Looking after your Tyres

Your tyres don't just get worn due to age, other factors such as emergency braking, incorrect tyre pressures, wheel alignment, and poor road surfacing can all easily damage your tyres.

To get the most out of your tyres and to ensure you stay safe on the road, it is important that you check them regularly.

We've put together this guide on the areas you need to check to ensure you get the most out of your tyres. It's recommended that you inspect your tyres every 2 weeks, and if you have any questions feel free to contact your nearest Listers dealership.

Tyre Pressure

There are three main reasons why maintaining the right tyre pressure is important.

Safety: Tyres that are under inflated can overheat; and over inflated tyres can lead to poor vehicle handling on the road.

Fuel economy: Over or under inflated tyres have a decreased contact patch with the road and suffer from uneven tread wear as a result. Your tyre tread will wear more quickly due to the smaller contact patch, therefore, your tyres will need to be replaced more regularly. Vehicles with under-inflated tyres also have increased rolling resistance which means more fuel is required to maintain the same speed.

Environment: Correct tyre pressures help to maintain optimum fuel efficiency. This can equate to lower CO₂ emissions coming from your vehicle than those with incorrect tyre pressures thus reducing the environmental impact of your vehicle.

Vehicle manufacturers will often suggest different tyre pressures for your front and rear tyres so make sure you follow these guidelines.

The correct tyre pressures for your vehicle can be found in the vehicle handbook and are often printed either in the sill of the driver’s door or on the inside of the fuel flap. Alternatively contact your local Listers Dealership.

Tread Depth

When braking, your vehicle relies on the tread on your tyres. Braking distance increases as tyre tread wears out so it’s important to check your tread depth regularly.

Check your tread depth in at least 3 different locations across the circumference of the tyre to ensure there is no uneven tread wear.

External Damage

Cuts, lumps and bumps are often caused by an impact between the tyre and a kerb, pothole or object in the road. If your tyre has any of these symptoms then you must have the tyre checked as quickly as possible, as this sort of damage can result in sudden tyre failure.

It is always recommended to have your tyres checked if the vehicle has been involved in an emergency manoeuvre like sudden and heavy braking. Emergency braking can sometimes leave your tyres with a ‘flat spot’. This can be another reason for premature tyre removal.

If you have any concern or doubt about the condition of your tyres, please contact your nearest Listers dealership for advice as soon as possible..

Puncture Repair

British Standard BSAU159 also defines the requirements for safe minor tyre repair and its proximity to the sidewall.

To remain compliant, we are only able to carry out tyre repairs to the central ¾ of the tyre (known as the minor repair area). If the puncture is situated outside of this area it is deemed too close to the sidewall to guarantee a safe and lasting minor repair.