RAC launches ‘click and fit’ tyre service

Easy online service offering big brand tyres at low prices with free next-day fitting

Available nationwide with an all-inclusive price and no-fuss online payment

One in four motorists (27.3%) is driving around with at least one illegal tyre according to industry figures* leaving them at risk of a fine and penalty points or a serious accident.

Skimping on replacement tyres is a big safety risk and a false economy which will catch up with you in the end – if the police don’t get you, then the MOT examiner will. The law states it is illegal to run tyres with less than 1.6mm of tread and if caught the driver could face a hefty fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre. So keeping a regular check on your tyres is critical and be prepared to replace them well before they reach that tread depth limit.

With this in mind the RAC has launched a competitively priced online tyre buying and free next-day fitting service featuring a comprehensive range of quality tyres from leading manufacturers such as Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin and Pirelli supplied through a network of 2,500 reliable local tyre fitters.

Drivers needing a new tyre can simply visit RAC Tyres (ractyres.co.uk) and enter their vehicle registration and postcode to search the full range of branded tyres from premium to budget options. Clear product information is provided to help choose the right tyre for their needs together with European tyre performance label rating information highlighting the environmental and safety characteristics specific to each tyre such as impact on fuel economy, stopping distance performance in wet conditions and level of road noise.

Motorists are offered a choice of reputable approved tyre centres and garages local to them for next-day fitting at a convenient time. All prices quoted include VAT, delivery, fitting, balancing and the environmentally friendly disposal of old tyres. Booking is made via one secure online payment.

The RAC advises drivers to check their tyres’ tread and pressures at least once a fortnight to keep them in tip-top condition – this will help to ensure that they perform effectively in the event you need to stop quickly.

With a third (35%) of drivers running tyres which are under-inflated (on average 8psi) below the recommended pressure they will be spending 3-4% more on fuel than if they were at the correct pressure. For every 10% a tyre is under-inflated its ‘rate of wear’ can increase by as much as 10%. This is why maintaining healthy tyres makes sense all-round.

Punctures are one of the most common breakdowns experienced by UK motorists with the RAC alone attending 344,000 call-outs for this issue every year – that’s the equivalent of 940 RAC members suffering punctures every day.

While the RAC’s familiar orange patrols are highly adept at fixing punctures at the side of the road inevitably many of the tyres they have to deal with are beyond repair. After being rescued members will then have to buy one or more new tyres and get them fitted.

Claire Rose of RAC Tyres said: “Good tyres are vital for safe driving as they are a vehicle’s only contact with the road. Poor tyres put lives at risk as they jeopardise grip on the road which affects stopping distances and the ability to control direction.

“Figures from TyreSafe, the industry’s safety charity, show that one quarter of all tyres replaced by garages and fitters have below the minimum tread depth – this is not just a safety concern but can leave in trouble with the law as drivers can face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per illegal tyre.”

“Knowing how important choosing the right tyres is we have developed a straightforward, yet comprehensive online solution to help motorists find the best ones for their car all with a simple next-day booking process.

“Our prices are extremely competitive and we use our buying power to negotiate with the biggest names in tyres to ensure that we always have a great selection for our customers.”

The average car tyre should last for 12,000 to 15,000 miles before it needs replacing, but this is dependent on many factors including the quality of tyre selected, the depth of tread when new; whether it’s maintained at the correct pressure; and how much additional wear it has endured from harsh braking and sharp acceleration. While some tyres will readily do up to 30,000 miles, others will be worn down to the 1.6mm minimum tread limit in just 5,000 to 6,000 miles.

RAC patrol of the year Chris Burgess said: “It is very important to check the tread and pressure of your vehicle’s tyres on a regular basis as both are critical to safe driving: in fact it could quite literally save yours or someone else’s life.

“What’s more, under-inflated tyres can increase your car’s fuel consumption so the best advice is to keep them at the recommended pressures listed in your car’s handbook. Remember, these may be different for the front and rear tyres.”

Tips for healthy tyres from Chris Burgess, the RAC’s patrol of the year