Replacing Car Tyres Important Information
Replacing Car Tyres Important Information
Replacing Car Tyres Important Information
The purpose of this document is to give general advice and guidance on a variety of important points to
consider when replacing tyres on a car and applies to the UK only.
Some tyre manufacturer’s advice on specific products may differ from these general guidelines. If advice is
required on a specific product consult the relevant tyre manufacturer.
More detailed information on some of these subjects may be found in other BTMA statements listed at the
end of this document.
UK Law (The Road Vehicles Construction and Use Regulations 24 through to 27 deals specifically with
tyres), requires that tyres fitted to vehicles running on public roads conform to specific standards of condition
and suitability for the type of application.
The condition of a tyre and how it relates to these regulations can be a key factor in determining when a tyre
needs replacing.
The most common nomenclature used for Size markings is illustrated by the following example:
The Service Description of a tyre is its “Load Index” plus “Speed Symbol”. For example
In this example the “91” is the Load Index and reference to standard industry tables stipulate that the
maximum load for the tyre in this illustration is 615 kg.
The “V” in this example is the tyre’s “Speed Symbol” indicating its maximum speed of 150 mph.
Although in the UK the law only requires that tyres are capable of meeting the national speed limit, do not be
tempted to fit a lower Speed Symbol tyre than originally fitted because it is important to note the “Speed
Symbol” is not only an indicator to the tyre’s maximum speed potential, but also an indicator of how well it
copes under braking, cornering and acceleration. In most European countries the speed symbol of
replacement tyres must by law be equal to or higher than the original fit tyres.
For obvious reasons the tyre’s load capability must as a minimum match the loads imposed by the vehicle,
statically and dynamically. UK law does stipulate replacement tyres must have a Load Index equal to or
higher than the original fit tyre.
The comments in this Position Statement are based on the general operating practices and environment found in the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland. No undertaking express or implied is given regarding the applicability of these comments to other operating environments.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
Although great care has been taken in the compilation and preparation of this Position Statement to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot in any
circumstances accept responsibility for errors or omissions or advice given in this publication.
Copyright ©BTMA 2014 Page 1 of 8 Published by the BTMA
British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association
Subject: Replacing Car Tyres – Important considerations
Tyre Technical
th th
Issued: 9 June 2010 Reviewed: 24 June 2014 Advisory Committee
Tyres form an integral part of a vehicle’s suspension, braking and steering systems. When replacing them it
is very important that not only the tyre size is equivalent to the original fit tyres, but that the “Load Index” and
“Speed Symbol” are equal to or higher than the original fit tyres.
Tie bars are raised sections (bars) above “Sipes” are small cut like pattern features “Tread wear Indicators” (TWI’s) are small
the base of the tread groove that tie which often are not full pattern depth raised sections in the patterns principle
neighbouring elements (blocks) of the and hence disappear before the tyre is grooves. Their height above the base of
pattern together. They are not full worn out. “Sipe” depth is not subject to the groove is between 1.6mm and
pattern depth. They can resemble deep the 1.6mm legal minimum. 2.0mm. Their purpose is to provide a
tread wear indicators visible warning that a tyre is approaching
the legal minimum tread depth. Tread
pattern grooves at the point where TWI’s
are located not subject to the 1.6mm
legal minimum depth.
NOTE: Tyres that have been irreparably damaged or are not suitable for the purpose to which they are being
used should be replaced immediately.
Tyres should be inflated to ensure their suitability for the purpose they are being used. (Usually this means in
line with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation)
The comments in this Position Statement are based on the general operating practices and environment found in the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland. No undertaking express or implied is given regarding the applicability of these comments to other operating environments.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
Although great care has been taken in the compilation and preparation of this Position Statement to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot in any
circumstances accept responsibility for errors or omissions or advice given in this publication.
