Tyres

We provide Nitrogen for your tyres. It is well known that nitrogen gas has been used to inflate the tyres of racing cars, aircraft and heavy commercial vehicles for some time.

However it is only relatively recently that it has come into use in normal passenger cars, and we were one of the 1st in the Northwest to make this available to our customers so we could help share the benefits and help you sustain your tyres for that little longer. 

So what is nitrogen?

Nitrogen is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, and non-toxic gas that forms about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere. The benefits for using nitrogen over compressed air for inflating tyres are: -

Free tyre checks We provide free tyre checks when you come in store, your pressure could just be low or there maybe tyre damage, which ever the case we aim to help you safely get on your way.

Pressure

You should check the pressure in your tyres at least once a week, and before every long journey. If the pressure seems low, check it immediately with a tyre gauge. You can use an electric tyre pump, which are at most petrol stations and garages. The recommended pressure is usually given on the tyre information label on the rear doorjamb on the driver's side, or on a chart in a petrol station. Always check your vehicle manual or tyre manufacturer if you’re unsure.

Correct tyre pressure will result in:

Incorrect tyre pressure will result in:

Damage and repairs.

If your tyres are damaged, you’ll need to contact a tyre specialist, who can repair or replace them. Any delay could result in lower pressure levels, lower road traction or even a blow out. Examine your tyres at least once a week for:

Tyre repairs should only be carried out by a tyre specialist. Serious damage will usually mean the tyre has to be removed from your vehicle before it can be properly analysed, fixed and refitted.

Tread depth and the law

Treads, the inner markings on a tyre, are designed to provide sturdy grip in wet conditions. The tread depth wears away the more it comes into contact with wet roads. Slowing down in wet conditions helps slow down tyre erosion.

The minimum tread depth for tyres in the UK is 1.6mm around the entire outer circumference of the tyre. This must be in the continuous band of the central three-quarters of the breadth of tread. You can tell when your tread depth limit has been reached, as your tyre tread thickness will be level with the small indicators in between the thick parts of the tread.

The law applies to cars with up to eight seats and trailers up to 3,500kg. However, it’s a good idea to have at least 3mm of tread. The more tread your tyres have, the longer your stopping distance.

Types of tyre:

All tyres have individual width, profile (height of sidewall), wheel diameter and maximum speed rating for when the tyre is at full load. The tyres themselves also differ in design. Here are the different types:

Radial ply

The most common tyres on UK roads, Radial ply tyres are fitted to more than 90 per cent of all UK cars. They’re either steel or textile braced (the material used under the thick layer of outer rubber) and are identified in the size marking by an “R.”

Cross ply

These are older, diagonal-tread type tyres with a fabric brace. They’re less common, having been superseded by radial ply tyres.

Winter

Designed specifically to run through the wet longer, brake shorter and provide better grip in snow and ice, winter tyres are usually of the radial ply variety. They normally have deeper tread depth and are shaped for better grip. They also reduce aquaplaning – the action where tyres don’t make contact with the road as they go through particularly wet roads – causing the car to lose control.

Re-grooved

As the name suggests, these are older tyres where the tread has been re-cut and refitted to another vehicle. This is extremely dangerous. Re-grooved tyres are illegal on passenger cars and utility vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) lower than 3500 kg.

Run flat

Run flat tyres are designed to keep going after a puncture – it’s essential the vehicle has a tyre pressure monitoring system for them. This automatically detects and displays the exact pressure within your car’s tyres. Run flat tyres can be identified by “RF” or “RSC” in the size marking.

Tweel

These new airless tyres are being developed by Michelin. They won’t suffer from punctures and, theoretically, should last longer than regular radial and run-flat tyres. When using a temporary spare tyre, ensure:

Replacing your tyres

When replacing a tyre, never fit a different type of tyre to your vehicle unless it’s a temporary run flat tyre (see above). Different types should not be fitted to opposite wheels of the vehicle on the same axis.

It’s best to replace all four tyres at the same time. If this isn’t possible or necessary, replace the two front tyres or the two rear tyres as a pair, since replacing just one can affect your car’s handling. Visit Auto Trader’s tyre motoring shop for a wide selection of tyres and alloy wheels.

Tyre facts:

• Around three quarters of British motorists have under-inflated tyres.
• Under-inflated tyres cost British motorists more than £2 billion a year.
• Around 12 per cent of UK cars have at least one defective tyre, and a further 12 per cent have a tyre below 2mm.
• Tyres manufactured before 2000 have three small numbers on the inner part of the sidewall. More recent cars have four numbers there.
• 90 per cent of British motorists don’t know their vehicle’s correct tyre inflation pressure, according to TyreSafe (the tyre safety organisation formerly known as the Tyre Industry Council)