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Original poster

How do you going about buying a new tyre?

65 replies

JohnSmithDrive · 30/12/2021 10:50

Apologies for the ridiculous question. DH died this summer and it's shocking how many normal things I have never done.

So, ibhad a flat tyre, which I "fixed" with the reinflation kit, but I understand that's only temporary and I need a new tyre.

So do I just turn up at my local tyre place or do you usually book?. Do I need to call ahead so they can order the tyre? What do I need to know to avoid getting ripped off?

Also, I need a new bottle of the sealant, do I also been a new compressor (as this one now has sealant in the tubing)?

OP posts:
TheWayTheLightFalls · 30/12/2021 10:51

Not sure about sealant but for cars Kwikfit is great and can come to you.

I’m so sorry for your loss. Flowers

Asi1 · 30/12/2021 10:52

I take my car to the local garage and they change the tyre for me.

I know people also go to Halfords for their tyres and sealant can also be purchased there.

I hope that helps.

Very sorry for your loss xx

tanstaafl · 30/12/2021 10:54

I start with www.blackcircles.com to get an idea of price.
Take a note of the numbers on all your tyres to make sure they’re all the same.

You can hook your car into a local fitter through the blackcircles website as well.

As for the repair kit, might be best to ask the fitters advice when it’s being changed?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking
tanstaafl · 30/12/2021 10:54

Hook? book!

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 30/12/2021 10:54

Call ahead to check if they have the tyre in stock and book in. Somewhere like kiwk fit is fine. The numbers you need are on the tyre. Image attached, the person on the phone will ask what brand you currently have on to try to match the tyre pattern.

Or you can use a company like Black Circles who will come out and fit your tyre on your drive. www.blackcircles.com/ you just enter your reg no and it tells you which tyre you need.

I’m sorry for your loss Flowers

How do you going about buying a new tyre?
Nosnowthisyear · 30/12/2021 10:55

I go to a National Tyres place as its close to home. I did ring before I went the last time and they said, just turn up and fixed it straight away.

I went to a ‘local’ place once and I felt uncomfortable there and wasn’t even sure If I was ripped off so I prefer to go somewhere more well-known.

anniegun · 30/12/2021 10:55

A local tyre shop with decent online reviews is a good bet. If its a normal car with a standard tyre sizes then they will probably have them in stock. They will also check the tyres, it is very normal to replace 2 together as having different wear levels can be problematical.

Seeline · 30/12/2021 10:55

I've always just turned up at my local Kwikfit. I know some people think ylthey are the worst, but I have never had any problems, been treated politely, always had things explained when I've asked etc. Maybe I pay a bit more, but for the ease of service, I'm happy with that.

Don't know about sealant - I paid extra for a spare wheel with my last car.

RampantIvy · 30/12/2021 10:56

If you are on Facebook you can ask on your local Facebook page for tyre replacement recomnendations.

Kwik Fit are good but expensive. We have an excellent tyre place in our local market town that I always go to.

If not on Facebook just Google for your nearest tyre place.

Sorry for your loss Flowers

SmallPrawnEnergy · 30/12/2021 10:57

God, don’t go to kwikfit. They’re known cow boys and called kwikshit for a reason.

MrsRubyMonday · 30/12/2021 10:58

We have a local tyre place where you can just drive up and wait, they are rarely busy enough for a queue. There's space to pull in and someone comes to check what you need, has a quick look at your tyre to confirm size and that it needs doing and goes and gets a quote from the office. Provided they have stock and you agree the price you wait to be waved forward into their work spaces, hop out the car, in ten minutes your tyre is fitted. Then just a quick trip to the office to pay and you drive away again. This place has links with another local garage so if they don't have the tyre in stock they will often send someone to pick one up from the other location, if not they will order one in.

MilduraS · 30/12/2021 10:59

I had to replace a tyre a couple of months ago. I called a mobile tyre fitter and had written all of the info from the tyre down. I have a VW up which has very small tyres and he had to order it in. He came to fit it the next morning. It cost £95.

Blupblup · 30/12/2021 11:00

Blackcircles.com or tyresonthedrive. Have used both and so much more convenient than going to a garage.

PlanetNormal · 30/12/2021 11:01

First you need to know what size tyre you need. This will be printed on the side of your current tyre & will look like this “205/60 R16”.

