Tyres FAQs
Protyre is a comprehensive network of garages covering the length and breadth of the UK . We have been supplying tyres since 1972 and over this time have established an outstanding reputation, not only for our professionalism and expertise but for our extensive range of tyres.
If you have a question about tyres for your car, van or truck, there is a good chance we'll have answered it before and this FAQ is designed to help you understand your options and select the best tyres for your vehicle, needs and budget.
Yes and no. Yes, the tyres must have the same dimensions and load bearing capacity but you need not fit Pirelli tyres just because that is the brand that is already fitted. It is also recommended that you replace tyres in pairs, ensuring that the tyres on each axle are the same size and type with the same construction.
Your manufacturer's handbook will specify what size tyres your vehicle needs. This information is usually also printed on a sticker attached to the inside of the fuel cap or the driver's door pillar. You can also find out what size tyres you need, using the tyre checker tool on our website.
Sumitomo tyres are designed as a dependable and long-lasting tyre for commuters, offering reliability, safety and comfort at a budget to mid-range price. They are not a premium brand, like Goodyear tyres, and do not try to be. If you value durability and cost effectiveness, they could very well be right for you.
Falken tyres are manufactured by Sumitomo Rubber Industries who also manufacture Sumitomo and Dunlop tyres. The brand was launched in 1983 and to this day continues to offer ultra-high-performance tyres at a mid-range price. Team Falken Motorsports famously won the 2025 Nürburgring 24-hour race in a Porsche 911 GT3 R fitted with Falken tyres.
If you drive a Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Land Rover, Tesla, Volvo, Maserati or Volkswagen, there is a good chance that your vehicle was fitted with Continental tyres as original equipment. To check whether the Continental tyres fitted to your vehicle are original equipment, check for sidewall markings that indicate that the tyre was specifically designed for your vehicle's make and model. For example, a Volvo may be fitted with Continental tyres bearing the mark "VOL".
Your local Protyre garage will have Michelin tyres in stock, or be able to order them in for you if these are your preferred option. Renowned for their exceptional safety standards and durability, Michelin tyres are ideally suited to UK roads, offering superb wet-weather grip, fuel efficiency and low cabin noise. They are available in a wide range of sizes, with options to suit all vehicles, from small hatchbacks to rugged 4x4s. We also stock a wide range of other brands.
Your tyres should be replaced if they are cracked, bulging, perished or the tread depth is below the legal limit. Your tyres are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road. If you are unsure as to whether your tyres are legal and safe, please book a free tyre check at your local Protyre garage.
The cost of your tyres depends on a variety of factors, including the size of the tyre, its load capacity, the brand, seasonality and the performance features that are designed into it. Tyres for electric vehicles are often dearer than those fitted to petrol or diesel cars due to the increased load capacity.
No. Part-worn tyres are a false economy. They may be cheaper than brand new tyres, but it's impossible to determine whether their internal structures are damaged and they will not last as long as new tyres, as they're already used, and not necessarily with proper alignment.