Take care of your tyres...
...and they will look after you!
Tyres may not be the first thing you consider when it comes to vehicle safety, but tyres are your vehicle’s only link with the road. In fact, your safety (and that of your passengers) actually relies on an area of contact between the tyre and the road surface, which is no bigger than the palm of your hand.
In addition to grip, tyres also support the weight of the vehicle and provide drive and directional control.
The following checklist outlines a few simple procedures, which, if carried out regularly, will ensure your tyres remain safe and you get value for money in terms of performance and service life.
- Select the right tyre for your vehicleTyre selectionEnsure they are of the same size, load index and speed symbol.
- Visually check tyre condition on a regular basisVisual checkThis will help maintain them in good condition. Don't forget the spare!
- Inspect tread depth to ensure tyres are safe and legal Tread depthAlways ensure your tyres conform to the UK minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm.
- Maintain correct inflation pressuresTyre pressureIt is an important factor in both the safety and longevity of tyres.
- Fit tyres in sets of two or four. If just two tyres are fitted, fit them to the rear. For 4x4s use identical size tyres all round
- Consider a wheel alignment check to ensure tyres wear evenlyAlignmentVehicle suspension misalignment can result in rapid, irregular tyre wear.
Tyre size and sidewall markings explained...
The most efficient way to find out your car's tyre size, is to go outside to the vehicle and check it yourself. The tyre's size will be imprinted clearly on the sidewall. The picture above illustrates what you are looking for.
Tyre sizes are made up of a number of different numbers and letters. These are: tyre width, tyre profile, diameter / rim size and speed rating. An example tyre size: 205/55 R 16 W is made up of the following information:
- Tyre width: The tyre width in the size above is the 205 marking on the tyre. The tyre width is measured in millimeters and is the width of the tyre.
- Tyre profile: The tyre profile is the height of the sidewall expressed as a percentage of the width, which is 55 in the image.
- Rim size: This is the size of the rim diameter and is measured in inches, 16 in the image shown.
- Speed rating: The tyre speed rating (i.e. W) indicates the maximum speed of the tyre. For example, the W rating indicates a maximum speed of 168 mph.
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Please contact your local Protyre outlet if you would like any further information on finding the right tyres for your car. Protyre's best price guarantee, ensures an online saving of up to 40%.