Tyre Dispatch - V4C Final Production
FAQ Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

500+ expert answers across 12 sections — from ordering and delivery to tyre sizes, terrain types, and WOF requirements. New Zealand's most comprehensive tyre FAQ.

500+ Expert Answers
12 FAQ Sections
5.0★ Google Rating

🛒 Ordering

7Q

How to place an order, cut-off times, stock availability, and fixing mistakes.

Search by tyre size or browse our collections. Add to cart and checkout with any of our payment options. Choose delivery or free pickup from our Te Puke store. New to buying online? See our guide to buying tyres online. Orders placed before 12pm on weekdays are dispatched same day.

Courier collection happens every weekday between 12–1pm. Order before 12pm = same-day dispatch guaranteed. See our delivery terms and shipping policy for full details. Pickup orders are available within 1 hour of placement during business hours.

Tyre prices fluctuate based on USD exchange rates, shipping costs, and stock levels. We adjust to stay competitive while reflecting actual import costs. Seen a better price? Let us know — we'll do our best to match it.

Email us with your size and we'll let you know when the next shipment arrives, or suggest an equivalent alternative. You can also use our free quote tool for a recommendation.

Contact us ASAP at email@tyredispatch.co.nz or call (07) 573 9090. If the order hasn't shipped, we can change the size immediately. If already dispatched, we'll arrange a return under our returns policy. See our refund policy for details.

Yes — call us on (07) 573 9090 or email email@tyredispatch.co.nz with your tyre size and vehicle. We'll confirm availability, pricing, and can process payment over the phone or send a payment link. You can also use our free quote tool or contact us online. See all payment options available.

You can buy singles — no minimum order. We sell 1, 2, or 4+ tyres at the same per-unit price. If you're replacing just one tyre, we recommend matching the brand, size, and tread pattern of the other tyre on the same axle. Search for your size →

🚚 Delivery & Pickup

7Q

Shipping times, pickup from Te Puke, same-day options, and pay now collect later.

We deliver to all locations across New Zealand, including rural addresses on both islands.

Estimated delivery: North Island 1–5 business days, South Island 3–10 business days, rural add 1–3 days. Shipping cost is calculated by postcode and tyre weight at checkout. We use Team Global Express (nationwide) and Courier Co (same-day local BOP) — you'll receive tracking once collected.

Free Delivery Terms →  |  Shipping Policy →

Yes — free pickup from 31 Station Road, Te Puke 3119, Bay of Plenty. We also offer fitting and balancing on-site — book online. See all our services.

Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm, Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Pickup orders are ready within 1 hour during business hours. We also offer same-day local delivery for Bay of Plenty areas.

Yes. Place your order with any of our payment options (including Afterpay and Zip) and collect whenever you're ready. If a pickup order has been with us over 3 months, we'll send a reminder — but there's no rush.

Yes — same-day delivery for local Bay of Plenty areas (Papamoa, Mount Maunganui, Te Puke, Tauranga, Welcome Bay via Courier Co). For nationwide orders, same-day dispatch via Team Global Express is guaranteed for orders placed before 12pm on weekdays. See our free delivery terms and shipping policy.

Once your order is collected by our courier (Team Global Express for nationwide, Courier Co for same-day local), you'll receive a tracking email with a consignment number. If you haven't received tracking within 24 hours of ordering, contact us. See our shipping policy for estimated delivery timeframes.

Yes — just enter the tyre shop's address at checkout and let them know to expect a delivery. Many customers buy from us and get fitted locally. Make sure the shop is happy to receive deliveries and will hold the tyres for you. Interested in becoming a fitting partner? See our fitting partner application.

Take photos of the packaging and damage before fitting, then contact us immediately. We'll arrange a replacement or refund under our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Do not fit a damaged tyre — once mounted, warranty claims become much harder to process. See our returns & cancellations policy and refund policy for full details.

💳 Payments, Returns & Store

8Q

Payment methods, Afterpay, voucher codes, returns policy, fitting services, and how to reach us.

Online: Visa, Mastercard, Afterpay, direct bank transfer.

