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adamj29

Stretched tyres - Legality

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15 minutes ago, adamj29 said:

That is an insane fitment!! I think I had 225s on my 9.5J on my old set up, and I had no problems, and wasn't pulled over. So I agree, either I was unlucky or they are now clamping down on it. Rather fustrating as I've just spent a lot of time and money getting these wheels and tyre setup to fit with the arches. I'm not in the position to change the wheels, so I will need to have a good think on how I can get around this. :mellow:

The obvious answer is: ignore it.

It may have just been a one off and you may never get pulled again. If you do get pulled again and they try to fine you, ask them to produce the evidence behind their decision, and where exactly it states that it is illegal to run stretched tyres.

Make sure you read up on the law first. If they have no grounds for punishment, then they can't just fine you because THEY think it's illegal, the law is black and white, and if there's nothing that clearly states your infringement is illegal, then they have no grounds on which to fine you.

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it might be worth having a backup solution ready, maybe not spend money to be ready but have an idea ready to pull the trigger as I think it's something that they are starting to clamp down on it as a little while back someone in my town was pulled for stretched tyres after just buying a car like it

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19 minutes ago, S18 RSG said:

The obvious answer is: ignore it.

It may have just been a one off and you may never get pulled again. If you do get pulled again and they try to fine you, ask them to produce the evidence behind their decision, and where exactly it states that it is illegal to run stretched tyres.

Make sure you read up on the law first. If they have no grounds for punishment, then they can't just fine you because THEY think it's illegal, the law is black and white, and if there's nothing that clearly states your infringement is illegal, then they have no grounds on which to fine you.

I'll have a read up on it. I've spoken to my MOT guy and he is going to get back to me after confirming the legislation. Exactly right, the can't fine you because in their opinion they think its illegal. Without spending a ridiculous amount of money I can't really correct this issue easily. So for now I'll see how it pans out and like you said, if they try and fine me or give me points etc, I will ask for evidence.

I struggle to understand how they can "Clamp down" on something which hasn't been given exact rules / guidelines. 

Ohh and he really wound me up when he said "Why have you done this to your car, its just silly and stupid.....just stupid" Referring to my over all mods. No need to give his critical opinion on the way I've modified my car. I've modified it all to be safe and road legal (apart from this issue with the tyres now), Anyway rant over.

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6 minutes ago, adamj29 said:

I'll have a read up on it. I've spoken to my MOT guy and he is going to get back to me after confirming the legislation. Exactly right, the can't fine you because in their opinion they think its illegal. Without spending a ridiculous amount of money I can't really correct this issue easily. So for now I'll see how it pans out and like you said, if they try and fine me or give me points etc, I will ask for evidence.

I struggle to understand how they can "Clamp down" on something which hasn't been given exact rules / guidelines. 

Ohh and he really wound me up when he said "Why have you done this to your car, its just silly and stupid.....just stupid" Referring to my over all mods. No need to give his critical opinion on the way I've modified my car. I've modified it all to be safe and road legal (apart from this issue with the tyres now), Anyway rant over.

My guess is that, if they are clamping down on it, they've been told to "use their discretion" for the time being, until more concrete rules are in place. If that is the case, they can't fine you. The only time they'll have a case is if they change the law, and there are strict size guides as to what are the smallest and largest tyres for each width of wheel, but that could be years away if it even happens.

He certainly shouldn't give you his opinion like that, in fact, you could potentially complain about it if you wanted to. You were pulled over for no reason (if it turns out there is no law against it), and insulted. If you insulted a police officer, I'm sure they'd have something to say about it, and for all intents and purposes, until you are arrested, a police officer has no authority over you so should not be insulting you either.

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4 minutes ago, Nicebiscuit said:

Well you could... But I wouldn't if I were you. Why make yourself a target? I'm sure sooner or later you'll need their discretion on something...

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Police give you nothing to rolling over and giving up. If anything, that makes you an easier target than standing up for yourself.

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Not convinced. I think the best approach is to be sure of your legal ground and keep the relevant docs in the car... If polite but assertive, he'll probably find any future officer who stops him will back off. They'll be more put off by the prospect of a lot of extra paperwork and hassle...

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If you were inside the spec of what Yokohama say, I'd have that printed off and ready to show anyone who pulls you over, but as you're out of the spec for the tyres, I wouldn't be risking it personally. As you say, its points per wheel which means if someone is having a bad day, you've got no license.

