A motoring expert is warning drivers not to make a little-known tyre mistake which could land them with a fine.
Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, has warned you shouldn't go with the cheapest option available when it comes to replacing tyres, particularly if you have a puncture. He said: "There are big differences between the types of tyres available - beyond just the brand - and mixing and matching them can be dangerous and illegal."
He added: "To a lot of people, all tyres look similar, and you might assume they all perform in the same way so long as you choose the correct size. But mixing and matching - where you have different sorts of tyres on the same axle - is an offence that could see you getting into trouble with the law."
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While it might be tempting to simply choose the most affordable tyre you can, particularly if you’re ordering online and then have it fitted at a garage, you could be making a costly mistake. In the eyes of the law, tyres must be of a consistent type on the axle, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Mr Conway said: "So, tyres on the front axle must match, and tyres on the rear must match. You can, however, have different types of tyres on the front axle compared with the rear axle.
"And there are two major things you need to know about what constitutes a ‘matching’ pair of tyres. The tyres must have the same ‘construction’ - most commonly being either ‘radial-ply’ or ‘cross-ply’. The ‘ply’ refers to the layers of construction that sit underneath the surface rubber, and which gives the tyre its strength.
"It’s also recommended that tyres should have the same tyre tread pattern and tread depth - and the tread pattern and depth can vary widely between different manufacturers. Mixing and matching the type of tyre on the same axle means you’re left with inconsistent performance, potentially poor handling, and you’re also more likely to experience a catastrophic blow-out because of the stresses you’re placing on the system.
"You’re also more likely to skid, due to poor water displacement, and having really mismatched tyres will cause damage to wheel bearings and your clutch, as well as having a negative effect on fuel economy."
According to Government guidance, the minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. You can be fined up to £2,500, per wheel, for having bald tyres. Tyres must also be inflated correctly, must not have any lumps or bulges, and the ply or cord underneath the rubber must not be exposed.
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