Throughout 2015, motorists have been discussing a new bill on how winter tires should be used. The law is adopted or not, many drivers still do not know. That is why it is important to understand this issue. Moreover, the violation traffic rules entails the imposition of fines.
Winter tires law
First of all, you should understand what this law is about changing rubber to winter and what are its main provisions. It is important to know what the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union, which was adopted on January 1, 2015, are called in this way. It sets out the requirements for the safe use of transport.
From now on, it is forbidden to use tires intended for driving in winter period and equipped with spikes. And, on the contrary, it was forbidden to ride summer wheels in winter. At the same time, the legislation establishes the requirement that all wheels must be replaced at the same time.
However, the law on winter tires also has a large number of disadvantages. One of the most significant is the fact that there are no articles in it that would impose requirements on tires used on freight transport as well as on buses.
In addition, it is not entirely clear how the compliance of rubber with the requirements specified in the law will be checked. Only technical inspection points are authorized to do so. However, new cars are exempted from this obligation.
Why you should change tires on time
Understanding when to fit winter tires according to the law, you need to understand why it is so important to comply with the requirements of this regulation. The main goal of the development of the Technical Regulations is to improve road safety.
Untimely installation of winter tires can lead to a number of problems:
- an increase in the length of the stopping distance significantly increases the likelihood of accidents;
- a decrease in the speed of movement leads to the formation of congestion on the roads;
- the car is stalled, because they cannot overcome even not too steep climbs.
Rules for the operation of wheels
The Law on Winter Tires sets out certain rules for the use of tires:
- In summer, it is forbidden to use rubber that is equipped with spikes. The ban period runs from June to August.
- In winter, from December to February, you must not drive cars that are not equipped with winter tires.
- All year round, you can use a special non-studded rubber (the so-called Velcro). It must be marked accordingly with the letters M and S.
- Depending on the climate, local authorities have the right to change the terms of use of different types of rubber. They can only be changed upwards.
- The tread depth must be at least 4 mm in winter and 1.6 mm in summer.
Types of winter tires
There are usually two types of winter rubber - with spikes and Velcro. Each of these types of tires has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The so-called velcro is made of special quality rubber. It is very soft and temperature-resistant. This ensures the best grip on the road. Such tires can be said to stick to the road surface. They are best suited for use in regions with a non-severe climate, as well as in urban environments. However, the Velcro is longer than in addition, they show themselves worse on ice and snow.
The safest is considered to be rubber with spikes. They are great for extreme frosts. At the same time, the excellent adhesion of the studded wheels to the road can significantly shorten the braking distance. Such rubber performs well on icy roads, as well as covered with wet snow. Such wheels have much worse performance when operating on wet asphalt. However, such wheels also have disadvantages. They are quite heavy and make a lot of noise when driving at high speed. In addition, the studs wear off very quickly, and fuel consumption increases during their operation.
Service life of tires
An important requirement is not only that, it is also important by law that the tread depth is at the required level. Therefore, you need to know how long you can use and how to increase the service life of tires.
It is impossible to calculate how long the protector will become unusable. This can only be determined during use. Stud tires wear out the most quickly. They can be used for a maximum of three seasons. Velcro can last much longer. All season tires will last the longest. However, they should not be used in extreme weather conditions such as extreme heat or frost.
Thus, it is impossible to predict how long a tire will go to inconsistency with the law. However, there is a way to extend their useful life. To do this, do not ride on wheels that are out of season.
Tire category confirmation
As for the so-called all-season tires, there is no information in the law on how to certify such tires. But manufacturers have found a way out - they issue two categories of certificates for the same tires at once. One thing confirms the possibility of their use in summer, the other - in winter.
All winter tires will soon be marked with mountain ridge markings. This badge is an international confirmation that the tires are made of special arctic rubber, which is designed for use in low temperatures.
What kind of rubber was outlawed?
It's no secret that car tires with spikes spoil the road surface. That is why standards have been established on how many studs winter tires should contain. Russia supported this law.
