Regulations in the UK

Fitting new tyres to trucks and buses

Michelin recommends that you fit tyres with an identical tread pattern on the same axle. If this is not possible, Michelin advises you to twin tyres of the same type.
UK Construction and Use Regulation 27 require that tyres fitted on the same axle are of the same size and construction. So you may fit tyres with different tread patterns if they:

are made by the same manufacturer,
the same size,
the same construction (radial or bias),
belong to the same usage category (road tyres, special tyres, snow with M+S markers),
have the same approval number,
have identical load capacity indices, and
have the same speed rating.

Please see the regulations in each country for specific adaptations.

Fitting regrooved tyres

Regulation permit the fitting of regrooved tyres on all axles of commercial vehicles, including for the transport of persons or hazardous materials, provided certain other criteria are met in relation to the dimension of the tyre and the regrooving pattern and method.

Fitting retreaded tyres

MICHELIN Remix tyres are designed and manufactured to be used on drive axles and trailer axles.
We recommend that you do not fit MICHELIN Remix tyres on the first steering axle of motor vehicles, including those with a Z tread pattern.
It is possible to fit MICHELIN Remix tyres on the second front axle of an 8 x 4 rigid truck.

Uniform fitment on an axle fitted only with retreaded tyres

The following technical characteristics of the retreaded tyres must be the same:

retreader brand,
tyre size,
tyre structure,
speed rating and load index, and
tyre use category.

It is PROHIBITED to mount retreaded tyres from different retreaders on the same axle, regardless of the casing brand.

It is PERMITTED to mount retreaded tyres from the same retreader, regardless of the casing brand.

Mixed fitment (new – retread) on the axle

The MIXED fitment of approved tyres, on the same axle, is possible only if:
The retreader and new brands are the same.
The casing brands are the same (new and retreads).
The following technical characteristics of the retreaded and new tyres fitted to the same axle must be the same:

casing and retreader brand,
tyre size,
structure (radial or bias),
speed rating and load index, and
tyre use category (road, all-terrain, snow - M+S marking)

Product service life

Tyres are made from various types of material and components, the properties of which change over time. This change depends on the storage conditions (temperature, moisture levels, position, etc.) and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, wheel condition, etc.) that tyres are exposed to.
Ageing factors are variable and difficult to measure, so Michelin recommends that as well as regular user checks, tyres are inspected regularly by qualified professionals who can assess their suitability for continued service.
This inspection should take place at least annually, from the 5th year since a tyre entered service or 8 years after its date of manufacture.
After one of these dates, as well as regular visual and inflation pressure checks, it is recommended to have this annual inspection carried out by a tyre specialist.
It is recommended that tyres aged 10 years or older should not be used on the steering axles of trucks and buses.
It is recommended to use them on trailer axles.

Failure to follow these recommendations may lead to a deterioration in the performance of your vehicle, handling issues and/or a tyre malfunction that could jeopardise the safety of the user and third parties. Michelin shall not be responsible under any circumstances for damage that occurs as a result of and/or during use that does not comply with its guidelines.

Tyre wear

The grooves of the tread pattern must have a depth of at least 1.0 mm throughout a continuous band across at least 3/4 of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference. According to UK law:

in addition to the provision above concerning tread depth across at least 3/4 of the breadth of the tread, the original tread pattern must be visible in the remaining quarter.
no fabric must be visible either on the surface or at the bottom of tread patterns,
there must be no deep tears on the sidewalls of tyres.

If the legal or technical wear limit is reached, the tyre must be removed and replaced. A professional must be consulted in the event of abnormal wear or if there is a difference in wear rates between tyres on the same axle.

Tyre repairs

During its life, a tyre is subjected to a series of stresses and strains and may be damaged in various ways.
It is dangerous to ignore tyre damage. By design, MICHELIN tyres can in some circumstances be repaired.

However, not all kinds of damage can be repaired. Repairing a tyre is a job for trained and qualified professionals.
The tyre repairer always has sole responsibility for the accuracy and quality of the tyre repair. Before being repaired, tyres must always be removed and inspected thoroughly inside and out by the professional.