Tyre Fitting in Kingsbridge

Kingsbridge is a South Hams market town at the head of the estuary, with a steep main street, a waterfront and rural roads all round. Cars here brake downhill, pull away uphill and spend plenty of time on the A379, all of which show up in tyre wear.

Automaster at Longcombe Cross near Totnes fits tyres for drivers from Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Loddiswell, Modbury and Thurlestone. This page sets out what we look at and how to ask for a quote.

Why do tyres wear quickly on steep streets?

Repeated braking on a downhill gradient loads the front tyres, and pulling away on a slope can wear the driving wheels. Over time, that can leave one axle looking much worse than the other.

The legal minimum tread is 1.6 mm across the central three quarters of the tread, and a car that spends its life on hills should be checked well before that point.

What tyre damage should worry me?

Look for bulges, splits and cuts in the sidewall. Rural roads around the town leave stones and thorns on the surface, and a hard knock on a kerb in a tight spot can damage the structure inside without much showing outside.

If you see a bulge, do not carry on regardless. The tyre could fail, and it needs to be replaced.

Tyre pressure matters here as well. A tyre that is a little soft will flex more on the bends and wear on its shoulders, so check pressures regularly.

Where can I get a puncture repaired near Kingsbridge?

We repair punctures at our garage when the damage is in the central tread and the tyre is otherwise sound. We take the tyre off to inspect it, since an external look cannot show internal damage.

Damage to the sidewall, a large tear or a tyre run flat means a new tyre, and we will explain why.

Is alignment worth checking if I drive the A379 often?

Regular commuters notice problems like a car pulling or a steering wheel that is not straight. Misaligned wheels scrub tyres on one edge and can cut their life short.

Tracking sets the wheels to the correct angles. Balancing, which is separate, cures vibration. If you feel either, tell us and we will check what applies.

A market town also means short hops and long waits in traffic, which keeps tyres warm without covering many miles. Wear can still build up quietly.

• Car drifts on a straight road
• Steering wheel sits crooked
• Vibration at motorway speed
• Scrubbed inner tyre edge

Do you serve Kingsbridge, and what do you need to quote?

Yes, we work with drivers from Kingsbridge and the surrounding area. The garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes.

For a quote, give us the registration, tyre size, number of tyres and any symptoms. Cost depends on the size and type of tyre and whether alignment or balancing is involved.