Different tires front and rear fine

Is it possible to put different tires on the front and rear axles?

Vehicle owners cannot always minimize vehicle costs, often saving on components and consumables.

While cutting costs and trying to make a profit from operating a car, they even turn a blind eye to safety. You can get a fine from a traffic police officer even without violating traffic rules for overtaking, speeding or driving through an intersection.

Situations when different tires on the axles are installed on a vehicle are considered dangerous. Many people don’t even know whether it is possible to install different tires on different axles according to traffic regulations in 2019.

Passenger cars are equipped with tire sets consisting of 4 identical tires that can be used without restrictions . But if one of the tires is damaged, it needs to be replaced.

If the remaining 3 tires are almost new, then the driver does not particularly want to buy a new set of tires. The car owner needs a single tire that fits the other three, and many sellers do not sell tires one at a time from a set.

Is it possible to drive on different tires?

Traffic regulations regulate the use of tires on a vehicle . Paragraph 5.5 of the Traffic Regulations states that installing tires with different rubber on one axle of a vehicle is prohibited. The law has been in force since 2010 and is valid until today.

According to clause 5.5, the operation of vehicles is prohibited if the following are installed on one axle:

models with different tread patterns;
tires of different sizes and designs (tube and tubeless, radial and diagonal);
new and refurbished with different treads;
frost-resistant and non-frost-resistant;
new tires and with deepened tread;
studded and non-studded tires.

This paragraph does not completely prohibit the use of different tires on the front and rear axles of a car, except for the simultaneous use of studded and non-studded tires.

Such an installation is clearly prohibited; it is strictly forbidden to combine them. All 4 tires of the car must be studded or studless.

On the one hand, this ban is useful, since motorists often relegate the issue of safety to the background, reducing the cost of car maintenance. A vehicle equipped with different tires on the same axle may behave unpredictably when braking.

This situation is especially dangerous in the rain or when there is ice on a slippery road. Only the driver will be to blame for the sad consequences.

For example, if your car has one tire for dry roads, and the second wheel is designed to prevent hydroplaning. When it rains, one wheel will skid and the other will remain stable on the road surface.

Installing summer and winter tires on one axle

A fine of 500 rubles can be imposed not only for different tires . Although there is no classification of rubber in the traffic rules, according to the current norms of international standards (Technical Regulations of the Customs Union), motorists who did not have time to change one type of tire to another can be punished.

Winter tires must be installed on all wheels of vehicles . If one of the tires has become unusable and you cannot find a replacement for it, you can buy two identical tires and install them on one of the axles of the car.

At the same time, tires on different axles can vary significantly. The ban applies only to the installation of studless winter tires on the front axle of a car, and regular summer tires on the rear axle.

All tires on the car must be either summer or winter.

We also do not recommend combining winter and summer tires, since the grip of tires on the road surface is very different, which can lead to the vehicle turning around and unpredictable consequences.

Ideally, tires should be selected with a minimum of differences between them . If one of the winter tires is damaged, then the best option would be to buy a pair of winter tires and install them on one of the axles. And although different winter tires will be installed on the front and rear, this is not a violation.

Currently, a bill is being discussed in favor of tightening restrictions on the use of non-seasonal tires. If adopted, car owners with incorrect tires may be fined 2 thousand rubles.

It is possible that the owner of the vehicle was stopped while he was driving to a service station to change tires . If the employee could not be convinced of this verbally, then his explanations must be entered into the protocol on the offense.

If you have to challenge a fine, this testimony will come in handy. You can also express your doubts about the correct measurement of the tread length.

If you are nevertheless handed a sanction order, you can pay the fine within 2 months or appeal it in court within 10 days if you have any doubts about the legality of the inspector’s measures.

You should also know that you can appeal the court's decision . If the court rejects your case, you will have to pay the amount issued.

Therefore, car owners should be more attentive to the requirements for tires on wheels. In addition to monetary sanctions, this is important for your own and others’ safety on the roads.

Is it possible to put different tires on the front and rear axles?

Having pairs of unequal tires on the front and rear means you are using the car legally . The legislation says nothing about this, there are no prohibitions.

Since the characteristics of the wheels are almost the same, the vehicle should not pull to the sides, but there are still some nuances.

