• Registered users are encouraged to enable MFA/2FA to add an aditional layer of security to their account. More information can be found here: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/top-tips-for-staying-secure-online/activate-2-step-verification-on-your-email

Wheel & Tyre Care/Advice.

Messages
42,953
Wheel Advice:

Taking care of your wheels
Cleaning your wheels regularly is very important, dirt and brake dust deposits can discolour the wheel surface resulting in you having to have the wheels refurbished.

A few helpful hints to help keep your wheels in top condition:

• Do not use household or other detergents to clean your wheels always observe manufacturers recommendations.
• Rinse off any cleaning solutions before moving onto the next wheel.
• Clean with a soft, un-abrasive cloth.
• Do not use steam cleaners this can lead to surface peeling.
• Do not use aluminium wheel polish on chrome, painted, or clear coated wheels.
• Do not use tire cleaners.
• Rinse off any cleaning solutions before moving onto the next wheel.
• Clean wheels only when they are cold.
• Waxing your wheels can help protect the surface and help make future cleaning easier.
• Wheel Bolt Patterns
• Wheels are available with varying bolt patterns, and some have more than one bolt pattern allowing them to be fitted to a wider range of vehicles.


Bolt patterns explained

• 4 x 100

The number 4 refers to the number of holes in the wheel.
The number 100 refers to the diameter of the circle of boltholes measured in either millimetres or inches.
Wheels with 4 or 6 boltholes are measured from the centre of one bolthole to the centre of the bolthole directly opposite.
Wheels with 5 boltholes require special tools for accurate measurement.


Wheel Offset
The wheel offset refers to the distance between the mounting surface and the centre of the wheel rim.
Positive offset means the wheel is positioned in front of the centre of the wheel rim this tucks the tire into the wing.
Negative offset means the wheel is positioned behind the centre of the wheel rim this causes the tire to protrude out past the wing.


Up-Sizing your wheels
This means your are increasing the size of your wheels and lowering the profile of your tyres for increased performance and style, here's the rule of thumb for Up-sizing, follow these simple rules for unchanged speedometer readings and fuel economy:

To increase wheel size by 1 inch
Increase the tyre section width by 10mm
Decrease the tyre aspect ratio by 10 points
Increase the wheel rim diameter by 1 inch

Plus 2:
Increase the tyre section width by 20mm
Decrease the tyre aspect ratio by 20 points
Increase the wheel rim diameter by 2 inches



Wheel Centerbore
The wheel centerbore is the hole in the centre of the wheel that fits over the hub.
Most wheels are manufactured with a large centerbore allowing them to be fitted to a wider range of vehicles.
If the centerbore is larger than the hub we recommend you use a hub ring.
Hub rings fit between the wheel and the hub centering the wheel so there is no run out when the wheel is fitted.



Tightening Wheel Bolts
Always use a torque wrench when tightening wheel bolts check your car manual for the correct settings.
When fitting new wheels re-torque the wheel bolts after about 60 to 90 miles.



Alloy Wheels
Fitting alloy wheels will improve the looks of your vehicle and increase the performance, not only will they last longer than steel wheels they can also extend your tyre life.
Because alloy wheels weigh less than steel wheels steering response and handling will be greatly improved they can also improve acceleration and braking.



Wheel Construction
Wheels are manufactured in various ways most alloys are made in one, two or three pieces.
A one-piece wheel is made in a single mould.
Two-piece wheels are made in two separate moulds and then the two pieces are welded/bolted together.
Three-piece wheels are made in three separate moulds and then the three pieces are fixed together using very high quality bolts.


Tyre Advice:

Air Pressure
•Tyres can be easily damaged if the correct air pressure is not maintained they lose pressure over time which causes irregular tread wear and shortens tyre life.
•Fuel consumption and steering control can also be affected if the tyres are under-inflated or over-inflated.
•The easiest way to check tyre inflation is to inspect them regularly.
If the tyres squeal when you go around corners at normal speeds you may have low pressure in one or more of your tyres.
•Remember to check your spare tyre regularly.
Always check and adjust tyre pressures only when the tyres are cold.
•Tyre pressures for your vehicle can be found in the manufacturers manual or try looking for a plate around the driver or passenger door aperture.


Tread Wear Indicator
As the tyres wear there performance and grip decreases you can check the tread depth on the tyre by looking at the tyre bars which are small raised rubber notches that run across the tread design and become visible when tyres are worn.

The minimum tread depth for tyres is 1.6mm if the tread depth is level with the wear bar this is a good indication that your tyre needs replacing. Do not wait for the tyres to reach the wear bars if the vehicle begins to feel unsafe.

Rotating your tyres
It is advisable to rotate your tyres at least every 8000 miles as varying loads and different driving styles will in most cases wear down one tyre quicker than the others, you can check your car manual for advice on tyre rotation or take a look at our simple diagrams for guidance always consult a professional if you are still unsure:




Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment is crucial if your wheels are misaligned on either the front or rear this will permanently damage your tyres it causes them to wear unevenly it can also lead to suspension damage and poor handling.