Copyright ©BTMA 2014 Page 2 of 8 Published by the BTMA
British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association
Subject: Replacing Car Tyres – Important considerations
Tyre Technical
th th
Issued: 9 June 2010 Reviewed: 24 June 2014 Advisory Committee
Damage
UK tyre regulations also cover tyre damage such as bulges, cuts and
penetrations. A tyre showing such features should be inspected by a tyre
professional in order to establish whether it requires replacing, as the tyre may
be both illegal and dangerous.
Age of Tyres
Consumers also need to be aware that the age of a tyre can influence service
performance and should seek advice in order to establish if a tyre needs replacing.
Conditions of storage and use will influence the rate at which a tyre ages. Typical
symptoms of tyre ageing are cracked/crazed sidewalls and/or distorted tread. There
is nothing in the current legislation that requires a tyre over a certain age to be
replaced.
However some tyre and vehicle manufacturers do specify a recommended maximum
age at which tyres should be replaced.
Please refer to the sections dealing with the Care and Maintenance of Tyres and Tyre Legislation for a more
in depth briefing on the issues mentioned in relation to replacing tyres.
Tyre Selection
Having identified that a tyre requires replacing it is essential that the
replacement tyre is compatible with the other tyres on the vehicle. Check that
the tyre size and its full service description (load and speed indices) match the
tyre being replaced. It is also important to check all the tyres on the vehicle are
an appropriate fitment. This is particularly important when replacing tyres on a
newly acquired used vehicle. If there is any doubt, refer to the vehicle
handbook; contact the vehicle or tyre manufacturer or a tyre dealer.
Be alert to any special conditions that are contained in the vehicle handbook regarding the servicing and
replacing of tyres. For example, some vehicle manufacturers recommend that tyres be replaced as a pair
across an axle or that a repaired tyre should not be refitted.
Mixing of Tyres
The effects of mixing can be unpredictable and the following information is intended as a guide only. It is
recommended that for optimum performance cars and light vans should be fitted with a matching set of tyres.
For certain high performance cars, matching sets of vehicle manufacturer approved tyres are recommended
to maintain the handling characteristics of the vehicle. We would always recommend consulting the vehicle
handbook for this information. (See section “Vehicle Specific Tyres”.)
The comments in this Position Statement are based on the general operating practices and environment found in the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland. No undertaking express or implied is given regarding the applicability of these comments to other operating environments.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
Although great care has been taken in the compilation and preparation of this Position Statement to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot in any
circumstances accept responsibility for errors or omissions or advice given in this publication.
Copyright ©BTMA 2014 Page 3 of 8 Published by the BTMA
British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association
Subject: Replacing Car Tyres – Important considerations
Tyre Technical
th th
Issued: 9 June 2010 Reviewed: 24 June 2014 Advisory Committee
It is illegal to mix tyre sizes and to mix tyre constructions e.g. radial, cross-ply etc, across an axle. (Note this
does not apply in the case of a “Temporary Use” Spare tyre where they are restricted to a maximum speed
of 50mph / 80 km/h). It is also illegal to fit radial tyres to the front axle and cross-plies to the rear.
It is inadvisable to mix tyres of different categories on a vehicle, e.g. summer tyres, winter tyres, “run flat”
tyres, on/off road tyres, etc and never across an axle. It is also not recommended that tyres with significantly
different states of wear be mixed across an axle. Special care should also be taken with 4x4 vehicles where
some vehicle manufacturers specify a maximum tread depth difference between axles. Consult the vehicle
handbook.
An “Asymmetric” tyre has a tread pattern, which differs on its inner side to that of
the outer side and offers handling and cornering advantages over more standard
non directional or non asymmetric tyres. Typically the pattern on the inner side
has a higher groove content to cope with wet road conditions. The outer side has
a higher plain surface area and comes into effect at higher cornering speeds
particularly on dry roads.
Unlike directional tyres, an asymmetric tyre once fitted correctly to the wheel may
be fitted to any wheel position on the vehicle. Tyre sidewalls are marked
“outside” and “inside” or other similar wording indicating the correct fitment.
