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The first snow in our country is not always a reason to rejoice at the approaching winter fairy tale. Experienced drivers know that troubles on the roads will begin on this day – not everyone managed to “change shoes” into winter tires and change from summer driving style. And that means Tinsmith’s Day is coming. At this time, car repairmen have many clients who have experienced all the consequences of the change of seasons, and queues of drivers who have been in accidents of varying severity line up at tire shops.
Causes
Tinsmith’s Day can happen several times a year, up to several dozen. Most often, the phenomenon is associated with snow that fell for the first time in the season, but there are other reasons. Let’s figure out why this day is usually “celebrated”.
First snow
Always catches drivers by surprise. Depending on the region, it can happen at different times, but always earlier than expected. Due to the thin snow cover, the road becomes slippery, the adhesion of tires to asphalt deteriorates. If by this moment the driver has not had time to change summer tires to winter ones, he will have a difficult time – it is best to refuse difficult maneuvers in such conditions.
Ice
Rain in the off-season is an unpleasant phenomenon in itself, and in combination with temperature “swings” it is also dangerous. If today there are precipitations and positive temperatures, and tomorrow – albeit small, but “minus”, then the wet road the day before is covered with a layer of ice glaze. City services do not always have time to respond to such changes in time, and drivers on intercity routes have the hardest time at this time. Usually such weather happens at the end of autumn with the first frosts and at the beginning of spring, when the heat is just beginning to come to the city.
Snowfall
Even if winter is in full swing, every snowfall still turns out to be unexpected. Such weather, as a rule, leads to long traffic jams in the city and on the highway, it becomes difficult to maneuver in these conditions, drifts often occur. The situation is complicated by the New Year holidays, when the roads are loaded more than usual.
How not to celebrate Tinker’s Day
We spoke with car mechanic, driver with 40 years of experience Evgeny Linkov, and prepared some helpful tips on how not to let Tinkerer’s Day catch you by surprise.
1. Replace tires in time
The concept of “on time” varies from region to region, but there are some universal recommendations that will help you get through this day with minimal or no losses.
In law. The terms for replacing summer tires with winter ones are established by law in the technical regulations of the customs union TR CU 018/2011 “On the safety of wheeled vehicles”. According to this document, the permitted type of tires is distributed by season as follows:
- Winter – winter studded, winter non-studded.
- Spring – summer, winter studded, winter non-studded.
- Summer – summer, winter non-studded.
- Autumn – summer, winter studded, winter non-studded.
Therefore, in the off-season, you must switch to the type of rubber that is provided for by law. Moreover, winter or all-season tires must be marked “M + S”, “MS” or “M&S”, otherwise it is forbidden to use them in winter.
According to weather forecasts. Refer to the weather forecast for a specific tire replacement date. When the average daily temperature drops to +5…+7 degrees, this is an occasion to think about “changing shoes”. At this temperature, summer tires begin to sag, traction is lost, and driving becomes unsafe. At lower temperatures, the risks of accidents and situations where the driver cannot control the controls increase proportionately.
As recommended by the tire manufacturer. Nobody likes to read instructions, but for your own safety, perhaps you can make an exception. Listen to the manufacturer’s advice – they usually give their own recommendations for changing tires depending on the type of tire.
2. Check the brake system
Changing tires is an important undertaking, but before the change of seasons, it should not be limited to only it. Be sure to check the brake system: whether the pads are worn out, whether the brake fluid is filled. This can become a guarantee of safety on the road, where much depends on the speed of your reaction and the ability to stop in time.
3. Don’t be distracted while driving
Put away your smartphones. Visibility deterioration in rain and snow, slippery asphalt and unpredictable reckless drivers on the road should completely occupy all your attention. Being distracted by correspondence in instant messengers, scrolling through the feed in social networks or talking on the phone, you greatly increase the risk of getting into an accident. Focus on the road, and all of the above can be done upon arrival at your destination.
4. Adjust your driving style
Maneuvers that are easy to perform in the summer will become much more difficult in the winter. Entering the same turn and not slowing down in the warm season, you just continue on your way, and in snow and ice, most likely, you will not be able to control the tires – the adhesion of tires to asphalt will be much worse, especially if you are still on a summer rubber.
In ice or snowfall, sharp turns of the steering wheel are fraught with drifts and the withdrawal of the front axle outward. Therefore, on the road, you should not actively rebuild from row to row, all the more so – sharply overtake and cut other cars. If in the summer this can only end with a couple of curses at your address from the driver of a neighboring car, then in winter it can lead to a serious accident.
5. Do not overestimate your strength
Road and weather conditions have changed dramatically, and you still need to get used to them. Don’t be overconfident and start your new winter season gently. Depending on the experience, restructuring under new conditions takes from several days to several weeks. No matter how many years of driving you have behind you, give yourself time for an adaptation period and exercise extra caution during this time.
6. Keep a distance
Depending on the type of tires – studded, Velcro, still summer – different cars in winter will have different braking distances. Adjust your speed and distance by looking at the road, not just the bumper of the car in front.
7. If possible, do not use the car
The media and meteorological centers warn about Tinker’s Day in advance. As autumn approaches, check the weather forecast daily. If snow is expected, and your car is not yet ready for winter, it is better to refuse trips. And even if you are fully equipped, think carefully about whether it is worth driving today. Just because you follow all the rules does not mean that other road users do the same. On any winter road, there is a scorcher on summer tires and often will do more harm than bad weather itself.
Tinker Day in memes
If you can’t handle something, laugh at it. Tinker’s Day has long been not only a household name among motorists, but also the object of many jokes and a situation played out in memes. Car owners congratulate each other, automobile masters and even pedestrians, ridicule drivers who, due to their own shortsightedness, get into minor accidents. Behind all this bravado, there is a common pain that unites all drivers for several days a year.