In order for a car to better hold the road during rain, the front and rear pairs of wheels must still have similar characteristics.

Previously, it was often practiced to combine summer and winter tires. Winter tires were installed on the rear axle of a car with a classic drive, while summer tires remained on the front axle.

On four-wheel drive vehicles, important components and the engine are located under the hood, so the bulk of the weight is allocated to the front.

If the car owner puts winter tires on the front of the car, then the car will perfectly grip the icy road in front, but the rear of your vehicle will wobble. This can lead to vehicle skidding, which is completely unsafe.

Although the law does not provide for a fine for different tires on the axles, it is still worth thinking about safety on the road. When installing wheels with different profile heights and from different manufacturers on your car, we recommend that you leave a minimum gap between the tire diameter.

If, during an inspection of a vehicle by an inspector, tires with a different size are installed on one axle, then you will be required to fine you for different tires on the same axle in the amount of 500 rubles.

To avoid paying this amount, you can tell the traffic police officer that you have just punctured the tire and are heading to the service station. But you should not abuse this behavior; it will be much easier to replace the wheel on the axle, avoiding the problem.

Is it possible to put tires with different patterns on different axles and is this allowed?

Sometimes car owners install tires with different tread patterns on different axles . The Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation does not have any directly specified rules regarding punishment for different tires on different axles.

Operation of a car is permitted if there are two identical tires on the front axle of the car, and two identical tires on the rear axle. The two front tires may have a different pattern from the two rear ones.

It is enough to buy two identical tires and install them on one axle . This way, you will save a little, but you will also not have problems during emergency braking due to the difference in tread patterns.

Is it allowed to install tires with different tread patterns on the same axle?

If the tires have different tread patterns, the operating conditions of the car are violated, and this is not at all safe.

In clause 5.5. the corresponding norm is prescribed, and gives the traffic police officer a reason to fine the driver 500 rubles or give him a warning.

Is it possible to put tires with different wear on one axle?

Only identical tires should be installed on one axle of a car..

Different tires cannot be used on the same axle, but tires with different wear on the same axle are not subject to restrictions.

If your vehicle has damaged two left wheels, then you can install the remaining right tires on one of the axles, and a pair of new tires on the other axle.

The ban applies to the use of new and retreaded tires, as well as new tires and tires with a deep tread pattern:

Retreaded tires are when a completely worn tire is sent to a factory and has a new layer of rubber and tread applied to it.
Deepening the tread pattern is when, using special equipment, the grooves on the tire are deepened, that is, a new tread is cut out.

Such deepened and retreaded tires cannot be used simultaneously with new ones.

By not following traffic rules, a driver can cause damage not only to himself and his vehicle, but also to others. As a result of improper operation of the car, your own health may suffer, on which it is better not to skimp.

Video: Different tires on a car will result in a fine

Is it possible to put different tires on a car?

Good afternoon, dear reader.

This article will discuss the traffic rules governing the use of tires on a car.

Most often, passenger cars are equipped with sets consisting of four identical tires. Such kits do not cause problems and can be used without restrictions. Drivers have questions when they need to replace one or more tires.

For example, if one of the tires is damaged after the wheel fell into a hole, then it needs to be replaced. The driver does not want to buy a full set of tires, especially if the remaining tires are almost new. Ideally, the driver wants to buy a single tire similar to the existing ones. However, this can cause serious problems because... Many sellers refuse to sell one tire from a set of rubber.

This article will discuss the features of using different tires on a car:

Use of different tires in accordance with traffic regulations

5.5. One axle of the vehicle is equipped with tires of various sizes, designs (radial, diagonal, tubed, tubeless), models, with different tread patterns, frost-resistant and non-frost-resistant, new and reconditioned, new and with an in-depth tread pattern. The vehicle is equipped with studded and non-studded tires.

Let's consider this point in more detail.

Different tires on the front and rear axles of the car

Clause 5.5 does not impose a complete ban on the use of different tires on the front and rear axles of the car. The only exception is the simultaneous use of studded and non-studded tires on the wheels of a vehicle. Such installation of tires is prohibited.

Thus, all vehicle tires must be either studded or studless. These types of tires cannot be combined.

In addition, let’s consider clause 5.5 of Appendix 8 to the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union “On the safety of wheeled vehicles”:

Winter tires are installed on all wheels of the vehicle.

