As we recommended back in autumn, when the average daily temperature rises above +5 C°. Under such conditions, the mixtures from which summer tires are made are already beginning to “work”, i.e. fully able to perform their functions. At the same time, in comparison with winter tires, summer tires save their owner not only fuel, but also a resource. After all, winter tires are heavier and wear out more at positive temperatures.
Does this mean that you need to change tires as soon as the snow melts? Not! It is important to be patient and wait not only for a steady “plus” during the day, but for the absence of night (and sometimes daily) short-term frosts that are quite possible in our climate. In this sense, as they say, it is better to “move”.
This is especially true for those who move along suburban secondary roads (and icy yards). For city streets and highways from the highway are actively treated with anti-icing reagents.
The Technical Regulations of the Customs Union “On the safety of wheeled vehicles” 018/2011, in particular paragraph 5.5, prescribes:
“It is prohibited to operate vehicles equipped with tires with anti-skid spikes in the summer period (June, July, August).
It is prohibited to operate vehicles that are not equipped with winter tires that meet the requirements of paragraph 5.6.3 of this Appendix during the winter period (December, January, February). Winter tires are installed on all wheels of the vehicle.
The terms of the prohibition of operation can be changed upwards by the regional government bodies of the states – members of the Customs Union.
Formally, following the letter of the law, only owners of studded tires are obliged to change winter tires for summer tires, and only with the onset of June. However, taking into account the increased wear of winter tires at positive temperatures, higher fuel consumption and mediocre braking performance, it is better to change the shoes from “winter” to “summer” in a timely manner. Cars equipped with studless winter tires can be used all year round. But, for the reasons described above, I do not recommend doing this. The author of these lines had a sad experience. Wheels with a 5-6 mm tread remaining were worn out almost over the summer. At the same time, the car noticeably “floated” at speeds of more than 100 km / h and an outboard temperature of more than +20 C. Of course, the sensations will be different from the control of the “fours” of the Zhiguli and BMW. A good car eliminates the negative consequences of using tires that are inappropriate for the season. But according to my personal feelings, correctly selected tires allow not only to ensure safety, for example, on the same “seven” from AVTOVAZ, but to fully reveal the potential of the S7 from AUDI, charged with more than 400 horsepower.
But back to the terms of replacement. In your region (more southerly warm), the authorities may ban the use of winter tires, for example, from March to November. Or in the northern regions – to prescribe the use of winter tires from September to May. At the same time, the authorities at the regional level cannot limit the duration of the ban in force on the “union” territory: from December to February, cars throughout the territory of the Customs Union must use only winter tires, and from June to August – only summer tires.
Thus, if we proceed strictly from the terms specified in the Technical Regulations, we get:
| Summer tires (without M&S marking) | can be used from March to November |
| Winter studded tires (marked M&S) | can be used from September to May |
| Winter non-studded tires (marked M&S) | can be used all year round |
It turns out in the end, if you have wheels with summer and winter studded tires, then it will take three spring months to replace winter with summer tires in spring: from March to May. And before winter – from September to November.
There is still a lot of controversy around the statement: “It is better to have complete wheels than to carry out tire fitting every season”! Deformation of the onboard zone and sidewall cord is possible. In theory, it’s true – it’s cheaper, easier and more useful to change the wheels as an assembly: when the tire is mounted on the wheel (in everyday life – a “disk”). In practice, my more than 20 years of experience and my friends (6-7 seasons already) have shown that nothing criminal happens to tires if tire fitting employees have the necessary and sufficient experience. By the way, did you use such a convenient service as an on-site tire fitting this season? Please write in the comments about your experience. Many, I think, will be interested. After all, this not only saves precious time, but also allows you to maintain health by storing the wheels “in stock” of the service provider. The wheels of modern cars are increasingly increasing in diameter, reaching over 20 inches. Only a physically strong person can lift these!
I hope I was able to fully reveal the topic of spring tire replacement. It remains only to wish you to guess with the weather forecast and always be able to entrust someone to lift your ever-increasing diameter and weight wheels.