what is the fine?

On winter tires in summer

Driving on winter tires in summer is prohibited. And we are talking specifically about the summer months: June, July and August. But there are nuances when you can run into a fine for this, and in what cases it can be avoided without losing the increased risk of getting into an accident due to seasonality discrepancies. Now let’s talk about exactly what laws regulate the seasonality of the use of winter and summer tires and what fines are provided for tires that do not correspond to the season.

What do the traffic rules say?

The direct answer to our main question says absolutely nothing useful. Traffic regulations regulate the condition of tires and wheels, as well as the combination of their use on different axles.

But whether it is possible to drive on winter tires in the summer, as well as the possibility of using summer tires in the winter, is regulated by the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union “ On the safety of wheeled vehicles ”. It is he who prohibits the use in the summer months of tires labeled as winter, but only studded.

5.5. It is prohibited to operate vehicles equipped with tires with anti-skid studs in the summer (June, July, August) .
.
The terms of the operation ban may be changed upward by regional government bodies of the member states of the Customs Union.

Thus, you can drive in the summer on winter tires if they are not studded, but studded ones are prohibited.

What's wrong with my region?

As can be seen from the quote above, each region can change the timing of the ban on the use of winter tires in summer. You can find out this on the websites of the administrations of your regions or on the website of the government of the subject. But at the moment, not a single region has changed these dates, despite the difference in climate in our large country.

What's the fine?

Here's some good news! Despite the direct ban on driving a vehicle with winter tires in the summer, there is no punishment for this in 2019: no fine, no operating ban, no other sanctions from the Administrative Code.

If a traffic police officer tries to deceive you, demand that you indicate a specific article of the Code of Administrative Offenses. In any case, it is indicated in the resolution and protocol - this obligation is regulated by the Administrative Code. And the Code of Administrative Offenses has an article - 12.5, part 1, which provides for a fine of 500 rubles for driving under conditions under which such driving is prohibited.

But this article has a direct reference to traffic rules, and the latter do not contain any prohibition. We have already mentioned above that such a ban is contained in the Technical Regulations.

What can a fine be issued for?

But there are other requirements for tires - specifically even for winter tires, because at the moment you are using them. We described in detail how winter and summer tires formally differ in another article about summer tires in winter. In short, this is the marking of a snowflake on a mountain with three peaks or the meaning of “M+S”, “M&S”, “MS”.

This is what she looks like:

That is, even if the tires are even studded, but there is no indicated marking, then formally you are not violating anything.

So, all requirements for winter tires, for which a fine may be issued, are regulated by the Traffic Regulations, specifically, Section 5 of the Main Faults (Appendix to the Traffic Regulations). Let's list them:

tread depth of at least 4 mm (and it doesn’t matter that you use winter tires in the summer, a smaller residual depth is prohibited specifically for tires labeled as winter tires); but the requirement is relevant only if there are no wear indicators on the tires. If so, then, according to these indicators;
There is damage on the tires in the form of:
1. cuts, peeling, tears, if the cord is visible (it does not matter whether the cord threads are broken or not),
2. separation of the tread from the “side”;
if the tires do not correspond to the vehicle speed or load index;
on one axle (front or rear) there are different tires, except for new and used ones (if they are not retreaded tires);
studded tires are installed at the same time as non-studded tires.

If you do not comply with the above requirements, then a fine of 500 rubles becomes legal.

If the studs on studded tires come out

Let's consider a slightly more complex situation - when the car has winter tires, but without the remaining studs - is it possible to drive on such tires? Yes. According to the letter of the quotation from the Technical Regulations, the ban refers to a car equipped with tires with studs

The same applies to Velcro - winter tires that a priori are not equipped with studs.

But if the spikes remain, then another requirement with a fine awaits you. About him below.

Is it possible to drive in summer on winter tires?

Is it possible to use winter tires in summer?

When the weather gets hot like summer, both temperature and road conditions change. And although it seems quite logical to change the tires on your car when the season changes, not all drivers manage to do this on time. Moreover, some believe that winter tires from European manufacturers are designed for the “European winter,” which is supposedly soft, so such tires can be used in Russia in the summer. Is this really so and what is the potential cost of a mistake?

How is a winter tire different from a summer tire?