Let's return to the example from the beginning of this article. If falling into a hole destroyed one of the tires, and an identical replacement cannot be found, then you can purchase a pair of identical tires and put them on one of the car’s axles. In this case, tires on different axles can differ significantly.

However, the law prohibits installing studless winter tires (Velcro) on the front axle of a car, and regular summer tires on the rear axle. All tires on a car must be either winter or summer.

Naturally, in practice it is not worth experimenting with combining winter and summer tires, because The grip of tires on the road surface will vary greatly, and this can lead to unpredictable consequences (car spinning).

In any case, you need to select tires in such a way that they have a minimum of differences.

For example, if one of the winter tires is damaged, but there are no similar ones on sale, then you should buy a pair of winter tires and install them on one of the axles. In this case, different winter tires will be installed on the front and rear, but this will not be a violation.

Different tires on the same car axle

Paragraph 5.5 requires that completely identical tires be installed on one axle of the car . Therefore, in practice it is prohibited to use:

Tires of different sizes on the same axle. For example, the manufacturer allows the following tire sizes to be used on a car: 165/80R14 and 185/65R15. You cannot combine such tires on one axle.
Tires of different designs. It is impossible for radial and diagonal tires, or tube and tubeless tires to be installed on the same axle at the same time.
Tires of different models.
Tires with different tread patterns.
Frost-resistant and non-frost-resistant tires.
New and retreaded tires.
New tires and tires with deep tread pattern.

If we summarize the above information, we can say that within the same axis the tires should be completely identical.

Please note that the rules do not prohibit the use of tires with different wear on the same axle.

Restrictions apply only to the use of new and retreaded tires, as well as new tires and tires with a deep tread pattern.

Tire retreading occurs as follows. A completely worn tire is sent to the factory, where a new layer of rubber and tread is applied to it.

Deepening the tread pattern is the reverse operation. The worn-out tire is sent to a workshop, where a new tread is cut into it using special equipment, i.e. deepen the grooves.

Retreaded and deepened tires cannot be used at the same time as new ones. As for tires with different wear, their use on the same axle is possible.

For example, if a car has damaged 2 right wheels, then the remaining left tires can be installed on one of the axles. You need to put a couple of new tires on the other axle. In this case, the wear on the front and rear wheels is not the same, so the grip of the tires will vary. So, although this is not prohibited by the rules, I do not recommend installing tires with different wear on one axle unless absolutely necessary.

Penalty for different tires on a car

The fine for using different tires on a car is provided for in Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code:

1. Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which, in accordance with the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, operation of the vehicle is prohibited, with the exception of malfunctions and conditions specified in parts 2 - 7 of this article , —

entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five hundred rubles .

Thus, the driver may receive a warning or a fine of 500 rubles .

Punishment may be imposed in the following cases:

The vehicle is equipped with both studded and non-studded tires.
Different tires are installed on one axle of a car.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize once again that the use of different tires on a car leads to the fact that different wheels have different coefficients of grip on the road. This can lead to the car turning around or causing an accident. So when installing tires, first of all you need to think about your own safety, and not about a small fine for the specified violation.

Is it possible to put different tires on the front and rear axles?

A vehicle is not only a means of transportation that brings pleasure to the car enthusiast, it is also a serious expense item. To ensure that the car does not fail on the road, it must undergo periodic maintenance at a car service center; many consumables and elements, including tires, must be replaced.

In an effort to save money, many drivers resort to tricks by swapping wheels from one axle to another, or purchasing only one or two tires to replace a worn one. At the same time, many do not even know whether it is possible to put different tires on different axles, what the consequences of such rearrangements are and what this entails when the car is stopped by a traffic police officer.

A set of tires installed on a passenger car consists of 4 tires of the same size and with the same tread, which can be installed on any axle. If any tire is damaged, it needs to be replaced. In this case, the driver needs to purchase a new tire, however, as a rule, tires for the car are sold in pairs.

Not wanting to incur extra costs, the driver begins to look for a solution to the problem: installs a spare tire with a different pattern, buys a used tire, borrows a tire of the right size from familiar car enthusiasts.

