FAQs

The correct tyre size for your vehicle can be found on the sidewall of your current tyres or in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. The tyre size is represented by a combination of numbers and letters, such as 205/55 R16, where ‘205’ is the tyre width in millimetres, ’55’ is the aspect ratio, ‘R’ indicates radial construction, and ’16’ is the wheel diameter in inches. It’s important to match this size when purchasing new tyres to ensure proper fit and performance.

The load index, represented by a number in your tyre size (e.g., ’91’ in 205/55 R16 91V), indicates the maximum weight that each tyre can support when fully inflated. It is crucial to choose tyres with a load index that meets or exceeds the requirement for your vehicle. Using tyres with a lower load index than recommended can lead to tyre failure, especially under heavy loads, and may pose safety risks.

The aspect ratio, represented by the second number in your tyre size (e.g., ’55’ in 205/55 R16), indicates the height of the tyre’s sidewall as a percentage of its width. This ratio affects the tyre’s handling, ride comfort, and overall performance. A lower aspect ratio generally means better handling and a sportier feel, while a higher aspect ratio can offer a smoother ride. Choosing the correct aspect ratio is essential for maintaining your vehicle’s handling characteristics and comfort.

Yes, Vredestein Ultrac tyres are available at Elite Garages. We stock a wide range of sizes to fit various vehicles, ensuring you get the right tyre for your needs. Our expert team is on hand to help you select and fit the Vredestein Ultrac tyres, providing you with top-quality service and ensuring your vehicle is equipped with tyres that offer superior performance, safety, and comfort.

Yes, Vredestein Ultrac tyres are known for their improved rolling resistance, which contributes to better fuel efficiency. Despite their strong wet-weather performance, which typically demands more from a tyre, the Ultrac manages to balance this with fuel savings, making them an economical choice for drivers who want to reduce fuel consumption without compromising on safety or comfort.

Vredestein Ultrac tyres excelled in the Auto Express Tyre Test 2024 due to their outstanding wet-weather performance, impressive fuel efficiency, and superior ride comfort. They came close to the top in wet braking and cornering tests, which are critical for safety, particularly in the UK’s rainy conditions. These qualities, combined with their quiet and refined ride, helped them secure the top spot in the test.

Rain itself doesn’t cause tyres to wear out faster. However, wet roads can highlight the reduced grip of worn tyres, leading to potential issues like aquaplaning. It’s essential to have good tread depth in rainy conditions to dispel water efficiently and maintain grip.

Yes, they do. Cold winter temperatures cause the air inside tyres to contract, leading to a drop in tyre pressure. This is why it’s especially important to regularly check your tyre pressure during the colder months to ensure safe driving conditions.

Absolutely. Weather conditions, from temperature fluctuations to precipitation, can influence tyre performance, wear rate, and overall safety. For instance, hot weather can cause tyres to overheat and expand, while cold conditions can make rubber compounds more rigid, affecting grip.

A general guideline is that for every 10°C change in ambient temperature, tyre pressure increases by 0.1 bar, even when the vehicle is not in use. Although this may seem insignificant, it’s important to consider that passenger vehicle tyres typically have only 30-35 PSI. A slight increase in air pressure can have a significant impact on the tyre, potentially leading to a blowout. Furthermore, over-inflation can affect braking performance and cause premature wear and tear.

It is highly recommended that front and rear tyres match in terms of type, size and tread pattern. If you only need to replace one tyre, it should be fitted on the rear axle regardless of whether your vehicle is front or rear wheel drive. Additionally, you should never mix tread patterns on the same axle as this can lead to poor handling performance.

Ultimately, this will depend on the type of car you have and your driving style. While expensive tyres (premium tyres) may cost more upfront, they usually last longer with better performance levels compared to budget tyres or mid-range tyres, providing better value for money in the long run.

Mixing tyre brands on a car is not recommended as it can affect the overall performance of your vehicle. If you need to replace more than one tyre, we recommend fitting all four so that they’re from the same brand and have consistent tread patterns.

The main difference between budget and expensive tyres is quality. Budget tyres are often made with lower-grade materials that wear out more quickly, reducing performance, safety and comfort when driving. Additionally, they may not provide the same level of grip in wet or icy conditions compared to more expensive tyres.

There is no simple answer as it depends on your vehicle, how often you drive and the distance you travel. UK drivers tend to choose summer tyres due to the usually mild winters but all-season tyres are just as good for Britain’s unpredictable climate. In case an unexpected cold snap catches drivers off guard, these versatile tyres will provide superior performance compared to summer tyres. Ask our tyre experts for their recommendations by contacting your nearest Elite Garages branch.

Rapid tyres are manufactured by the Shengtai Group in China and distributes to tyre wholesalers and outlets across the world. They provide good all-round performance without the hefty price tag, granting customers full assurance of product quality thanks to its factories’ international certified credentials.

Rapid tyres are considered budget tyres, as they are designed to offer a cost-effective solution for drivers that do not need the top of the line performance offered by premium brands. That said, they are of higher quality and rated as premium economy.

While the minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.6 mm, many experts recommend replacing your tyres when the tread depth reaches 3mm and no less than 2mm. This can help to maintain better grip, stability and braking performance in all weather conditions.