Although cars and buses the mass of which does not exceed 3 500 kg have to be fitter with winter tires for the period between 1 December and 1 March, it does not mean tire replacement should be left until the last moment, stresses Safe Driving School (DBS).
If there is snow, ice on roads and air temperature is below +7° C, it is recommended to install winter tires sooner. There is another aspect that affects the importance of replacing tires – winter tire protector needs to be 4 mm deep.
According to the head of the school Jānis Vanks, it is important to confirm the state of winter tires if the decision is made to reuse them. Light cars with full mass under 3 500 kg and cars with full mass over 3 500 kg are to be fitted with the same type of tire on the front steering axle.
«If tires inspected in September had the required 4 mm, it does not mean they will be enough to last the winter, because these tires will no longer meet the requirement in a month’s time,» says Vanks.
To avoid risks and contribute to safety on roads, motorists are advised to follow air temperature, not the calendar.
If air temperature drops below +7° C, the rubber on summer tires becomes more rigid and loses road adhesion qualities.
This means less control and a higher risk of potentially dangerous situations on the road.