Technical regulations establish certain requirements for vehicle tires:

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The tread depth of the tires must be at least 1.6 mm for the summer type and up to 4 mm for the winter or all-season type. This requirement applies to tires installed on passenger cars. This compliance can only be checked at a specialized service station using licensed equipment.

The traffic police officer does not have the right to determine the tread depth independently.

The rubber should not have any visual damage - punctures, protruding cords, etc.
The load that the tires can withstand must correspond to the model of vehicle for which they are purchased.

Separately, the regulations establish requirements for car rims.

They should be missing:

Damage and cracks;
Chips and any other defects and irregularities.

In addition, they must be secured using the entire set of fasteners provided by the manufacturer. In the absence of the entire set, operation of the vehicle is prohibited.

Driving on tires with different treads

One of the most common traffic violations is when drivers install tires with different patterns on one axle of their car. So, paragraph 5.5. Traffic regulations prohibit the operation of vehicles if they are mounted on one axle:

tires with a mismatched tread pattern;
rubber of various designs;
wheels designed for different seasons of operation;
new tires and tires on which the tread has been retreaded;
tires with and without studs.

This ban is due to the fact that a vehicle with different tires installed on one axle may behave unpredictably during an emergency stop on a slippery or icy road. Such situations are common when one wheel is installed on the car’s axle for driving on a dry road surface, and the second one is installed to hold the car on a wet road. In this case, when driving in rainy weather, one wheel will effectively hold the vehicle on the road, while the other will skid.

Particular care should be taken when installing tires intended for different seasons on one axle. Do not operate a vehicle with summer and winter tires installed on the same axle. In addition to a fine of 500 rubles from a traffic police officer, the driver can get into big problems if unforeseen situations arise on the road and the need to quickly reduce the speed limit or stop. Therefore, if one of the winter tires on your car is damaged, you should not hesitate to go to the store and purchase a pair to replace it on the entire axle.

In addition, it is strictly regulated that all 4 winter tires must be studded or not have them. Installation of combined tires is not allowed.

Operating a car on tires with different tread patterns

During the operation of a vehicle, car owners often install tires with different patterns. The legislation of the Russian Federation does not prohibit this if tires with the same tread are installed on the same axle. Thus, a pair of front tires may differ in design from a pair of rear tires and this will not be a violation of current legislation.

Using tires with different wear levels

But it is prohibited to use new and retreaded tires, or new rubber and a tire with a deep tread type, on the same axle. Reconditioned rubber is considered to be worn-out tires on which a new layer of tread has been applied. Tread deepening - cutting a deeper tread on the tire in use. By using such tires in combination with new ones on one axle of the car, the driver violates the requirements of paragraph 5.5 of the traffic rules, and also exposes himself and other road users to significant risk.

Sanctions for violating traffic rules

If the driver has violated the requirements of paragraph 5.5 of the traffic rules, if the vehicle is stopped by a traffic police officer, he will be punished. Thus, Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses defines the following types of penalties for the use of various tires on a vehicle:

warning;
a fine of 500 rubles .

The traffic police inspector will draw up a decision if the car is equipped with winter tires with and without studs. The second option, in which the driver will not be able to avoid liability, is to install different tires on one axle of the vehicle. As an example, you can specify the installation of tires of different sizes in height or width; rubber with different tread patterns, etc.

In some situations, the driver may be fined inappropriately. For example, when he was forced to install a spare tire to fix a problem with the main tire and was heading to a tire repair shop, but was stopped by a traffic police inspector. If the driver is sent to the service to eliminate a violation, he cannot be fined by a police officer. To appeal the issued decision, you must submit a corresponding application to the administrative court. It must indicate all the data regarding the current situation, as well as provide evidence confirming the incompetence of the actions of the traffic police officer (testimony of witnesses, video recording from the registrar, etc.).

Taking into account the above, the vehicle owner must be clearly aware that installing different tires on one axle of the car reduces its safe operation. All this can lead to undesirable consequences on the road, including the creation of an emergency situation, accidents and harm to the life and health of other road users. In addition, if a violation of the requirements for the operation of vehicles is detected, the traffic police officer will issue a fine to the driver of the vehicle.

Is it possible to put different tires on different axles: what does the law say?

Issues discussed in the material:

Why do they put different tires on a car?
What Russian legislation says regarding the use of different tires
Is it possible to put different tires on different axles?
What are the penalties for those who break the law?

