When to change summer tires to winter tires and how to break it in correctly. Off-season tires: when to change your shoes? It's time to change your shoes to summer tires

"Kitty, buy for my swallow Winter tires... Only not studded, so as not to itch on the go. " It is useless to argue with the darling, and the household is replenished with a set of velcro mounted on disks.

Sweetheart thinks about safety and even looks through the car 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 almost in the first decade of October, when there are no queues at the tire shops. And then it torments winter wheels before the May holidays, because in the spring there is always not enough time for such trifles as changing the car's shoes. The shortcomings of the summer wheel on ice and snow are immediately noticeable to her, and the winter velcro rolls and rolls along the asphalt.

Shock therapy works better in this case than words. Hyundai solaris and its owner were invited to the Smolenskoye Koltso racetrack, where serious men test equally serious equipment. The car is shod with winter tires Michelin x-ice 185 / 65R15, and in the trunk there 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 under the wheels are not expected 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 do not torture the lady with intermediate results, we quickly change the wheels - and the next series of braking. Then a short calculation and announcement of the result: winter tires in these conditions lose four meters of braking distance to summer ones! This is only a palm less than the length of the Solaris hatchback.

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

Measurements are in progress and controllability is assessed. A genuine interest is visible in women's eyes - Hyundai has never driven her so cheerfully before!

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

On winter tires, ABS is triggered earlier and you have to brake in advance, reactions to steering turns are no longer so clear, but Solaris accelerates well out of turns. Under the traction, the unloaded wheel, shod with Velcro, better clings to the asphalt.

Then we invite the guest to take a look at the lap time. Winter tires go around summer ones! Even if not much, just for a second from the circle, 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 distances? No additional arguments were needed - priority was given to braking.

The lady made the conclusions herself. Changing 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 and ice, the braking distance on clean asphalt is not the same as in summer. Therefore, only those who do not think about their own safety and the safety of those around them ride winter Velcro in late spring, and even more so all year round.

It was interesting, thanks for the science!

Please dear!

When to change tires under 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 should be on all wheels of the car. Any - studded or non-studded. The main thing is that they have the M + S marking. By the decision of the 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" does not fall under this clause of the law, but we strongly recommend not to ride them in the heat. How to act in the offseason? Based on actual weather, taking into account the long-term forecast. In central Russia, winter tires are usually appropriate from late October to mid-April.

(function (w, d, n, s, t) (w [n] = w [n] ||; w [n] .push (function () (Ya.Context.AdvManager.render ((blockId: "RA -227463-10 ", renderTo:" yandex_rtb_R-A-227463-10 ", async: true));)); t = d.getElementsByTagName (" script "); s = d.createElement (" script "); s .type = "text / javascript"; s.src = "//an.yandex.ru/system/context.js"; s.async = true; t.parentNode.insertBefore (s, t);)) (this , this.document, "yandexContextAsyncCallbacks");

Replacing tires depending on weather conditions is a strict requirement that any car owner who cares about safe driving... Moreover, this paragraph was included in the standard CASCO contract from the outset. Ignoring it can lead to a reasoned refusal or, at least, a decrease in compensation payments. Therefore, motorists must know exactly the reasons and timing of seasonal tire replacement.

Technical regulations: when you can change winter car tires for summer tires and why

It is no secret that tires for different seasons of the year differ not only in the raw material composition, but also in the shape of the tread. The basic regulatory act is considered to be TR CU 018/211, which specifies the conditions for the use of types of tires. The situation depends on the characteristics of the climate of a particular region, as well as the operational parameters of a particular instance of tires.

What is the difference between specialized tires?

To understand why and when you can change your shoes on summer tires it is not enough to study and ratings of well-known publishers. You need to be aware that, first of all, tires differ in the following points:

1. The chemical composition of the rubber compound.
2. The level of stiffness of the shoulder areas of the tread.
3. Tread pattern.

The first point is key, since it is not the characteristics and quality of the product that affects. For the most part, only the components are designed to shape the seasonality of the product, because always softer than their summer counterparts. The reason for this approach is simple - to maintain the elasticity of the product at temperatures below zero.

Rubber tires for summer also differ in their pattern, which has a longitudinal character. The grooves are narrower than those of the winter tires and are only intended to drain water. Drivers wondering when to change winter tires for summer, must take into account given fact... In addition, untimely tire change threatens to affect the level of fuel consumption.

