Tyre Fitting in Pear Tree

Pear Tree is a small rural hamlet in South Devon, reached by narrow country lanes. Automaster is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from Pear Tree and from nearby Totnes, Dartington, Paignton and Churston visit us for tyre work.

Whether your car mostly runs the lanes or covers longer journeys, the same few checks tell you if its tyres are still fit for the road. Here they are.

When should I replace a tyre?

The legal minimum tread for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three quarters of the tread. Many drivers replace earlier, because grip in the wet falls as the tread wears. A bulge, a deep cut or exposed cord means replacement now, whatever the tread says.

Age matters too. Check the date code on the sidewall, because old rubber hardens and cracks.

A visual check once a month, plus a pressure check on cold tyres, catches most problems early.

Should I repair or replace after a puncture?

The answer depends on where the damage is and how far the car was driven on it. A small hole in the central tread can often be repaired from inside after the tyre has been removed and inspected. Sidewall damage cannot be repaired.

A tyre driven flat is often damaged inside, so we look before deciding.

• Central tread hole: often repairable
• Sidewall damage: replace
• Run flat: inspect inside
• Bulge: replace

What causes uneven tyre wear?

Wrong pressures, alignment faults and worn suspension parts are the usual causes. Wear on one edge suggests alignment, while wear down the centre suggests over-inflation and wear on both edges suggests under-inflation.

Tracking and balancing help where they are the cause, and we will say if a different fault needs attention first.

Rotating or matching tyres is a topic worth raising too. Front tyres usually wear faster than rears, so mention how much wear you can see at each end of the car.

Do you cover Pear Tree, and how do I ask for a quote?

Yes. We are at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. When you ask for a quote, give us the vehicle details, the tyre size from the sidewall and any symptoms such as pulling or vibration.

If you want a set of tyres, tell us how the car is used, since that helps us talk through the options.

Narrow lanes, longer drives and regular passengers or loads all feed into the choice, so a few words about your driving go a long way.

Why match tyres on an axle?

Different tyres on one axle can make handling less predictable, especially under braking or in the wet. How far this matters depends on the car.

We explain what suits yours, including whether a single replacement makes sense.

Bring the details of the tyres already fitted if you can, such as the size marked on the sidewall, and note whether the front or rear pair is worse.