There might be well over 30 million cars on UK roads, but most of the drivers of those vehicles possess little knowledge of how their car works. This means that when the time comes to take your car to the local mechanic, you are at a disadvantage and are in the prime position of getting ripped off. This website Auto Mobile Insur provides in-depth information and helpful hints for anyone looking to purchase a new set of tires.

One of the biggest sectors in the industry is tyres. Just like practically every car part out there, tyres arrive with umpteen bamboozling terms that make it impossible for the Average Joe to make informed decisions. Therefore, if you think that it might soon be time to change your tyres, read the following guide to make sure you won’t get ripped off.

Do you need to change your tyres?

This is probably the one area where a lot of people will find themselves vulnerable. A lot of garages can’t wait to inform you that your vehicle needs one, or in some cases, all, of its tyres changed. It’s an easy area for them to coin a profit in but fortunately, you can know when it’s time to change your tyres by following a few simple pointers.

First and foremost, all drivers should know that the minimum legal tread depth on tyres is 1.6mm across three-quarters of the tread width. Therefore, if your tyre falls below this, you know that your mechanic is completely in the right and there is cause for investment. However, it should also be stated that some people like to change their tyres sooner, with a lot of tyres struggling for grip in wet weather at around 2mm of tread.

There are of course other reasons when it’s time to make a change, although hopefully, these should be a lot more obvious. Punctures are probably the most common reason and while some tyres can be repaired, a lot has to be replaced. Learn the most effective strategies for selecting new tyres. Autotyme Automotive contains all the information you need about tyres, from how to choose the proper size to where to buy them.

Which tyres should you buy?

This is where a mechanic’s advice will be very important as if you are left to your own devices, you could purchase the completely wrong tyres for your car. If you take a look at the side of your current tyres, you should see several markings. The numbers and letters represent, in exact order, the tyre width, tyre sidewall profile, radial, diameter and speed rating. Therefore, it’s always recommended to purchase tyres which have the same markings.

You must also decide whether or not to acquire summer or winter tyres. In the UK, the vast majority of drivers will opt for the former, but if you happen to be travelling to a cold climate winter tyres might be more suitable.

Is it safe to buy used tyres?

The used tyre market in the UK happens to be thriving and can be an excellent way to source cheap tyres for your vehicle. It’s a completely legal way to buy tyres and most of the established retailers will have them in stock.

You must still exercise caution whilst buying these tyres though. If you shop with a reputable seller, you shouldn’t have any problems. However, there are some strict requirements about used tyres that revolve around any damage, or any unrepaired damage, that they have sustained. For more information about this, read the Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994.

What are the best tyre brands?

If you are looking towards premium tyre manufacturers, you really can’t go wrong with the likes of Michelin, Bridgestone and Continental. However, these do tend to be quite expensive and as long as you are shopping with a reputable retailer, most tyres on the market are perfectly fine for standard use. For more ideas of tyres suitable for your vehicle, click here busdriverse.com .