Tyre Fitting in Loddiswell

Loddiswell is a South Hams village in the River Avon valley, with narrow, steep lanes towards Kingsbridge. Valley roads mean a lot of climbing, braking and tight cornering, and that combination ages tyres and tests tracking.

At Automaster we fit tyres at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Drivers from Loddiswell, Hazelwood, Kingsbridge, Modbury and Bantham ask us about the same things: when to replace, whether a puncture can be saved, and how to cure a pull.

How do steep lanes affect my tyres?

Going down a steep lane, the front tyres take much of the braking load. Going up, driven wheels can spin and scrub. Sharp bends with little room to spare add side loads on the shoulders of the tyre.

Check that the tread is above the legal minimum of 1.6 mm across the central three quarters, and consider replacing earlier if you often drive wet, steep lanes.

Heavy rain also washes mud, gravel and leaves onto valley lanes, which hides potholes and reduces grip. Good tyres give you a bigger margin when the road surface is poor.

Can a puncture from a country lane be repaired?

Often, if the object has gone into the central tread. Stones, flints and thorns are common on lanes with high banks. We take the tyre off, inspect it inside and out, and repair it only if it is safe to do so.

Sidewall damage and tyres that have been run flat cannot be repaired.

If a tyre keeps losing air after a repair, tell us. A slow leak can come from the valve, the wheel rim or the tyre itself, and each needs a different fix.

What do pulling and vibration mean?

A car that drifts to one side usually needs its wheel alignment checked. Vibration through the steering wheel suggests the wheels need balancing. Uneven wear, such as a smooth outer edge, can come from either poor tracking or low pressures.

Describe what you feel and when it happens, because that helps narrow the cause down before we start.

• Drifting on a flat road
• Shaking at steady speed
• One tyre wearing faster
• Steering not centred

Is Loddiswell within your area?

Our garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from Loddiswell and the nearby villages use us for tyres as well as servicing and repairs. Contact us first with the car's details and the tyre size.

If you are not sure of the size, the numbers on the sidewall show it, or we can work it out from the registration.

Summers bring more cars onto the lanes towards Kingsbridge, and narrow stretches mean you may have to reverse or squeeze past, which is when kerb and bank contact happens.

How is a tyre quote worked out?

It comes down to the tyre size and type, how many tyres you need, and whether you want alignment or balancing as well. Larger wheels and low-profile tyres take more work.

Please ask for a quote and we will go from there, instead of relying on a general figure.