Factors Determining Seasonal Tire Changes

For motorists, the most dangerous periods can be identified: the beginning of spring and the end of autumn. Many "hurry-ups", as soon as the air warms up to + 5 ° C, they are already in a hurry to replace the tires. At the same time, the driving style changes on a subconscious level. Unfortunately, the weather at the present time is characterized by an extremely unstable disposition. Therefore, the following factors should be considered:

• From June to August, models with studs cannot be used.
• Traditional summer tires can be used from March to November.
• The permissible tread depth should be taken into account, if there is no wear indicator, then the permissible depth for a passenger car is 1.6 mm. In the case of lower parameters, the use of rubber for the summer is prohibited.

Given that a bill is being prepared to punish , it is not surprising that for the inconsistency of the cylinders with the season, the traffic police officer has the right to write out a protocol. However, we must not forget that the transition period for changing tires is practically all three spring months. At this time, the police have no right to punish for ignoring the rules.

Recommendations: when can and should you change your shoes to summer tires in 2017?

Car owners are perplexed, first of all, by the lack of specific deadlines. But a certain number of drivers continue to use winter tires. The danger lies in the simple details - road grip worsens and braking distances increase.

To correctly determine when you can change the winter car tires for summer, you will have to take into account not only the requirements of the law, but also other factors:

• The degree of icing of the road surface, the presence of snow cover. For the southern regions, such transitional stages are a rare phenomenon, but in the central and northern regions of Russia such weather always accompanies early spring or late autumn.

(function (w, d, n, s, t) (w [n] = w [n] ||; w [n] .push (function () (Ya.Context.AdvManager.render ((blockId: "RA -227463-2 ", renderTo:" yandex_rtb_R-A-227463-2 ", async: true));)); t = d.getElementsByTagName (" script "); s = d.createElement (" script "); s .type = "text / javascript"; s.src = "//an.yandex.ru/system/context.js"; s.async = true; t.parentNode.insertBefore (s, t);)) (this , this.document, "yandexContextAsyncCallbacks");

• Average daily air temperature. The parameter is always indicated by the manufacturer, usually the border of the change of seasonality + 5-7 ° C is above zero.
• Daily operating time. If, for example, trips by car are carried out in the daytime only within the city, then choose summer tires possible in May. With long-term daily operation, weather conditions play a special role.

In principle, an experienced car enthusiast is quite able to independently determine the optimal replacement period. The only thing that needs to be observed is the legal framework for changing tires.

Legal question: is it worth the risk of riding winter tires

Over the past few years, Russian legislation has been paying increased attention to the organization of traffic safety on the roads. According to the current norms of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code, the minimum depth of the tread pattern at different types cylinders. In case of violation of the clause, a fine of 500 rubles is imposed. However, it is planned to make some changes to the law in the near future:

• To increase the punishment for unseasonal “footwear” to 2,000 rubles.
• Deprivation of rights or confiscation of the vehicle upon re-fixing the violation is not provided.
• If you are detained again after a fine is issued at the next traffic police post, it will lead to a repeated administrative punishment.

(function (w, d, n, s, t) (w [n] = w [n] ||; w [n] .push (function () (Ya.Context.AdvManager.render ((blockId: "RA -227463-4 ", renderTo:" yandex_rtb_R-A-227463-4 ", async: true));)); t = d.getElementsByTagName (" script "); s = d.createElement (" script "); s .type = "text / javascript"; s.src = "//an.yandex.ru/system/context.js"; s.async = true; t.parentNode.insertBefore (s, t);)) (this , this.document, "yandexContextAsyncCallbacks");

Anyone who is interested in when it is possible to change shoes to summer tires this year should know that the decree has not yet entered into force. This year, there are restrictions only on the depth of the tread channel; only a verbal warning is possible for the non-conformity of tires to the season. In any case, experts recommend paying attention to for the warm season.

All-season tires - the ability to operate

The use of this type of cylinders is justified at ambient temperatures from -3 to + 7 ° C. If we talk about the performance of all-season tires, then they cannot be called especially outstanding - with high temperatures it wears out intensively, and at low temperatures it hardens extremely. In order to fit into the norms of the law when using universal products, it is important that tires have one of the labeling options:

The depth of the tread pattern for models of this type must be at least eight millimeters, otherwise the quality of grip on the track will not be at the level. There are no penalties for this rubber.

