Tyre Fitting in Holne

Holne is a Dartmoor village of narrow lanes, moorland roads, steep hills and cattle grids on the edge of the National Park. Tyres here rarely have an easy life, and a problem that starts small can show up on a hill or a bend.

Automaster fits new tyres, repairs suitable punctures, and sets wheel alignment and balance at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We explain below what to watch for and what helps us give you a clear quote.

What do steep hills and cattle grids do to wheels?

Steep roads mean heavy braking on the way down and hard work on the way up, which wears tyres. Cattle grids and rough patches can jolt the wheels and, over time, knock the alignment away from where it should be.

Signs include a car that drifts, a steering wheel that sits off-centre, or wear that is heavier on one edge of the tyre than the other. A check can stop good tyres being worn out early.

Pressures deserve a mention here too. On roads with long descents, a tyre that is running low gets hot and flexes more, which wears it and affects steering response. A quick check with a gauge before heading out is worth the minute it takes.

Why is there a vibration after a moorland drive?

Vibration through the steering wheel or the floor that builds with speed often points to a wheel that is out of balance. A lost balance weight, a stone caught in the tread, or an uneven tyre can all be behind it.

A bent wheel or a damaged tyre can feel similar, so we look at the whole wheel before suggesting a fix.

How do I tell if a tyre is no longer safe?

Look at the tread: the legal minimum is 1.6 mm across the central three quarters. Run a hand carefully over the sidewalls, and look for cuts, bulges and cracking. Check the tyre is not catching on the inside edge near the suspension.

On steep, wet roads good grip is essential. A tyre with a bulge or a cut should not stay on the car.

• Tread near the legal limit
• Bulges or sidewall cuts
• Unusual noise from one corner
• Persistent soft tyre

Can you reach Holne drivers, and where is the garage?

Our garage is at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes TQ9 6PL. Drivers from Holne and the Dartmoor edge come to us, along with those from Buckfastleigh, Buckfast, Dartington and South Brent.

Tell us what the tyre is doing and we will say what we think the job involves.

It helps to describe the problem clearly when you get in touch: which wheel, what you can hear or feel, and when it happens.

What affects the price of a new set?

Tyre size, speed and load rating, the number being replaced and whether alignment or balancing is included all matter. Different cars take very different tyres, so we do not offer a figure here.

Ask for a quote, and give us your registration and the size from the sidewall.