The only difference is the number of studs per running meter. In Europe, the size of this indicator is allowed at the level of 50. In Russia, it was increased by 10.
Thus, the manufacturer will have to prove that the number of studs is in accordance with the regulations. For this, a specialized test site is traditionally used. To determine if the tires comply with the established standards, the car drives 100 times a certain section of the road at a speed of 100 km / h. After that, the strictly defined section of the road is weighed and the result is compared with the weight before the start of the test. If the result meets the established standards, the tires tested meet the requirements.
Today, the rubber testing procedure is widely used in European countries. However, such testing laboratories do not exist in Russia.
As a result, it is not possible to check the tires for compliance with the standards. It turns out that in winter you can use almost any rubber with spikes.
When to change tires?
If you remember the rules for the operation of wheels established in regulatory enactments, the question, according to the law, will be automatically removed. To avoid disagreements with the traffic police, this must be done before December 1. Back tires should be reinstalled before June 1st.
But don't forget about safety requirements. In accordance with them, it is not always expedient to have the administratively established period in which the transition to winter tires is carried out. The law specifies only the recommended time frames, but common sense should be guided in life. There are the following recommendations regarding the timing of tire replacement:
- Winter tires should be installed when the road has been covered with ice several times. It is not always advisable to change wheels to winter ones immediately after the first frosts, which happen in Russia even in September. Keep the car on slippery road not easy. Therefore, do not pull too hard to replace summer tires with winter ones, waiting for the snow to completely cover the ground.
- You should not rush to get rid of winter tires. You should wait for the moment when there will be no ice on the road even at night.
Punishment for non-compliance with the requirements of the law
Those who do not comply with the law on winter tires will not be punished. The fact is that at the moment the fines for untimely replacement tires do not exist.
Nevertheless, the Code of Offenses establishes that when using worn-out car tires, the car owner faces:
- warning from the traffic police officer;
- a fine of 500 rubles.
At the same time, the employee who identified the offense can directly choose from these options. In practice, the driver rarely manages to confine himself to a warning. Most often, road inspectors write out a receipt for payment of the fine. It can also encourage the car owner to comply with the dates when winter / summer tires should be replaced. The law is meant to raise the level
Thus, complying with the requirements of the new law on the use of winter tires will not only save you from paying fines. By listening to them, you can significantly improve road safety.
Russia is a country with a pronounced change of seasons, which, of course, affects driving in general and car rubber in particular. On the eve of winter season we will tell you when it is time to change tires, what kind of fine is threatened for those who like to drive out of season tires and what prevents us from obeying the law?
○ Why don't car enthusiasts change tires?
Russians are known for their thirst for fast driving, while they are far from always safe. One such risk is associated with out-of-season rubber use. This happens for various reasons. Some are forced to save by the crisis, others do not want to stand in the seasonal queues of tire shops, others simply do not plan to install a new kit, being ready to throw out the old one.
Whatever reasons prompted you to leave the tires out of season, plus there can be only one, and that is very conditional - saving on tire fitting services. There will be much more cons, including material ones.
The first and the most main drawback out-of-season tires - a decrease in the vehicle's controllability, and thus the safety of the driver and passengers. In the first spring sun, the already soft winter tires begin to warm up from the warm asphalt. The rubber becomes viscous, and the controllability of the car decreases, with sharp braking, the car can easily be dragged forward, the consequences can be very unpleasant.
Stiffer summer tires in winter give lower grip and the car simply "carries" on the road, which in itself is not safe.
The second problem is increased wear. GOST minimum tread height set passenger car in 1.6 mm, but you should not reach that point, buying a new set already 2 mm. The use of rubber out of season will bring the purchase costs closer.
