Tyre Buying Questions
Tyre buying questions.
A straight-up guide to checking, choosing and replacing tyres in New Zealand. Then you can shop the live Hyper Drive range with the right information in hand.
Shop Tyres →The right tyre starts with your actual vehicle.
Check the sidewall and vehicle placard before you buy. Size is only part of the story: load index, speed rating and the final live product details matter too.
Four simple checks.
These basics take only a few minutes and make it easier to shop with confidence. If something looks wrong, do not wait for the next warrant check.
Tread
NZTA says the legal minimum is 1.5mm. Find the tread-wear indicators in the main grooves and check around the tyre, not just one spot.
Damage
Bulges, cuts, cracks or exposed cords are not a wait-and-see job. Have a tyre expert check them straight away.
Pressure
Use the pressure on the driver-door label or in the handbook. Check it when the tyres are cold, including the spare where fitted.
Full specification
Confirm the size, load index and speed rating on the placard or actual tyre before comparing the live range.
What matters when you choose.
There is no one best tyre for every vehicle or every road. Start with the vehicle requirements, then think about the driving you actually do.
Do not run them to the limit.
If tread is getting low, wear is uneven or damage is visible, start looking now. More tread helps with grip, especially in wet conditions.
Buy for your real road.
Think about your usual driving: town, motorway, gravel, towing, long trips or a mix. Then compare the right size and full tyre specification.
Keep the handling balanced.
Replacing four is best where possible. If you replace fewer, fit at least a pair on the same axle and ask the fitter about the best placement for your vehicle.
Check before you change.
A different tyre or wheel size can affect clearance, handling and speedometer accuracy. Talk to a tyre specialist before moving away from the vehicle’s original specification.
Tyre questions answered.
Short answers for the jobs that come up most often. For the exact replacement tyre, always use the vehicle placard, handbook and final product details together.
How do I check tyre tread depth?
Look in the wide, main grooves for the moulded tread-wear indicators. If the tread is level with an indicator, it is at the minimum depth. A simple tread-depth gauge is another useful check.
What is the legal tyre tread depth in NZ?
The legal minimum is 1.5mm in the principal grooves around the whole circumference of the tyre. NZTA says more tread gives you more grip, so do not treat the legal minimum as a target.
Can a puncture be repaired?
It depends on the tyre and where the damage is. A string repair kit or sealant is only a temporary way to get to a repair service. Let a qualified repairer assess the tyre.
How often should I check tyre pressure?
Tyres naturally lose pressure over time, so NZTA recommends checking them every month or so. Check when cold and use the pressure shown on the vehicle label or in the handbook.
Where do I find my correct tyre size?
Check the tyre sidewall and the vehicle placard, usually inside the driver’s door. The placard or handbook is also where you can confirm the required load index and speed rating.
How should I store spare or seasonal tyres?
Keep them clean, dry and out of direct sunlight in a cool place. If you are storing a wheel-and-tyre set for a long period, ask a tyre specialist if you are unsure about the best storage position.
What happens to my old tyres?
Tyrewise says you can leave end-of-life tyres with a registered fitter when you buy replacements, with no disposal charge. You can also take up to five tyres to a registered public collection site without charge.
Keep the official advice handy.
For current road-safety guidance, use NZTA’s tyre information. For end-of-life tyre collection and registered locations, head to Tyrewise.
Start with the confirmed size.
Browse the live tyre range after you have checked the sidewall or placard. Product availability and fitting options are confirmed through the normal shopping journey.
Tyres fitted where you are.
Once you have chosen the right tyres, check whether a mobile-fitting appointment works for your Auckland location and order. Availability is confirmed through the booking journey.
See Mobile Fitting Details →