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suzuki-swift-tyre-check

suzuki-swift-tyre-check

suzuki-swift-tyre-check
suzuki-swift-tyre-check

suzuki-swift-tyre-check

Suzuki Swift Tyres and Halifax’s Early Winter Rush – A Busy Start to the Week at Pellon Tyres

Monday 17th November turned out just as we expected here at Pellon Tyre & Autocentre — absolutely heaving from the moment we opened the shutters. As soon as the weekend’s weather forecast mentioned the chance of snowfall later in the week, the phones started ringing and the forecourt soon filled up with drivers wanting checks, winter tyres, and quick advice before the cold snap settles in.

To be fair, anyone who lives around Halifax, especially up the hills towards Mount Tabor, Wainstalls, Mixenden, or Queensbury, knows exactly why people take these warnings seriously. We’re perched right on the edge of the Pennines, and that means winter arrives here earlier than it does for much of the country. You can have bright sunshine down in Brighouse or Elland, while we’re brushing snow off the forecourt up here at Pellon Lane. It’s the price we pay for living in such a cracking bit of Yorkshire — stunning scenery, but hills that love to surprise us!

suzuki-swift-tyre-check
suzuki-swift-tyre-check

A Suzuki Swift in for a Free Tyre Check

One of the first visitors of the day was a lovely lady who called in with her Suzuki Swift tyre check. With the cold weather looming, she wanted peace of mind, and that’s exactly what our free checks are for. The work was carried out by Ben, our latest recruit and a cracking lad. He’s already proving himself to be a proper asset to the team — steady hands, sharp eyes, and plenty of confidence for someone new to the trade.

Ben soon spotted that two of the tyres were below the legal limit, and because the Swift is a light little car, good tread depth makes a massive difference to grip, especially in wet or snowy conditions. He also noticed the alignment was slightly out — hardly unusual given the potholes we dodge every day in Calderdale!

We talked her through her options, and she chose two 185/55×16 RoadX tyres, which are excellent value and ideal for everyday driving around Halifax’s hills and bends. Once fitted and aligned, the car was good to go — safe, steady, and ready for whatever winter throws our way this week.

suzuki-swift-tyre-check
suzuki-swift-tyre-check

Why Early Winters Matter for Tyre Safety: suzuki-swift-tyre-check

Anyone who’s lived up here long enough will remember winters like 2010, 2013, and even the big freeze of the mid-80s, when Halifax and the surrounding villages were blanketed for weeks. The cold settles in fast on our high ground, and once the wind blows in across the Pennines, it turns wet roads icy in no time. Good tyres aren’t a luxury in this part of Yorkshire — they’re genuinely essential.

That’s why we always see a big burst of activity after the first whisper of snow. Drivers who live up steep roads such as Claremount, Norton Tower, or Boothtown know how easily a bit of snow turns into a sliding session if tyres are worn. It’s the same story every year: the forecast comes out, everyone remembers last winter, and suddenly Monday morning is full to the brim!

A Bit of Suzuki Swift History—With a Local Touch

The Suzuki Swift has become a familiar sight on Halifax roads over the years. First introduced in the UK during the 1980s, it quickly built a reputation as a small, reliable, no-nonsense little car — perfect for nipping up and down the steep streets of the upper Calder Valley. Plenty of first-time drivers in Halifax have cut their teeth on a Swift because they’re cheap to run, easy to insure, and surprisingly tough for a small hatchback.

By the early 2000s, the Swift gained more modern styling and better handling, winning fans across Yorkshire. It became popular with commuters heading along the A629, students travelling between Halifax and Huddersfield, and families who needed something compact enough for town but nippy enough for our twisty country lanes.

We’ve seen hundreds of them through our doors over the years — from older models needing exhausts and brakes to brand-new ones in for winter tyres. They’re dependable little cars, and with good tyres on, they handle our hilly Halifax roads far better than you might think.

suzuki-swift-tyre-check
suzuki-swift-tyre-check

Keeping Halifax Drivers Safe This Winter

So as winter sets in—early, as usual—it’s a good reminder for drivers around Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, Luddenden, and beyond to get their tyres checked. A quick look at tread depth can prevent a nasty skid, especially when the temperature drops below freezing.

You can always call in to us for a free tyre check; no appointment is needed. We’ll make sure your tyres, pressures, and tread are safe for the season — and if you want winter tyres or all-weather options, we’ve plenty in stock.