With proper use, a set of rubber will last up to three years, but if you do not change it, then the wear rate will increase on average three times. Studded tires serve well in the cold season, but with the establishment of heat and complete clearing of the asphalt from ice, the spikes simply fly out of it, forcing you to buy a new set for the next season. Also on summer road spikes lengthen the stopping distance, creating the risk of accidents. But even studless winter tires, warmed up by the summer sun from their softness, wear out three times faster.
The reasons why you shouldn't skimp on rubber replacement are clear, so when is the time to do it?
○ Terms of transition to winter and summer tires.
Let's start with the fact that at the moment in Russia there is no full-fledged law that has come into force, obliging to change rubber as such, or setting the timing of such a replacement. In the USA and Finland, the change dates are fixed. If the inspector notices the car “shod out of season”, the driver will be fined.
In Russia, there is a technical regulation on the safety of wheeled Vehicle which prohibits the use of:
- Studded winter tires in June, July and August.
- Summer tires on any wheel of a vehicle in December, January and February.
Of course, these are not exhaustive rules and it is imperative to focus on the climatic conditions of a particular region. Experts advise to install summer tires no earlier than the temperature is higher than +5 ° C / +7 ° C. Before that, there may be night frosts, after which morning frost on the roads is possible. Usually it is March 10-15, but in the Crimea and Krasnodar Territory on March 1, spring is in full swing, and in the Magadan region they will hear about it only by April. This is one of the reasons why the law "On safety of vehicles" regulating tire change is still not fully operational, it is necessary to take into account regional specificities. At the moment, it contains a ban on the use of winter studded tires from May 1 to September 30, and summer tires from December 1 to March 1. Non-studded winter tires can be left on for the whole year.
As for winter tires, experts do not recommend delaying the change of more than 15 November. According to statistics, by this time in most regions of the country there is already a high probability of precipitation in the form of snow or ice.
All-season rubber is not prohibited by law, but when using it, it is important to take into account the climatic factor, at too low temperatures it will not be stable enough, and in too hot summer it will become too soft. In addition, it must be marked "M + S", "M&S" or "M S"
○ Penalty for driving on winter tires in summer.
Administrative Code does not contain an article indicating a fine for using winter tires in summer, but the possibility of its introduction is already being discussed. The most likely amount of the fine at the moment is 500 rubles. But even in the future, only the use of studded tires will be held liable.
But already now, the traffic police inspector has the right to draw up a protocol if he detects increased tread wear on your car or winter and summer tires on the same axle.
The presence of winter tires on the wheels of a car during ice and snowfall is a key condition for ensuring the safety of the driver of the vehicle and his passengers. This is a common truth that every motorist knows, but some car owners neglect the risks that driving with summer tires in winter carries.
Winter tires - safety of the driver and passengers in the cold season
In this regard, the decision to obligatory change tires during the cold season was made at the legislative level and came into force in 2015. And for the 2016-2017 season, some changes and clarifications were made to it. Information on current road inspection requirements and other important aspects of seasonal tire fitting is presented below.
Why winter tires are so important
When the road surface becomes icy, the adhesion of the wheels to the roadway weakens sharply. In such a situation, the controllability of the car, its maneuverability when cornering is significantly reduced, and there is a high risk of uncontrolled drifts on any part of the road. In addition, in the presence of a large snow layer without special tires, the vehicle's cross-country ability is very low.
Winter tires ensure reliable contact of the wheel with the road
Winter tires, unlike summer ones, are made of more elastic and heat-resistant rubber. Therefore, at low temperatures, tires for the warm season become stiff, which contributes to the sliding of the vehicle and can lead to a rupture / puncture of the wheel. Also, this equipment increases the braking distance of the machine.
In addition, rubber for winter ride has a special tread pattern that helps to wick moisture and snow. And the presence of spikes or velcro helps the car to increase grip on icy road surfaces. Summer tires are completely devoid of these benefits.
Spikes or Velcro: Which winter tires do you prefer?
Law requirements for changing winter tires
According to the current legislation, it is prohibited to drive cars on the country's roads without special tires for winter in the period from December to February. At the same time, official documents contain a note that by the decision of regional authorities, the operating time of winter tires may be increased due to hazardous weather conditions.
