Spikes on the pavement: is it time to change winter tires to summer

Forecasters have stopped fooling drivers with fears of a cold snap and have already promised a quick and warm spring. And in the minds of thousands of motorists, the same idea instantly arose: maybe it's time to change shoes, while there are no queues? Portal "AvtoVzglyad" is ready to temper the ardor of those who climb into hell ahead of spring. I mean, for summer tires.

The winter of 2019-2020 caused serious damage in the ranks of fans of studded tires: in central Russia, for three months of “cold weather”, there were only a couple of days when studs were appropriate. The rest of the time it was possible to do without clanging when moving. Siberia and the Urals are another matter, where the winter was real, and the roads were more difficult. But the metropolitan driver, standing in his traffic jam up to the hubs in the reagent, is probably already counting the days and carefully looking at the thermometer. There are no queues at the tire shop yet, so can make a knight's move? Such thoughts should be driven out of the head with a “bad broom” for several reasons at once.

First, any experienced driver knows that iron is more expensive than rubber. In other words, night frosts can make the streets so skating that even winter tires will have a hard time. It's a shame to mention about summer. Secondly, weather forecasters suggest, but the Lord disposes. No exhortations from the Hydrometeorological Center give guarantees that a full-fledged winter will not come tomorrow, which can easily last until May itself. Who did not sweep snow from the car on Victory Day?

And finally, thirdly: according to the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union TR TS 018/2011 “On the safety of wheeled vehicles”, in the winter months - December, January and February - cars must be equipped with winter tires. Tires with an index "snowflake" and a letter designation containing the letters "M" and "S". We are talking about all vehicles of category "B", including trucks.

Having studied the document, we get a fairly clear guide to action: according to the law, drivers can use summer tires from March to November, studded tires from September to May, and friction tires all year round. However, it is worth remembering that seasonal tires differ not only in the presence of spikes, but also in the composition of the rubber compound.

Any winter tires begin to “float” when the average daily temperature crosses the mark of +7 degrees Celsius, and a summer tire, no matter how branded and expensive it is, already begins to tan at “zero”. Grip deteriorates, the car loses control and becomes a "sled" even in a light turn. Indeed, it is not worth it.

Spring, no matter how early it is this year, will come only on March 1. It is at this moment that it is worth thinking not only about gifts for the upcoming March, but also about changing winter tires to summer ones. And not a minute earlier. However, it is better to buy gifts for ladies in advance.