Tread, the RSA, and wet Irish roads
Irish law sets the minimum tread at 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth. That is the NCT number. It is not the number we like on a soaked evening on the ring road. Below about 3 mm, wet braking stretches. We will measure it and show you the gauge.
Uneven wear on one shoulder is usually tracking, not a “bad brand”. Book the alignment or you will buy the same tyre twice. Laser tracking for cars is Grattan Quay; truck tracking is Newrath.
Damage we will not send you out on
Sidewall cuts, bulges, cords showing, a puncture outside the tread repair area, or a tyre that has been run flat around the city. EU-standard puncture repair is a tread-area job only. No sidewall plugs. A slow puncture that has been topped up all week often has a damaged carcass by the time it reaches us.
Age: look for the DOT week/year. More than ten years old and we would rather replace than argue with a cracked liner. If the warning light is on, or the tyre is sitting low, make an enquiry today or call the depot.
- Passenger punctures: Grattan Quay 051 873777
- Truck, trailer and agri: Newrath 051 857666
- If the size is known, send it on an enquiry and we will quote a replacement for fitting
Questions we get at the counter
Can every puncture be repaired?
No. Tread-area injuries within the repairable zone, yes. Sidewall, shoulder, or a hole that is too large: replace. We follow the EU repair standard.
Will you fail me for 2 mm?
NCT looks at 1.6 mm. We will still tell you 2 mm is thin for a wet motorway. That is advice, not a scare.
Send an enquiry
If you want us to read the size off the car, or quote a set, make an enquiry. We call you back. You pay in the workshop, not here.