Experts, stating that the obligation to use winter tires for commercial vehicles carrying intercity cargo and passengers starts every year on December 1st and continues until April 1st, said that even if there is no legal obligation, winter tires should also be changed on private vehicles, also known as passenger cars. OSH Expert Özgür Şener, stating that winter tires are optimal tires produced specifically for the season, said, “Since they are a soft rubber compound, they adapt to the road surface in cold weather.” Şener also emphasized the importance of storing tires under suitable conditions.
Have you changed your winter tires?
Lecturer Özgür Şener from the Occupational Health and Safety Department of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences made evaluations regarding winter tires, their features, and points to consider when using winter tires. OSH Expert Özgür Şener stated that the use of winter tires is necessary primarily for safety purposes and then due to legal obligation for vehicles such as buses, minibuses, trucks, pick-up trucks, and tow trucks.
Winter tire application starts on December 1st
OSH Expert Özgür Şener emphasized that winter tires should be changed because they significantly reduce the risks of skidding and accidents by keeping the vehicle on the road during the transition from the dry surfaces of summer to the wet, slippery roads of winter. He said, “Compared to summer tires, winter tires provide better grip during acceleration on slippery surfaces, better traction in corners, and a shorter braking distance. The obligation to use winter tires starts every year on December 1st for commercial vehicles carrying intercity cargo and passengers. Legally, commercial vehicles carrying cargo and passengers must use winter tires between December 1st and April 1st every year. However, even if there is no legal obligation, we should also pay attention to this rule and change our winter tires on our private vehicles (passenger cars) between these dates.”
Increases road grip, drains water
OSH Expert Özgür Şener stated that winter tires are optimal tires produced specifically for the winter season. He said, “Since they are a soft rubber compound, they adapt to the road surface in cold weather. The meticulously developed outer tread easily adapts to unstable surfaces such as snow and mud. Winter tires are tires whose composition is specially determined to increase road grip at temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius, and they have specially designed patterns on their tread surface. The patterns on their surfaces also ensure better water drainage, thus providing better contact between vehicles and the road surface.”
Tread depth must not be less than 4 millimeters!
OSH Expert Özgür Şener said, “The tread depth of winter tires on trucks, tow trucks, tankers, and buses cannot be less than 4 millimeters,” and added the following:
“On the sidewalls of winter tires, the (M+S) mark or the snowflake mark with the (M+S) mark, or only the snowflake mark, is required. Even if tires are used with retreading and have the (M+S) mark on their shoulders, the tread depth and tread pattern must be suitable for winter tires. The provisions and principles for winter tires are specified in the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF), European Parliament and Council (EC) No 661/2009, and ECE R-117 Regulation published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE).”
Winter tire criteria include many features
OSH Expert Özgür Şener noted that winter tire criteria are specified in UNECE Regulation 117, which will be implemented with EU (EC) 661/2009 Regulation starting from November 2012. He said, “Accordingly, it includes criteria such as the tire’s pattern, tread compound, structure; acceleration, and braking in harsh winter conditions. Tires that meet the 3PMSF test conditions standardized in European Union regulations are entitled to bear this logo. 3PMSF marked tires offer better braking, cornering ability, and traction on icy, snowy, and slush-covered roads compared to tires with only M+S marks. The M+S mark is placed by the manufacturer and does not include a standard. It only claims to provide better traction in mud and snow compared to other patterns. It does not require meeting criteria such as rubber compound structure, pattern features, or grip capability in cold weather.”
How should tires be stored?
OSH Expert Özgür Şener also provided information on how winter tires should be stored when not in use. He said, “Environments that are not exposed to direct sunlight, are free of humidity, and are cool are ideal places for storing vehicle tires. Conversely, unsuitable conditions can lead to wear and tear in the physical form of vehicle tires, shortening their lifespan and rendering them unusable.”
Pay attention to these when storing vehicle tires!
OSH Expert Özgür Şener also listed the rules to be observed when storing vehicle tires:
- Before storing, thoroughly clean your tires using water with soap or a special detergent. Tires should not be washed under a strong water jet.
- It is not recommended to use any cleaning agent other than soap or a special detergent.
- Tires should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated room with a stable temperature, protected from precipitation and direct sunlight. Since the sun is an important factor in tire aging, an enclosed space not directly exposed to sunlight will suffice. A climate-controlled storage unit or a cool basement might work to provide a consistent environment.
- It is recommended to store your tires in vacuum-sealed bags, thereby preventing the tires from drying out by slowing down oxidation on them and preventing the evaporation of oil components in the rubber.
- In the area where you store your tires, you should also keep solvents, fuels, and oils away from them; to avoid altering the structure of the rubber, absolutely do not store chemicals or solvents near your tires.
Heed these warnings when setting off!
OSH Expert Özgür Şener stated that it is also recommended to have routine maintenance done on the vehicle before the winter period, and with these maintenances complete, the following points should be taken into consideration before every trip:
“In addition to legal requirements such as traffic rules and a first-aid kit, it is important to have a tow rope, chains, and wheel chocks in the vehicle; if such use is necessary, gloves should be kept in the vehicle for comfortable work. Tire tread depths should be checked; tires should be replaced if tread depth is below 4 mm. Checks should be made to ensure that the vehicle's windows, windshield wiper functions, and mirror functions are intact. Any issues with wiper blades should be checked. The antifreeze fluid should be checked. Pay attention to ensure the windshield wiper fluid (antifreeze) is full.” he warned.
Fog lights must be checked
OSH Expert Özgür Şener stated that it is essential to check whether lighting such as fog lights are working and said, “Care should be taken to ensure that there is no dirt like snow or mud on the vehicle's fenders, that the vehicle's engine coolant has antifreeze properties, and that the radiator and heating systems are working. The battery's charge status should be checked. The interior and exterior lighting system should be checked. If there is any problem with the bulbs, it should be rectified. In situations where it is necessary to exit the vehicle, reflective vests, at least one for the driver and preferably one for each passenger, should be present in the vehicle to ensure visibility.” he said.
Attention to air pressure value!
OSH Expert Özgür Şener emphasized that tire air pressures are not changed in summer and winter conditions. He said, “It must be ensured that the air pressure values are as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Tire air pressures should be adjusted according to the manufacturer's load and size specifications.” he said.