Honda-Civic-Wheel-Alignment

Honda-Civic-Wheel-Alignment

Honda-Civic-Wheel-Alignment
Jazzy Honda Civic for wheel alignment

Honda-Civic-Wheel-Alignment

Honda Civic Wheel Alignment Saves the Day in Halifax

It’s always good to be back in business after a little technical hiccup! Yesterday, one of our regular customers rolled into Pellon Tyre and Autocentre, here in Halifax, with his Honda Civic. He’d been having a bit of a problem—the tyres on his car were wearing badly on one side.

Now, uneven tyre wear is one of those things that can sneak up on you. At first, you might not even notice it until the car starts pulling slightly to one side, or you hear that tell-tale hum as the tyres scrub unevenly on the road. In this case, the driver had spotted the wear early — which is always a good sign — and came straight to us before it got any worse.

Honda-Civic-Wheel-Alignment
Honda-Civic-Wheel-Alignment

A Thorough Check by the Pellon Team: Honda-Civic-Wheel-Alignment

As always, we start with a full inspection. Ryan, one of our experienced technicians, took the Civic onto the ramp and gave the steering and suspension a proper going-over. It’s important to check these first, as problems with suspension arms, bushes, or ball joints can also cause uneven wear.

After a good look, everything checked out fine — no worn parts, no loose steering components. So, Ryan suggested the next logical step: a four-wheel alignment.

The Importance of Wheel Alignment

Many people don’t realise just how crucial wheel alignment is. It’s not just about keeping your tyres straight—it’s about ensuring that all four wheels are pointing in exactly the right direction, relative to each other and to the car’s frame.

If one wheel is slightly out of line, it can cause the tyre to drag across the road surface instead of rolling smoothly. Over time, that causes one edge of the tyre to wear down much faster than the other. Not only does this shorten the life of the tyre, but it can also affect your car’s handling and fuel efficiency.

When we carried out the Civic’s alignment check on our modern laser alignment system, it didn’t take long to spot the issue. The readings showed that one of the rear wheels was out of spec, causing the uneven wear that the customer had noticed.

Honda-Civic-Wheel-Alignment

All Four Wheels Adjusted: Honda-Civic-Wheel-Alignment

We always recommend checking all four wheels, even if the problem seems to be on one corner. Cars like the Honda Civic, with independent rear suspension, can easily go out of line at the back as well as the front.

After a few careful adjustments and re-checks, everything was set perfectly within the manufacturer’s tolerances. Once the alignment was spot on, the Civic was ready to go back on the road.

The difference in the way a car drives after alignment can be quite something — smoother steering, more precise handling, and no more annoying pull to one side. The customer was well chuffed and left with a smile, knowing his tyres would now wear evenly and last a lot longer.

A Common Problem Around Halifax

We see a lot of this kind of thing here in Halifax. With all our hilly roads and potholes, it’s no surprise that wheel alignment can get knocked out of position so easily. Just one hard bump against a kerb or a deep pothole can throw your geometry out.

If you drive around the back roads towards Ovenden, Mount Tabor, or Boothtown, you’ll know exactly what I mean! The Civic’s owner told us he regularly drives up towards Hebden Bridge for work, and that route is notorious for rough road surfaces. That’s probably where his problem started.

Honda-Civic-Wheel-Alignment
Alignment gauges fitted

The Importance of Regular Checks: Honda-Civic-Wheel-Alignment

It’s a good idea to get your wheel alignment checked at least once a year — or any time you’ve had new tyres fitted, suspension work done, or a nasty knock against a kerb. At Pellon Tyre and Autocentre, we offer full four-wheel alignment checks using the latest laser equipment, giving you a printout to show exactly what’s been adjusted.

Keeping your alignment right saves you money in the long run — not just in tyres, but in fuel as well. When your wheels are all pulling in the same direction, your car doesn’t have to work as hard, meaning less drag and better miles per gallon.

Keeping Halifax Drivers Safe and Steady

It’s little jobs like this that remind us why we love what we do. Every day’s different here at Pellon Tyres, and whether it’s a Honda Civic, a Ford Transit, or a BMW, we take pride in getting people safely back on the road.

If you’ve noticed your steering wheel sitting slightly off-centre, or if your car pulls to one side, or if your tyres are wearing unevenly, it’s definitely worth popping in for an alignment check.

You can book online through our website at www.pellontyres.co.uk, give us a ring, or just call in at our garage on Pellon Lane, Halifax—we’re always happy to help.