All you need to know about tyres

Knowing a few simple facts about tyres is saving members money and giving them peace of mind on the road.

‘A good guideline to follow when caring for your tyres is to treat them like the car itself – just as you might service your vehicle every so many miles, you should look into replacing tyres on a regular basis,’ says Matthew Lucas, one of our transport experts.

Pressure

Tyre pressure should be checked as often as every two months. Buying your own gauge and keeping it in the car will mean you can test your tyres at home and avoid less reliable readings at petrol stations.

When checking tyre pressure it is important that the tyres are cold – first thing in the morning is best, or after you’ve driven only a few kilometres. All manufacturer-recommended tyre pressures are based on cold tyres; the slightest bit of heat will kick up the reading.

Every tyre comes with details of the desired pressure branded on its side, as well as all the information you need as a consumer. Check with us if you’re unsure of any of the details and to learn how to measure tyre pressure yourself – we can even send someone over to give you a quick, hands-on lesson.

Tread

Burst tyres – which occur when they have not been replaced early enough – are a major cause of accidents on UK roads. Tyres can wear unevenly, so to make sure you’ve checked properly, look on both the inside and outside edge for signs of worn tread.

‘Driving with worn tread is not only dangerous but illegal,’ Matthew points out. Tyres must have plenty of tread left to pass an inspection. Another cause of blowouts is sidewall (shoulder) damage, so check that sidewalls are intact and the tyre structure is sound.

Punctures

Technological advancements in tyre manufacturing have made punctures a rare occurrence, but keeping a repair kit in the boot of your car is still a very good idea. It is also essential to have a spare tyre stored securely in the boot – you never know when you or an acquaintance will be stuck.

Winter

In winter, roads are often wet and sometimes frozen or covered in snow. It is advisable to keep a set of winter tyres – often wider and with deeper tread – for use over the colder months.

A smooth ride

Wheel alignment is crucial to keeping tyres in good working order. A car with faulty alignment will cause tyres to wear faster and unnaturally, which will mean replacing them more often and paying more to do so. A good sign that a car needs wheel alignment is when one or more wheels starts vibrating at speed.

‘If you regularly drive on dirt roads, or have recently hit a pothole, there is a good chance your car’s wheels will be misaligned. If not, alignment should be checked as often as every service,’ says Matthew.

Keeping tyres clean will ensure a smoother ride and prevent them from wearing out as quickly. When there is debris in the tread, remove it. It’s also worth hosing down your tyres after trips on dirt roads or muddy fields.

New tyres

‘These days, there are many tyre companies competing for business, with a wide range of prices to choose from. As a rule, it’s only worth splashing out on the expensive brands if you have a car to match or take long trips often – standard tyres will suit an everyday driver perfectly and won’t break the bank,’ says Matthew. ‘If you’d like further guidance on which ones to buy for your vehicle, don’t hesitate to call – our experts will be happy to do the research and advise you.’