Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
In spring, demand for tire services in Moscow spikes as car owners prepare to swap their winter tires for summer ones. This can be done at auto repair shops—there are approximately 2,500 service and maintenance facilities in the capital. However, it's important not only to change tires on time but also to recycle worn tires in an environmentally responsible manner.
Mos.ru reports on the weather conditions that require tire changes, how quickly tires can be replaced in the capital, and how to dispose of old, unwanted tires without harming the environment.
When should you change your winter tires to summer ones?
In spring, the weather in the capital is typically unstable, with frost and icy roads possible. Therefore, tires should be changed when the weather warms up steadily, when nighttime temperatures no longer drop below freezing, and when driving is not done early in the morning or late in the evening, when the risk of icy conditions increases. Those traveling outside the city should be especially careful: frost is still possible at night in the surrounding region, so it's best to plan such trips during the day.
Specialists at the Traffic Management Center (TMC) recommend replacing winter tires with summer tires when the average daily temperature exceeds 7 degrees Celsius. "Delayed tire replacement directly impacts traffic safety and can lead to accidents. Worn or out-of-season tires reduce traction and increase braking distances," the TMC explained.
Tires vary significantly in their composition and tread pattern depending on the season. Winter tires are not designed for use at temperatures above 7°C (45°F)—they begin to slip. Driving on winter tires on wet pavement is also particularly dangerous, as the risk of hydroplaning increases significantly. This occurs when a vehicle completely or partially loses traction due to a layer of water forming between the tires and the pavement. Besides the risk of accidents, other consequences should be considered. Winter tires are softer, so they literally begin to melt in warmer temperatures, leading to accelerated wear and overheating. The composition of summer tires makes them softer in warm weather, and their tread features large, widely spaced longitudinal grooves that act as water channels and provide better traction.
How quickly do auto repair shops in Moscow change tires?
According to data Department of Trade and Services of the City of MoscowAuto repair shops and auto technical centers account for 10 percent of the total number of consumer service enterprises, and some of them specialize entirely in tire fitting.
On average, every car owner uses tire service three times a year—twice for tire changes in the fall and spring, and once for diagnostics, balancing, repairs, and inflation.
"Demand and supply for tire fitting services are balanced, and workshops are successfully coping with seasonal workload. On average, one workshop services four cars per hour, which helps avoid long waits even during peak season," the department said.
At the same time, many metropolitan auto repair shops offer high-quality customer service, which, as a rule, includes:
— online booking via the website or app;
— flexible work schedule, including weekends;
— comprehensive services: balancing, diagnostics, disk repair;
— transparent pricing, cashless payment terminals and receipt issuance.
In addition, some locations offer discounts for pre-booking, making the service even more profitable.
How to choose a car service center
The following materials will help you decide on the right auto repair shop capital consumer portal, collected in the thematic section Transport servicesFor example, here you can learn about the importance of reviewing reviews of the organization's work before signing a contract. You can also confirm by phone in advance whether a contract for the work will be signed and what the deadlines are.conducting.
Experts also explain what to do if a driver is dissatisfied with the quality of service and how to resolve a dispute—from drafting a pre-trial claim to filing a lawsuit and going through the stages of legal proceedings. All the details are in this material.
Where to dispose of old tires
After replacing tires, it's important not to leave worn-out old tires near trash containers near your home—this is harmful to the environment, as exposure to precipitation and sunlight causes tires to release toxic substances into the atmosphere.
An alternative and environmentally friendly option is to recycle unwanted tires. This can be done through the project Eco-points of Moscow capital Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection.
"Eco-points are specialized containers and collection points for unwanted items located near residential buildings, parks, shopping centers, and public spaces. Fourteen points across Moscow accept unwanted tires for recycling free of charge. Moscow drivers are eager to participate in our project—last year, they donated nearly 600 tons of tires," the department said.
In order to send worn tires for recycling, you must:
– remove the tires from the rims;
– clean them from dirt and debris;
– bring it to one of the collection points – addresses and opening hours can be found atwebsite project.
How tires are recycled
In Moscow, modern, environmentally friendly methods for recycling used car tires are used.
During mechanical recycling (crushing), tires are crushed to produce rubber crumb. This crumb is used for playground surfaces, pedestrian walkways, and road surfaces. This processing also produces metal and textile cords (threads) used in construction.
During thermal processing (pyrolysis), tires are decomposed in specialized units. As a result, the rubber is converted into hydrocarbon raw materials used in industry, such as synthetic oil, thermolysis gas, and carbon black.
You can find out what other unwanted items you can donate at Moscow's eco-points atwebsite project.
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Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.