Tyres
TYRES
TYRES SERVICES
Kilmarnock Tyres offers a range of services to maximise the life of your tyres. We stock a large selection to suit most cars and commercial vehicles. Call us today to check stock, find out about any special offers and the features and benefits for your car or van. Alternatively, tell us about the car you drive and we'll find the tyres suitable for your vehicle.
YOUR TYRES
To find out your tyre size, look at the tyres already fitted. All the information you need is on the sidewall of the tyres.
TYRE LABELLING
Tyre labels give comparable information in a standard format so you can make a decision about what type of tyre you buy.
EXPRESS BAY SERVICE
We know how busy life can get, so we offer an Express Service for customers. Book ahead to ensure speedy service.
PUNCTURE REPAIRS
We will inspect and try to carry out a tyre repair before suggesting a new tyre and carry out work to British Standards.
NITROGEN INFLATION
Nitrogen inflation reduces tread wear, fuel costs and the risk of punctures and has a significant effect on a car's performance.
WINTER TYRES
The Kilmarnock Tyres winter tyre range helps motorists stay safe on the road with the right tyres, whatever the weather.
TYRE MANUFACTURERS
We stock a wide range of leading tyre brands to suit every budget, car and commercial vehicle.
NEXEN GUARANTEE
We offer a free puncture guarantee on all Nexen tyres, providing a warranty against fatal punctures for the life of the tyre.
YOUR TYRE SIZE
To find out your tyre size, look at the tyres already fitted. All the information you need is on the sidewall of the tyres.
Checking the Tyre Size
Another way to do this is look in your car's manual or search for the label inside your car's driver's door. This will usually have the tyre information you need printed clearly on it.
The other choice, which is also likely to be the simplest, is to look at what tyres you already have on your vehicle, as their size will be printed on the sidewall.
What the Numbers Mean
If your tyres show 205/55 R12 79 H, for example, this is the type of tyre for your vehicle.
The 205 is width of the tyre in millimetres, while the 55 is the profile of your tyres. The 'R' tells you what kind of tyre you have - in this instance a 'radial' - and the number 16 refers to the wheel rim's diameter in inches.
The 91 is your tyre's load index. This tells you the top weight that they can hold safely. The final letter W is the speed rating. These go up from A to Y, increasing in increments. W has a maximum safe speed of 168mph.
TYRE LABELLING
Tyre labels were introduced to give you comparable information so you can make a decision about what type of tyre to buy. The labels are in a standard format for all makes of tyre, so no matter the manufacturer, you can compare their ratings.
FUEL EFFICIENCY/ ROLLING RESISTANCE
Fuel efficiency is important to reduce both CO2 emissions and the cost of driving. Each tyre can be categorised for its fuel efficiency.
Tyres are rated between A – G; A being the most fuel efficient, G bring the least fuel efficient.
The difference between each category means a reduction or increase in fuel consumption of 3-4%.
Please note: category D is not used.
WET GRIP/BRAKING PERFORMANCE
Wet grip is a critical safety feature, relating to how quickly a tyre can stop on wet roads.
Tyres are rated A – G; A being the shortest braking distances in the wet, G being the longest braking distance in the wet.
The difference in each category can mean an extra one to two car lengths (3-6 metres) on the stopping distance.
Please note: categories D and G are not used.
NOISE EMISSION/ EXTERIOR NOISE
This relates to the external noise made by the tyre and is measured in dB (decibels). There are three ratings for noise as indicated by sound waves on the diagram. The more black waves, the louder the tyre.
EXPRESS BAY
Call us on on 01563 540003 or message us for a callback to book your Express Bay slot to ensure you are serviced at a time that suits you and as quickly as possible.
Fill in your details below and we'll get right back to you.
REPAIR OR REPLACE?
It will always be our intention to repair any tyre wherever possible. Kilmarnock Tyres carry out safe puncture repairs to BSAU159 standards.
A puncture can only be repaired where the following criteria is met:
–The puncture has occurred within the repairable zone (marked yellow).
–The puncture has a diameter or length of no more than 6mm.
– There is no secondary damage including (but not exclusive to): sidewall deterioration caused during under-inflated use, any splits or cuts to the inner liner caused by the puncturing object or bulging to either of the sidewalls (marked red).
– There is not more than one puncture within each quadrant of the tyre. (W, Z and Y speed rated tyres can be repaired to a maximum of three times)
– The entry angle of the puncturing object does not allow for safe and proper seating of the stem and patch
– The tyre is of a suitable condition and age with appropriate tread depth.
Tyre Sealants and Temporary Repair Fluids
Where an emergency repair sealant has been used as a temporary 'get home' option, our ability to repair the tyre can be compromised. Certain products can prevent a proper vulcanised seal from forming during our repair processes. It will always be our intention to repair any tyre wherever possible however.