(function (w, d, n, s, t) (w [n] = w [n] ||; w [n] .push (function () (Ya.Context.AdvManager.render ((blockId: "RA -227463-7 ", renderTo:" yandex_rtb_R-A-227463-7 ", async: true));)); t = d.getElementsByTagName (" script "); s = d.createElement (" script "); s .type = "text / javascript"; s.src = "//an.yandex.ru/system/context.js"; s.async = true; t.parentNode.insertBefore (s, t);)) (this , this.document, "yandexContextAsyncCallbacks");

(function (w, d, n, s, t) (w [n] = w [n] ||; w [n] .push (function () (Ya.Context.AdvManager.render ((blockId: "RA -227463-11 ", renderTo:" yandex_rtb_R-A-227463-11 ", async: true));)); t = d.getElementsByTagName (" script "); s = d.createElement (" script "); s .type = "text / javascript"; s.src = "//an.yandex.ru/system/context.js"; s.async = true; t.parentNode.insertBefore (s, t);)) (this , this.document, "yandexContextAsyncCallbacks");

It seems that spring has finally come to the Moscow region - it would be high time - May is outside. After looking at the weather forecast and being charged with optimism, he decided to change the tires to summer tires, even though the temperature was somewhat hopeless at night.

The temperature below 5 degrees in May is annoying, but there is nothing to do - we change our shoes

Probably, I will not tire of mentioning - big and goofy. Yes, I understand that classmates - Optima, Mazda 6 - have the same trunk or worse, but I can't help myself. Rubber fits in a very dubious way - 2 cylinders in the cabin, two in the trunk.

It seems like there is a place, but at most you can shove one more cylinder

And that's 16 - the base rubber. In the last car - also a sedan - there were 3 cylinders of 15 rubber, if there was something in the trunk and 4 in an empty one, but here it is a shame. You can forget about taking the rubber with you on the road and changing your shoes in the Moscow region (cheaper). Actually, changing the tires on Mondeo is a special ritual, because a maximum of one person can fit into the car - you can also forget about taking your wife and child with you and sending them for a walk around the mall while the wheels change.

To be honest, I hoped that everyone who wanted to change their shoes had already changed their shoes and that at 11 pm there would be no people at all at the tire service. Imagine my surprise when there were 2 cars in front of me, fortunately one was finishing changing shoes, and the second was changing the complete wheels - as far as I don't understand this, I was just as happy when the car was serviced and sent in peace in 10 minutes. Convenient, at least specifically in this case, specifically for me.

While the rubber was being flipped, I decided to check the condition of the pads. True, I did not have any measuring instruments - no compasses, no micrometer, no ruler - with me. I had to resort to improvised means in the form of a tube of oxaline ointment - so the measurements are mostly speculative.

Feels like the rear pads grind harder than the front.

Front brake pads
Rear brake pads

"Measurements" confirm this:

• the remainder of the front pads 9-10 mm
• rear 7 mm

Rear brake discs

True, only the thickness of the front pads was found at a glance - 19 mm, i.e. wear of about 50%. I think that in the region of 70 thousand, the pads will need to be replaced. Perhaps with disks, at least the rear ones.

The front brake discs look much more decent.

Front brake disc

After rearranging the wheels, you can remove the Thorns sign, bought in Ashan, which not only does not correspond to GOST, but also burned out during the season as if I had been using it in Africa for 5 years.

I have a car with pressure sensors, so after changing the tires, it is better to retrain the sensors so that they show the correct one.

The process of teaching pressure sensors with the appropriate equipment will not take much time, but it will be beneficial.

As seen in the picture, the rear left tire pumped weaker, but soon the readings level out - I am inclined to consider this a natural measurement error.

In general, according to the plan, I wanted to combine changing the shoes of the car with a complex car wash, though I did not take into account two things:

• queue of ten Gazelles of the company Gruzovich
• wheels in the cabin that interfere with the vacuum cleaner

Therefore, I had to confine myself to washing the body at a friendly gas station - a bonus to speed of service, the absence of a queue and payment by credit card was a 20% discount - as a result, the wash cost 280 rubles. If this price was not temporary, then I would have forgotten to think about it.

