Frequently Asked Questions

Your tyres are a small but vital part of your vehicle, impacting safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency. Explore our FAQs for expert advice on choosing, maintaining, and getting the most from your tyres.

Your tyres have an important role to play, despite making up such a small part of your vehicle. The part of your tyre that’s actually in contact with the road is only about the size of your hand. Your safety, and the safety of other road users, comfort and fuel economy, depend on that very small area.

You need to make sure you that you’re not only selecting the right tyres, but also regularly maintaining them to ensure they perform at their best. Regularly checked and maintained tyres last longer.

Here we have put together some useful information to help you.

When should I change my tyres?

1. If you get a puncture

Thankfully, modern tyres are extremely robust. However, punctures can, and still do, happen. A tyre specialist should check your tyre after a puncture to decide whether it can be repaired.

Safety procedures when you have a puncture while on the move:

Always consider your safety and that of your passengers, pull off the road in a safe place
Put on the parking brake
Switch off the engine and put the car in a low gear, or in Park in an automatic vehicle
Switch on your hazard warning lights
Wear a yellow high-visibility vest
Place a warning triangle at the side of the road 100m behind the car

Your safety comes first — always!

We recommend that wheels should only be changed by a professional. You may be able to proceed safely if you are confident that you know how to lift and support the vehicle and if you have the necessary information and tools to change a wheel. However, you should not proceed unless you have read the vehicle manufacturer’s advice from the vehicle handbook and you are able to comply with it.

We don’t recommend changing a wheel on the roadside, as this requires specific knowledge and equipment to keep you, your passengers and your vehicle safe. If you have to stop on the roadside you should exit your vehicle immediately with all occupants and make your way to a safe place, preferably over a barrier, before calling for assistance.

As part of your normal maintenance, check the inflation pressure of the spare tyre. Ensure it is set to the highest pressure required on the car so that the pressure can be adapted to the axle it is fitted to if used as a spare. Never drive on an underinflated tyre.

3. If your tyre shows signs of ageing

Tyres have no predictable life. It doesn’t matter when the tyres were made. Tyres age even when not used, or if only used occasionally.

There are many factors that will affect the life of a tyre, such as temperature, maintenance, conditions of storage, and use such as load, speed, pressure, driving style and damage.

Pay regular attention to your tyres

For these reasons, we recommend that all drivers pay regular attention to the external appearance of their tyres for clear signs of ageing or fatigue. This can include cracking of the rubber or deformation.

Excessive ageing of tyres may lead to loss of grip and weakening of the reinforcing structure. Michelin also recommends all tyres, including the spare, are inspected regularly by a tyre specialist. They can tell you whether your tyres should continue in service or whether your tyres need changing.

How old is too old? The five-year test

After five or more years in use, your tyres should be thoroughly inspected at least once per year. If the need arises, follow the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer regarding replacing the original equipment tyres.

As a precaution, if the tyres have not been replaced 10 years from their date of manufacture, we recommend replacing them with new tyres, even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator

4. If your tyre is damaged

Your tyre can be seriously damaged if it impacts any solid object on the road, like a kerb, pothole, or sharp object. Any visible perforation cut, or deformation, must be checked thoroughly by a tyre professional. Only they can tell you whether the tyre can be repaired or has to be changed.

Never use damaged tyres or tyres that are underinflated unless they have been thoroughly examined internally and externally by a tyre professional. Inspection by a professional is absolutely necessary because internal damage is not visible while the tyre is mounted. Only then can a decision be made as to whether the tyre is still fit for purpose

Leave it to the experts

Our specialists will tell you if your tyre can be repaired after damage has occurred.

5. If you identify abnormal wear

Abnormal uneven tyre wear — in patches, in the centre, at the edges — may indicate a mechanical problem like improper wheel alignment , or a problem with wheel balance, suspension, or transmission. It could also be that you're driving with the wrong tyre pressure. If you notice abnormal wear, contact Soltyre.

To prevent uneven wear, have your wheels aligned and balanced by a tyre specialist. This will also extend tread life and give you a smoother ride. Another way to keep your tyre wear more even is to fit new tyres to the rear axle and move the older tyres to the front axle positions. This provides the best grip at the rear of the car where it’s needed, and you can get more from your tyres as they are worn more evenly, reducing the chance of replacement due to age alone.

Common causes of abnormal tyre wear:

Wear on one shoulder: suspension misalignment
Wear on both shoulders: under-inflated tyre
Wear along the tyre's centre: over inflation

How to read a tyre size

Tubeless: No tube is used, when mounted on a tubeless rim; abbreviated "TL"
Rear: Direction of rotation for rear tyre, indicated by an arrow on the tyre sidewall
Michelin: Tyre manufacturer
73 Load index: I.E, 73 corresponds to a load of 805 pounds (365kg) per tyre
Radial
Pilot Power 3: The tyre's model name
190: Nominal section width of the tyre, expressed in millimetres
55: Aspect ratio, the sidewall height as a proportion of the tyre width
R: Radial construction
17: Bead-seat diameter of the wheel, expressed in inches (1 inch = 2.54cm)

How do I choose the right tyre?

Find out your vehicle’s tyre size

What do these letters and numbers mean?

Tyre Width or Section Width- Tyre width (or thickness) in millimetres is measured from the widest point of a tyre’s outer sidewall to the widest point of its inner sidewall.