As in the case of directional tyres, if fitted incorrectly the advantages offered by the asymmetric pattern may
not be realised and roadholding in both dry and wet conditions may be impaired particularly when driven at
higher speed. In such cases treat the tyre as a “Temporary Spare” and reduce driving speed and refit the
tyre correctly at the earliest opportunity.
The comments in this Position Statement are based on the general operating practices and environment found in the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland. No undertaking express or implied is given regarding the applicability of these comments to other operating environments.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
Although great care has been taken in the compilation and preparation of this Position Statement to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot in any
circumstances accept responsibility for errors or omissions or advice given in this publication.
Copyright ©BTMA 2014 Page 4 of 8 Published by the BTMA
British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association
Subject: Replacing Car Tyres – Important considerations
Tyre Technical
th th
Issued: 9 June 2010 Reviewed: 24 June 2014 Advisory Committee
leaving them in their original positions for a prolonged period can result in the need to replace them before
they are significantly worn.
Please note the exceptions to this:
Where the front and rear tyre sizes are different.
Where the “system” concept of directional front and asymmetric rear tyres is applicable
On certain four wheel drive vehicles where it would result in significant differences in tread depth.
Where a vehicle manufacturer gives different advice, follow the vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines.
The comments in this Position Statement are based on the general operating practices and environment found in the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland. No undertaking express or implied is given regarding the applicability of these comments to other operating environments.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
Although great care has been taken in the compilation and preparation of this Position Statement to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot in any
circumstances accept responsibility for errors or omissions or advice given in this publication.
Copyright ©BTMA 2014 Page 5 of 8 Published by the BTMA
British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association
Subject: Replacing Car Tyres – Important considerations
Tyre Technical
th th
Issued: 9 June 2010 Reviewed: 24 June 2014 Advisory Committee
Tyre Age
Tyre manufacturers add ingredients to rubber compounds to slow down the rate at
which tyres age. However conditions of storage and use (including tyre
maintenance) have a larger influence over the tyre ageing process. Given these
unknown variables the BTMA is unaware of any technical data that supports a
specific tyre age for removal from service,
Tyres that are used infrequently (e.g. Caravans) and / or in coastal areas will age
more quickly. Consumers should check tyres regularly for any sign of ageing, such
as cracking / crazing of the tyre sidewall and or tread distortion.
A change in the dynamic properties of the tyre and/or vibrations could also be an
indicator of the effects of tyre ageing.
If any such symptoms appear, replace the tyre immediately.
Vehicle manufacturers may recommend a specific age at which a tyre should be
replaced based on their understanding of the specific vehicle application; BTMA
recommends that any such instruction be followed.
Tyre Loading
Do not overload tyres. Tyres are designed to accept a maximum load as indicated
by their Load Index and then only when correctly inflated. If the maximum load is
exceeded or the inflation pressure used is inadequate for the load being carried, it
will result in reduced service life, increased fuel consumption and in severe cases
premature failure of the tyre.
When replacing tyres ensure the Tyre Size is appropriate for the vehicle and that the
Load Index and Speed Symbol are equal to or higher than those tyres originally fitted
by the vehicle manufacturer.
Tyre Damages
Other than uneven wear, the next most frequent cause of premature tyre removal is
damage caused by impacting a solid object e.g. kerbstone, or potholes. The most
common first visible symptom of such damage is a bulge on the tyre sidewall. This is
a clear indication the tyre’s internal structure has been damaged. The tyre should be
removed from service immediately.
The comments in this Position Statement are based on the general operating practices and environment found in the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland. No undertaking express or implied is given regarding the applicability of these comments to other operating environments.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
Although great care has been taken in the compilation and preparation of this Position Statement to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot in any
circumstances accept responsibility for errors or omissions or advice given in this publication.
