The main task of the summer rubber tread is to resist aquaplaning and wet roads. If the tire is strong, then, accordingly, it has the worst grip.

Minimum tread depth for summer tires on cars of category M1 (private cars) and N1 (minibuses) - 1.6 mm. Riding on worn up maximum tread depth of passenger car tires is included in the list of malfunctions in which the operation of the vehicle is prohibited.

The wear of the rubber can be determined by the position of the wear indicator. there is a special Mister Michelin badge located on the side, which indicates wear indicator.

New summer tire has different tread heights, depending on the model.

Have a tread height of about 6-8 mm. For example, the tread height is 7.6-7.9 mm. For winter tires, these figures are usually higher, and the allowable "remainder" of the tread is 4 mm.

After reaching the minimum permissible values, further operation of the summer tire is prohibited. Wheel wear is felt when hitting a puddle, when the car hits, and does not smoothly enter the water stream. This is a direct threat of an accident due to a sharp deterioration in handling and braking.

What makes summer tire tread different?

Summer and winter tires are different not only by the presence of studs (if there are any, of course), but also by the structure of the tread, as well as the rubber compound. The winter compound is softer for grip in very cold temperatures. The winter tire has more sipes and drainage channels, which in total gives a greater edge effect for working on snow.

Summer tire tread types

Of course, when choosing a tire, the buyer looks at the tread pattern of the tire.

There are three types of tread patterns for summer tires:

1. Directed.
2. Symmetric.
3. Asymmetric.

Directional tires the protector must be set taking into account the direction of the pattern. The bus is usually marked "ROTATION" or an arrow.

Asymmetric bus must be set according to the marks on the bus "OUTSIDE" and "INSIDE". And symmetrical ones can be set as you like.

Many Grodno residents have traveled all summer on winter tires and this season they don’t change their cars, ”the website in Grodno tire companies told the correspondent when compiling a price review.

Note that a winter tire wears out faster than a summer tire due to softer rubber and a smaller block area. In the traffic rules of Belarus, the minimum tread depth of a winter tire is established; when operating on an icy or snowy road surface, it is 4 mm.

GAI Grodno asks not only to use winter tires from December 1, but also to monitor the residual height of the tread pattern. As an illustrative example, the traffic police cite an illustration of the magazine "Za Rulem":

SDA RB Ch.5, clause 25: "A tire is considered unfit for operation if one wear indicator appears located along the bottom of the tread groove, with uniform wear, or two indicators in each of the two sections - with uneven wear of the treadmill."

Once again about the difference between "summer" and "winter"

One of the German concerns has conducted extensive research on the behavior of summer and winter tires on a snowy road. The comparisons were carried out at a speed of 50 km / h. According to the measurements obtained, summer tires slow down to a complete stop of the vehicle 31 meters later than their winter counterparts. At the same time, the residual speed at the time of braking of winter tires in summer tires is 39 km / h, which poses a serious danger to road users.

Experience of European countries in seasonal tire change

Austria... From November 1 to April 15 in Austria, all vehicles must be equipped with winter tires (there must be an M&S mark on the sidewalls of the tire) with a minimum tread depth of 4 mm.

Belgium... Winter tires do not need to be driven in winter. Drivers are free to use their own considerations, but studded tires in Belgium can only be used from November 1st to March 31st.

Czech... The use of studded tires is prohibited in the Czech Republic, and the use of winter tires is compulsory between 1 November and 31 March if the road is covered with snow, ice or frost, or if the road is expected to snow, ice or frost while driving.

Estonia... The use of winter tires in Estonia is a mandatory legal requirement from December 1st to February 29th. This time frame can be adjusted depending on weather conditions. Winter tires are permitted from October 1st to April 30th. Studded tires are permitted from 15 October to 31 March.

Great Britain... Winter tires are optional in the UK, except in areas where local governments may mandate a tire change in accordance with weather conditions. For example, it is possible to use winter tires in Scotland during the winter season, but studded tires are prohibited in the UK.

Poland... You can go to Poland only on winter tires without spikes. The law explicitly prohibits the use of tires “equipped with a permanent anti-skid system”. The use of snow chains on tires is only permitted on a road covered with snow. The use of winter tires during the cold season is advisory in nature.

