In springtime, it is more likely for drivers to be out on the road for longer. As the daylight hours extend, there is more movement on the road. What this also means is that tyres which may have been fine over the winter period start to wear down more rapidly. Therefore, if you know you will need to buy a new set of tyres in the coming weeks, what are the things you should bear in mind? Read on to find out whether you drive in Llandudno or London, Caernarfon or Canterbury.
1. Obtain Correctly Sized Tyres
Wherever you live, you will need tyres that are compatible with your make and model of car. Not all tyres fit all wheels even with standard saloons and hatchbacks so you’ll need to take size into consideration even if you don’t own a large 4×4. Note that the first three digits of a tyre’s code – which you can read on its sidewall – relate to its width, so only order ones with the same number. The final two digits of the next part of the code determine the wheel diameter dimension so this should match, too. You can also buy your car tyres in London at DAT Tyres – they stock a versatile range of tyres: all you have to do is search by Reg number or enter the tyre size. In other words, finding suitable tyres for your car isn’t hard whether you drive in and out of the capital for work or live in a more rural part of the country, such as Flintshire.
2. Consider the Speed Rating of Your Tyres
The correct size of tyres is one thing but also check the speed rating of the tyre or tyres you will purchase. The tyre’s code can help here, too. The final letter of the code relates to how fast the tyre is rated. If you have a Q-rated tyre, then the top speed it will be safe to drive on is 99 mph while Y-rated tyres offer almost double that capacity. If speed is important to you, then always confirm the speed rating.
3. Rotate Your Tyres
In many cases, front wheels deteriorate quicker than rear ones. This is because most cars on British roads, from Bala to Balham, are front-wheel driven. This means more wear occurs every time you pull away. The same can also happen when you brake. Therefore, it is often worth buying new tyres to replace the front pair only but fitting them on the back. Move those that were in that position to the front. This way, you’ll typically get more life out of all your tyres by rotating them.
4. Have Your Wheels Balanced
When your tyres are fitted, it is a good idea to have the tracking and balancing done at the same time. Although you’ll usually pay a little more for the fitting service, having your wheels set up correctly makes for a smoother ride. In turn, this will also mean your car doesn’t pull so much, resulting in less wear to the tread over the lifespan of each tyre.
5. Avoid Part-Worn Tyres
Finally, it cannot be overstated that part-worn tyres are often a false economy. Although you can fit street-legal tyres to your car even if they’re second-hand, their low asking price rarely constitutes good value for money. In short, you simply won’t know how long they can be expected to last. Buyer regret is common with part-worn car tyres.
Therefore, in the spring, choose the highest quality tyres you can whether you’re removing your winter tyres until next autumn or replacing worn-down ones. Doing so is often a sound investment that will result in financial savings in the long run.