Smart/MCC Tyre fitting made easy

Your tyre size is the string of letters and numbers that runs along the sidewall of the tyres you currently have fitted to your vehicle.

• Width is the first 3 numbers and represents the width of the tyre in millimetres.
• Profile is the next 2 digits, often separated by a slash. The profile of a tyre is the height of the sidewall, as a percentage of the overall width.
• Rim size follows as the next 2 digits, usually following "R" and is the inner diameter of the tyre measured in inches.
• Speed rating is the final letter, and indicates the maximum speed the tyre is approved for.

The most straight forward reason, why new tyres need to be fitted is visible damage. This can be a puncture coming from contact with sharp objects like nails or when you have driven through rubble or debris. Other visible damages to your tyres can be cuts or bulges in the sidewall, which can be the result of sharp contacts with the kerb.

Another important reason, why your car needs new tyres is the depth of the tyre tread. The legal requirement for the tread is to be at least 1.6 mm deep to ensure enough traction on the road. You can measure the depth of the tyre tread by inserting a 20p coin into the grooves of the tyres. If the outer band of the coin is visible, the tyres might be unsafe for the road and should be changed or at least checked by a mechanic.

Tyres are made to last and the guidance manufactures give on the maximum lifetime of your tyres lies around the 10-year mark. If your tyres have reached 5 years of rolling, it is recommended to check them more frequently and thoroughly.

• Regularly check your tyre pressure. Under inflated tyres not only increase the wear and tear but also have an impact on braking and accelerating. Plus, you'll need more diesel or petrol to move your car on not correctly inflated tyres.
• Have your wheel balancing checked. If you experience vibrating at a speed of 40mph and above or see uneven use of your tyre tread, it is likely your wheels need re-balancing.
• Make sure your wheels are aligned. Mounting the kerb or bumping your wheels into objects can damage your tyres and knock your wheels out of alignment. Driving with misaligned wheels leads to fast wear of your tyres and is a danger for you and your fellow road users.
• Avoid potholes and drive carefully on damaged roads. Sharp edges are the nemesis of your tyres, causing cuts and punctures.
• Drive calmly and relaxed. The rubber on your tyres wears down quicker if you perform a lot of emergency brakes or start off fast. Constant speeding up and abrupt braking is contributing to a declining tyre lifetime.
• Empty your car. Your wheels and tyres already have a lot of weight to carry, adding more unnecessary weight, e.g. through a permanently loaded boot leads to faster wear and tear of the rubber between you and the street.

It is typically recommended to change tyres every 20,000 miles or so, but this may vary depending on the type of vehicle you drive and the conditions you drive in. It is also best to get them replaced once the tyre tread depth reaches below 3mm as this can significantly reduce stopping distances.

Yes, many local garages are able to offer collection and delivery for a tyre fitting on your Smart/MCC. With ClickMechanic collection & delivery is free if your vehicle is drivable. Once booked a mechanic will pick up the vehicle on the day and time of your choice, do the work, and return the vehicle at a time convenient to you. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and postcode to get an upfront price for a tyre fitting on your Smart/MCC.

Yes, mobile mechanics can do a tyre fitting at your home or office on your Smart/MCC, provided there is a safe and sufficient space to conduct the repair or replacement. With ClickMechanic, once booked for a date and time of your choice, your booking will be offered to vetted mobile mechanics in your area.