Sweden... If the car is not registered in Sweden, then winter tires are optional. But if the car is registered in Sweden, then you need to change shoes from December 1 to March 31, but you can ride on winter tires all year round. From May 1 to September 30, it is prohibited to ride on studded tires.

Russia... On January 1, 2015, the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union "On the safety of wheeled vehicles" came into force. The regulation prohibits the operation of vehicles not equipped with winter tires in the winter period - December, January, February. Considering that in different regions of the country the weather conditions differ significantly - somewhere in fact, winter weather is established much earlier than December, - according to the decision of the regional authorities, the terms of the prohibition of the operation of vehicles without winter tires can be changed, but only upwards.

Cargo "Gazelles" will be able to roll tires as long as the tread depth is not less than 1.6 millimeters. "Gazelle" minibuses will have to change tires when the tread depth is less than two millimeters.

The corresponding bill was prepared by the Department of Road Traffic Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. It was developed on behalf of the President, which indicated the need to establish uniform requirements in the regulatory legal acts of the Government in terms of the use of automobile tires in the operation of vehicles.

It can be assumed that the whole problem was in the Gazelles. The fact is that in the traffic rules, in particular in the provisions on the admission to the operation of vehicles, it is prescribed that the tires of passenger cars have a residual tread height of less than 1.6 mm, trucks - 1 mm, buses - 2 mm, motorcycles and mopeds - 0.8 mm.

"Gazelle", as well as the Korean Porter, category "B" cars. Their maximum weight does not exceed 3.5 tons. That is, the tread depth should be 1.6 mm. However, according to all other parameters, these are trucks. They are designed for the transport of goods. That is, they can roll tires up to one millimeter?

According to the requirements of the technical regulations on the safety of wheeled vehicles in Russia, according to the requirements of the same regulations of the Customs Union, they remain trucks. Category N1 - vehicles intended for the carriage of goods with a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tons.

In general, everything is very difficult with the classification of vehicles. What, for example, are pickups? They also belong to category N1 in both international and Russian qualifications, despite the fact that many of them can be managed with an open category "B" in the rights. Here, cars are already divided according to their functionality. By the way, many pickups are prohibited from entering the city center without an appropriate permit: the carrying capacity is more than a ton. Many of them can be driven, having a category "C" in the rights - their maximum weight is more than 3.5 tons.

Now, in accordance with the instructions of the President, the Ministry of Internal Affairs decided to indicate the depths of the treads for each vehicle. For vehicles of category L - these are all mopeds, motorbikes, mokiki, as well as motorcycles, scooters and even tricycles and quads - the residual tread depth is set at least 0.8 mm.

For vehicles of categories N2, N3, O3, O4, these are trucks and trailers, the maximum mass of which is over 3.5 tons - 1.0 mm.

For vehicles of categories M1, N1, O1, O2, these are cars, as well as trucks, the maximum mass of which is not more than 3.5 tons, as well as trailers for them, which also do not exceed this mass - 1.6 mm.

For vehicles of categories M2, M3, these are buses, that is, all buses with more than eight passenger seats - 2.0 mm.

For the first time in the Basic Provisions on the admission of vehicles to operation, the requirements for winter tires are spelled out and it is explained which tires are considered as such.

The residual tread depth of winter tires intended for operation on an icy or snow-covered road surface during operation on the specified surface is not more than four mm. Please note that we are talking specifically about their use on a snowy or icy area.

Winter tires are marked with a mountain peak with three peaks and a snowflake inside it, as well as signs "M + S", "M&S" and "M S". If the tire has wear indicators, then you do not need to measure the tread depth with a vernier caliper.

What penalties will be provided for this is still unknown. It is clear that tires that do not meet these requirements cannot be inspected.

It is not yet clear whether there will be penalties on the roads. As the traffic police told us, you first need to introduce requirements, and then think about fines.

There are times when the driver notices that the performance of car tires has begun to deteriorate. For example, the vehicle's maneuverability has decreased in bad weather conditions or the braking distance has increased. In such cases, the level of tire tread wear should be assessed, because this factor affects not only the ease of handling the car, but also the safety of all passengers.

