Report
20.10.2016
Drivers using off season tires in Russia might face a fine of up to 2,000 roubles. Currently, drivers using worn-out tires are facing a fine of 500 roubles. The State Duma will consider the relevant bill in the first reading on October 21. When to change tires and how not to get a traffic ticket? Read the RIA Novosti article.
Replacement season
When should drivers replace summer tires with winter tires and vice versa? As it appears, an answer to this question depends not only on the region and weather conditions. According to the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union (an organization, in which Russia holds a membership), it is prohibited to operate vehicles with studded winter tires during three summer months. This new rule took effect on January 1, 2015. The document also prohibits the use of summer tires in December, January and February. According to the Technical Regulation, drivers may use summer tires from March to November, and studded winter tires - from September to May. Non-studded winter tires (“non-studded tires”) can be used all year long. The term of prohibition may be reconsidered (extended only) by the local authorities. For example, winter begins in the Murmansk or Magadan regions a few weeks earlier than in Krasnodar or Stavropol Territories. Currently, State Traffic Police may issue a 500-rouble traffic ticket for the use of worn-out winter tires (tire tread depth less than 4 mm) only if the vehicle was driven on the road covered with snow or ice.
Deputies of the State Duma have proposed to introduce a fine of 2,000 roubles for the use of summer tires in wintertime. The use of worn-out tires might also be fined at the same rate (summer tires with the tread depth of less than 1.6 mm or with holes and cuts, and tires and wheel discs showing signs of repair). The introduction of a new rate of fine is expected to improve road conditions as the impact of studs on the road surface in summer will be reduced, and improve the road accident statistics in winter months - not all drivers use appropriate tires in winter. According to Head of the Duma Transport Committee Evgeniy Moskvichev, the bill that was introduced to the legislature several years ago might be reviewed in its first reading on October 21. He noted that more than a third of all road accidents happen in the fall-winter period due to the wrong choice of tires. Mr. Moskvichev clarified that compliance with the relevant Technical Regulations will be monitored by the Traffic Police.
Weather-driven changes
“The issue of seasonal tires is, first of all, the issue of safety. The winter and summer tires have different technical characteristics in terms of the type of material used for manufacturing and the tread pattern,“ said Nadezhda Churmeeva, Executive Director of the Tyre Manufacturers Association, in her interview to RIA Novosti. The representative of Michelin supports her opinion.
The Association recommends that drivers install winter tires when the average daily temperatures drop down to or below +7°C. “When average daily temperature settles around this reading, it indicates that the risk of night frosts is already high enough to cause the water and moisture on the roads to turn into ice creating dangerous conditions for the vehicles with summer tires,” noted the expert. At low temperatures, summer tires may harden, thus, lowering the tire road grip. Michelin experts calculated that the braking distance of a car equipped with summer tires traveling at 50 km/h is 2 times longer than that of a car equipped with winter tires. They also noted that even all-season tires might not always be suitable for the harsh winter conditions. According to Continental, winter tires wear out faster when used in summer, decreasing the car’s steerability and increasing its braking distances and fuel consumption. Experts recommend that drivers change tires every 5 years regardless of the degree of wear and tear. The maximum service life of tires is 10 years even if they have never been used. To increase the service life of tires, regularly check them for wear, measure air pressure and adjust the wheels alignment, when necessary. Drivers should also roll in their new studded tires for 500-km and non-studded—for 300-km.
Any problems?
The market offers an adequate supply of winter tires for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. For example, a set of 4 175/65 R14 studded winter tires for Lada Kalina costs from 7 to 16 thousand roubles, 225/75 R16 for UAZ Patriot—from 21 to 38.5 thousand roubles, depending on the manufacturer.
“As for the freight transport, the manufacturers consider it premature to enforce the installation of winter tires on all axles and support a gradual transfer approach,” said Mrs. Churmeeva, having explained that this approach is dictated by the current readiness of the tire industry and additional economic load for the truck owners.
The representative of the Tyre Manufactures Association explained that while the Traffic Rules of the Russian Federation remain unchanged, of all currently debated amendments to the Administrative Code only the requirement for the winter tire tread depth will be enforced, while the compulsory seasonal change of tires will not be binding.