There are often situations when different tires are installed on the front and rear axles of a car. There are many reasons that encourage drivers to use different tires on their cars. Some motorists are trying to save money in this way; others simply punctured a tire on the road and are forced to drive on a spare wheel. Let's try to figure out whether it is possible to install different tires on different axles. We will find out the opinion on this matter from the traffic police, judges, and look through the traffic rules.

Is it possible to have different tires on one car?

Even automakers in some cases install different tires on two axles of the car.

This applies to powerful cars or SUVs in the luxury segment. Firstly, the car looks more sporty after this modification. But this is not the only reason for installing unequal wheels. Sometimes, already in the basic configuration, a car comes with different tire tread patterns on different axles. This is often offered as an additional option. Next, we will consider what properties a car acquires with such tire asymmetry.

Most often, different wheels are installed on rear-wheel drive cars or all-wheel drive models with a powerful engine.

The reason for this engineering solution is computer torque control. If the machine is equipped with a powerful motor, then controlling the torque is not an easy task. That is, you need to maintain a balance. On the one hand, to maintain dynamics, and on the other hand, to prevent the wheels from slipping, because wheel slipping is an uncontrollable situation.

By using high-profile tires, they provide greater grip on the road surface compared to conventional tires. This is especially true during acceleration and sharp turns. As a result, a car with wide-profile tires holds the road better and is less prone to skidding.

The properties imparted to a car by wide-profile tires are especially necessary for sporty driving. Only with this set of wheels the car will fully demonstrate all its capabilities on the race track.

However, mixed-size tires also have a number of disadvantages. The cost of such tires and wheels will become burdensome even for a wealthy motorist. There is a tendency for these tires to hydroplane. A car with multi-profile tires has very poor off-road performance. Low profile rubber wears out very quickly and has poor resistance to damage. And, of course, to the question whether it is possible to put different tires on different axles in winter, the answer is unequivocally no. This wheel configuration is only suitable for summer driving.

If driving fast is not in your blood, then it is not at all necessary to combine different tires on your car. For a relaxed driving style, it is optimal to use tires of one profile. A car with different tires is not as dynamic, but ride comfort increases. The car becomes quieter and reacts more softly to bumps.

Each person uses different shoes in life depending on the conditions. There are sports shoes, there are casual shoes, there are business shoes. In the case of car tires, the situation is similar. Depending on the operating conditions of the machine, it must be equipped with appropriate tires.

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Is it possible to put different tires on different axles from the point of view of traffic regulations?

There is a special application in the traffic rules regulating the use of wheels. It sets out the following requirements for car tires:

The minimum tread depth must be at least 1.6 mm for summer tires. Winter and all-season tires must have a minimum of 4 mm of tread. All of the above figures apply to passenger car tires.
It is allowed to operate tires without external damage: holes, delaminations and protruding cords.
Tires must match the vehicle's load capacity and size.

There are also a number of requirements for wheel rims. The most important thing is the absence of visible damage, such as chips and cracks. The discs must be equipped with all necessary bolts and nuts.

Clause 5.5 of the Road Traffic Regulations clearly prohibits the use of different tires on the same axle of a vehicle.

By “different” we mean the following options for using tires:

Tires with different tread patterns.
Structurally different tires: tubed and tubeless.
Tires for different seasons - winter and summer.
New and refurbished.
Studded and without studs.

ATTENTION! All of these options are strictly prohibited. There is a fine for violators of these requirements. It is only allowed to use identical tires that differ in the degree of wear.

Thus, we received an answer to the question: “Is it possible to install different tires on different axles?” According to traffic regulations, this option is permitted for passenger cars. Only the combination of studded and non-studded tires is prohibited. That is, all wheels of the car must have either studless or studded tires.

There are good reasons to prohibit the use of different tires on the same axle. This is dictated by safety requirements. That is, during braking, different tires will behave unpredictably. The effect is enhanced on wet or slippery asphalt.

The amount of the fine for driving a car with different tires on the same axle is determined by the article of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses and is 500 rubles.

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Is it possible to put different tires on different axles of a car in 2019?

We found out above that traffic rules and other regulatory documents do not prohibit the installation of tires with different patterns on the front and rear axles of a car. Since there is no clear prohibition, it means it is allowed.