1. How to identify the degree of tread wear?

Any malfunctions in the vehicle require the most prompt elimination. This statement also applies to tires that tend to wear out. The speed of this process is influenced by several factors, the main of which are excessive or insufficient pressure and emergency braking. In addition, a rapid change in tire performance can also be caused by deformation of the disc. The vehicle wheel protector is the only part that is constantly in direct contact with the road surface. The tread depth and the quality of the rubber directly affect the level of grip of the tire with the road, and hence the control accuracy (maneuverability). An overly worn part is constantly at risk of puncture; moreover, stability and braking performance decrease in proportion to the amount of wear, especially in winter.

To determine the degree of wear, the manufacturers of different brands of tires have come up with different indicators of tread wear and the structure itself. This refers to a 1.6 mm thick tread block, which is often located in the depth of the longitudinal grooves. To locate the wear level indicator on the tread, find the corresponding mark on the side of the wheel. It can be presented in the form of a TWI mark (tread wear indicator), a brand logo, a triangle or any other designation.

For example, Michelin makes tires with a small Bibendum wear indicator, and some other manufacturers use an intermediate indicator, and if it disappears, then the tire no longer provides optimal performance on wet surfaces.

If there is no such indicator, then the residual height is measured in places where the signs of wear are most noticeable. There are many ways that a car owner can control this indicator. In addition to the already mentioned wear indicator, these include the profile depth indicator and the discoloration of the tire. It must be understood that regular inspection of the wheels of the car for damage or severe tire wear can save you from serious trouble, so this action should become a habit of every motorist.

A digital tire wear indicator is also often used. This method allows you to determine the degree of abrasion using a system of numbers that is placed on the tread. It is they who indicate the depth of the rubber and, as it wears out, they begin to wear off. This method is often used by companies such as Nokian or Matador. The color control method is another way to determine the level of wear on your tire. A prototype tire that changes color when worn was created by two Chinese designers. However, in practice, such an invention is extremely rare.

The simplest and most affordable way to determine the degree of tread wear is to use a special profile depth gauge. The specified tool allows you to obtain an accurate value of the tire profile depth, which is not possible with the other methods described. You can buy such a device in almost any auto center, and for a fairly low fee. With its help, the car owner can independently measure the depth of the grooves in different places of the tire tread.

Interestingly, many other countries have their own specific ways of determining this parameter. For example, in the United States, tire wear is checked using a coin depicting the country's first president. It is inserted into the protector so that the head of President Washington is at the bottom. If his hair is visible, then the splint is best replaced. You can also check the degree of wear with a 1 cent coin: you can see the top of Lincoln's head - it's time to change.

European car enthusiasts determine the wear rate using a 1 euro coin. It is placed in the most worn part of the tread, and if the golden circle is completely closed, then the tire will still serve you, otherwise (the gold part of the coin is clearly visible) - it's time to change the shoe of the car. In Russia, tire wear is determined by a 2-ruble coin, which is inserted into the tread with the eagle's head down. If the top of the tire is visible above the surface of the tire, then the tire is still usable.

2. What is the permissible tread wear

When the limit value of tread wear is reached or if there is any damage (tears, cuts, swelling, etc.), it is considered that the tire has completely exhausted its resource and requires immediate replacement. However, with the correct operation of the vehicle, the tire life will be determined only by the rate of wear of their tread. So, for trucks, the maximum residual height of the tread pattern is 1 mm, for buses - 2 mm, and for cars - 1.6 mm. The latter value was set in Europe in 1992 and was considered the uniform wear rate for all summer tires.

Today, this requirement continues to apply, with the exception of lightweight wheels, the minimum tread height of which is 1 mm. However, for wide-profile and summer tires, this norm is too low, because such a profile depth will contribute to poor handling on a wet road.

In order to be careful, summer tires must be replaced when the residual profile depth has reached 2 mm, and in wide-profile tires - 3 mm. Modern tires, which are intended for the winter season, can have a tread height of 9 to 12 mm (depending on the manufacturer). In this case, the allowable wear level is 4-6 mm. In addition, many models have built-in wear indicators in the form of small rubber bumps soldered into the base of the tire. If the tread has worn down to the point that it is flush with them, then it's time to replace the tire.

