Tyre Fitting in Dartmouth

Dartmouth is a historic port on the River Dart, with steep, narrow streets, ferries, the Britannia Royal Naval College above the town and a steady flow of visitors. Stop-start driving and tight manoeuvres are part of daily life.

Automaster is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We fit tyres for drivers from Dartmouth, Churston, Brixham, Kingsbridge and Totnes, alongside the servicing, MOT testing and repair work we are known for.

What tyre wear should Dartmouth drivers look for?

Steep streets load the front tyres under braking, and narrow lanes lead to kerb contact. Check tread depth, remembering the legal minimum is 1.6 mm across the central three quarters, and check the inner and outer edges separately.

Look at sidewalls for cuts or bulges. A bulge shows internal damage and calls for a new tyre.

With so many visitors, parked cars squeezed against kerbs and hillside walls, the outer shoulder of a tyre takes a lot of abuse. Check it by crouching down and looking along the face of the tyre.

What happens if I get a puncture waiting for the ferry?

Queues and tight loading areas mean slow driving over drains, kerbs and debris. If you pick up a puncture, a repair from the inside is possible when the damage sits in the central tread and the tyre has not been run flat.

Sidewall damage cannot be repaired. We inspect the tyre off the wheel before deciding.

The Britannia Royal Naval College sits above the town, and the roads up the hill are steep. Driving down them leans on the brakes and the front tyres, so look at those first.

Do hills and tight turns mean I need alignment checks?

They can show up the symptoms. A car that pulls, a crooked steering wheel, and scrubbed tyre edges point to alignment. Vibration is a balancing matter.

Tracking sets the wheel angles. We check what is needed and explain it in plain terms; adjustment depends on the vehicle.

We recommend asking for an alignment check after a heavy kerb strike, a pothole or a change of suspension parts, since the effect on tyres builds up over time.

• Car pulls on a level road
• Steering wheel crooked
• Tyre edges scrubbed
• Vibration at speed

Can Dartmouth drivers bring their car to you?

Yes, we welcome drivers from Dartmouth, Churston, Brixham, Kingsbridge and Totnes at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Contact us in advance and ask for a quote.

For visitors, say what the problem is and give the tyre size if you can.

Dartmouth drivers who commute elsewhere in the South Hams or beyond will notice wear more quickly, because motorway-type speeds heat the tyre and expose weak spots.

What should I tell you about the car?

Give the registration, the tyre size, the number of tyres and the symptoms. Cost varies with tyre size, type, quantity and any alignment or balancing needed.

That is why we ask you to contact us for a quote.

If the wheels have locking nuts, bring the key. If you are unsure which size of tyre you have, tell us and we can look it up from the registration.