The auto expert named the optimal time to switch to winter tires

The optimal time to replace winter tires occurs with a steady decrease in the average daily air temperature below +7 degrees, which corresponds to about +2...+3 degrees at night and +9...+10 degrees during the day. Sergey Demidov, Vice President of Renaissance Insurance, told Izvestia on September 7 about the serious risks associated with late rubber replacement and sudden autumn snowfalls.

"It is important not to miss this moment and especially not to try to operate the car on summer tires in case of ice or sudden snowfall," he warned.

The company's statistics clearly demonstrate the consequences of poor timing of the rubber change. This year, two sudden spring snowfalls in Moscow and St. Petersburg, at a time when many car owners have already switched to summer tires, led to a sharp jump in insurance claims.

So, in Moscow on April 6, 2025, the total number of insured events increased by 11%, and for hard hats — by 27.7%, that is, the probability of getting damaged became more than a quarter higher than usual. In St. Petersburg, on April 11, 2025, the overall increase in the number of cases was 10.5%, and in casco cases - 14.6%. In autumn, in the event of a sudden snowfall, when the proportion of cars with summer tires in the first snowfall will be even higher, the jump in the number of accidents is expected to be even more serious.

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The second important point, according to the expert, is that the change of season requires a transition to a "winter" driving style, which includes early and smooth braking, increasing the distance and avoiding sudden maneuvers. A survey conducted by the company shows that drivers themselves recognize the behavior of other road users as the main source of danger: almost two-thirds of respondents got into dangerous situations due to the inappropriate actions of other motorists, and 35% encounter this often or repeatedly.

"As for the frequency of car collisions, autumn ranks second after winter. Collisions with other cars in autumn account for 24.5% of the total, while in winter this figure reaches 30.1%. Other types of insurance claims, such as falls of foreign objects or damage in the parking lot, slightly flatten the overall picture. In the spring period, 24.3% of collisions occur, and in the summer — 21.1%," the expert said.

On the eve of winter, experts also recommend paying special attention to the technical condition of the car. In autumn, it is critically important to check the tires, including the tread depth and the condition of the spikes, the serviceability of the braking system, ABS and ESP, the operation of all lighting — headlights, dimensions and turn signals, windscreen wipers, the presence of non-freezing liquid in the washer tanks and the battery charge level.

On August 25, auto expert Vladimir Bakharev spoke about the consequences of driving with a jammed steering wheel. According to him, the car may become uncontrollable not on a straight stretch of road, but on a turn. This is fraught with an obstacle collision, as well as pedestrian casualties.

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