Getting The Most From Your Car Tyres From Value Tyres

Getting the most from your Car Tyres

Keep the Pressure Up

The right tyre inflation pressure for your car can be found in the car manufacturer's handbook. Most tyre manufacturers also supply correct pressure and fitment details for their tyres. Tyre pressures relate to loads, speeds and vehicle handling and the right tyre pressure is vital for even braking, maximum grip and good tyre life.

Inflation pressure should be checked at least once a fortnight when the tyre is cold since there is an increase in pressure when the tyre has warmed up after being run. A reliable pressure gauge should always be used.

It is dangerous to re-inflate a tyre which has been run flat or seriously under-inflated and such tyres should be removed and inspected by a tyre specialist.

Wheel Alignment

The correct tracking or alignment of your wheels is important as it greatly increases the life of your tyres by avoiding excessive wear on one side of the tread. Because the right tracking or alignment also improves the handling of your vehicle, you will be more comfortable.

Age Deterioration

Tyres can deteriorate with age which shows as cracking of the tread and sidewall rubber. Cracking is usually an indication that tyres have been in service an extremely long time.

If cracking is severe the tyre must be replaced. Tyres fitted to caravans and boat trailers which are parked for long periods of time, particularly in coastal regions, will tend to age and crack more quickly than those which are used and run frequently.

Punctures and Repairs

Repairs to tyres and tubes must be carried out to meet the British Standard AU 159 and should always be entrusted to a specialist. Essentially, this means plugging a hole, not patching over it.

All punctured or damaged tyres should be removed from the wheel for internal and external examination to ensure that there is no hidden damage that could cause a later failure.

Valuetyres.co.uk recommends that neither externally applied patch repairs or liquid sealants are used to repair a damaged tyre. Valuetyres.co.uk does not accept responsibility for problems resulting from these types of repair.

For safety reasons, Valuetyres.co.uk does not recommend more than two tread repairs for TR speed tyres and one tread repair for higher speed rated cars. Repairs should only ever be carried out in the safety zone shown.

Tyres should always be re-balanced after a puncture repair.

Caravans and Car Trailers

Caravan and trailer tyres may need higher inflation pressures (normally an extra 5-7psi) than are required for the same tyres on a car. It is essential that the correct pressures are maintained. Your Valuetyres.co.uk expert will be able to advise you on the right inflation pressures.

When towing, we recommend that the pressure in the rear tyre of your car is increased by about 4-6psi to improve stability.

Wheels

You should never use a tyre on a damaged, distorted or modified wheel since this could mean the tyre becomes damaged and deflated and could result in the loss of control of the vehicle.

Many modern cars and 4x4 vehicles can be fitted with alternative tyres and wheels than those fitted as original equipment by the car manufacturer. If you would like more information about the possibilities for your vehicle, please ask your Valuetyres.co.uk specialist.

Tubes in Tubeless Tyres

Inner-tubes of the correct size can be used with tubeless tyres if they are correctly fitted.

Please remember that by fitting tubes in tubeless tyres, in the event of a puncture, the assembly will behave exactly like a tubed tyre – it is likely to lose pressure more rapidly than a tubeless tyre assembly. Where tubes for certain low profile tubeless tyres are not available, an alternative size tube should NOT be fitted.

Tube Type Tyres

Tyres that are marked 'Tube Type' or are not marked 'Tubeless' must be fitted with an inner tube. Some vehicle manufacturers recommend that only tube type tyres are fitted to their vehicles.

It is important that the advice in the owner's handbook be followed. A new tube should be fitted whenever the tyre is replaced.

Tyre load markings