Are Cracked Tyres Dangerous?

By David Sholicar

Whether you are looking to switch to some winter tyres as the seasons change or you need to replace some tyres that are approaching the end of their useful life, the following are 5 things you need to know.

tyres

1. The size of your tyres

First and foremost, you need to know the size of the tyre. New drivers, in particular, could be forgiven for thinking that all tyres for all cars are a standard size, but this is definitely not the case! Your car has been designed to run on tyres of very specific sizes and specifications. You will find the details you need in your owner's handbook. There are also a series of letters and numbers printed on the sidewall of each tyre which provide all of the required information. Our expert team will be happy to explain these to you and to help you identify appropriate replacements.
 

2. The need for speed

Continuing the theme of tyre specifications, speed ratings, as you may imagine, define the maximum speed at which a tyre can safely operate. Again, this information is usually found on the sidewall of the tyre and in your owner's handbook. You can choose tyres with a higher speed rating if there are other benefits to doing so (for example, a special offer) but they must never be below the manufacturer's recommended rating.
 

3. Ratings: ecology, economy and more

All tyres sold in the EU are labelled in order to provide the buyer with a range of information, which can help you make the right decision. Fuel economy ratings are given with a scale of A to G. As you may expect, A is the most fuel-efficient, and G the least. The difference between the economy ratings could save (or cost) you £110 over the lifespan of the tyre.
 
The degree to which the tyre grips in the wet is also rated from A to G, with the stopping distance reduced by up to 5 car lengths if you opt for tyres rated A. The noise a tyre makes in use on the road is also rated, with noise comfort being the key factor here rather than performance. Winter tyres tend to be louder in use due to their construction, but this needs to be balanced with the increased performance in wintry conditions.
 

4. Types of tyre

The type of tyre purchased is generally dictated by the climate in which you live. In the UK, generally speaking, all-season tyres work well for the most part. Winter tyres will certainly help in ice and snow, so if you live in an area where the winter conditions are consistently harsh, you will reap the benefits of these.
 

5. Keep like with like

It is always advisable to have all four tyres on your car from the same manufacturer, to ensure consistency of ride and performance. If this is not possible, you should at the very least ensure that the tyres on the same axle are the same age, tread pattern and manufacturer, to ensure safe handling.
 
Our qualified fitters are always on-hand to provide advice on tyre selection and we carry good levels of stock from premium brands, such as; Bridgestone and Pirelli.

We Can Help You Choose The Right Tyre


Tyres are essential for keeping your car safe and performing at its best, but with so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. That's where our informative articles come in – we're here to help you navigate the world of tyres and make the best choice for your specific needs.


Whether you're considering upgrading to Premium car tyres for enhanced driving dynamics, run flat car tyres for added peace of mind, or trying to decide between summer car tyres and winter car tyres, Protyre can help. Our articles have got you covered with a wide range of tyre-related topics to help you make informed decisions.

The brand you choose matters too. We offer recommendations for trusted names such as BF Goodrich tyres, Bridgestone tyres, Continental tyres, Dunlop tyres, Falken tyres, General tyres, Goodyear tyres, GT Radial tyres , Hankook tyres, Michelin tyres, Pirelli tyres, Runway tyres, Sumitomo tyres, and Toyo tyres. But our articles don't just focus on choosing the right tyres – we also offer practical advice for maintaining them. From simple tips like checking your tread depth and keeping your tyres inflated to the proper pressure, to more advanced topics like extending tyre life through regular rotation and balancing - we've got you covered!
Dive in and discover everything you need to know to keep your car running smoothly and safely with Protyre.

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About the author

Article Author Photo
By David Sholicar
David is the National Retail Operations Manager for Protyre. One of David’s areas of responsibility and expertise is dealing with the DVSA and MOT’s for Protyre. As the Authorised Examiner Designate Manager ( AEDM ) David deals with applications for changes to the many Vehicle Testing Stations ( VTS’s) including managing the growth of the Number of MOT testing stations that Protyre operate, allocating MOT tester roles, and monitoring the MOT Test logs to ensure that Protyre MOT standards are maintained as the best in the industry.
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