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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:

Woeismethischristmas · 30/12/2021 11:25

I just drive up to the local place. I had a spare on ( fitted by rac after a puncture.) normally a short queue. Park up and tell them what’s wrong, leave your car key and give them an hour. It was £69 quid for mid range tyre for vw polo. The national place round the corner only seem to have more expensive tyres in stock perrelli (sp) unless you call them in advance also charge extra for rebalancing tyres as standard so the price you pay is much more than the tyre price you’re quoted.

Ask on your local Facebook to get a recommendation.

Simonjt · 30/12/2021 11:29

It depends on the tyre centres near you.

I can generally turn up at mine without an appointment, but that isn’t much use if they don’t have my tyres in stock, so I usually call ahead so some can be ordered/reserved.

If you ask them to hand tighten your wheels you will be able to change the wheel yourself, lots of punctures can be repaired, so it is worth changing the wheel after one rather than using the foam.

takenforgrantednana · 30/12/2021 11:29

@SmallPrawnEnergy

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

agreed! and your car will strangely "develope" faults that wherent there and never to be found again, kwik fit is for absolutely emergency use only when everywhere else is shut!

Interested in this thread?

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Driving & parking

gogohm · 30/12/2021 11:31

Yes just go to a tyre shop, local chain or national are fine. Tyres come in different sizes and price points, my old car was about £60, new car £115, ouch! Any questions come back to us.

takenforgrantednana · 30/12/2021 11:33

@Simonjt

It depends on the tyre centres near you.

I can generally turn up at mine without an appointment, but that isn’t much use if they don’t have my tyres in stock, so I usually call ahead so some can be ordered/reserved.

If you ask them to hand tighten your wheels you will be able to change the wheel yourself, lots of punctures can be repaired, so it is worth changing the wheel after one rather than using the foam.

yes but you cant do that if you havent got a spare wheel which seems to be the case with OP using the foam, which once used means the tyre has to be replaced rather than repaired. it would be cheaper in the long run to get hold of a spare wheel for the car rather than pending out on foam and the need for a new tyre pump

Original poster

JohnSmithDrive · 30/12/2021 11:33

The car's only done about 3000 miles, surely I don't need to change 2 tyres?

My flat was on Christmas morning, I did what was needed at the time. The car manual does suggest that it can still be repaired though.

I've no idea where the locking wheel nut is,but it will be where the manufacturer (ford) put it. Where will that be?

I have a couple of recommendations from local friends

OP posts:

SpeckledlyHen · 30/12/2021 11:34

@PlanetNormal

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.

This. I worked in a garage for a while. We replaced tyres and had to order them for next day delivery. With the discount we received from supplier and then adding a small fitting fee we often could not compete on price. We were an approved fitter for black circles as well. The other only thing I would say is the lead time for black circles may be 5 days or so but if you rock up at a general tyre fitting place they might be able to do it quicker. For the sealant you should be able to Google and find some. Euro car parts etc should sell it

SpeckledlyHen · 30/12/2021 11:35

If it needs repairing just take it to a tyre fitting place or local independent garage for repair. Locking wheel nuts probably in glove box?

SleighbellsZ · 30/12/2021 11:37

Locking wheel nut is normally kept in a small bag in glove box.
Try there or in boot under the shelf.

Ring a garage to boom ahead of time they may just tell you to go along.

I find local independent garages best.

SleighbellsZ · 30/12/2021 11:38

Also sorry for your loss.
I lost my DF young and he sorted everything for my car and I was driving with an expired mot for 5 month 🙈

madisonbridges · 30/12/2021 11:40

I take mine to national tyres. They've always been great. Your wheel nut will either be in your glove compartment or in with the spare wheel. Written on the wall of your tyre will be the tyre size. If you're worried, ring ahead to make sure they have the right tyre size in. If it's a standard car, it won't be a problem.

crackofdoom · 30/12/2021 11:40

Big Rob at Zoar Tyres is a legend. You can’t miss them, they’re just across the road from Lidl.

(Sorry, couldn’t resist 😆 But a wave for anyone who DOES know where I mean!)

Toddlerteaplease · 30/12/2021 11:40

I'm impressed that you managed to fix it! I'd have no idea about that. I'd have driven it on flat to the garage!

Moonflower12 · 30/12/2021 11:41

I've just asked my DP who deals with transport stuff all the time.

He says to not buy a new sealant and compressor. You should buy the Holts tyre inflator. Apparently it looks like a can of hair mousse. 2 of those will be as good as a compressor set but a lot cheaper.

He says to go to a national supplier such as National tyres, HiQ, kwikfit, ATS. They should be very helpful.

It's not a ridiculous question- as proved by above I had to ask my DP as I've never thought about it before.

Tyredofallthis1 · 30/12/2021 12:41

After trying local garages that seemed good, I ended up at Kwik Fit in desperation after being condescended to by half the places in South Leeds. I'd heard bad things about Kwik Fit, but this branch is lovely.