Therefore, in both winter and summer, you can install different tires on different axles.

However, there are two cases when installing different tires is prohibited:

A combination of studded and non-studded tires.

For example, the owner of a VAZ 2106 uses studded tires on the rear axle in winter, and all-season tires on the front wheels. This type of wheel configuration is prohibited by traffic regulations.

One of the axles is equipped with standard tires, and the second is equipped with tires not provided for this vehicle.

This refers to tires that differ in parameters from those recommended by the car manufacturer. For example, the car comes with 215/60/16 tires. The vehicle owner decided to install 225/60/17 tires on the rear axle. Operating this particular vehicle with this choice of wheels would violate traffic regulations.

Other cases of sharing different tires on different axles are not prohibited by law. All tires are similar in their characteristics, which means that the car is unlikely to pull to the side when driving. But there are some nuances in using different types of rubber.

It is better to select tires for the front and rear axles that are as similar in parameters as possible, so that the car can handle the road more confidently on wet asphalt.

Previously, very often, to save money, winter tires were installed only on the drive axle, and the second axle remained on summer tires.

Is it possible to put different tires on different axles if the car has all-wheel drive? The weight of any vehicle, including all-wheel drive, is unevenly distributed. The engine and most of the important and at the same time heavy parts are located under the hood. Accordingly, the mass of the front part of the car is greater. If the car is driven with winter tires on the front axle and summer tires on the rear axle, then when driving on ice the rear of the car will wobble. And this is fraught with skidding and the creation of an emergency situation.

Despite the absence of fines for driving on different tires on two axles, we recommend that every motorist think about safety. When choosing tires to install on a car, you should strive to choose profiles that are similar in height.

When stopping, a traffic police inspector can check compliance with the rules of the tires used. If it is discovered that the tires on one axle are not the same, the penalty will be a fine of 500 rubles. You can say that a tire has just been punctured and a spare tire with a different tread is being used to get to the service station. But you should not abuse such a trick.

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Is it possible to put different tires on one axle?

The issue of using different tires on one car causes confusion among many motorists. Let's consider again which options are acceptable and which are prohibited.

The vehicle may be used if:

all wheels of the car are equipped with the same tires;
when tires from different manufacturers are installed, but subject to the same technical characteristics (pattern, size, seasonality, loads, structure, etc.), the front and rear axles are equipped with different tires, similar in technical characteristics. These are parameters such as seasonality, tread pattern, size, load capacity and others;
it is allowed to use identical tires with different degrees of wear, but so that the remaining tread depth is greater than the minimum established in the traffic regulations;

Let's put together in a table the most common violations in tire operation.

Is it possible to drive on different tires: driving law and practice

There are many types of tires for car wheels - studded, non-studded, with and without a tube - there are many criteria here. But is it possible to put different types of tires on a car? And if so, in what cases is this done without legal consequences and without reducing the level of security?

What combinations of rubber can be used?

Is it possible to put different tires on the front and rear axles? What do you mean by “different tires”? We can consider the answers to these questions:

in the legal aspect;
in a technical aspect.

We will study the legal aspect by analyzing a number of provisions of the Rules for the Admission of Vehicles - put into effect by the same regulatory act that approved the traffic rules.

First of all, we will be interested in clause 5.5 of the Appendix to the Rules for Admission of Vehicles. It says that it is prohibited to operate a vehicle that has:

On one axle (pair of wheels - front or rear) the following are installed:

tires of different sizes;
tires that differ in design (they can be radial, diagonal, contain or not contain tubes);
tires with mismatched tread patterns;
tires that differ in frost resistance;
tires, one of which is new and the other is retreaded.

In any combination, tires with and without studs are installed simultaneously.

It does not matter where the studded and non-studded tires are located - on the same axle or on different ones. A car can have three studded wheels and one non-studded, or vice versa - and both options for equipping the car with tires will be considered manufactured in violation of legal requirements.

Thus, a car can have different tires - in size, design, tread, frost resistance, newness - but only if they are installed on different axles (and there are no discrepancies between tires on the same axle). You can drive on different tires on the front and rear, as long as they are the same on each individual axle. The exception is the difference in spikes. It shouldn't exist at all.

What will be the fine for driving with different tires?