The differences are primarily due to differences in the conditions in which winter and summer tires operate, when it is necessary to provide maximum traction and driving stability, based on the temperature and condition of the asphalt. Therefore, there are differences in the production technology of winter and summer tires. An all-season tire occupies an intermediate position between summer and winter tires, but in hot weather it does not perform its functions as well as summer tires, and in cold weather it does not perform as well as winter tires. Thus, a pneumatic tire is a winter tire if the tire design, rubber compounds used in its production, and tread pattern are specially designed to guarantee increased traction on icy and snow-covered surfaces compared to a regular summer tire.

A winter tire must be marked with the symbols “M+S” or “M&S” or “M S”. The manufacturer of a winter tire, in addition to the specified mandatory marking, may apply additional marking in the form of a snowflake against the background of a three-headed mountain peak: . This marking indicates that the winter tire is suitable for use in harsh winter conditions, including dense and compacted snow, which is confirmed by high results of special test tests. Tires with this pictogram are usually considered real winter tires. The designation “M+S” on tires literally translates as “mud and snow.” The developers of such tires sought to improve the performance of such tires when driving on mud, newly fallen or beginning to melt snow. Many all-season tires may carry this marking, but not all that have it are tested as a tire for severe winter conditions. So, a real winter tire always has the “M+S” marking and a snowflake icon against the background of three mountain peaks at the same time.

Differences in the rubber composition of winter and summer tires

In the manufacture of various tire elements, rubber compounds with different properties and purposes are used.

Mixtures for winter tires must be such that the structural elements of winter tires retain their performance to the maximum extent in the temperature range characteristic of a particular climate zone. Usually this means a range from positive 5 - 10°C to negative 40 - 45°C. Unlike winter tires, the rubber compounds of summer tires must ensure efficient operation of the tire at positive temperatures, up to 50 - 55°C. At positive temperatures, close to 0°C, the functional characteristics of summer tire rubber compounds noticeably decrease, and at negative temperatures they sharply deteriorate, which makes it very dangerous to operate a summer tire in winter at subzero temperatures.

Differences in tread pattern

Winter tires have a tread adapted to winter operating conditions. It is deeper, its elements are larger, the structure itself is more sparse. Numerous sipes (narrow sipes, the width of which is 5-10 times less than the width of the remaining tread grooves), oriented in different directions, increase the vehicle's controllability and braking efficiency on snow and ice, and also increase the tire's grip on the winter road and the vehicle's braking efficiency . The tread grooves of a winter tire are usually wider and deeper than the tread grooves of a summer tire. Unlike a summer tire, the tread pattern of a winter tire must ensure not only effective drainage of water, but also the removal of a mixture of snow and water (snow-water slush) from the contact patch of the winter tire with the road. In addition, the tread of some winter tire models may be equipped with anti-skid studs, which provide increased traction on ice and compacted snow. For any tire, a standard residual tread depth is legally established, upon reaching which the tire must be removed from service. The tire manufacturer must provide in the tread pattern indicators that the tread wear limit has been reached, which will help the driver to understand in a timely manner that the tread depth is the minimum permissible and the use of such a tire should be stopped immediately. For a winter passenger tire that is used on icy or snowy road surfaces, this norm is 4 millimeters.

The tread pattern of a summer tire is designed taking into account the characteristics of the tire's operation in summer conditions, usually these are good roads, high speeds, increased requirements for driving comfort, efficiency and mileage of a summer tire, and safety on wet roads. The number of lamellas in the tread pattern of a summer tire is significantly less than in a winter tire. The tread of a summer tire cannot be equipped with anti-skid studs. For a summer passenger tire, the legally established standard for the remaining tread depth, upon reaching which the summer tire must be removed from service, is 1.6 millimeters.

Consequences of using winter tires in summer

Winter tires have improved traction on snowy and icy roads. If you use winter tires on dry road surfaces, you may encounter deterioration in vehicle handling, increased braking distance, increased risk of aquaplaning, excessive heat generation in the tire, faster wear of the tread of the winter tire, and a fairly high level of noise generated by the tire. Winter studded tires with their spikes destroy dry road surfaces, thereby harming not only the road itself, but also the environment. Winter tires are usually heavier than summer tires of similar size, the depth of the grooves and the saturation of sipes in the tread pattern are greater, which leads to a deterioration in such an important tire property for motorists as fuel efficiency.