Winter tires - studded Good Year - ran 2 seasons and 21 800 km. The wear, if we take the residual tread height, is not high.

However, if you look at the thorns, then everything is not so rosy - a lot of them fell out.

My verdict is one more season maximum, then on Avito. If I find good discounts on winter tires, I will change earlier. A big plus of this product category is that absolutely any rubber can be sold during the season - the main thing is patience.

Enough rapid wear rubbers are one of the reasons why I re-flip the tires, and not looking for some separate sets on the disks. While the kit conditionally "beats off" I will change the tires. And dragging rubber from the balcony (and dragging it back) is not a great pleasure, and even more so on disks.

Before answering the key question, let us remind you that before the seasonal change of tires, you need to carefully examine them. The tread depth of summer tires should not be less than 1.6 mm, in the "pattern" - no stuck stones and other foreign objects. Cord delamination, bald spots, “hernias” and cracks are unacceptable. Are you hoping for the attentiveness of the tire service? In the high season, to speed up the process (and, of course, increase revenue), workshops sometimes recruit completely random people who do not care what tire the client brought. And even if a familiar experienced craftsman gets down to business, there is no guarantee that from the abundance of work he will not miss the dead rubber.

When should you change tires?

7 ° C. Every motorist should know this indicator: when the average daily temperature (the key word is daily average) goes over “plus seven”, you can safely change winter tires for summer ones - which means that spring has finally come, the chances of meeting an ice crust on the road are minimal. Can I change my shoes earlier? Yes, but only if there is confidence that the cold has surrendered unconditionally. At temperatures from 0 to + 7 ° C, the adhesion properties of summer tires remain high, but with a "minus", the rubber compound becomes tanned and the tire performance deteriorates sharply. And on the "white road" - covered with snow or ice - tires designed for the warm season are completely helpless.

However, being reinsured, it is also not worth delaying the change of wheels. Any winter tires, even the most eminent and expensive ones, will lose to summer tires in "asphalt" disciplines. Don't believe me? At the Finnish testing ground of the Nokian company, 13 sets of summer tires from different companies were tested, the competitor of which was a semi-worn winter velcro Nokian Hakkapeliitta Q. The conclusion of the experts turned out to be unambiguous: "You cannot drive on spring asphalt on such tires!" If only because on a wet surface the car on the winter "Hakka" stopped 10 m later than on the worst of the summer models ...

So in the spring, a new "summer" will be much preferable to a fresh "winter". But the word "not new" should not be taken literally. Do not forget that the tread depth determines how well the tire will resist aquaplaning (for reference: this is the name of the effect when the wheels, falling on a wet section of the road, float on a water wedge, lose contact with the surface, and the car becomes uncontrollable). On average, as the tests show - they were carried out by the German ADAC, and many other auto clubs and publications - when the tread "loses weight" to 4 mm, the speed of the beginning of aquaplaning decreases by 10 km / h. So if, after several full seasons, you stint on new tires, at least slow down on wet pavement.

This is what the tire wear indicators may look like. On the left - transverse protrusions in the "pattern" groove, on the right - a more understandable indicator with numbers indicating the tread depth. Pay attention to the droplet symbol: as soon as it disappears, the tire becomes not safe enough on a wet road: you can, of course, continue to use this set of tires, but only by reducing the speed by 10-15 km / h in the rain

And if the groove depth is 1.6mm or less, go for a new set of tires. Although there is an important psychological nuance here. Worn tires are very good on dry pavement. Small sipes and grooves disappear with wear, the height of the "pattern" sections decreases, which has a positive effect on handling (remember that Formula 1 generally rides on slicks - "bald" tires without grooves). It is the deceptive feeling of a reliable "grip" that will instantly disappear in the rain that makes you postpone the purchase of a new set.

To understand that it's time for the rubber to go to the dump, it is not necessary to wait for loose cords or deep bald spots - the tread should not be thinner than the edge of a ruble coin, which is 1.5 mm thick. However, it is useful to pay attention to the so-called wear indicators. They are usually made by the tire manufacturer either in the form of numbers on the tread, which wear off over time and thus indicate the residual depth of the "pattern", or in the form of a transverse protrusion in the tread groove. When the tire “loses weight” to this indicator, it is advisable to replace it - this is how the manufacturer informs that further the properties of the rubber will rapidly deteriorate.

Or maybe not to change shoes?

