Getting the most from your tyres
Keep the Pressure Up
The right tyre inflation pressure for your car can be found in the car
manufacturer's handbook. Most tyre manufactures 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 you 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 below.
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 tyres 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 manufactures 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
| Load Index |
Max Load KGs |
 |
Load Index |
Max Load KGs |
|
Load Index |
Max Load KGs |
| 65 |
290 |
|
76 |
400 |
|
87 |
545 |
| 66 |
300 |
|
77 |
412 |
|
88 |
560 |
| 67 |
303 |
|
78 |
425 |
|
89 |
580 |
| 68 |
315 |
|
79 |
437 |
|
90 |
600 |
| 69 |
325 |
|
80 |
450 |
|
91 |
615 |
| 70 |
335 |
|
81 |
462 |
|
92 |
630 |
| 71 |
345 |
|
82 |
475 |
|
93 |
650 |
| 72 |
355 |
|
83 |
487 |
|
94 |
670 |
| 73 |
365 |
|
84 |
500 |
|
95 |
680 |
| 74 |
375 |
|
85 |
515 |
|
96 |
710 |
| 75 |
387 |
|
86 |
530 |
|
97 |
730 |
