Tyre Fitting in Bickington

Bickington lies on the road between Newton Abbot and Ashburton, close to the A38 and on the edge of Dartmoor. That is a mix of faster main-road driving and climbing, winding stretches towards the moor, and the tyres on your car feel both.

Automaster is a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from Bickington and the villages around bring us their tyre work. We fit new tyres, repair punctures, and set up wheel alignment and balancing. This page covers the signs to watch for.

Do moorland roads wear tyres faster?

Climbs, descents and tight bends put more load through the tyre shoulders than flat straight roads do. Braking hard on a downhill stretch can also heat the tyre and brakes. Drivers who live near the moor often see the outer edges wear first.

Check the tread at the inside, middle and outside of each tyre. If the edges are going while the centre looks fine, that can point to pressure, alignment or driving style, and a quote visit is a good time to ask.

What should I look for before a trip on the A38?

Pressures matter more at sustained speed. Check them when the tyres are cold, and use the figures for your vehicle, which are in the handbook or on the door pillar. If the car is carrying a full load, the handbook may give a different figure.

Also look at the sidewalls and the date code. An old tyre with plenty of tread can still be a risk, because rubber hardens over time.

• Cold tyre pressures
• Sidewall cuts or bulges
• Tread across the whole width
• Age code on the sidewall

Can a puncture be repaired, or do I need a new tyre?

A puncture in the central tread can often be repaired from inside the tyre after it is removed and inspected. A hole near the shoulder or in the sidewall cannot be safely repaired.

If you drove on the tyre while it was flat, the inner structure may be damaged even if the hole is small. We check before we say yes.

How do alignment and balancing show up on the road?

A car that pulls left or right on a flat road, or a steering wheel that is not straight when you are driving straight, suggests alignment. Uneven or feathered wear on the tread blocks is another sign.

Vibration through the steering wheel at motorway speeds is more often a balance issue. The two are different jobs, and sometimes you need both.

Do you cover Bickington and how do I ask for a quote?

Yes. Drivers from Bickington, Newton Abbot, Liverton, Heathfield and Buckfastleigh visit our garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Tell us your vehicle details, the tyre size and any symptoms.

If you want a matched set, say so, and mention how the car is used day to day.