If your wheels are misaligned you may feel the car pull to one side when you relax your grip on the steering wheel, you may also notice tread wear irregularities.

It is recommended that you have all four wheels aligned, however as some vehicles do not have any adjustment on the rear wheels this will not always be possible for best results always consult a professional.

Have your wheel alignment checked regularly, especially if your vehicle has come into contact with a kerb or other obstacle.

Tyre Speed Ratings
Speed ratings are an indication of the maximum safe speed for the tyre, the maximum safe speed of the tyre should not be exceeded under any circumstances.

Please use the following guide to determine the speed rating required for your vehicle:


L M N P Q R S T H V Z
74mph 81mph 87mph 93mph 99mph 106mph 112mph 118mph 130mph 149mph 149mph+


Tyre Load Ratings
Load ratings are an indication of the maximum weight the tyre is capable of supporting the maximum load should not be exceeded under any circumstances.

The list below contains typical load indexes for passenger car tyres:
70 - 739lbs or 335kgs
71 - 761lbs or 345kgs
72 - 783lbs or 355kgs
73 - 805lbs or 365kgs
74 - 827lbs or 375kgs
75 - 853lbs or 387kgs
76 - 882lbs or 400kgs
77 - 908lbs or 412kgs
78 - 937lbs or 425kgs
79 - 964lbs or 437kgs
80 - 990lbs or 450kgs
81 - 1018lbs or 462kgs
82 - 1047lbs or 475kgs
83 - 1074lbs or 487kgs
84 - 1102lbs or 500kgs
85 - 1135lbs or 515kgs
86 - 1168lbs or 530kgs
87 - 1201lbs or 545kgs 88 - 1234lbs or 560kgs
89 - 1278lbs or 580kgs
90 - 1323lbs or 600kgs
91 - 1356lbs or 615kgs
92 - 1389lbs or 630kgs
93 - 1433lbs or 650kgs
94 - 1477lbs or 670kgs
95 - 1521lbs or 690kgs
96 - 1565lbs or 710kgs
97 - 1609lbs or 730kgs
98 - 1653lbs or 750kgs
99 - 1708lbs or 775kgs
100 - 1764lbs or 800kgs
101 - 1819lbs or 825kgs
102 - 1874lbs or 850kgs
103 - 1929lbs or 875kgs
104 - 1984lbs or 900kgs
105 - 2039lbs or 925kgs



Puncture Repairs
Punctures regardless of their severity should be repaired immediately to avoid the risk of accident and injury, it is advised that these repairs are carried out by a qualified technician.
Any repair using a patch or plug must be applied to both the outer tyre and the inner tyre the reason for this is that the rubber on the inside of the tyre is a different compound to the rubber on the outside of the tyre. The tyre will have to be removed from the wheel rim for these repairs to be carried out.
Repairs to the tyre wall should not be attempted under any circumstances.


Tyre Sizing

Passenger tyre sizes are typically displayed as:

215/35R18 89WR

215 is the width of a tyre measured in millimetres from sidewall to sidewall.

35 is the aspect ratio of the tyre and is measured using the following method: Divide the tyre section height by the tyre section width and multiply it by 100.

R means the tyre has a radial construction.

B means the tyre has a belted construction.

D means the tyre has a diagonal construction.

18 is the diameter of the wheel in inches.

89 is the tyre load index.

WR is the speed rating.



Mixing Tyres
As a rule you should try not to mix tyre sizes/brands/ratings unless your vehicle has different sized tyres as standard from front to rear, never under any circumstances use different sized tyres or mix cross-ply and radial tyres on the same axle.


Identifying noises/vibrations
Listed below are a few possible causes of noise/vibration:

1/ The tyre may not be seated correctly on the wheel rim.
If a vibration is felt through the steering wheel at around 50-70 mph the front wheels may require balancing.

2/ If a vibration is felt through the seat at around 50-70 mph the rear wheels may require balancing.

3/ The tyres may have irregularities in the wear pattern.

4/ It is possible that the wheel may be damaged.

5/ It is possible that the tyre has a defect.



When do you need to replace the tyres?
Most standard tyres will last around 40.000 miles, however this will vary depending on your driving style and the conditions in which the tyres are used.


Penalties
If caught you will be liable for prosecution if any tyre on your vehicle has a defect or is below the minimum tread depth of 1.6mm.

The penalty for this offence is a fine (maximum £2,500) and 3 penalty points on your license you may also face disqualification from driving. Each tyre on your vehicle is treated as a separate offence.
 
I wonder if someone could be so kind as to confirm what load index I should be using on my ep3?

I currently have parada spec 2 205 /45/17/ 88W on, but I am going to change for 215/40.

Just want to be sure before I click buy as 83's always seem to be substantially cheaper but probably not suitable for my car.
 
Back
Top