Time to change tires

As for the procedure for using winter tires, it is defined in the technical regulations of the Customs Union “On the safety of wheeled vehicles” (abbreviated as TR CU), which was approved by the Commission of the Customs Union in 2011 and came into force in January 2015.

In particular, the CU TR establishes that in the winter (December, January, February) it is prohibited to operate vehicles that are not equipped with winter tires, but in the summer (June, July, August) it is prohibited to operate vehicles equipped with winter studded tires . Moreover, the specified time intervals can be changed by the relevant government authorities and changed only in the direction of expansion.

Thus, in the summer (June, July, August), the law does not prohibit the use of winter non-studded tires (sometimes they are also called friction tires, or in everyday jargon, “Velcro”). But, nevertheless, these are winter tires and the manufacturers of these tires sought to provide them with maximum performance characteristics (and, above all, safety characteristics!), which manifest themselves precisely on winter roads. It does not matter whether these tires are recommended for use in severe winter conditions or in mild (sometimes the term “European”) winter conditions. In terms of safety, comfort, and efficiency characteristics, studless winter tires cannot compete with tires specially designed for use in the summer, namely summer tires.

Taking this into account, tire manufacturers usually recommend replacing winter tires with summer tires if the average daily air temperature exceeds +7 °C.

Why can't you drive on studded tires in the summer? (2 photos)

Drivers themselves note: if you drive around the city with the windows open on hot days, you can soon hear the studded tires of the cars next door “clicking” on the hot asphalt.
The elasticity of the winter tire material is greater than that of the summer tire, so at elevated temperatures its strength decreases.
In addition, the braking distance of the car increases, sometimes by 2 vehicle body lengths. Control over the car decreases, the risk of an accident increases. Studded tires, along with the increased softness of the material, make the tread “blocks” more prone to breaking during lane changes and when cornering. Which leads to serious wear and tear.

Winter tires are designed to interact with water, which is mostly in a solid state.
It is more difficult to cope with ordinary puddles. As a result, the car is more difficult to drive. In summer you cannot drive on studded tires, because due to their softness they wear out faster than summer tires.
This factor leads to the fact that the fuel consumption of an incorrectly “shod” car increases by 15 percent. The use of this type of tire in summer is contrary to the requirements of the Vehicle Safety Regulations. The document states that in June, July, and August the use of vehicles with wheels with winter tires is prohibited. As punishment, the violator faces a warning or an administrative fine of 500 rubles.

Is it possible to drive in summer on winter tires?

Everyone knows how dangerous summer tires are (regardless of whether they are bald or new) when driving on a winter road. Driving a car with summer tires in winter is extremely undesirable and dangerous due to the hardness of the tire and insufficient tread depth. What about driving in the summer?

There is a common misconception among owners of winter tires with Velcro that there is no need to change them if the tire is not bald. Velcro will not stick to the road surface. Even a careful trip over a short distance has a number of negative consequences: a high risk of danger in an emergency, severe wear and tear, and difficulties with driving the car.

ATTENTION! A completely simple way to reduce fuel consumption has been found! Don't believe me? An auto mechanic with 15 years of experience also didn’t believe it until he tried it. And now he saves 35,000 rubles a year on gasoline! Read more"

Universal tires, also called “all-season” tires, are designed for use in the Central European climate. Despite the fact that they do not need to be changed, the cost of such kits is higher, and they wear out faster.

Studded tires are not suitable for summer use at all, there are no benefits or advantages - this is the unanimous opinion of automotive industry specialists.

Consequences of using winter tires in summer

The main differences between winter tires are in the properties of the rubber, tread pattern and groove depth. All this ensures reliable grip on the surface with minimal rolling resistance.

A more detailed examination of the dangers of driving on winter tires in the summer will allow us to draw conclusions and, if necessary, change seasonal vehicle maintenance activities. In summer operating conditions, a number of negative aspects arise due to the fact that winter tires are not designed for driving on asphalt in hot weather conditions.

