Tyre advice

[Mike Fishcake]

I've got a 1.1 Saxo, just over 4 years old, 43k miles, owned it from new. As far as I can remember, I think I've only replaced one tyre in it, due to a flat (may be wrong though, my memory is crap - 4 years seems a long time)

Anyway, a couple of them are starting to look like they need replacing (passenger side front especially), so I was thinking of buying a new complete set. Don't really need a spare as that's not been used since being replaced. Just the four. Is this a good idea or should I just replace the ones that are looking a bit worn?

So - any recommendations for some reasonable quality tyres? As it's only a 1.1 engine, and I'm not a stereotypical Saxo driver I'm not looking for anything 'performance' quality, but something robust and reliable for regular use would be what I'm aiming to get.

[PeteSmith]

So - any recommendations for some reasonable quality tyres? As it's only a 1.1 engine, and I'm not a stereotypical Saxo driver I'm not looking for anything 'performance' quality, but something robust and reliable for regular use would be what I'm aiming to get.

Kwick Fit have a offer on at the moment for certain brands, until 1st of march i think. 4 new dunlop or goodyear tyres for your saxo will cost ~£120, with the sale.

I wish it was that cheap for my golf, i'm looking at £200+ in the sale.

[Howard]

If the back ones look OK then you don't really need to bother with those, but definitely do the front two. Some people will probably say then have the new tyres put on the back and the old back tyres put on the front, but I've never done that How much tread is left?

And don't use Kwik Fit. Use just about anywhere else, my personal favourite is E-Tyres; they do mobile fitting, so you can have them done at work or wherever. etyres - Search Results The Goodyear GT2s from this lot should be decent. You'll need to know the size details of your tyres though, but the sizes on that page are probably right, got them from Kwik Fit's site

Do note that it is definitely not worth skimping on tyres. Don't go getting some cheapy no-name brand, as they won't be very good. The tyres are the only bit that help keep your car stuck to the road remember

[Konan555]

After 4 years, even if your tread is looking deep, look at the side walls for signs that they're perishing.

I can't imagine tyres for an elevenhundred saxo are too expensive, so a set of four may we well worth it.

[Mike Fishcake]

Cheers for the info! Howard - any reason you wouldn't go to Kwik Fit, even though at the moment it's cheaper?

[Howard]

Because they're monkies. I wouldn't let the cretins that work there near my car with a barge pole

[Guy]

Im with Howard on this one, I either go to an Independent tyre place that my family has been going to for years, or look at E-tyres or blackcircles.

+ after being involved in a nasty accident in the past, all I can say is DONT skimp on tyres its a false economy yes you may end up spending more money, but your life and your passengers lives are worth far more.

[Paul Boy]

New tyres to the rear, every time. this is very important imo, and is now best practice at all ATS, Kwitfit etc (old school garages have not caught up yet)

My reasons are:
1. Old tyres are more likely to perish and blow out (especially dunlops) and a blow out the rear is significantly more difficult to control WILL probably cause a crash than on the front.
2. Old tyres will perform less than new tyres, old tyres to the rear will shift the balance of the car to oversteer (oversteer in more difficult to control than understeer)
3 On an average front wheel drive car, you go through 3 sets of fronts to 1 set of rears, meaning that your rear tyres are now only just legal (1.6mm tread depth), perished, old and just bloody dangerous.

For those that like to swap there tyres front to rear, then dont, this too is old school, and is again quite dangerous. this is because:
1. At some point you'll be driving your car with 4 worn out, close to the limit tyres
2. these tyres will now probably be anywhere between 3-5 year old, (life of a tyre is 3 years)

hope this helps

Oh as for tyre advice, i'd go for Goodyear or Firestone and steer well away from the likes of ATS, Kwitfit etc, as your valve, balance and disposal for 4 tyres will be in excess on £45.00 plus VAT (which they fail to tell you when youre ringing around for the best deal) choose a local garage, he'll give you a fair price tyre, and will not stitch you up with crappy brand, nor charge you for extra's

[chrestomanci]

Don't really need a spare as that's not been used since being replaced.

One thing to watch out for is the age of the spare. There is a legal limit on the age of any tire, and if any tire on your car, including the spare is older than that, then your car will fail it's MOT, so if it is the same size, you might consider swapping the spare with one of the road wheels so that you get some wear from it before you have to throw it away due to it's age.

Alternatively, some people keep their spare well past the official expiry date, and just take it out when the car goes for it's MOT, as they can't fail you for not having a spare, just for having an illegal one.

[BenW]

Are you sure theres an age limit? The spare in my car is 16 years old, never been used and it passes its MOT every year. How would they know how old it is anyway?

[Paul Boy]

The Spare Is Not A Testable Item

[chrestomanci]

Are you sure theres an age limit? The spare in my car is 16 years old, never been used and it passes its MOT every year. How would they know how old it is anyway?

I was sure, because a friend of mine who is a land rover enthusiast had told me, and he sounded confident, however, I have just had a look on the DVLA and various other websites, and they all say that the spare is not part of the test, and they don't mention anything about the age of tires, so I guess it was an urban myth.

[dave87]

The Spare Is Not A Testable Item

Actually, you are wrong. You don't have to have one, but you if you do, it has to be in a roadworthy condition.

The caveat is unless they have changed the rules recently, but I somewhat doubt it.

[Paul Boy]

Actually, you are wrong. You don't have to have one, but you if you do, it has to be in a roadworthy condition.

The caveat is unless they have changed the rules recently, but I somewhat doubt it.

No mate your wrong, spare tyre in the boot or not, it's NOT testable, and never has been. The MOT test is basically a road worthy condition check (at the time of test) and the bold spare does not make the car unroadworthy.

[Howard]

No mate your wrong, spare tyre in the boot or not, it's NOT testable, and never has been. The MOT test is basically a road worthy condition check (at the time of test) and the bold spare does not make the car unroadworthy.

Correct. The spare tyre isn't tested

[geb]

Hi Mike Fishcake
My advice would be to go with a middle of the road tyre (sorry about the pun) like Barum,Viking,Bridgestone and try to get valve and balance included in the price you only get what you pay for, in my experience stay away from kwik fit you will get a better deal from a well established independant try to find one who deals in tyres only, ask friends and family who they use is usually a good guide..

Hope this helps
geb