tyres

Good tyres are not cheap. And the days of getting a good set for a couple of hundred quid are in the past. With this type of investment, you need to know how to extend the life of them. Next time you buy, the tyre shop will probably tell you how long the tyres should last, but you might not experience that mileage figure unless you take some steps.

It goes without saying that tyres are critical to road safety, directly affecting each vehicle’s handling performance and efficiency. Choosing the right tyre will impact driving comfort, the car’s fuel efficiency and how fast it's able to go on the roads. However, with all the different brands, sizes, prices and compositions on the market, selecting tyres can often be a source of frustration and confusion.

Having looked at how we got from the invention of the wheel to the kinds of tyres we know today, our series on the history of tyre technology concludes with an overview of the kinds of technologies currently available.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has decided to go ahead with legislation banning the fitment of tyres over 10 years of age to the front wheels of lorries, buses and coaches. The ban also extends to all wheels of minibuses unless they have a ‘twin axle’, which means they would have two wheels on each side at the rear. To assist in enforcement, the age limit will be included in the MoT test of the commercial vehicles while the DVSA will now include a tyre age check as part of its routine roadside activities.

Interest in classic cars has boomed over the past decade and with it demand for authentic-looking tyres. Yokohama is increasing its activities here and presented several ranges at Autosport International. Rally legend Paddy Hopkirk even stopped by to lend a hand.

Real Madrid CF has extended its sponsorship agreement with Hankook Tire until the end of the 2022/23 season. This continued collaboration between Spanish La Liga football club and tyre maker was sealed during a ceremony at Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, and Sang Hoon Lee, Hankook Tire’s president in Europe, signed the deal.

Over the years football has become an important part of tyre marketing. For example, Falken is partnering with 18 clubs in Germany, England, France, Italy, Poland, Spain and - for the first time – Belgium for the 2019-2020 season.

Today Mini celebrates the iconic marque's 60th anniversary. We wanted to join in with the celebrations by sharing a few fun facts about how the Mini's tyres have evolved over the last 60 years. In short, it’s not just the car that's grown.