Buy Tyres Online Today - Free Fitting

If you notice that your car is not performing as well in wet weather or takes longer to stop when braking, then your tyres may need replacing. Tyre wear is a gradual process so it can be hard to tell when your tyre needs changing so, if you're not sure whether your car needs new tyres, we recommend looking at the vehicle's tyre tread depth, general condition and pressure, along with monthly car checks.

The tread depth must meet legal requirements and tyres must be inflated according to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Any signs of bumps, bulges or cuts on the tyre itself could cause a blowout when driving and suggest that you need replacements as soon as possible.

If in doubt, come into your local National branch for a free tyre safety inspection or visit our tyre information pages.

Tread depth must be above the legal minimum of 1.6mm throughout a continuous strip in the centre three-quarters of the tread and around the entire tyre circumference. At National, we support the 3mm campaign, which recommends that motorists replace their car tyres when the tread reaches 3mm for utmost safety when driving, especially in the wet at high speeds.

A quick way to check your tread depth is with a 20p coin. Insert the coin into the tread grooves at three separate places on your tyre. If you can see the outer rim of the 20p piece, then this could indicate that your tread is close to or below the legal minimum of 1.6mm and you should visit National to have your tyres checked.

Another way to check tread wear is the Tread Wear Indicators (TWIs) which many manufacturers now include within the tyre grooves. When the TWI is worn down, it indicates that the tread may be nearing the legal limit. If you're in any doubt, ask your local National tyre technician to check for you.

Related: When should I replace my tyres?

Having the correct tyre pressure is very important for many reasons, including:

• Helping your tyres to last longer
• Providing a more smooth, comfortable ride
• Fuel efficiency. Underinflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by 3%, costing UK drivers £600 million every year
• Protecting the environment by reducing carbon-dioxide emissions

Tyres must be correctly inflated according to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations in the vehicle handbook. Over-inflated tyres cause excess wear, shortening tyre life, and can result in an uncomfortable ride; under-inflated tyres result in increased fuel consumption and faster wear of the tread shoulders plus an increased chance of impact damage.

If you're not sure, visit our technicians at your local National branch or get in touch.

Punctures can be repaired providing that they meet British Standard AU159. Upon inspection of the tyre, your National tyre technician will be able to advise you if your tyre falls into this category. Tyres can only be repaired in the central area of the tyre (the part marked 'T') so you'll need to buy new tyres if the sidewalls are damaged as they are not repairable. For V-rated tyres and above, only one repair is allowed. However, before any repair is carried out, the tyre must be fully inspected for any signs of internal damage.

It's best to replace all four tyres at the same time; however, this isn't always necessary if only one tyre is worn or damaged. It can be beneficial to replace two tyres at a time and as a pair, either the front two tyres or the rear two tyres, for optimum handling and grip on each axle. All new tyres at National are balanced when fitted to maximise tyre life, fuel economy, and for a smoother ride.

You can always get in touch with us if you need some advance about tyre replacements.

Tyres are one of the most important components of a vehicle; if your tyres are worn or damaged, it can seriously affect your car's safety and handling. Not only that, if your tyres don't meet legal requirements, you could face a fine of £2,500 per tyre and three penalty points on your licence – so it's important to buy replacements when necessary.

Run Flat tyres are specially designed to allow you to drive for a short distance with a puncture, even when the tyre is completely flat. This is a temporary, emergency measure that allows the driver to get to a safe place to repair or replace the tyre. Run Flat tyres should not be driven above 30mph and for no further than 50 miles.

Manufacturers include markings on the tyre tread to identify it as a Run Flat tyre.

Common Run Flat markings include:

National does not recommend that Run Flat tyres be repaired after running in a deflated condition. The structural integrity of the tyre could be compromised and lead to tyre failure.

If you're looking to buy new tyres for your car, all the choices available might seem daunting at first. Understanding the difference between budget or premium tyres is key to making the process easier and choosing ones that match your vehicle and driving style.

Budget tyres are typically lower-priced and may have better EU tyre label ratings than premium ones, but vehicle manufacturers will not fit budget tyres. Premium brands, on the other hand, have the advantage of going through extensive testing and development to ensure that they provide optimal performances.

For more information on the difference between budget and premium tyres, we've written a helpful guide comparing the two.

Winter tyres are specially designed to perform in wet, icy weather and very low temperatures, as well as snowy conditions. They contain a higher percentage of rubber than standard tyres to ensure that they maintain grip in low temperatures.

Winter tyres could be a valuable asset if you live in a remote location that is hit with severe winter weather or if you do a lot of driving. However, it is important to remember that regular tyre tread, pressure and general condition checks are essential for safety when driving, whatever tyres you have fitted.

The sides of your tyres are marked with a code that identifies your tyre size and understanding these is key to choosing the correct tyres for your vehicle. Here's a simple guide to help you to identify the right tyres for your vehicle:

1 - This is the tyre manufacturer or brand name, e.g. Bridgestone, Pirelli, Michelin etc.

2 - This is your tyre size - you need to take a note of this to make sure you get the correct size of tyre to fit your vehicle.

• 215 is the width in millimetres of the tyre's cross-section.
• 55 is the 'aspect ratio' – the ratio of the sidewall height to the tyre's cross-section width.
• R stands for radial-ply construction (nearly all tyres are of radial-ply construction).
• 17 stands for the diameter (in inches) of the wheel that the tyre is designed to fit.

3 - 96 is the load index which corresponds to the maximum load a tyre can carry at full speed (indicated by its speed rating – below). To find out your load index, locate the number on the sidewall of your tyres and refer to the load index table on our information page.

4 - W is the speed rating which indicates the maximum speed for the tyre when the vehicle is at full load. Generally, maximum tyre speed is rated in alphabetical order. However, W and Y rated tyres are a special case as they can operate at higher maximum speeds than older Z rated tyres. It is therefore safe to replace your current Z rated tyres with W or Y rated tyres.

To find out your speed rating, locate the letter on the sidewall of your tyres and refer to the speed index table on our tyre sidewall pages.

Each tyre carries a DOT code comprising 11 or 12 letters and numbers. The last four digits identify the age of the tyre. For example, '0102' shows that the tyre was manufactured in the first week of 2002.

The date of manufacture is important because, as tyres get older, they deteriorate – even if they have been hardly used. For example, vintage cars or caravans which are stored for long periods and not driven regularly can still be expected to deteriorate. When this happens, the tyres need to be replaced. If you are unsure, ask for your free tyre check at National today.

Fitment codes are stamped on the tyre to help to identify any special features making it better suited for certain driving styles or vehicles. For example, an 'MS' stamp means that the tyre is suitable for muddy and snowy conditions.

See the list below for common fitment codes and an explanation of what they mean:

Upsizing your tyres is one of the simplest ways to upgrade the performance of your vehicle and improve the aesthetics.

While the manufacturer selects the correct tyre for your vehicle, the decision can be a compromise between performance, noise and comfort. Therefore, upsizing your tyres can provide the following benefits:

• Improved response to direction changes
• Greater ground contact for a smoother ride
• Improved traction
• Better control and handling
• A sleeker, more modern appearance