Replace your car. When to change to winter tires and whether there are penalties for driving on summer tires in winter

Why change summer tires to winter tires?

Tires need to be changed because their characteristics correspond to the characteristics of the season. For example, the chemical composition of summer rubber makes it hard, allows it not to melt and not lose grip with the road at high surface temperatures. When temperatures drop, summer tires also harden, which significantly increases braking distance and reduces vehicle handling, which can lead to an accident.

Winter rubber, on the other hand, is softer, which allows it to maintain elasticity even in the cold, and, accordingly, better grip on the road. In addition, the pattern on the winter tire is different from the summer one and helps maintain the car’s passability despite the slippery and wet road surface.

In summer, winter rubber wears and deforms faster, becomes too soft. So changing tires is needed primarily for safety reasons, as well as savings on tire repairs or even bodywork, if driving on out-of-season tires has led to an accident.

When to change winter tires in 2024

The answer to this question is not regulated by laws, so you should be guided by the recommendations of each individual rubber manufacturer. Usually, winter tires should be installed when the average day the air temperature is 5−7° Cthat is, during the day the indicators reach +10, and at night – 0 degrees. For most of Ukraine, such temperatures are typical for late October or early November.

It is also necessary to take into account the time when the driver often drives by car. Early in the morning or closer to night, the temperature can drop below 7 degrees already at the beginning of October, although during the day it can still reach +17°C.

It is better for novice drivers to change tires in advance, to install winter tires at the beginning of October. The time before the onset of frost will allow you to get used to the rubber and understand how the handling of the car has changed. Although ““rebooting” your car ahead of time will not hinder even experienced drivers, because queues for tire fitting services are still short, as are the prices for the service.

Tires also need to be changed when they start to lose their properties due to the time of operation. On average, he is 4-5 yearsafter which the rubber wears out and loses elasticity, which worsens grip. Therefore, before replacing, it is recommended to additionally check the condition of the rubber in order to understand whether you should buy new winter tires.

Is there a fine for driving on summer tires in winter?

In winter, you can drive on summer tires, because the law of Ukraine does not provide for a fine for this. However, you should think about your own safety and that of other road users. They can be fined only for the use of wheels that do not meet the criteria specified in clause 31.4.5 of the Road Traffic Act and Article 121 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

According to these documents, the driver is fined if:

• the height of the tire tread is less than permissible (1.6 mm for cars, 1 mm for cars weighing more than 3.5 tons, 0.8 mm for motorcycles);
• there are cuts or other mechanical damage on the rubber;
• the size, load index and type of tires do not correspond to the total curb weight of the car;
• wheels of different size and design are installed on one axle (radial and diagonal);
• tires with and without spikes are installed on different axles.

The fine for violation of these norms is 20-40 of the tax-free minimum income of citizens. For repeated violations, the driver may be deprived of his license for 3-6 months or arrested for up to 10 days.