Stretch the tires: it's too early to change tires, despite the March warming
In the center of European Russia, motorists should not change winter tires for summer tires, experts told Izvestia. They do not recommend changing shoes until a stable average daily temperature of 8-10 degrees Celsius is established — an early change of tires to summer tires can lead to emergencies. According to meteorologists, the air temperature in the Moscow region in March may still drop to sub-zero temperatures, precipitation in the form of snow is also possible, and the real spring warmth awaits Muscovites only in April. About when and how to prepare the car for the summer season, see the Izvestia article.
When to change tires
March 2025 began with high temperatures, despite the fact that it is traditionally a winter month for the central regions of Russia according to climatic conditions, meteorologists interviewed by Izvestia said. For example, on March 6, a record temperature was set in Moscow for the entire history of observations, with the thermometer reaching 6.8 degrees in the city, said Roman Vilfand, scientific director of the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia. This is half a degree higher than the previous highest recorded in 2020, and it repeated the record of 1995.
But despite the current warmth, the temperature at night and in the morning may be below zero by the end of March, the expert warned. Snow is still possible in the center of the country this month, but due to the lack of snow cover, it will melt almost immediately.
— The warm weather in the center is caused by the movement of air masses from the south Atlantic, — Roman Vilfand explained. — First they rise to the north, to Great Britain, and then to Scandinavia, after which they come in western streams to the center of European Russia. These air masses are initially very warm, which is why the temperature is so high.
Motorists are advised to change tires when the temperature becomes stable and will be 8-10 degrees Celsius, explained to Izvestia in the Union of Car Services. It is at this temperature that the composition of summer rubber begins to work effectively and reduces the likelihood of its hardening. And now it's premature to install new tires.
In the central regions of the European part of Russia, daytime temperatures are at 8-10 degrees Celsius, Roman Vilfand said. Among them are Moscow, Smolenskaya, Bryansk, Vladimirskaya and Central Chernozem districts. But the temperature regime is still unstable.
"It should be noted that in the south of European Russia, in the Krasnodar Territory, in the Crimea and the Rostov region, temperatures were very low 5-6 days ago, up to 15-18 degrees Celsius," he added. — Now the temperature in these regions has increased by 30-35 degrees, but in March there may be episodes of cold weather.
Early replacement of winter tires with summer tires can lead to accidents due to low traction, says Nikita Rodionov, technical director of the Fit Service car service network.
"The weather in our country is very changeable," he said. — Despite the fact that heat can arrive quite early in some regions, even snowfalls and frosts occur in March and April. In the spring, it is better to travel a little on winter tires than to be on summer tires on a frozen road ahead of time.
How to prepare a car for the summer
Tires should be changed at a minimum temperature above 5 degrees Celsius, and the night temperature should be taken into account, auto experts say. In addition, it is worth watching long-term weather forecasts to make sure there are no cold snaps. Even if drivers think that the asphalt is dry and there is no snow, at temperatures around zero or slightly below zero, summer tires will tan, which can lead to accidents.
In addition to replacing rubber in car service stations, it is recommended to carry out a comprehensive diagnosis of the car, because in the winter season the load on the components and assemblies of the car increases. This will help to avoid breakdowns in the future. The Union of Car Service Stations recommends that motorists undergo at least standard maintenance, in particular, to replace oil and filters.
— You definitely need to check the air conditioning system so that you don't have to drive with the windows open when the heat comes, — explained Mikhail Petrov, a member of the board of the union. — In addition, it is worth replacing the cabin filter and checking the undercarriage of the car, because it is under heavy load during long-distance summer vacation trips.
Also, after replacing the rubber with summer tires, the wheels need to be balanced to reduce vibrations hitting the steering wheel and reduce suspension wear, said Yulia Trushkova, Rolf's service director.
"In winter, salt and reagents accumulate in the arches and on the bottom of the car, which accelerate corrosion," she added. — Thorough washing followed by anti-corrosion treatment will prolong the service life of the body.
Residents of urban areas drive on asphalt without snow cover almost all winter, so you should not be afraid of increased wear of winter tires during the first warming, Mikhail Petrov noted.
— When driving on winter tires in a slight plus temperature, nothing terrible will happen, the tires will not wear out, — he added. — It is necessary to wait for a stable positive average daily temperature and only then change shoes. If you take too long to change the tires, for example, to replace them at a temperature of 15-20 degrees Celsius, the braking distance of the car increases significantly and the control deteriorates.
Also, driving on winter tires in summer conditions increases fuel consumption and engine load, because they create significant resistance to movement. If such tires are used in warm weather during rain, they are more likely to lose control, since their tread pattern is not designed to drain water, Rolf recalled.
When to expect warming
The average daily air temperature in the capital region will reach 8-10 degrees Celsius only in April, meteorologists interviewed by Izvestia reported. A cold snap is possible at the end of the second and beginning of the third decade of March, says Mikhail Leus, a leading specialist at the Phobos weather center.
— At night, the temperature may drop to negative values, — he added. — It will be a little warmer during the day, snow precipitation is possible in some places.
An increase in the average daily temperature to 8-10 degrees Celsius in Moscow and the Moscow region should not be expected before the end of April, confirmed Alexander Ilyin, a forecaster at the Meteo forecasting center.
"Some April days will be quite warm, up to 13-15 degrees above zero," he believes. — But the temperature will decrease at night, which will prevent reaching high daily averages in March and early April.
With the onset of consistently warm weather, some motorists face overheating of cars, recalled auto expert Ivan Volin. This is due to radiator contamination on the roads in winter.
Auto experts advise paying attention to the condition of the car's paintwork, because it can suffer at subzero temperatures. In the off-season, it is worthwhile to treat problem areas of the car that are prone to rust with special compounds, and it is better to carry out a full-fledged treatment in a specialized service, Nikita Rodionov noted.
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