Indeed - well, what's the point now to buy a set of summer tires, if you can drive through the season without changing your shoes on the old winter one, and in the fall just buy new "spikes" or "Velcro". Moreover, the tread depth is sufficient, and the money saved can be spent ... It doesn't matter what to spend on, the main thing is the saved money! Drive such thoughts to hell right away: summer and winter tires differ in all respects - design, composition rubber compound, tread pattern ... That is why on the asphalt, no matter whether it is dry or wet, any summer tire behaves better than a winter one.

As an example, we will again give a test in which Nokian Hakkapeliitta Q participated. We have already talked about braking on wet asphalt. And the experts were also surprised that sliding begins much earlier than the driver expected: in seemingly harmless situations, the stern tried to overtake the front end, while the car on summer tires confidently registered a turn ... 20 km / h earlier than the new summer models! So the second-hand winter Hakka failed every exercise and was deemed dangerous to operate in the summer.

However, experts may argue that the failure of winter velcro is due to the softness of the rubber (read about this in the article “Winter tires: velcro against spikes”), and the tread of the “spikes” is made of a tougher mixture ... Experts of the authoritative Finnish the Tuulilasi editions decided to test this hypothesis. The regular test of summer tires included worn out, lost all "nails", spiked Continental ContiWinterViking 2 wheels. Yes, they showed themselves somewhat better than the used friction colleagues, but the "bald" set of "Conti" lost out to new summer models.

See for yourself. For handling on dry asphalt, the Finns gave the old "spikes" a rating of "7.5", while the used summer Continental ContiPremiumContact 2 earned 9 points out of 10 possible. When aquaplaning "winter" emerges 3 km / h earlier than "summer", marked "wet" track winter model passed 2.8 seconds slower than the summer one (this means that the tester felt less confident), and the braking distance was an unimaginable 63 m - 4.8 m more than the new tire showed for the warm season and at least 16.2 meters more than new summer tires.

Where to put which tires?

Pulling a set of summer tires out of the closet, you suddenly notice that one pair of wheels is worn less. Where to put it? "Experienced" taught that the drive axle. However, let's not forget that the advice of garage get-together veterans dates back to the days when cars were completely rear-wheel drive. And if you put new (or better preserved wheels) on the front of a front-wheel drive car, it can turn into a deep, uncontrollable skid on wet asphalt. This is evidenced by all, without exception, the representatives of the tire market we interviewed.

The danger of various summer coatings cannot be underestimated, the Michelin press service notes. - A study by the University of Dresden, analyzing 20,000 road accidents that occurred over ten years in Europe, found that more than 70% of all accidents occur on dry roads, while on a wet surface 99% of accidents occur on a seemingly safe very thin layer of water

Let us explain why. The deeper the tread pattern, the more effective the tire is on wet surfaces. It turns out that the new front wheels are more tenacious, and the "bald" rear wheels are more "slippery". In turns, such a raznoshinnitsa will work as follows: the front end is still holding on to the asphalt, but rear part(moreover, lighter), even with a slight excess of speed or a relatively sharp turn, the steering wheel loses contact. Feelings - indescribable: after all, the car had just stood securely on the road! Fresh tires on steerable wheels give false peace of mind.

Of course, there is another point of view that is professed by experienced drivers... Like, to extinguish a skid (a skid is called a skid rear axle) is not difficult, the main thing is that the driving and simultaneously steered wheels have good grip. But for this you really need to have stable counter-emergency driving skills! Which not everyone has ... And therefore, the tire workers have a different opinion. They are confident that for an ordinary driver, drifting (that is, "coming out" of the front end out of the corner) is safer. Experience shows that during demolition "kettles" simply release gas, which helps to stabilize the car.

The advice, at first glance, is paradoxical and unusual. But safety experts and tire workers, who have large accident statistics, assure that this is how it should be done. In general, in order for the tires to wear out evenly, experts recommend regularly rearranging the wheels, including the spare, every 10-12 thousand km, if the mileage per season exceeds this figure. Along the way, it would be nice to drive in for balancing (for reference: this operation is performed so that the wheels rotate evenly, without vibrations). Thus, it will be possible not only to extend the life of the tires, but also to reduce the load on undercarriage and steering... B We put newer tires back, regardless of the type of car drive! In general, if you are in doubt about your abilities, remember and tell the tire technician, who will certainly offer to "throw new things to the front."