Aspect Ratio- Aspect ratio is the relationship between a tyre’s sidewall height and the tyre's width. The lower the ratio, the smaller the sidewall height, which means better cornering but a rougher ride.

Construction - This indicates the tyre’s internal construction. They can be “Radial” like most tyres, or D, for “Diagonal construction” or B, for “Belted”.*

Wheel Diameter- The number is in inches and indicates the diameter of the wheel on which the tyre is designed to fit.

How to check tyre tread

Likewise, tread depth acts as a signal for the health of your tyres. Low tyre tread depth in winter weather conditions can severely reduce grip and control. Motorists driving with tyres under the legal limit are also at risk of incurring a fine and license points.Likewise, tread depth acts as a signal for the health of your tyres. Low tyre tread depth in winter weather conditions can severely reduce grip and control. Motorists driving with tyres under the legal limit are also at risk of incurring a fine and license points.

Step 2 — Check tyre tread

With the tyre tread you can begin to check the depth of the tread and the condition of tyre. Don’t rely on guesswork: purchase an easy-to-use tread depth gauge so that you can monitor your tyres.

Measuring tread depth is not difficult with this simple device and requires only a few minutes of your time.

The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread width and round its entire circumference. Check the depth of the main tread grooves in several places both across and around the tyre, using the gauge in the fashion demonstrated in the manufacturer’s guidelines.

The importance of correct tyre pressure and how to check it

Check your tyre pressure

As a guide you should check your tyre pressures at least once a month, as well as before long journeys. Ignoring this advice runs the risk of decreasing your grip and increasing your braking distances. You could also damage your tyres resulting in possible rupture during service, reduce their lifespan, and increase your fuel consumption.

The recommended tyre pressure levels for front and rear tyres are often different. If you’re not sure what your tyre pressures should be, or even how to check tyre pressure, why not spend a couple of minutes reading the following article? It could save you more than the cost of replacing a tyre.

When did you last check your tyres?

Checking your tyre pressure is inexpensive and simple. So why do so many of us fail to weigh up the costs of ignoring this vital procedure?

Driving with incorrect tyre pressures can affect a vehicle’s handling and can seriously compromise safety — possibly leading to incidents that can put lives at risk.

If your tyres are over or under inflated enough to be considered un-roadworthy, reading this article could save you 3 penalty points and a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre.

Not sure of the correct tyre pressures for your vehicle or where to find them?

The correct tyre pressure for your vehicle can normally be found in your owner's manual.

The information may also be marked on the vehicle (for example on the driver’s door pillar, or on the inside of the petrol flap). In most cases, two different sets of pressures are given:

• For 'normal' driving conditions.

• For a loaded vehicle (with extra people or heavy items on board).

To check your tyre inflation pressures you will need a tyre pressure gauge or use the gauge on the inflation equipment found at most garages and petrol stations. However, be sure to check the equipment for any damage as it might not read properly.

How tyre pressure can affect safety

Endurance

Driving on under-inflated tyres leads to deterioration and weakening of the reinforcing structure and could eventually result in rupture and rapid deflation. Even after re-inflation a tyre that has been run under inflated can still rupture.

Aquaplaning

If below the vehicle manufacturers recommended tyre pressure, there is a sharp increase in the risk of aquaplaning.

Braking

A difference of 1 bar, or 14 psi, from the vehicle manufacturers pressure recommendation can increase the braking distance on wet roads by 11 metres.

Fuel Consumption

Tyres under inflated by 14 psi (1 bar) have increased rolling resistance, which increases fuel consumption by 1 full tank of fuel per year.

The Tyre Pressure Check

By keeping your tyres at their correct pressure, you’ll reduce your running costs. Under inflated tyres are prone to overheating, use more fuel and wear out more quickly. Even 7 psi (0.5 bar) difference from the vehicle manufacturers recommendation can reduce tyre life by around 8000km.

Likewise, over inflated tyres can be more sensitive to impacts, can wear more quickly and sometimes more irregularly.

A tyre loses some of its pressure through natural causes (typically around 1 psi (0.07bars) per month). Pressure loss may be accelerated by other air leaks due to:

an accidental puncture
the valve, which must be changed each time a tyre is changed
the valve cap, which is essential to guarantee an airtight seal, and must have a rubber seal inside
the wheel, which should be cleaned each time a tyre is fitted.
Ambient temperature falling during Winter

A tyre inflated to the recommended tyre pressure improves safety, is more economical in use, and is better for the environment. For a better understanding of your tyre, including knowing how to read your tyre, read our handy hints and tips section.

A correctly inflated tyre improves safety, is more economical in use and is better for the environment.

A tyre loses some of its pressure through natural causes (typically around 1 psi (0.07bars) per month). Pressure loss may be accelerated by other air leaks due to:

• an accidental puncture

• the valve, which must be changed each time a tyre is changed

• the valve cap, which is essential to guarantee an airtight seal, and must have a rubber seal inside

• the wheel, which should be cleaned each time a tyre is fitted.

Ambient temperature falling during Winter

A tyre inflated to the recommended tyre pressure improves safety, is more economical in use, and is better for the environment.

Get in Touch with Soltyre

Have questions or need assistance? Our team is here to help!

Whether you’re looking for expert advice, a personalised quote, or more information about our services, simply fill out the contact form, and we’ll get back to you promptly.

At Soltyre, we’re committed to providing the support and solutions you need to keep moving with confidence.