Interesting Tyre Questions From Customers: Answered!

Tyres in the shop

With Minty’s being one of the leading retailers of car tyres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban, we have had some pretty interesting questions from our customers over the years.

Given our extensive expertise when it comes to car tyres, we thought we would share some of the most interesting and surprising questions we’ve heard about our car tyres on sale.

Can I Plug A Tyre Sidewall?

Plugging a tyre is a sure way to fix a minor puncture on the tread, but you cannot plug the sidewalls, since these flex and carry structural load. In short, a plug on the sidewall won’t hold and can therefore pose a major safety hazard.

Can I Put Two New Tyres On The Front Instead Of The Back?

Technically, you can put new tyres wherever you like. However, it’s strongly recommended for new tyres to go on the back of the car, as it will provide better grip during emergency handling and on wet roads.

Can Tyres Expire If They’re Not Used?

Yes, tyres can expire if they are old enough. Unused tyres do degrade over time due to rubber oxidisation. The general rule of thumb is that tyres should not be left unused for more than six years.

Why Do My Tyres Lose Air In Winter?

Your tyres lose air in winter owing to basic science. When cold air contracts, it reduces air pressure. Therefore, for every 5°C drop, you will lose about 7 kPa on average.

Can I Use Tyre Shine On The Tread?

If you’re cleaning your car and want to make your wheels look shiny and new, avoid putting the tyre shine on the tread. Firstly, it’s unnecessary, as it’ll just get dirty again within minutes, but it also makes the tread slippery, which is the last thing you want while driving.

Will Bigger Tyres Make My Car Faster?

No. In short, bigger tyres will not make any difference to your car’s speed. They might look a little sportier, but unless you’re tuning the car as well, adding bigger tyres will likely just add weight to the vehicle.

Is It True That I Can Run My Tyres Until The Tread Shows?

You should absolutely not run your tyres until the tread shows. Not only is it dangerous, but it’s also illegal and could result in a blowout, which could cause an accident. You should replace your tyres well before they hit the legal limit for tire tread depth, which is 1 mm.

For the best car tyres prices, come to Minty’s. We have a wide range of car tyres on sale. Get an online quote now to take advantage of our great deals on car tyres in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban.