On April 15, the obligation for all motor vehicles to drive with winter tires or to have chains on board ends. Notwithstanding the provisions of Ministerial Decree no. 1049 of 2014, motorists have one month, so until May 15, to adapt to the replacement of winter tires with summer ones. It should be pointed out – Federpneus, the national association of tire specialist dealers remembers – that changing tires during the spring-summer season is not compulsory for all types of winter tires; it applies only to those who mount tires with M + S marking on the shoulder of the tire with speed codes lower than those indicated in the registration certificate. M + S winter tires with a speed index equal to or higher than that indicated on the registration certificate, on the other hand, can also drive in summer. However, to travel in the best safety conditions Federpneus still recommends tires suitable for the season, that is winter in the cold season and summer in the hot one. With the arrival of milder temperatures, in fact, summer tires ensure better performance in terms of efficiency, safety and fuel economy. This is because their harder compound deforms less with heat and guarantees better road holding, shorter braking distances and also consumes less fuel thanks to lower rolling resistance. Finally, Federpneus reminds us that in this period of travel restrictions it is always possible to go to the tire dealer to change tires throughout the country. In fact, tires are part of the permitted retail sales as they are defined as basic necessities. Added to this is that the tire assembly and disassembly activity is an activity that falls within the handicraft activities similar to production ones, therefore not subject to restrictions. A fundamental advice is to make an appointment to avoid crowds and to show up equipped with protective devices.
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