Tyres for my Volkswagen Van

By Julia Freeman

No matter how big your business, from sole trader right up to multinational corporation, your vans will need to have their tyres replaced from time to time. There are a number of reasons why the choices you make here are of great importance, ranging from safety to efficiency. We will explore some of these below.

Volkswagen Logo

Our years of experience tell us that it is vital to ensure that the tyres you purchase are the correct tyres for your van. Volkswagen vans have been designed to work in an optimum manner with tyres of specific specifications. You can find the information on the sidewall of your current tyre or within the manufacturer's documentation.
 
The key aspects as printed on the sidewall of a tyre are the width, profile, wheel size, and speed rating. Vans work safely within certain tolerances, so purchasing a set of car tyres for example and fitting them to a van is likely to make the vehicle unsafe – especially with a van travelling close to its maximum load.
 
Working with the correct tyres for your van is likely to mean that it will run in an optimised manner, having a positive impact on your fuel efficiency, handling, and many other aspects of the ride.

Budget vs High end tyres

The choice between premium tyres such as Pirelli or Bridgestone and cheaper generic models is key and comes down to far more than just the initial ticket price when purchasing your new tyres.
 
Whilst budget tyres come with an obvious cost benefit at the time of purchase, they are likely to prove less economical over their lifetime. Premium tyres are likely to have a far longer lifespan than their cheaper alternatives due to the more expensive materials used in their production and the extensive quality assurance processes.
 
Similarly, premium tyres are designed to optimise a range of different aspects, with some tyres designed for fuel efficiency, some designed to provide superior handling in the wet, and some engineered for use in icy or other wintry conditions. The efficiency and safety benefits of a premium tyre mean that over the lifetime of the tyre, they could well end up costing far less than budget tyres, which could well have needed to be replaced far sooner, taking your van off the road, albeit briefly, for the change.

Tyre tread and pressure

Ensuring that van tyres have a tread of 1.6mm or more is a legal requirement in the UK. This must be present across the centre 75% of the tyre, around the entire circumference, with financial penalties of up to £2,500 per offending tyre, and 3 penalty points for the driver when caught.
 
Worn tyres increase the stopping distance of a vehicle and also reduce handling capabilities, creating safety hazards as well as reducing fuel efficiency. We recommend a minimum of 3mm to maintain performance.
 
Check the manufacturer's documentation in order to determine what the air pressure in your tyres should be. Incorrectly inflated tyres cause uneven wear and handling issues as well as affecting fuel efficiency.
 
If you are concerned about the condition of the tyres on your Volkswagen, please get in touch with your local Protyre garage and arrange a free tyre check.

We Can Help You Choose The Right Tyre


Tyres are essential for keeping your car safe and performing at its best, but with so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. That's where our informative articles come in – we're here to help you navigate the world of tyres and make the best choice for your specific needs.


Whether you're considering upgrading to Premium car tyres for enhanced driving dynamics, run flat car tyres for added peace of mind, or trying to decide between summer car tyres and winter car tyres, Protyre can help. Our articles have got you covered with a wide range of tyre-related topics to help you make informed decisions.

The brand you choose matters too. We offer recommendations for trusted names such as BF Goodrich tyres, Bridgestone tyres, Continental tyres, Dunlop tyres, Falken tyres, General tyres, Goodyear tyres, GT Radial tyres , Hankook tyres, Michelin tyres, Pirelli tyres, Runway tyres, Sumitomo tyres, and Toyo tyres. But our articles don't just focus on choosing the right tyres – we also offer practical advice for maintaining them. From simple tips like checking your tread depth and keeping your tyres inflated to the proper pressure, to more advanced topics like extending tyre life through regular rotation and balancing - we've got you covered!
Dive in and discover everything you need to know to keep your car running smoothly and safely with Protyre.

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About the author

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By Julia Freeman
Julia is Head of Retail Marketing for Protyre and loves engaging with customers and the business as a whole to make sure Protyre is more than just a local garage.
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