Frequently Asked Questions at Hometyre

Can my puncture be repaired?

We take phone calls from around the country every day at Hometyre and we don't think there has been a single day in the history of the company when we haven't been asked this question! The answer is, we cannot give a definite answer until our technician has been out to have a look! We can give an indication by asking questions such as "is the puncture in the central ¾ of the tread?", if the answer to this question is no then our answer would unfortunately be no as well.

For more information on what meets the BSAU159 standards for a repairable puncture, click here!

What we always do in the event of a puncture is bring a potential replacement tyre on board with us. Just because we are bringing the tyre it doesn't mean we have to use it or we will charge you for it, if we can repair your puncture we will simply charge for the repair and take the tyre away FOC!

The only exception to this rule is RUN-FLAT TYRES. Unfortunately we are unable to repair a run-flat tyre regardless of the circumstances, this is because it has not yet been proven that the structural integrity of the tyre remains in tact once it has been punctured.

How often should I check my tyres?

The answer to this depends partly upon your mileage, however we would recommend checking your tyres a minimum of once per month. We know life gets in the way sometimes and it's easy to forget to do this, do something simple like a put a reminder on your calendar for the same date each month to take 5 minutes to check those tread depths and pressures!

By checking the tyre pressures, you can increase the life of your tyres, therefore saving yourself some pennies in the long run! If your tyres are under inflated they will wear heavier on the edges, however if they are over-inflated they will wear more in the centre of the tread.

With regards to your tread depths, once they get to around 3mm we would advise replacing the tyres, although the legal limit in the UK is 1.6mm when your tyres reach this 3mm stage the chances of aquaplaning are increased and braking distances are affected. For more information on how to check your tyres, click here!

Why am I experiencing vibration at speed?

This could be down to several things, the most common of which is wheel balancing, failure to balance will often result in vibration so this is a good place to start! Our vans are fitted with computerised electronic wheel balancers, this is done by applying weights to the wheel to even out any uneven weight distribution.

Another cause could be wheel alignment, if your wheels are misaligned this could cause the car to pull slightly to one side which could then lead to vibration through your steering wheel and uneven tyre wear. Damaged wheels could also be a reason for the vibration, so it's worth checking your wheels for any cracks, breaks or bends!

Is it worth getting winter tyres?

The answer to this one is partly personal preference, if you're doing a lot of miles over the winter months and depend heavily on your vehicle to get you to/from work or if your business, like ours, is fully mobile, winter tyres can be a saviour! Unlike other European countries such as Germany, Austria and Sweden, here in the UK Winter Tyres are not compulsory, however, it may still be worth investing in some. When temperatures drop below 7 degrees Celsius the performance of your summer tyres is reduced, this is partly due to the rubber compound used to make them. The compound used for winter tyres contains a larger percentage of natural rubber and silica which means they harden less. The grooves in winter tyres are also wider and deeper which allows a larger channel for dispersing snow and water, maintaining a better grip on the road.

Using winter tyres in cold and icy conditions will also reduce your braking distances which could be the difference between a narrow escape and a nasty collision. Here at Hometyre we offer a service to swap your summer tyres over to your winter tyres and sometimes can even offer a storage option. For more information about winter tyres give our team a call on 0333 444 5454.

Which axle to put new tyres on?

If you are having 2 new tyres on your vehicle, we would always recommend fitting them to the rear axle. Even if you're replacing 2 offside or 2 nearside tyres, we will always offer a swap-over (move one of your existing rear tyres to the front and fitting the two new tyres to the rear).

This is because the front axle has the weight of the engine and the steering capabilities which means the rear axle needs all the help it can get! By having the tyre with the newer tread on the rear it will give it more grip to the road surface.

If you have any more questions and want to chat to our team just give us a call on 0333 444 5454 or email info@hometyre.co.uk

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