If the traffic police inspector who stopped the car identifies any of the discrepancies discussed above, he will have the right to issue the driver a fine based on paragraph 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation - for driving a car that does not comply with the Admission Rules.

The amount of this fine is 500 rubles. The law does not provide for any other sanctions for the use of different tires. Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation contains a number of more stringent provisions in comparison with the specified fine - but they do not apply in this case.

Note that the law allows the traffic police inspector not to fine the driver for violating tire compatibility and limit himself to a warning. The driver can point this out when communicating with him.

An additional argument in favor of the driver may be an indication of the forced assumption of a violation - due to the fact that one or more tires suddenly failed (for example, if a puncture occurred), and they had to be temporarily replaced with a spare wheel or the so-called "recovery tire" - which, according to their parameters, do not match adjacent tires.

The fact is that there is a certain legal mechanism that makes the temporary use of tires that are incompatible with the Rules legal - let’s look at it in more detail.

How to travel legally with different tires?

The Rules of the Road have a noteworthy paragraph 2.3.1, which states that if the driver detects a malfunction - not related to those for which the use of the vehicle is in principle prohibited, he has the right to continue driving to a parking lot or service station, where the malfunction will be eliminated. The main condition is compliance with the required precautions.

An example of such a malfunction is a puncture of a wheel (and its subsequent replacement with a spare tire or a spare tire). Thus, if, due to the temporary replacement of a punctured wheel, the spare wheel or the “rest” does not match the characteristics of the adjacent wheel, then, nevertheless, from the point of view of paragraph 2.3.1, continuing to drive the car will be completely legal.

It is this paragraph of the traffic rules that the driver should refer to, if necessary, when communicating with the traffic police inspector, who stopped the car and established the fact that the tire types did not match - giving reason to fine the driver under Art. 12.5 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.

True, in this case, evidence may be required that the driver is going exactly to the parking lot or repair site, and not somewhere else. Such evidence could be, for example:

direct access to the service station within the inspector’s visibility range;
the presence on the driver’s phone of outgoing calls to the service station number (messages to the technical assistance service);
a minimum amount of gasoline in the tank (this circumstance may, if there are no gas stations nearby, indicate that the driver will not be able to go far - except to the nearest technical center, if there is one on the way);
the absence of visible wear on a tire that is different from others - which may indicate that it was recently put on and is not used on a regular basis.

If a tire is used instead of a spare wheel, this will be more than obvious evidence of a recent puncture. It is extremely difficult to overcome a long road on a wheel of this type, especially in rain or snow. Therefore, many drivers prefer to install a “dokatka” - so that the traffic police inspector does not have unnecessary questions regarding the driver’s nearest destination.

In communication with the inspector, the specified evidence, however, will in any case be informal. And only with a possible subsequent challenge to the fine in court will it become official. However, it is worth trying to bring them.

Now - about the technical aspect of using different rubber.

According to many experts in the field of automotive technology, the provisions of paragraph 5.5 of the Appendix to the Vehicle Admission Rules more than adequately reflect the specifics of using different tires. And even if the violation of these norms were not accompanied by penalties, it would nevertheless be recommended to follow the relevant norms. The rules for vehicle admission in this case are not of a sanctioning nature, but serve as regulations aimed at improving road safety.

Why shouldn't you put different tires on your car?

It makes sense to follow the vehicle approval rules regarding the ban on the use of different tires on an axle (as well as a combination of studded and non-studded tires) - not counting the presence of penalties, due to the fact that:

identical tires on the axle provide better traction;
identical tires provide smoother and more confident braking;
The same tires in many cases provide higher vehicle cross-country ability in difficult road conditions.

Please note that the use of different types of tires on different axles may be determined by the design features of a particular vehicle. An elementary example is a tractor whose rear wheels are incomparably larger than the front ones due to the fact that its rear drive bears almost the entire load.

Thus, unless otherwise stipulated by the characteristics and purpose of the vehicle, you should focus on the same tires on all wheels. It is recommended to adhere to this rule at any time of the year: it does not matter whether the machine is operated in winter, summer or in the off-season. In winter, it is certainly desirable to have studs on all wheels. In summer - depending on the type of climate, all wheels must be ready for use in rain or, conversely, in dry conditions.