Copyright ©BTMA 2014 Page 6 of 8 Published by the BTMA
British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association
Subject: Replacing Car Tyres – Important considerations
Tyre Technical
th th
Issued: 9 June 2010 Reviewed: 24 June 2014 Advisory Committee
Tyre/wheel Rotation
On most vehicles the tyres on each axle wear at different
rates. Front wheel drive vehicles will wear the front tyres
out before the ones on the rear axle. The converse is true
for rear wheel drive vehicles. To extend the service life of
the tyres it is a useful practice to rotate the wheels around
the vehicle, thus evening out the wear amongst all four
tyres. Illustrated here is one potential sequence. Note
bringing the appropriate spare tyre into play at the first
rotation. The frequency at which rotation is practical will depend on the actual service life of the tyres, but
every 5,000 miles is suitable. The illustrated sequence only applies to tyres that do not have a directional
tread pattern. Tyres with directional tread patterns may only be rotated from front to rear and vice versa, not
diagonally. Rotating of tyres/wheels around the vehicle only applies if the tyres fitted to all road wheels are
the same size and specification. (Note: Some 4 wheel drive vehicles are sensitive to large differences in tyre
tread depths, additionally some vehicle manufacturers views on tyre/wheel rotation may differ from the above
– consult the vehicle handbook)
Spare tyres
Often neglected is the “Spare” tyre/wheel. It is important to keep this correctly inflated as it cannot be
forecast when it will be needed. As mentioned in Tyre/Wheel Rotation above, bring the spare tyre into
service as often as practically possible. However an increasing number of vehicles are equipped with
“Temporary” spare tyres which differ in size to the tyres on the main road wheels and are therefore not
suitable for rotation. If forced to fit such a tyre, observe the Load Index / Speed Symbol and service
conditions marked on the tyre sidewall. Do not exceed 50 mph (80km/h). Also note that smaller temporary
spare tyres usually require a higher inflation pressure than that of the normal road tyres.
Mobility Kits
A trend seen in recent years is for the spare tyre to be replaced with what is
commonly referred to as a “mobility kit”. These can range from a can of Tyre
Puncture Sealant on its own or in combination with an electric compressor.
Such devices are intended as “Get you home” measures only, so the vehicle
can be driven home or to a tyre dealer where the damaged tyre can be
properly inspected to check its suitability for a permanent repair.
Do not be tempted to treat such devices as a permanent repair as they are
not. They will not permanently repair a damaged tyre, they will only seal small
holes caused by a puncturing agent.
In all cases carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
Also check that the expiry date on the sealant canister has not been passed
as in this case the product may not perform as intended: the puncture may not be sealed or re-inflation may
not be achieved correctly.
The comments in this Position Statement are based on the general operating practices and environment found in the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland. No undertaking express or implied is given regarding the applicability of these comments to other operating environments.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
Although great care has been taken in the compilation and preparation of this Position Statement to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot in any
circumstances accept responsibility for errors or omissions or advice given in this publication.
Copyright ©BTMA 2014 Page 7 of 8 Published by the BTMA
British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association
Subject: Replacing Car Tyres – Important considerations
Tyre Technical
th th
Issued: 9 June 2010 Reviewed: 24 June 2014 Advisory Committee
The guidelines and recommendations contained in this document equally apply to SST tyres. It is important
to note that regular inflation pressure checking and correction is just as critical with an SST tyre as it is with a
standard tyre. SST tyres should not be mixed with standard tyres on a vehicle.
Vehicles fitted with SST tyres must be equipped with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The
actual conditions of use of SST tyres will vary according to the vehicle specification so it is very important
that the guidelines in the vehicle handbook are complied with.
www.btmauk.com
The comments in this Position Statement are based on the general operating practices and environment found in the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland. No undertaking express or implied is given regarding the applicability of these comments to other operating environments.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
Although great care has been taken in the compilation and preparation of this Position Statement to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot in any
circumstances accept responsibility for errors or omissions or advice given in this publication.
Copyright ©BTMA 2014 Page 8 of 8 Published by the BTMA