Tyre Fitting in Kingston

Kingston sits among narrow, high-hedged South Hams lanes close to the coast, and the tyres on a car that lives there take a surprising amount of punishment. Hedge cuttings, stones washed onto the tarmac and tight verges all find their way into rubber.

We are a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and tyre fitting is one of the jobs we do alongside MOT testing, servicing and repairs. Drivers from Kingston, Bigbury, Ringmore, Modbury and Kingsbridge are all welcome to ask us for a quote.

Are my tyres still legal and safe on Kingston lanes?

The legal minimum tread is 1.6 mm across the central three quarters of the tread, all the way round the tyre. That is a minimum, not a target, and wet lane surfaces with leaf mulch ask for more grip than a dry main road does.

Look at the sidewalls too. Lane-edge scrapes against kerbs and banks can leave cuts, scuffs or a bulge, and a bulge means the tyre structure has been damaged and it should not stay on the car.

• Tread level with the wear bars
• Cuts or cracks in the sidewall
• Bulges or blisters
• Uneven wear on one edge

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

A puncture in the central tread area can often be repaired properly, with the tyre taken off the wheel and checked inside. Damage to the sidewall or the shoulder cannot be repaired, and neither can a tyre that has been driven on while flat.

Thorns and flints from hedge-lined lanes are common culprits. If you notice a tyre losing pressure, stop checking it by eye and have it looked at, because a soft tyre overheats and can fail without warning.

Why does my car pull or shake after a bump on the lanes?

Clipping a kerb or dropping into a pothole can knock the wheel alignment out. You may notice the car drifting to one side, a steering wheel that sits off-centre, or one tyre wearing faster than the others. Tracking is the adjustment that puts the wheels back in line.

Vibration through the steering wheel at certain speeds usually points to wheel balancing instead. Balancing adds small weights to even out the wheel, and it matters most after fitting new tyres.

Do you fit tyres for Kingston drivers?

Yes, we work with drivers from Kingston and the surrounding South Hams villages, and also from Bigbury, Ringmore, Modbury and Kingsbridge. The garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes.

Holiday traffic can make the lanes busy in the warmer months, so it is better not to leave worn tyres until the busiest weeks arrive.

What should I tell you when I ask for a tyre quote?

Give us your registration, or the make, model and year, and the size printed on the tyre sidewall if you can read it. Tell us whether you want a pair on one axle or a full set, and mention any pulling, vibration or pressure loss.

The cost depends on the tyre size and type, how many you need, and whether alignment or balancing is included. We will not guess without the details, so ask for a quote and we will work from what your car needs.