NEXEN TYRES TAKE THE PODIUM
Kilmarnock Tyres are one of the few stockists of the Nexen range of tyres in Ayrshire which not only comes with our puncture guarantee, but finished in the top three tyres in the Auto Express Tyre Test.
Set against some of the toughest competition - Nexen proved impressive... beating huge names such as Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, and Dunlop. NEXEN’s N’blue HD Plus placed 1st in overall performance tests conducted by the highly-regarded German automobile magazine, ACE Lenkrad. The test results showcase NEXEN’s outstanding products and performance-driven technology, and proving its excellence in overall performance
Kilmarnock Tyres offer a FREE puncture guarantee on all Nexen tyres which provides a warranty against fatal punctures for the life of the tyre.
Please note - malicious damage is not covered.
THE BENEFITS OF NITROGEN INFLATION
Under inflated tyres create drag which increases tread wear, fuel costs and the risk of punctures as well as having a significant effect on a cars performance both in handling and cost. Uniflate produces a stable inflation mixture that has improved pressure retention properties to ensure tyres remain fully inflated for longer.
By having your tyres at the correct pressures you will experience the following benefits:
- Better handling and road holding
- Reduces tread wear and increases tyre life by up to 25%
- Correct inflation pressures reduce puncture risk by up to 33%
- Reduced rolling resistance improves miles per gallon by 2%
- Improved pressure retention
Why do we need Uniflate Nitrogen?
- 86% of vehicles involved in road traffic accidents have incorrect tyre pressures.
- Under-inflation of 20% can cause fuel costs to rise by 5%.
- Compressed air contains water, water vapour and oxygen, which attacks the wheel rims and shortens the useful life of the rubber.
Why do all tyres lose pressure?
Oxygen, water vapour and free water, found in compressed air, are prone to permeation through the tyre structure. This is not from faulty valves or leaky rims but a natural pressure loss across the tyre and into the atmosphere. Water vapour and free water can enter the tyre even if identical tyres are inflated with the same gauge on the same day. Compressed air is not a specified gas and as such will always contain varying amounts of these components that are not suitable for tyre inflation.
The difference between Uniflate and compressed air?
The Uniflate System filters out the 'active oxygen' and water / water vapour. The Uniflate product provides the tyre with a stable inflation mixture that doess not leak out through the tyre's structure.
HOW THE UNIFLATE SYSTEM WORKS
Uniflate is not made but harvested. Everything that is needed to make Uniflate is already in the atmosphere around us. All the Uniflate equipment does is separate out the ideal gases for tyre inflation and releases the ones that aren’t, back into the atmosphere.
The Membrane; Hollow Fibre Membranes, which use proprietary technology and the principles of permeation to provide a guaranteed reliable supply of nitrogen gas.
Compressed air enters the membrane core and passes through the bundles of hollow fibre. The faster gases (water, carbon dioxide, oxygen and argon) permeate through the walls of the fibre and are removed. Nitrogen, being a slow permeating gas, cannot pass through the fibre walls, and continues through the hollow fibre to be collected and supplied by our system for the use of tyre inflation.
All we have done is remove those elements of Compressed air that are undesirable for tyre inflation.
WINTER TYRES
There is a lack of awareness in the UK about winter tyres - perhaps motorists are not aware they exist or they think that the tyre can only be used during times of heavy snow or ice. Drivers will benefit from using winter tyres on slush, ice, frost and even wet roads. In fact any time the temperature dips below +7 degrees centigrade, you’re better off on winter tyres.
The rubber compound of a winter tyre is very different to a summer tyre. It's designed specifically to work in temperatures under +7 degrees centigrade. When the temperature drops, a summer tyres' compounds lose their flexibility, making them less grippy in low temperatures.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WINTER AND A SUMMER TYRE?
The rubber compound of a winter tyre is very different to a summer tyre. It's designed specifically to work in temperatures under +7 degrees centigrade. When the temperature drops, a summer tyres' compounds lose their flexibility, making them less grippy in low temperatures.
WHY FIT WINTER TYRES?
As vehicle design and technology has advanced over the years - tyres have done the same to cope with heavier faster cars with more advanced braking systems. Other parts of the world have extreme winter versus summer conditions, winter tyres have been specially developed over many years and work best in temperatures under 7 degrees Celsius. They look like normal tyres but perform differently.
The UK weather is not normally extreme but, on average, it does have many days that are cold with a surprising number of them with ice and snow. The last two winters have had many people struggling to get out of their road or driveway.
KEEPING YOU SAFE ON THE ROADS
Last winter Kilmarnock tyres helped more customers stay safe on the road with winter tyres than anyone else. This year we have ordered even more and are determined to do all we can to help UK motorists keep moving through the winter - whatever the weather has in store for us.
Winter tyres could be in short supply this year so don't be left out in the cold!
