First Stop Tyre Experts FAQ

These relate to the tyre’s type, construction and origin. The key information can be seen in a large group of numbers and letters. For example, 195/65 R 16 91H means:

195  = The width of the tread in mm.
65  = The aspect ratio. Indicating that the sidewall height is 70% of the tread width
R  = Denotes that the tyre is a radial
16  =  The rim diameter in inches
91  =  The load-bearing index
H  = The speed index

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It is essential that you fit tyres that are the correct size and type. Although the exact type depends on your car and the way you drive. But while there are many value tyres on the market, we would generally recommend a reputable brand, such as Bridgestone, which uses the latest technology to offer maximum safety, comfort and handling. Not to mention higher wear resistance for a lower cost per km/mile.

Bridgestone makes tyres for everything from cars and motorbikes to heavy trucks and earth-movers. It also manufactures special competition tyres for karts, racing cars and some racing bikes. They are also sole tyre supplier to the Formula 1, MotoGP and GP2 championships.

In Europe, regular road tyres are sold mainly under the Bridgestone and Firestone brands. To find out more about a particular range, visit our websites.

www.Bridgestone.eu 
www.Firestone.eu

This process involves specially-formulated materials and internal construction that varies according to the intended use. At Bridgestone, each step is designed to ensure every tyre is made with the same renowned attention to quality.

Mixing the materials
Various grades of natural and synthetic rubber are mixed with carbon black, sulphur and chemical products to meet specific requirements. This master batch is then formed into rubber sheets.

Extruding the tread
The rubber is re-heated and fed through extruders, where the tread and sidewalls are formed from two different rubber compounds. The extruders produce a continuous sheet, which is cut to specific tyre lengths.

Weaving the plies
Spinning cords such as rayon, nylon, steel and polyester are woven into sheets and coated with rubber (called calendaring). The sheets are cut into specific sizes and used for casing and cap plies, while steel cords are used for the belts.

Preparing the bead core
The bead core is formed by aligning, and then coating, plated steel wires with rubber. It’s then wound on a coil to form bead rings, which provide a specific diameter and strength for a particular tyre.

Building process
The inner liner, body plies and sidewalls are placed on the building drum. The bead rings are positioned, the ply edges are wrapped around the bead core and the sidewalls are moved into position. The tyre is shaped by inflating the rubber and applying sidetread rubber, two steel belts and a cap ply to make a "green" tyre.

Vulcanisation
The tyre is placed in a curing press for between 10 and 15 minutes at a specific pressure and temperature. This creates the tyre’s final size, shape and tread.

Trimming
Excess rubber is removed and the tyre is trimmed to order.

Final inspection
Each tyre is visually and electronically inspected for balance, quality and uniformity.

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Every tyre will reach the end of its life after 8 to 10 years. You should also only use spare tyres that are more than 6 years old in an extreme emergency. If you have a vehicle that isn’t in continuous use (such as a caravan or sports car), the tyres should be replaced every 5 to 7 years and covered up if the vehicle is parked for a long period of time.

You can find more information in our downloadable PDF.

The correct tyre pressure for your car should be included in the owner's handbook. But we’d advise you to increase the pressure (in-line with the manufacturer's recommendations) when carrying heavier-than-usual loads.

To be as accurate as possible, you should check the pressure when tyres are cold. And don’t forget the spare tyre, which should be maintained at the higher of the recommended front/rear pressures (you can always release a little air when the spare is fitted).

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Pressures should be checked every two weeks, or before embarking on a long journey.

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European laws demand that the tread grooves retain a certain minimum depth, when measured at any Tread Wear Indicator (TWI). For summer tyres, the figure is 1.6 mm, while for winter models it is 4 mm.

However, it may be a good idea to change a tyre earlier if there is a noticeable loss of grip or deterioration in handling. And if you drive regularly at high speeds, under extreme weather conditions or over hazardous terrain.

Tyres should be checked regularly, and replaced if you discover cuts or deformations indicating a weakness in the internal structure. If in doubt, consult your First Stop dealer.

Even if not physically damaged, the age of a tyre can affect its performance. Oils in the rubber dry out over a period of time, making it less flexible – which means that grip is reduced and braking distances are increased.

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A range of complementary technologies fine-tune the performance of any tyre. These are balanced to offer the best possible combination of safety, comfort and durability for each type of vehicle, according to the conditions under which it will be driven.

Bridgestone is the first to incorporate the latest high-tech developments. Often using experience gained from years spent in Formula 1. Firestone products also offer an outstanding value-for-money/technology mix that places them ahead of many other tyres in their price range.

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