Thus, the change of tires in winter is no longer performed - seasonal tire fitting must be carried out in advance, around mid-November. At the same time, it is important to follow the news of the region and monitor the presence of warnings, otherwise you may face valid claims from inspectors at the end of autumn.
The main thing is to “change” the car into winter tires on time
Although the only thing that threatens a driver who does not change tires in time is an order for an urgent replacement summer tires for the winter. There is no penalty for violation of tire compliance with the seasons of the year in 2016-2017. However, such a punishment is under development and approval. The final fine can be up to 2,000 rubles.
Winter Tire Standards
As suitable rubber for the cold season are directly recognized by law Winter tires with spikes, as well as demi-season models. Moreover, in the case of the latter type of tires, it is allowed to use not all products, but only those with certain markings. This group includes products with marks M + S, M S and M & S, which means Mud & Snow - designed for use in mud and snow.
In addition, the law provides for liability for excessive wear on winter tires. This means a ban on driving on an icy road of a car on the wheels of which demi-season or winter tires with a tread height of less than 4 mm. The use of "bald rubber" in the cold season has the same consequences as the use of summer tires. If these requirements are not met, the driver of the vehicle may be warned, and if the violation is repeated, a fine of 500 rubles will be imposed.
Below we will try to figure out what the essence of this bill is, and how it affects ordinary motorists.
The Winter Tire Law is one of the most talked about bills of 2015. It regulates the use of tires strictly according to the season: summer / winter.
Promotion of the bill began in 2014. By the end of the same year, he was awarded official status. The law came into force on 01.01. 2015 year. Car enthusiasts are obliged to change tires in due time. Failure to comply with the rules will result in the imposition of penalties on the motorist. The established replacement period summer tires for winter - November 1. Let's take a closer look at the law on summer tires.
Changing wheels
Therefore:
- spiked wheels are prohibited in summer (June-August);
- driving in winter (December-February) is allowed only with winter tires: studded / non-studded, subject to the presence of the marking “M + S” (“M&S” / “M S”), the corresponding picture;
- the period of restriction on the use of certain wheels is adjusted by local authorities, and only upwards. In other words, a certain region may impose a ban on the use of spiked tires from May to September. Whereas summer tires should only be used between early June and August.
Summarize:
- Usage summer rubbers (there is no marking “M + S” and other similar ones) is allowed during the period: March-November;
- Operation by car winter tires on (marked "M + S") with spikes is allowed only during the period: September-May;
- Use non-studded wheels (including marking “M + S”) you can year-round.
All season tires
The Law on Winter Tires provides for the operation of an “all-season” in winter. True, there is a small condition: all season tires it is permissible to use it in winter (from December to February) if there is a corresponding designation on them: “M + S”, “M / S”, “M&S”. In other cases, the use of this rubber is prohibited;
Penalties
The twelfth chapter of the Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO) does not refer to the TR CU. Consequently, a penalty measure - the fact of the absence of winter tires is not provided.
But there is a fine (or warning) for driving on tires that do not comply with technical regulations, in the amount of 500 rubles. Such a measure will be fair in relation to the driver, whose car is equipped with worn-out winter tires (marking “M + S” and others): the tread has a depth of less than four millimeters.
Amendments to traffic rules from 01.07.2015
The project provides for some clarifications:
- tire change is carried out on both axles and on each wheel;
- the summer period of operation prohibits spiked wheels;
- the use of winter tires in the absence of studs on them is not prohibited. There is no penalty for this, but there is a risk of giving 500 rubles to the state with a tread whose depth is less than four millimeters. Summer wheels should have a height of 1.6 mm.
There are rumors that the traffic police will have the right to fine negligent drivers in the amount of 5,000 rubles if they violate the rules for using tires (out of season).
