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, buy the replacement in the shop and we fit on collection
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.
Shop or send an enquiry
If you already know the size or the wheel, pay in the shop. If you want us to read it off the car, make an enquiry. We call you back.