FAQs answered by experts

Tell tale signs are a lack of grip and braking ability. Tyre age is another problem as the tread may be ok, but a perishing on the sidewall can ultimately cause a blowout. Other signs to look out for:

• – Uneven wear
• – Bulges in the tyre wall
• – Cracks in the rubber

The legal minimum tyre tread is 1.6mm but it is recommended to change tyres at 3mm. Under this, there is an impact on performance of both grip & braking distances. You can either check yourself or pop into a specialist tyre fitting centre who will usually be happy to provide a free inspection.

As a standard on all manufacturers’ tyres, each tyre has the size moulded into it’s side so you can easily check your current vehicle. See below the meaning of the sidewall markings.

If you are purchasing replacement tyres or buying for a new vehicle there are several things that you should check the vehicle manufacturers handbook or dealership to provide you with the correct tyre sizes that are suitable for your vehicle, alternatively you can enter your vehicle registration number into our online booking portal here to see the range of sizes available.

Please note the vehicle registration search is only a guide and the onus is on the customer to make sure the size is correct upon purchase.

There are some manufacturers such as BMW where certain models have differing tyre sizes front and back – again please check before ordering from us.

Incorrect tyre pressures usually result in the life of a tyre being shortened as they will wear
unevenly . If the pressure in the tyre is too high, the middle of the tyre will wear down a lot
faster than the rest of the tread; too low means the edges of the tyres will start to wear down quicker than the rest of the tread.

Both results need replacements a lot sooner than tyres set with correct pressure. Another
consequence of incorrect tyre pressure is a high fuel consumption due to increased rolling
resistance & drag. The handling performance may also be reduced due to a decreased grip.

Most cars have the recommended tyre pressures written in the owner’s manual, inside of the
drivers/passenger door, or on the inside of the fuel cap.

If you are still unsure TyreSafe.org have a Tyre Pressure Calculator that lists the recommended pressures for most vehicles.

The law states that your vehicle must be fitted with the correct type of tyre for its use as declared
by manufacturers. Tyres fitted to your vehicle must be of the same manufacturing construction
on the same axle i.e. Radial, Crossly or Bias Belted.

The legal limit for minimum depth of the tread on all car and van tyres is 1.6 millimetres; across 75% of the tread around the complete circumference of the tyre. It is highly recommended that tyres are changed at around 3mm as under this there is a serious loss performance leading to poorer handling and severely reduced braking capabilities of your vehicle.

Avoid the chance of penalty points (3 points per illegal tyre) or up to £2,500.00 (per tyre) in fines.

If you need help deciding what the actual loaded weight is of your caravan you can arrange to use a weighbridge to confirm your actual load weight and then adjust the tyre pressures if you are using a commercial grade tyre; where they are manufactured to operate at a wide range of differing pressures dependent upon the load to be carried.

This is important as over inflated tyres can cause as many issues as under inflated ones and impact not only the handling characteristic but also the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

If you are not 100% then call us on 01905 763 837 and one of our specialist technicians will
happily advise which options are best or you alternatively email us at info@ityres.co.uk

Caravan tyres often get very little use for long periods leading to the rubber compound
deteriorating, even when the tyre tread is well within the legal limit. It is worth checking regularly for deteriorating rubber, or, pop into your local tyre specialist and get them to check for you.

Please bear in mind that if you are removing or storing tyres for some time please ensure they are covered or away from direct sunlight as tyre rubber is likely to be affected by strong ultra violet light. If you keep your caravan on a driveway it is also advisable to either turn the wheels regularly or even better jack up your caravan to remove pressure on the tyres, this will help you get a longer life out of your tyres.

The standard procedure would be that caravan tyres be replaced regardless of tyre tread about every 6 years to maintain a good safe tyre.

ZR is a category of speed rating. It was first introduced for speeds over 150mph.

Since then car speeds have increased beyond what was believed to be the maximum required. With cars capable of going faster than 150mph, ZR was subdivided into Y, W and the original Z. When buying new tyres double check with the manufacturer’s handbook to determine what recommended speed rating you required – W Y or Z.

M+S means mud and snow. This marking indicates that the tyre is better suited to snowy or muddy roads than standard models.

Tyres that have M+S are different to winter tyres . There are generally speaking three tyre types: summer, all-season and winter tyres all of these tyres can also carry the M+S rating but not all are suitable for winter driving. This is what you need to be careful about.