3. What if the tread is worn out?

After some time, the tire life decreases, while the percentage of wear increases more and more. In case of damage to its bead during the installation of the wheel, the percentage of tire wear can increase up to 10%. Also, the indicator of the level of wear increases due to crumbling, the appearance of chips and cracks, which, in turn, lead to surface abrasion up to 25%. There are also cases when the protector wears out 100%. This situation is typical for tires with a delamination of the carcass.

The percentage of natural aging should be added to the technical side of wear. So, for three years of active operation, a tire can lose up to 10% of its resource, and if the tire is used for more than five years, this value can reach 50%.

If you want your movement on the roads to be as comfortable and safe as possible, then you need to monitor the condition of the rubber and update it periodically. In those cases when it comes to summer, it is worth considering purchasing summer tires, which suppliers will be happy to help you choose. The fact is that there are always many nuances in the sale of this type of product: from the manufacturer to the technical characteristics of a particular tire. Therefore, for each car, you need to choose only the tire model that is ideal for it: one for cars, and another for SUVs.

With the onset of cold weather, the footwear of the vehicle should be changed, because winter tires are a guarantee of safe movement on a snowy and icy road. However, it is still necessary to select it correctly and install it on the vehicle. High-quality tires for winter conditions guarantee reliable grip on the road, minimum braking distances and provide excellent handling and stability of the machine. These products are made of heat-resistant and wear-resistant rubber, which allows them to be used in extreme conditions.

In Ukraine, most motorists are accustomed to assessing the condition of rubber by eye. Like, the tread is still normal - enough for the season

Of course, everyone has the right to decide for himself whether to ride on "bald" tires. But on the other hand, those who want to save money on buying new wheels risk not only their lives.

In Ukraine, the permissible height of the tread pattern is regulated by the document - Order No. 33 dated 01.03.2010 "About the hardened change of technical problems, which can be used in the sections of the State Automobile Inspection Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for detecting and fixing the rules of road traffic."
According to this document, tires of passenger cars and trucks with a permissible maximum weight of up to 3.5 tons must have a residual tread height of at least 1.6 mm. Although we note that in fact, the traffic police do not have a certified measuring device that they could use to check the residual tread depth of tires.

About aquaplaning and slashplaning

In human terms, aquaplaning is wheel floating and, as a result, a complete loss of grip. The more the tread is worn, the higher the risk of aquaplaning. The braking distance is also increased. This is evidenced by Nokian testing.

AutoPortal has already said that during our visit we were not testing a test site in Finland, we studied and monitored the movement. In addition, we were able to personally test tires of varying degrees of wear and tear and feel the difference in the behavior of a car when driving on a wet road.

According to Nokian's test data, on worn 1.6 mm tires, the danger of aquaplaning on a road with a water level of about 5 mm occurs at a speed of 76 kilometers per hour. With new tires - at 96 km / h.

There is also such a term as "slashplenning". This is almost the same as aquaplaning. But in this case, we are talking about a loss of traction not when driving on water, but when moving through sludge - a soggy "mess" formed during a thaw. That is, it is sliding on the slush.

If the tread is worn out or the speed is too high, the tread stops pushing out water. The explanation is simple - the area of ​​the contact patch between the tire and the road is greatly reduced. This picture shows the size of the contact area of ​​a tire with different tread thickness at 3mm water depth and 75 km / h speed. The contact patch of an old tire with a 1.6 mm tread is only 16% compared to a vehicle standing still.

How much the braking distance increases with a residual tread depth of 4 millimeters, and how does it feel to drive through a puddle when the tread depth is 8 millimeters - watch our video:

Conclusion

If you value your car and the health of your loved ones, change your tires in time. Yes, this pleasure is not cheap, but a collision with a car in front or a crash into a ditch is even more expensive. It is especially important not to "wear" the wheels until they become "bald". Even 4 millimeters of residual tread depth affects the braking distance and the car's behavior on slippery roads. What can we say about the 1.6mm residue ...