Outcomes
The winter tires law is as follows:
- change of summer tires to winter ones takes place in the period: September-November;
- as of 2015, there is no fine for operating a car on summer (all-season) wheels;
Meanwhile, from 01.11.15 new rules (“On the safety of vehicles”) have been introduced, which regulate the change of tires according to the season. Whereas, starting in 2013, a law was in force, whose powers did not include the regulation of the use of tires for the season. There were also no fines.
Innovations (from 01.11.15):
the use of summer tires on a car in winter is strictly prohibited. 
Why is it dangerous to use wheels out of season?
Using tires (summer / winter) outside of direct use is fraught with:
- deterioration of adhesion properties. The car has a long braking distance (spikes on the asphalt / without spikes on an icy surface), worse handling (risk of drift / skidding) and acceleration (slipping), which affects traffic safety;
- increased fuel consumption (tires for winter). This is due to the fact that the rubber composition of this tire differs from the summer one (more weight + studs), the fuel consumption increases;
- premature wear. The soft rubber compound on tires for winter at high temperatures heats up very much, which, coupled with the loads from driving, provokes tire destruction;
- injuries to others and damage to vehicles (studded tires). It sounds paradoxical, but true. When operating a vehicle with spiked wheels, there is a high risk of them separating from the tire. As a result, the spike by inertia jumps out from under the wheel and flies in an arbitrary trajectory: into a passer-by / car. As a rule, after meeting a spike, a person / car is inflicted minor damage. In winter this is justified, but not in summer.
Driving a one-wheel drive vehicle with studded wheels on one axle
Until recently, it was widespread operation of a machine in which only one axle has studded tires. It all started from the times of the USSR and the first VAZ left the assembly line in Togliatti. Then the car was not a means of transportation, but a luxury. As a result, the happy owners of "Zhiguli" literally blew dust particles from their favorite.
As a rule, the car was not used in winter - only in extreme cases, hence the savings on wheels.
Nowadays, the car has ceased to be an unattainable dream, and therefore the use of winter tires on only one axle is unacceptable, especially on front-wheel drive.
A rash creates an imbalance in the traction of the wheels with the road, as a result of which the behavior of the car becomes less predictable and more dangerous.
Example: when installing studded wheels on a front-wheel drive machine only on the front axle, the effect of "walking" the stern occurs due to low level rear tire grip. Harsh braking can cause the stern to skid and turn the vehicle, which could lead to an accident.
A rear-wheel drive car, in the case of installing a “spike” on the drive axle, acquires a pronounced insufficient controllability - before it sweeps out the trajectory. It also creates the risk of a car accident.
Looking ahead, let's make a reservation right away that riding on summer tires in winter, as well as in summer on winter tires for 2019, is prohibited. But this ban is not valid from November 1, 2019, but from December to February inclusive. But let's talk about everything in order! So, in winter on summer tires: what is the fine for this today, what are the conditions, requirements and subtleties of the auto-law on summer tires in winter?
Can you ride summer tires in winter?
No, this is prohibited. Such a prohibition regulates Technical regulations Of the Customs Union in its clause 5.5 in its "requirements for vehicles in operation" (Appendix 8 of the regulation). At the same time, this normative act clearly regulates the winter and summer months. The former are December, January and February, the latter are June, July and August.
At the same time, these months may differ if any region of Russia establishes its own rules, which is quite logical; and only in the direction of increase, which ... is completely illogical. Indeed, in the same Krasnodar Territory, winter tires may not be required at all. But alas, this is the law!
5.5. 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. satisfying the requirements of paragraph 5.6.3 of this annex, in winter (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 regional authorities government controlled states - members of the Customs Union.
Thus, it is forbidden to ride summer tires in winter - in December, January and February (the terms may vary by regions). It is not necessary to change your shoes to winter tires from October 1st and November 1st.
Where can I find out about the increase in the ban in my city?
Alas, there is no way to unequivocally answer this question. For 2019, not a single region and city has changed the provisions of the Technical Regulations regarding summer tires in winter.