Then, go to Blackcircles.com, enter the tyre size and any other information the site asks for, eg postcode. They will offer a number of tyre brands at various price points. I would avoid the cheapest ones. They will also offer a number of local fitting options for you to book. If you wish, you can then use this information as a base price to ring round local tyre fitters and see if they can beat the price for an equivalent tyre.

SourMilkGhyll · 30/12/2021 11:02

Recommend using 'black circles' website or 'asda tyres' website. Just type in your registration number, postcode and book an appointment. You should probably replace both back or front tyres at the same time, which ever it is. I usually use the Asda website first as you can sort the tyres into cheap/mid/expensive, then once I have an idea of which tyre I want I use blackcircles Halfords and kwikfit to find the best price and appointment time.
It really is much easier than you might think.

BoodleBug51 · 30/12/2021 11:04

Kwikfit are the company that I have to go to through my leasing company and I really wouldn't recommend them. I had a nightmare getting a puncture sorted out recently, and in spite of 3 visits there, still had a deflating tyre. I was having to stop and pump it up to get home. DH went on the 4th visit, and had a new tyre fitted in 30 minutes. I was furious.

DH always buys through black circles...... and you arrange the fit through them at a local garage.

MajorCarolDanvers · 30/12/2021 11:06

Kwik Fit is really easy but worth calling ahead in case they are busy. They will give you a time if they are.

SourMilkGhyll · 30/12/2021 11:06

Remember to check you have the weirdly shaped key for your locking wheel nuts available.

How do you going about buying a new tyre?
userisi2 · 30/12/2021 11:09

Well done OP you managed better than I would by using the temp kit!

I like etyres, they will come to your house and change the tyre on your drive/road if you have the space. How much tread is left on the other tyre? If it's quite low it will probably be worth changing at the same time or they'll be out of sync.

Floralnomad · 30/12/2021 11:11

Is there a garage that your husband used to use for this type of thing , if so just drop in there or call them and they will sort it out for you . I always take our cars to Watling Tyres in the town my sister lives in as I’ve used them for years and trust them .

Worldgonecrazy · 30/12/2021 11:13

I use tyre shopper to get prices, including fitting. You can choose either somewhere local or they can come to you.

You may want to consider the type of driving you do, if you do a lot of long distance then paying more for premium tyres is worth it. Look at the ratings for stopping distance, noise and fuel efficiency.

LadyFlumpalot · 30/12/2021 11:15

Hi OP,

It's always worth changing both tyres at the same time on the front or back so you have even wear. I have an AWD car and I have to change all four at the same time as the difference in rolling diameter makes the AWD system bug out.

If you have alloys you will need to find your locking wheel nut key, as a PP mentioned.

Obviously I don't know where you are but if you are around Dorset I can thoroughly recommend DCM tyres. They are a first come first served type of place but they are an independent and are very good, never try to upswell or make that horrible sucking "ooooh" noise that means "this is going to be expensive"

Again, don't know what short of car you have, but your best off with a mid price range tyre.

Good luck! It's daunting at first but you'll get used to it.

Mumdiva99 · 30/12/2021 11:20

Hi, next time you have a flat try calling someone who will come to you there and then....they might be able to repair rather than replace the tyre - this is much cheaper.....sometimes you can pump the tyre and if the puncture is slow enough then you can drive to the tyre place.

Always ask 'can it be repaired'.

Now that you have used the tyre foam I believe you have to replace it. Usually tyre places ask do you want economy, mid price or performance tyres. - ask them what you currently have and get the same.....unless you need to economise. But....if you go from performance tyres to economy you might need to change 2 at the same time. I don't think it's advised to drive with 1 completely different tyre.

Ask other local people who they use.....the tyre place that has been there years is unlikely to try to rip you off as it wouldn't have survived.

TheFormidableMrsC · 30/12/2021 11:24

I have a local tyre place that I can just drive to and will normally be seen quite quickly. Have a Google or if you have a local Facebook page ask for recommendations on there.

I do understand how you feel. My husband left me and for a good while I was struggling with things he would have done. I'm totally on top of it now though so you will get there. So sorry for your loss Thanks

FAQs · 30/12/2021 11:24

Look at the size, it's on the wall of the tyre, look online and pick one, you could go for an all weather one. They also have noise ratings. Book online, drop and they'll change. Its pretty much always cheaper to book online, some offer mobile services and will change it at your house.