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Every Tyre is different. The AD08R have stiff sidewalls and run a bit wider than most performance tyres so they have a wider working range of rim widths.

According to Yokohama the AD08R have a recommend rim width range of

8.5-10 for 255/35 R18

7.5-9 for 225/40 R18

Can see specs here:

https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/detail/advan_neova_ad08_r

So you are half an inch wider front and back than their recommend maximum.

Sorry that not very helpful, just wanted to make you aware of the specs. I used this table when I decided to fit 235/40 R18 to my 9J rims. 

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Your stretch is modest, that copper needs his eyes checked. 

I've run 225/40 on a 9.5j for years on 2 different cars, no issues whatsoever with Police or at MOT time. I'm pretty sure somewhere I've read that one of Falkens 225/40 profiled tyres are within spec on a 9.5j rim...

Makes me laugh as I've seen new BMWs and Lexus' running stretched rubber from the factory.

 

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2 hours ago, Ade said:

Every Tyre is different. The AD08R have stiff sidewalls and run a bit wider than most performance tyres so they have a wider working range of rim widths.

According to Yokohama the AD08R have a recommend rim width range of

8.5-10 for 255/35 R18

7.5-9 for 225/40 R18

Can see specs here:

https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/detail/advan_neova_ad08_r

So you are half an inch wider front and back than their recommend maximum.

Sorry that not very helpful, just wanted to make you aware of the specs. I used this table when I decided to fit 235/40 R18 to my 9J rims. 

Appreciate the info mate, I'm going to try slightly wider tyres with a lower profile and see if they will fit, and if it will allow me to turn. If not I will have to run the risk.

1 hour ago, Varelco said:

Your stretch is modest, that copper needs his eyes checked. 

I've run 225/40 on a 9.5j for years on 2 different cars, no issues whatsoever with Police or at MOT time. I'm pretty sure somewhere I've read that one of Falkens 225/40 profiled tyres are within spec on a 9.5j rim...

Makes me laugh as I've seen new BMWs and Lexus' running stretched rubber from the factory.

 

I know mate, If I had extreme stretch I could symathise. I think the whole wheel set up freaks the police out as it isn't 'normal'. The camber and the arches don't help but it's all technically legal. It states in the MOT regs that "A class 3 or 4 vehicle tyre which appears to be of inadequate size, ply or speed rating for the vehicle or it's use is NOT a reason for rejection. However the vehicle presented should be informed".

It's all pathetic really, If the police want to clamp down on something, make it fair and actually make up some rules for us to comply with!!!

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Noones mentioned insurance yet. Do they care? As stated in many places in the thread these aren't particularly OTT, but if you're running tyres outside of manufacturers specs would your insurers take a dim view?.

Now they REALLY don't need much of an excuse to be slopy shouldered - and if the worst happened the consequences could be far worse than a rap on the knuckles from the plod.

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17 minutes ago, Nicebiscuit said:

 

Noones mentioned insurance yet. Do they care? As stated in many places in the thread these aren't particularly OTT, but if you're running tyres outside of manufacturers specs would your insurers take a dim view?.

 

Now they REALLY don't need much of an excuse to be slopy shouldered - and if the worst happened the consequences could be far worse than a rap on the knuckles from the plod.

 

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As long as it's declared on Adam's policy (which I'm fairly certain it must be with the amount of mods he has) then I don't see how they could refuse.

On my policy, my options for modification (wheel/tyre related) were:

Alloy wheels; alloy wheels (wider); wider tyres; wheel spacers.

If Adam's is the same, it's hardly like he can specify "stretched tyres" on his policy, without that option.

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Couldn't agree more - I just wonder if they cover themselves somewhere in the small print for things not being used as intended...

I'm being silly now, but I doubt they'd pay out if Adams wheels turned out to be made of pewter (though it'd still technically be an alloy...)

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I mean, technically, if the only option is "alloy wheels", and you have magnesium, carbon fibre or any other non-alloy wheel, then they could refuse to pay out there as well, but I think that's more a fault of the insurer than the owner.

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Yes, every modification I have made to the car has been logged down by Adrian Flux so I know I'm fully covered and legal on the road. They specify it as alloy wheels under the modified section, and wider tyres than standard. There is no specific category to put them under, and they don't request details on the tyres themselves. I'd assume as long as it passes a MOT with them on they are happy.

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That's a valid point actually. That's probably how they cover themselves against you doing something really daft. 'Legal' and 'MOTed' should avoid most excesses...

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