Main negative consequences:

Rapid wear. The alloy structure of winter tires is softer, and manufacturers do not provide any guarantees when operating above 7-14 degrees Celsius. In summer, the rubber melts more strongly, rolling resistance increases, and the tire heats up even more. There are known cases of winter tires being damaged by ordinary pebbles on the road, which are absolutely harmless to summer tires. Extreme heat in hot weather may cause it to explode. If a tire fails while driving at speed or in heavy traffic, the consequences can be dire.
Difficulty with steering. Even a moderate temperature of 11 degrees Celsius has a critical effect on the car on the road: steering is difficult, maneuvers on the road lead to wobbling, poor acceleration when applying gas. If you don't change your tires, just a few trips will wear out the tires.
Long braking distance. Driving a car with a set of winter tires is more dangerous than driving bald summer tires in the summer. Insufficient grip on the road surface leads to an increase in braking distance, which can increase up to two car body lengths. Moreover, driving on winter tires in the summer months is dangerous for both the driver and pedestrians. If a pedestrian suddenly appears on the road, such braking can lead to death or serious injury - these are the sad statistics of judicial practice.
Increased fuel consumption. In order for adhesion to the road surface to occur, a winter tire requires more effort. Additional effort comes from running the engine, which requires more fuel. Statistics show that driving on sticky tires on a hot day increases gas mileage by 5-10%. If you calculate how much additional fuel you will have to fill, the savings from not wanting to change a set of tires look dubious.

Studded tires add to the list of unpleasant consequences:

If you ride on studded tires, dangerous spikes may fly out.
Noise on dry asphalt will deprive the ride of any comfort.
Damage to the road surface. In summer, tire spikes practically cut out part of the asphalt, and a rut forms on the road.

In addition, rubber wear occurs unevenly. If a pebble hits a wear site, it results in the formation of a stress cross on the tread. Wear increases so much that a hundred kilometers can make the tire “square,” damaging the suspension and chassis.

And the question of why you can’t drive winter tires with studs or Velcro in summer becomes irrelevant. When a car owner belatedly changes winter tires to summer ones, the list of defects that the car acquired due to improper use will be impressive.

From a legal point of view

Driving on winter tires will not end with car problems alone. There are ongoing moves to introduce specific regulations and penalties for the use of winter tires in the summer. In 2014, the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union were signed, according to which, from 2015, a driver using a car with winter tires in the summer will be fined.

TR CU 018/2011 “On the safety of wheeled vehicles”, in addition to restrictions on the operation of bald tires, introduces prohibitions regarding the rules for operating tires on the roads:

The ban applies only to vehicles equipped with tires with anti-skid studs.
A fine will be issued if studded tires are used between June and August, i.e. Only during the calendar summer months this cannot be done. At the same time, there is no precise legislative indication of which tires to drive in autumn and spring and when a set change is required. However, there is a provision that the rules for using seasonal tires can be determined taking into account the climatic and weather conditions of a particular region. For example, in areas of northern latitudes, summer tires are not required at all.
Tread depth requirements prohibiting the use of bald tires. For the summer set, tires with a depth of less than 1.6 mm cannot be used. For a winter set, the tread depth should be from 4 mm.
Repeated fines will not increase the amount imposed.

The technical regulations of the Customs Union contain norms of international law that are equivalent to domestic legislation. It does not contain provisions regarding the rules and service life of other types of winter tires. Therefore, this ban will not yet affect owners of cars equipped with tires with Velcro.

The amount of the fine is established in accordance with Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation - 500 rubles.

Is it worth driving with winter tires in summer?

Using winter tires for purposes other than their intended purpose leads to a number of detrimental consequences for the car and the driver: a high risk of accidents on the roads, difficulties with driving, rapid wear and failure of a number of vehicle systems, increased fuel consumption and, finally, a fine.

The question of why it is necessary to change winter tires to a summer set has a clear answer - such trips on asphalt in the hot season will not bring anything good. However, much depends on where the car is used and in what climatic conditions. On roads in northern latitudes, in the permafrost zone, it is worth adhering to common sense and the rules established for a specific region.

The question of when to change tires to summer ones is resolved in a similar way. There is a widespread opinion about the timing of replacing a seasonal tire: March 15 – switch to summer tires, November 15 – switch to winter tires. However, there is no precisely established single date in the law, and tires must be changed, taking into account the climate of a particular region and specific weather conditions.