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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:

GiveMeMyKeys · 30/12/2021 13:31

@DinosApple

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.

ITA with this, if you go to a good local independent you shouldn't need to do anything more than turn up and explain the problem, I've never had to tell my garage anything other than my registration number.

If you think they are patronising you or possibly ripping you off make your excuses and leave. There's nothing wrong with not knowing everything about tyres or cars in general you can always go away and google or ask here if you aren't sure.

Don't feel bad that you don't know about cars , the mechanic at the garage doesnt know how to do your job and you can be sure that he/she doesn't feel bad about that

Original poster

JohnSmithDrive · 30/12/2021 13:53

OK, so I went to a nearby tyre place that was recommended. Spoke to a very pleasant young man and said I wanted a matching tyre. He said they don't make the same pattern anymore but he'll order the new one for tomorrow. £128.

I also spoke to the ford dealer about the kit, £45 to replace the sealant bottle and the used tube! They've ordered that too.

OP posts:

ivykaty44 · 30/12/2021 13:58

get them to check the tyres tread on all four whilst you're there and ask them what tyre pressure you should be putting in - they should know or you can google.

its best to check tyre pressure fortnightly at the petrol station and it keeps fuel consumption down

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Shade17 · 30/12/2021 14:00

Sounds like a result, with only 3k miles on it you should get away with only replacing the one. One thing to note for the future is that when replacing a pair, the new ones should always go on the rear. If the fronts are worn, the rear wheels should be moved to the front and the new ones put on the back. (This excludes cars with staggered width tyres and certain AWD cars)

Original poster

JohnSmithDrive · 30/12/2021 14:06

@DinosApple

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.

Yes, I found the wheel nut key the first place I looked.

Maybe wheels don't get stolen anymore because of locking wheel nuts.....?

OP posts:

Original poster

JohnSmithDrive · 30/12/2021 14:11

A friend has actually offered me the spacesaver wheel he kept from his old (ancient) Focus when it was scrapped. Wheel size seems to be the same (17in), what else do I need to check to see if it will fit?

OP posts:

Player20868 · 30/12/2021 14:18

We just ask the garage to do it, though we do try to keep an eye on the tread to make sure it's not getting too low, and we usually get at least 2 tyres at a time changed. I've only had to get all four replaced at the same time once, thankfully. We normally ring them up a week or so in advance to see if they have slots, and they order them in if necessary. We normally opt for mid-range tyres, but that's because we don't do huge amounts of miles!

I can see a few people have mentioned Kwik-Fit - I've had good and bad experiences with them in different locations, since they're actually a franchise, so it's the luck of the draw.

Our local garage is family-run though, and there are a couple of others nearby that colleagues recommended.

I do understand how you feel - when my dad died, he had done EVERYTHING domestic and to keep the household running, and as there were teenage siblings involved at the time, I had to learn fairly quickly how to do and sort all kinds of things. Still can't change a tyre myself though - that's what I pay the AA for. (Though I can do basic checks to see if I need to get someone to help!)

lifeinlimbo2020 · 30/12/2021 14:37

I'm so sorry. I recently did mine through

www.national.co.uk/tyres

Put your reg in and double check against what's written on your existing tyre. Then you can book a slot online. Cheapest I found too.

takenforgrantednana · 30/12/2021 15:18

@JohnSmithDrive

I also spoke to the ford dealer about the kit, £45 to replace the sealant bottle and the used tube! They've ordered that too.

you have been ripped off! by ford, the sealant doesnt cost that much at all halfords £8.40! and £20 for the whole new compressor

what size was the tyre? you know the numbers on the side of it, what did it say? 175/80/14 or similar to that

liveforsummer · 30/12/2021 15:30

You used to be able to turn up but these days I find you have to book. You could still turn up and do that though. They'll book you in in the office. Alternatively call or most have a website booking service - you can use Halfords, kwik fit etc or google local tyre centres

Kite22 · 30/12/2021 15:54

I last went 2 weeks ago and didn't have to book.

filka · 30/12/2021 16:06

Before you actually replace the tyre, ask the guy to be sure that you actually need to. Although you have used a sealant, it's also possible to repair a small puncture in the main tread area with a tyre plug. It's not possible to repair a puncture in the side of the tyre though

Your tyre workshop can do this, it's not illegal and will last a long time. I'm not in the UK, but had a tyre fixed last time I was there in the summer, and the workshop said they could put up to 2 in a tyre before it had to be replaced. Cost about £5-10.

This will show you the process of this type of repair.

To find out where the puncture is, put some diluted washing up liquid in a squeezy bottle, squirt over the tyre and watch for bubbles. Of course, there may be none if the sealant is holding well. In principle I would plug a tyre in preference to using sealant if you get the chance.

Emmelina · 30/12/2021 16:15

Sorry for your loss.
I go on blackcircle.com, enter my reg and tire sizes then select one that looks good. I try to brand match as the tread stays the same but I’m not sure that really matters.
Then you can have them fitted at home or select a local tyre place who will take delivery of it and fit it for you. You pay blackcircle so really it’s a case of drive in, tell them who you are and they’ll fit it and hand the keys back.

Shade17 · 30/12/2021 17:47

This will show you the process of this type of repair.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCwWPlaghfs
To find out where the puncture is, put some diluted washing up liquid in a squeezy bottle, squirt over the tyre and watch for bubbles. Of course, there may be none if the sealant is holding well. In principle I would plug a tyre in preference to using sealant if you get the chance.

This type of repair is deemed temporary in the UK, but can get you out of the shit in an emergency. A proper internal patch/plug to BS AU 159 is required as a permanent fix.

Chickenwing2 · 30/12/2021 18:04

another recommendation for black circles, they order the tyres and book you into a local garage- it was half the price of what halfords were quoting me.

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