Another tip concerns the spare wheel. If you have already decided to save money on it and have hidden the best of the remaining tires from the old set underground, try not to drive three new and one old wheels for a long time in the event of a puncture. And when you get caught in the rain, reduce the speed by at least 10, or better - by 15-20 km / h. This is the advice of all the tire workers we interviewed. For those skeptics who believe that one “tired” tire will not create trouble, recall that the car rests on the asphalt with the tires, and the contact patch is a small rectangle 10x15 cm in size. So the controllability and braking efficiency of the car directly depend on the condition and quality of the rubber.

Failure to replace seasonal tires dramatically reduces driving safety, shortens tire life and may result in a fine. Weather conditions (temperature level and condition of the road surface) indicate to the motorist the need to visit a car service. However, for the regions of the Russian Federation, the tire change time is different.

There are statutory deadlines for replacing winter tires with summer tires and vice versa. They do not apply to the universal all-season rubber, however, prohibit the use of studded tires in the summer.

Official terms for replacing winter tires with summer tires

In 2015, the Technical Regulations came into force, which is mandatory for all countries of the Customs Union. Russia signed the document back in 2011, but its effect was postponed for 4 years so that tire manufacturers could increase their output. According to the Technical Regulations "On the safety of wheeled vehicles" No. 018/2011 (Appendix No. 8):

• from 01.06 to 31.08 the use of cars and other vehicles with studded tires is prohibited;
• from 01.12 to 28 (29) .02 it is prohibited to operate vehicles without winter tires;
• terms (upward) can be changed by regional authorities depending on climatic features.

The Technical Regulations do not specify a specific date by which winter tires should be replaced with summer tires. Moreover, the ban applies only to studded tires in the summer, and friction (in common parlance - "Velcro") is not mentioned.

However, there is a characteristic prescribed in the Technical Regulations and "Basic Provisions for the Admission of Vehicles to Operation", which the traffic police will be guided by when checking vehicle... This is the depth of the pattern on the tread of the tire, which should not be less than 1.6 mm by passenger cars... For mopeds and motorcycles, a residual tread depth of 0.8 mm is provided, for buses - 2 mm, for freight transport(more than 3.5 t) - 1 mm. If there is a wear indicator on the tire, the tire fitness will be determined from it. Failure to comply with these parameters entails a fine or a verbal warning during the check (the punishment is chosen by the inspector).

When to switch to summer tires?

Common sense and experience should dictate the optimal transition date. The latest tire change takes place in the northern regions of the Russian Federation (where such a procedure makes sense at all), and the drivers of the Krasnodar Territory often put summer tires on in early March. In central Russia, it is not recommended to "change shoes" a car before March 15th. Frequent frosts in the first spring month and an unexpected change from thaw to snowfall can lead to the fact that transport from summer tires will skid on the road, and the braking distance will increase by several meters. It is more difficult for car owners who use studded tires in winter. Riding on such tires in wet snow or puddles is risky: the effect of aquaplaning can lead to an emergency.

Replacing winter tires with summer ones depends on:

• average daily air temperature. If for several days the bar steadily moves above +7 degrees, and the night temperature is 0, then it is already possible to change the tires;
• the condition of the road surface. This factor is individual for each driver. Driving on city roads during the day can be safe, as opposed to operating a vehicle on icy country roads in the early morning or at night.
• type of tires. Friction tires demonstrate best result on wet roads, and studded ones on ice (company research results Test World from Finland). It is necessary to change the studded tires for the summer version earlier than the friction tires.

How do winter tires behave in summer?

The main difference between the winter version is the chemical composition of the rubber compound. It is adapted for operation at subzero temperatures, therefore it does not harden, providing a reliable grip on the road. If such tires are installed on a car in summer, then under the influence of hot asphalt or freezing temperatures, the tread becomes soft and wears off (at an air temperature of +30, the asphalt heats up 20-25 degrees or more). Manufacturers claim that the rubber starts to deform already at +7. Driving over a sharp bump or rock will often cause the tire to burst.

Driving on winter tires increases fuel consumption as the engine power increases. Refueling a car will cost 10% more. Other vehicle systems are also affected. The main load falls on the chassis and suspension, which may require major repairs after riding winter tires in the summer. Rating: 5/5 (2 votes)