Car Tyres In Nottingham
ETS Tyre & Exhaust Centre supplies and fits car tyres for drivers across Nottingham from our garage in Stapleford. We stock leading brands at every price point, and we can advise on which tyre best suits your car and the way you drive.
How Much Tread Is Enough?
Each tyre meets the road through a patch of rubber about the size of your hand. Every time you brake, steer or accelerate, your car is relying on those four small patches to hold their grip.
In the wet, that grip depends on the tread. The grooves push water out from under the tyre, and as they wear shallower, stopping distances lengthen and the risk of aquaplaning rises.
The legal minimum in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tread, all the way around the tyre. Each tyre below that limit can bring a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points.
Many motoring organisations advise replacing tyres at around 3mm instead, as wet grip falls away noticeably below that depth.
When To Replace Your Tyres
Have your tyres checked if you notice any of the following:
- The outer band of a 20p coin is still visible when you place it in the main grooves.
- The tread has worn level with the wear indicators, the small, raised bars inside the grooves that sit at 1.6mm.
- There's a bulge or lump in the sidewall. This usually means internal damage from a pothole or kerb, and the tyre could fail without warning.
- You can see cuts, cracks or splits in the rubber, which weaken the tyre and let moisture reach the steel belts inside.
- A puncture sits near the edge of the tread or in the sidewall, where it can't be safely repaired.
- One tyre keeps losing pressure, which often points to a slow puncture.
From Choosing To Fitting
Here's what to expect when you choose us for your new tyres:
- Search online by registration or tyre size, or call us, to see every tyre that fits your car.
- Compare brands and prices, weighing up grip, comfort and cost. We're happy to talk you through the differences.
- When you arrive, we inspect your wheels and existing tyres and let you know if anything else needs attention.
- We remove the old tyres and fit the new ones.
- Each wheel is balanced so the car drives smoothly.
- Finally, we set the pressures to your manufacturer's recommendation and tighten the wheel nuts to the correct torque.
Tyre Types Available
Summer Tyres
Most cars in the UK leave the factory on summer tyres. Their rubber compound grips best in mild and warm weather, giving precise handling and short braking distances on wet and dry roads for most of the year.
Winter Tyres
Winter tyres use a softer compound that stays flexible in the cold. They also have deeper tread and thousands of small slits (called sipes) that bite into slush and snow. A genuine winter tyre carries the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol on its sidewall.
All Season Tyres
All season tyres combine qualities of both summer and winter tyres. They’re a sensible choice if you’d rather keep one set on the car all year than swap twice a year.
Run Flat Tyres
Run flat tyres have reinforced sidewalls that let you keep driving after a puncture, typically for up to around 50 miles at no more than 50mph. Many cars fitted with run flats have no spare wheel, so replacing like for like is usually the best option.
What The Markings On Your Tyres Mean
The Sidewall Code
Take a marking such as 205/55 R16 91V. The 205 is the tyre's width in millimetres, 55 is the sidewall height as a percentage of that width, R stands for radial construction and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches.
The 91V at the end gives the load index and speed rating. Any replacement should match or exceed the ratings your car was designed for.
The Tyre Label
Every new tyre sold in the UK carries a label grading its fuel efficiency, wet grip and external noise.
Given how often British roads are wet, wet grip is the rating that matters most. An A rated tyre stops in the shortest distance.
Why Tyre Prices Vary
Size has the biggest effect on price, with larger wheels and lower profile tyres usually costing more. Run flats, winter tyres and tyres with high load or speed ratings also tend to sit towards the top of the range.
Brand plays a part too. Premium tyres generally offer better wet grip and a longer life than budget alternatives, so the cheapest tyre isn't always the best value over time.
Searching by your registration or tyre size shows you the full range available for your car, with prices, before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Should I replace my tyres in pairs or all four at once?
Tyres on the same axle should always be replaced together so they grip and wear evenly. If you’re only replacing two, the new pair usually goes on the rear axle, which helps keep the car stable when braking hard in the wet.
-
How old can a tyre be before it needs replacing?
Rubber hardens with age, whatever the tread depth. Many manufacturers advise having tyres inspected from five years old and replacing them at ten.
You can find a tyre’s age from the four digit code on its sidewall. A code of 2321, for example, means it was made in the 23rd week of 2021. -
Can I mix different tyre brands on my car?
Yes, as long as both tyres on each axle are the same size and type of construction, which UK law requires. For the most balanced handling, it’s best to match the brand and tread pattern across each axle.
-
Are part worn tyres a safe alternative?
To be sold legally, part worn tyres must have at least 2mm of tread and be clearly marked as part worn. The bigger concern is that their history is usually unknown, and damage from underinflation or a previous repair can be very hard to spot.
-
Can worn tyres affect my car insurance?
Yes. Illegal or defective tyres can give your insurer grounds to reduce or refuse a claim after an accident.
-
Do I need winter tyres?
Winter tyres aren’t a legal requirement in the UK, but they outperform summer tyres once temperatures fall below about 7°C. They’re most worthwhile if you regularly drive early in the morning, on rural roads or in hilly areas where frost and snow linger.
Book Your Tyre Fitting In Stapleford
If your tread is getting low or you’ve spotted damage, it’s best to replace your tyres before they become a safety risk.
Search for your size online or call us on 07546 162 088 and we’ll help you choose the right set for your car and budget.