Car operation is actually a more complicated process than many drivers realize. You need to know a lot of subtleties, one of which is the use of winter tires. It must be set at the onset of cold weather. Otherwise, the adhesion of tires with snow at low temperatures will be very weak, which creates a danger on the roads and increases the risk of getting into an accident. Yes, and a fine for rubber can be obtained. Therefore, the issue of replacing summer tires with winter is very relevant.
In addition, the condition of the rubber and the height of its tread play a role. If the winter tires are worn out, they will keep the road worse than the summer ones. Naturally, the rules provide for the responsibility of drivers for the use of summer tires in the winter. Many drivers want to know from what date a rubber penalty is imposed, how much it is, and whether tires with spikes are allowed. We’ll talk about this.
What does the law say?
Information was announced in many media that a law will be enacted in 2017, according to which a fine for summer tires in winter will be imposed in the amount of 2,000 rubles.
At the moment, technical regulations are already in force, which determine that in winter all cars must be equipped with winter tires. Winter months are December, January and February. Moreover, the regulation states that all wheels of the car must have winter tires, and not just the front or rear axle, as some drivers believe.
Paragraph 5.5 of Annex No. 8 states that the use of vehicles without winter tires in the winter is prohibited. It is also forbidden to use cars with studded tires in the summer. Even in this paragraph it is clearly indicated that it is impossible to use cars that, although equipped with winter tires, but the residual tread depth is less than 4 mm. Therefore, it is not enough just to use winter tires, it should have sufficient tread depth.
Is there a penalty for tires in winter?
Excerpts from the law clearly define that there are certain requirements for tires. They must correspond to seasonality on all wheels at the same time. If the tires do not correspond to the season, then this is regarded as the technical condition of the car, which does not meet the requirements of the rules. Therefore, this is considered a violation. The fine for summer tires in this case is 500 rubles.
Fine for different types of tires on the front and rear axles
Many drivers do not want to spend money on a whole set of winter tires, so they only buy tires on the drive axle - front or rear. And although this is not recommended, many do so.
Of course, there is no specific law or rule that would govern such a question. However, the technical regulation states that the machine must be operated with the same tires on both axles. Failure to comply with this condition will also be regarded as non-compliance with the normal technical condition of the car, which is fraught with a fine of 500 rubles.
Bald tires
The new version of the law defines the requirements for the residual tread depth on winter tires, which the driver must adhere to. If the depth of the pattern on winter tires is less than 4 mm, then the driver will again have to pay a fine (500 rubles). It is established by the article of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation. In particular, Article 12.5 indicates that driving a vehicle that does not comply with the normal technical condition or the conditions for admitting the machine to operation is prohibited. Otherwise, the driver is brought to administrative responsibility and require a fine of 500 rubles.
It is also worth considering that the repetition of such a violation will entail an increase in fine. Therefore, it is advisable for the inspector to change the summer tires to winter tires after the first warning by the inspector.
Fine studded tires in summer
If you drive a car with ordinary winter tires without spikes in spring or autumn, then there will be no violation in this case. It’s just that such rubber is considered softer, and at a positive temperature, although it provides a good grip of the car with the road surface, it is quickly worn out. Therefore, it is recommended to use it in the winter, when due to the low temperature it hardens a little.
However, winter tires can often be equipped with metal studs that provide better traction on snow or ice. But when driving on asphalt, the spikes greatly reduce the adhesion of the wheels to the roadway and spoil the asphalt surface.
The use of studded tires in non-winter time is a gross violation due to non-compliance with the current standard and is subject to a fine. As usual, the driver will have to pay 500 rubles.
However, there is an exception to the rule, but it applies only to those regions of Russia where the cold climate predominates. Therefore, the use of wheels with spikes is allowed not only in winter, but also at other times of the year. However, in this case, the driver is obliged to inform other traffic participants about this. To do this, an icon in the form of a triangle with the letter w inside is glued to the glass.
Previously, the law clearly spelled out the number of studs that are allowed to be installed on tires. A slight deviation from the norm in the direction of increase was also allowed. However, at the same time, the driver had to prove the absence of a high load on the asphalt pavement and an increase in grip. In the amendments that were introduced to the 2017 bill, these points are generally absent.
Bald wheels
Regardless of what time of year or type of rubber the driver uses, there are certain requirements for the tread pattern for both summer and winter tires.
From January 1, 2015, the following standards for tread depth are valid:
- Cars of category L - 0.8 mm.
- Cars of categories No. 2, No. 3, OZ, 04 - 1 mm.
- Vehicles category M1, N1, O1, O2 - 1.6 mm.
- Cars category M2, M3 - 2 mm.
- Winter tires - 4 mm.
Why change tires at all?
It is worth noting that the fine for rubber did not appear out of the blue. It is known that summer tires at very low temperatures become very tough. In addition, their tread pattern is not designed for snow or ice on the roads. As a result, the use of such rubber in winter creates a high danger for the driver and his passengers, as well as for other road users.
A car with summer tires in winter becomes poorly controlled, its braking distance increases, maneuverability is lost, and traction with the roadway becomes very weak. That is why it needs to be changed.
As for winter tires in the summer, its use also reduces vehicle handling. Such tires wear out quickly, and their grip at positive temperatures also becomes low due to increased tire melting.
In spring or autumn, there are no specific requirements for rubber, so drivers can use both winter and summer tires. But experts recommend the use of summer tires, although in many regions they change their shoes only in the summer, when the positive temperature outside the window lasts a long time.
Finally
Now you know what the penalty for tires is out of season. Therefore, there is no need to save on this. Such savings can be offset by fines of the traffic police. In addition, it is in the driver’s interests to provide himself and his family a safe driving environment. So, if you do not want to pay a fine for rubber, then just change your shoes on time.