Now that spring is approaching, it is also high time to start planning for tire replacement. When is it time to change from winter tires to summer tires? The regulations look like this:
When can you start changing to summer tires?
If it is winter road conditions, you must wait to change until after March 31, at the same time it is allowed to drive with studded tires until April 15. However, the season can be extended if it is still “winter road conditions” and you can also keep the winter tires on if you are going somewhere where there is still or is expected to be winter road conditions.
Winter tyres: 1 December – 31 March
Important dates for winter tires is December 1 – March 31. If there are winter road conditions, the law requires that winter tires be used during this period. Even heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses are subject to the winter tire law. Winter tires can be studded or studless. Winter tires are illegal to drive in winter when the tread depth is below three millimeters.
Studded tyres: 1 October – 15 April
Studded tires may be used October 1 – April 15, or other times if winter road conditions prevail or are expected to prevail. This means that you must use the winter tires until March 31 if there are winter road conditions. If you drive on studded tyres, they must be removed by April 15 at the latest (unless there are still winter road conditions).
For environmental reasons, there are local winter tire regulations in winter where studded tires are prohibited on certain roads.
This is when a nut driver comes into the picture
Nut puller or nut knocker. Dear child has many names, but no matter what you call it, the wrench is invaluable when you need to change a tire or tighten a larger screw. You’ve probably struggled with a rim cross and even needed a pry bar to loosen those tight wheel bolts. Or that some good Samaritan passed by with a hammer to hit the rim cross to make it come off.
The nut driver is actually an impact tool, which repeatedly hits the nut around with high force. If you’ve passed a tire repair shop on the edge of spring, you’ve probably heard the loud clatter that occurs when the nut driver meets resistance and starts to hit.
The wrench is a versatile tool, even though many of us associate wrenches with changing tires twice a year. A significant difference compared to the screwdriver is that it does not have a chuck or an internal hexagon socket, instead they have a square stud on which you thread a sleeve corresponding to the size of the nut.
How powerful is a nut driver?
Yes, how many grains of sand are there in the Sahara? When it comes to torque wrenches and how hard they can tighten or loosen a nut, it’s torque expressed in newton meters (Nm). There is everything from simpler models that can handle around 100 Nm to more powerful (and more expensive) models with a maximum torque of up to
5,000 Nm. If the tool is to be used specifically for changing tires, a common recommendation is that it should have a torque between 130-250 newton meters.
In general, we talk about three different drive sources: battery-powered, compressed air-powered and mains-connected nut drivers. Here we recommend battery-powered models, which with modern batteries can deliver comparable performance to mains-powered nutrunners. And who always has access to an electrical outlet?
Einhell TE-CW 18 Li BL
The high torque (215 Nm) of this cordless nut driver provides enough power to loosen the tightest, stuck or rusted nuts in no time. Einhell also comes with a robust 1/2” external square bracket and there is also a bit adapter for screws. There is also an integrated LED light for lighting the work area, which makes it possible to change tires quickly when it really matters: at dusk, at night or in poorly lit garages. Einhell is supplied without a battery, which is sold separately.
Max torque: 215 Nm
Battery voltage: 18V
RPM: 0–2 900 rpm
Price (without battery): SEK 1,139 at Amazon.se (without battery)
See DTW190Z
The Makita DTW190Z is one of our editors’ favorites and offers a really compact ergonomic design. With a torque of 190 Nm, it copes with most challenges and the LED lighting in the front lights up well in the dark.
Max torque: 190 Nm
Battery Voltage: 18V
RPM: 0–2 300 rpm
Number of strokes: 0–3 000/min
Price (without battery): SEK 803 at Amazon.se (without battery)
Milwaukee M12
Another compact model, really powerful and from reputable Milwaukee. A 12V nut driver that delivers a torque of up to 339 Nm. Equipped with carbon brushless motor and friction ring. With 4-mode Drive Control, you can easily adjust the power depending on the work task. With battery, the match weight is just over one kilogram. Along with the nut driver, two batteries (one 12V 2.0Ah and one 12V 4.0Ah), charger and bag are included.
Max torque: 339 Nm
Battery Voltage: 12V
RPM: 1,200/1,800/2,700/2,700 rpm
Number of strokes: 1,100/2,100/3,200 beats/min
Taken: SEK 3,620 at Proffsmagasinet.se (with battery)
Hikoki WR18DBDL2
The Hikoki (formerly Hitachi Power Tools) WR18DBDL2 is a compact and well-balanced nut driver with a carbon brushless 18V motor. Perfect for machine and vehicle maintenance – including tire changes. IP-56 rated with protection against dust particles and water inundation. There are also four power modes with adjustable speed/stroke, engine brake, and an integrated wide-angle LED light.
Max torque: 305 Nm
Battery Voltage: 18V
RPM: 1,200/1,800/2,700/2,700 rpm
Number of strokes: 1,100/2,100/3,200 bpm
Price (without battery): SEK 2,356 at Amazon Sweden
Dewalt DCF880NT
Dewalt hardly needs any further introduction. The brand, now a subsidiary of Black & Decker, was founded back in 1936 and ever since has delivered reliable tools that are high on many ‘want-lists’. The model in question here, the DCF880, is an 18V nut driver with a torque of 203 Nm and a speed of up to 2,300/min. With a new ergonomic design and rubber grip, improved comfort and control are promised.
Max torque: 303 Nm
Battery voltage: 18V
RPM: 0 – 2,300 rpm
Number of strokes: 0 – 2,700 beats/min
Price (without battery): SEK 2,109 via Prisjakt (without battery)
Bosch GDS 18 V-LI HT
18V nut driver with brutal power adapted for really challenging tasks. Compatibility with machines and accessories such as batteries and chargers from the Bosch Professional range. Fast results are promised thanks to the powerful engine that delivers a torque of 650 Nm. Extremely robust and durable thanks to all-metal gearbox and metal housing.
Max torque: 605 Nm
Battery voltage: 18V
RPM: 0 – 1900 rpm
Number of strokes: 0 – 2100 beats/min
Price (without battery): SEK 3,529 at Amazon Sweden (without battery)
Ryobi R18iW3-0
Nut driver with a torque of up to 400Nm, which belongs to Ryobi’s more advanced series of tools: One+. The model offers three speeds for different situations, 0-1,800, 2,400 and 2,800 rpm as well as a stroke frequency of 3,200 strokes/min.
Max torque: 400Nm
Battery voltage: 18V
RPM: 0 – 2,800 rev/mm
Number of strokes: Up to 3,200 strokes/min
Price (without battery): From SEK 1,190 at Prisjakt (without battery)
