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Tyres

Which tyre is right for you?

When the time comes to renew the tyres on your vehicle, we can help you decide which tyre is the right choice for you. Some factors to consider when choosing a tyre could be the size, the climate and how you drive.

To find the tyre size, the writing is literally on the wall. The sidewall of a tyre holds many types of important criteria. You can establish when and where the tyre was produced, what speed and load capacity the tyre is capable of, and of course what size the tyre is.

If your mileage per annum is high or low, or you drive in inner city conditions as opposed to motorways, this can affect the life of your tyre. If you drive in a “sportier” way this will also affect the life of the tyre, but our experienced team can help with your choice based on the criteria that you provide. Just give us a call, use our on line contact or better still, pop in to see us and we will be happy to help you.

A = 165 - the section width of the tyre.
B = 65 - the aspect ratio or profile of the tyre.
C = 14 - the radius of the tyre.
D = 79 - the load capacity of the tyre.
E = T - the speed rating.

Stopping distances

Tyres are made with about 8mm of tread, and the current legal tread depth limit for tyres in the UK is 1.6mm. In parts of Europe the legal limit is 3mm. This is due to safety with handling and braking distances.

The tyre is the only part of your car that has contact with the road, which is why it is paramount to check your pressures and tyre condition regularly. We offer this service for free, as safety is of utmost importance at Tyre&Auto.

Pressures

Having incorrect pressures in your tyres can result in uneven wear and reduce the life of your tyres. Over inflation will create wear in the central part of the tyre and under inflation can cause wear on the shoulders. It is recommended that you check your pressures regularly to prolong the life of the tyre.

Winter/all season

If you are driving in conditions where the temperature is lower than 7 degrees, a winter tyre might be the correct choice for you.

Winter tyres are designed using a softer compound so that the footprint of the tyre can easily adapt to the road contours and easily displace snow and ice through the sipes on the tread pattern.

Although we do not experience weather as cold as parts of Europe, winter tyres can improve stopping distances, and between October and March accidents are sadly more frequent due to the climate conditions. We can house your winter tyres throughout the summer and vice versa.

At Tyre & Auto, we offer free impartial advice on winter, all season and summer tyres.

Load and Speed ratings

When your car was produced it was tested with tyres that could withstand certain speeds and loads across the axles. It is important to continue using the correct tyres to the manufacturer’s specifications and changing this can be dangerous. We can advise you on all aspects of safety when it comes to choosing the right tyres for your car, van or 4x4.

Tyre labelling information

Tyre labelling for passenger cars took effect from 1 November 2012 under European Regulation (EC) No. 1222/2009.

The new label focuses on 3 major criteria of a tyres performance; Wet Grip, Fuel Efficiency and Exterior Road Noise. The label is similar looking to that found on a household appliance such as a fridge or washing machine.

Fuel efficiency/rolling resistance

As a tyre rolls it deforms to the conditions and uses energy. The energy that is lost is known as rolling resistance which makes an impact on fuel consumption. The difference between A and G rated tyres is about half a litre per 62 miles, which over the year could be a saving of the cost of the tyre itself, based on average mileage.

Wet Grip

This part of the label refers to the safety of your tyres. Tyres with better grip in the wet result in shorter braking distances. These grades are measured when braking is applied at 50mph in the wet, and the difference in stopping between an A rated tyre and a G rated tyre is a staggering 18 metres.

Exterior Noise

This part of the label refers to the external noise that the tyre produces and is measured in decibels, with one wave being the best and three waves being the worst.

Three waves meets the current standards, two meets the future laws required, and one wave is a further 3db beyond the future laws set.

At Tyre&Auto our experienced team are trained to advise on the right tyres for you. Need some tyres? We can take care of that.

Call or email us to make a booking.

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