Sorry for your loss. It's another thing on the list of things that ambush you after losing someone. I hope you get it sorted soon.

takenforgrantednana · 30/12/2021 12:54

@Tyredofallthis1

Sorry for your loss. It's another thing on the list of things that ambush you after losing someone. I hope you get it sorted soon.

@Tyredofallthis1 when we bought our current run about, it had come with a full service book, he appeared to by vouchers of £200 and got work done as and when needed, so we get the car home and start looking things over better, the amount of faults it had ones where kwik fit leeds had only just done the work in the last couple of days before us buying the car was rediculous, in the end we didnt trust the mot that it had come with and took it to be redone and rectify the faults, our garage said they could see the work had only just been done but was so poor in workmanship it was a wonder we had got the car home the 40 miles

takenforgrantednana · 30/12/2021 12:56

@Toddlerteaplease

I'm impressed that you managed to fix it! I'd have no idea about that. I'd have driven it on flat to the garage!

@Toddlerteaplease well perhaps its time you asked someone to show you what to do? before you cause an accident

Kitkat151 · 30/12/2021 12:58

I just call in at our local (independant) tyre place....usually get both changed at same times eg both front ones....or both back....they usually offer a choice of 3 ....I tend to go with the middle priced ones....they usually balance the wheels for free if they not busy

Sideswiped · 30/12/2021 13:09

@JohnSmithDrive, the tyre might be repairable, but that will depend on where the damage is. If it's on the side wall or the shoulder (the corner between the wall and the tread IYSWIM), you will have to but a new tyre.
My local tyre place (STS) have been really good and once fixed a tyre for free as I've used them before.

Lennybenny · 30/12/2021 13:13

Please don't use Kwikfit. They will see you're vulnerable and add on more problems. Use fb, see who has the best/most recommendations. I also use www.blackcircles.com I choose my tyres, and where I want them fitted(choices are within a few miles so I can pick work or home) and then just go at the right time. Look on your tyre, there are 000/00/R00 numbers. That's your tyre size. Some garages may not have your size if it's a large suv type.
We have a Checkpoint that's very good but also a Bathwick, Mike Woods and a Kwikfit....lots of choice but only 2 of which I would recommend to anyone locally.

DinosApple · 30/12/2021 13:14

Sorry for your loss OP .

Personally, I'd go to an independent, long standing business. This is what DH and I ran for years. We relied on good reputation and a huge repeat customer base, so check out reviews.

The tyre size is on the sidewall. If it is a common size most places will have them on the shelf, usually in a range of brands. Budget tyres will wear quicker than premium brands, so if you do a lot of miles a premium brand will last you better.

You can ring for a quote, book online (particularly with the national companies) or just turn up and wait your turn.

Ask them to check all your tyres over, you might need a pair (although a good place won't force any sale) and they can let you know how much wear you have left.

That glue stuff is horrible (stinks and is very messy for the fitters), but you should be able to get it online or at Halfords.

CMOTDibbler · 30/12/2021 13:22

For one tyre, I go to the local tyre place - they do need a call ahead to check they have the right tyre as it will need to be matched though of course they can sometimes repair. I'd ask on a local FB group for recommendations.
When I need new tyres due to wear, then I use Black Circles as the price is so good

Kite22 · 30/12/2021 13:22

Sorry for your loss OP.

As others have said, I always just turn up at our local tyre place. If you need specialist tyres for any reason then they will have to order them in, but they carry stock of ordinary tyres.
Always worth asking round your friends/ neighbours / colleagues where they go - there is an independent place near us that is cheaper than the National (kwikfit) type places, and is recommended by my local mechanic who we have used for decades. They are really nice , and non patronising in there too.

Waterfallgirl · 30/12/2021 13:23

The locking wheel nuts will probably be somewhere in the car most likely glovebox, the6 are normally in a cloth bag.
Once you have the number on the side of the tyre you can have a look online for prices etc, if the car hasn’t done many miles you won’t need to change the other tyres. I always try to get the same make of tyre ( as all the others) when I replace them though, that’s just me , it’s not totally necessary.
If you have some local recommendations that’s good - often they’ll ask you what tyre make you want so good idea to have in your mind what you have on now and if you want to pay for the same ones or cheaper.
Tyres are made to various quality levels - Michelin, continental, Goodyear, Etc all higher quality so higher price. Then you get next level down in price etc.
You can call a few places for prices and availability- they all are used to it and will tell you if they have them in stock or need to order.
Most recently I used some one who came to the house ( tyres on the drive or similar) job done without you having to sit and wait!
Well done you for using the compressor, I’ve never needed to but also wouldn’t have a clue !

DinosApple · 30/12/2021 13:27

If you can't find the locking wheel nut, the fitters will be used to having a look in all the usual places.

Locking wheel nuts are an utter pain and were designed for times when thieves would steal the wheels.
I've never heard of a case as an adult, these days I suspect they just pinch the whole car.

But if you lose it, it's a right bugger so try to keep it safe in the glove box/boot.

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