In-store: Eftpos, debit/credit cards, Afterpay, Zip, WINZ cards, bank transfer, and cash. A 2% surcharge applies to all paywave in-store transactions.

All Payment Options →

Yes. Use the Afterpay mobile app to set up an Afterpay Card in your digital wallet (Apple Pay or Google Pay). Tap to pay at the counter — splits into 4 interest-free instalments. 2% paywave surcharge applies. Learn more about Afterpay →

We're the exclusive NZ importers for Predator and Anchee tyres — buying direct from the factory with no middlemen or franchise fees. This lets us offer quality tyres at prices well below traditional retail. Learn more about us and see all our brands.

Predator Tyres →  |  Anchee Tyres →

Enter your promo code in the discount code box at checkout. Only one discount per order. Codes can be used with all payment methods including Afterpay and Zip. If it's not working, try both uppercase and lowercase, or contact us.

Unfitted tyres can be returned within 30 days under our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Fitted tyres are covered by manufacturer warranty. See our returns & cancellations page and refund policy, or contact us to arrange.

Yes — professional fitting and balancing at our Te Puke workshop. Buying and fitting 4 tyres? We'll often do a deal on the fitting price. Includes mounting, balancing, new valves, and old tyre disposal (Tyrewise levy applies).

Book Fitting Online →  |  Fitting Info →  |  All Services →

Our Predator tyres are USA-designed (Transamerica Tire Co., Memphis TN). Our Anchee tyres are manufactured in China with Yokohama partnership R&D. All carry international E-mark and DOT certifications — check your DOT code. See all brands →

Email: email@tyredispatch.co.nz
Phone: (07) 573 9090
Store: 31 Station Road, Te Puke 3119
Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm, Sat 9am–1pm

Contact Us →  |  About Us →  |  Trade Accounts →

📏 Tyre Sizes Explained

52 answers

Sidewall numbers, speed ratings, load indexes, plus-sizing, and NZ size rules.

Check the sidewall of your current tyre, the door placard (driver's side doorjamb), or your vehicle manual. Our AI Tyre Scanner can read it from a photo.

In 215/60R16 95H: 215 = width in mm, 60 = aspect ratio, R = radial, 16 = rim diameter, 95 = load index (690kg), H = speed rating (210km/h). Try our Size Calculator →

Two sizes means your vehicle was offered with different wheel options. Match the size to the rims currently fitted — if you have 16″ rims, use the 16″ size.

ZR = speed rating above 240 km/h. XL (Extra Load) = carries more weight at higher inflation pressure — important for heavy vehicles and loaded SUVs.

Partly — plate lookups return factory-recommended sizes, but your car may have different wheels fitted. Always confirm against what's actually on the car. Try our quote tool →

View all 52 answers →

🔄 Compatibility & WOF

73 answers

Mixing rules, tread depth limits, AWD matching, LVV cert, and WOF edge cases.

1.5mm across any part of the tread. We recommend replacing at 3mm — at 1.6mm on wet roads at 100 km/h, stopping distance increases by up to 50%. WOF Tyre Guide →

You must always match or exceed your vehicle's specified speed rating (on the door placard). Going lower will fail a WOF and may void insurance. Going higher is always fine.

Overall diameter must stay within approximately ±2.5% of the manufacturer's spec. Beyond that requires LVV certification. Check with our Size Calculator →

Yes — but tyres on the same axle should match in size, load rating, speed rating, and ideally tread pattern. Different brands across front and rear axles is fine and very common.

Cuts, bulges, or cracks exposing cord. Tread below 1.5mm. Mismatched sizes on the same axle. Repairs outside the crown area. Visible sidewall damage. Full WOF Guide →

View all 73 answers →

🛞 Rims & Wheels

59 answers

PCD, offset, hub bore, alloy vs steel, spacers, and torque specs.

No — the rim diameter in the tyre size (R16, R17) must exactly match your wheel. A 205/55R17 physically cannot seat on a 16″ rim. You can change width and aspect ratio to achieve a similar overall diameter.

PCD describes how many studs and how they're spaced — e.g., 5×114.3. Measure centre-to-centre between opposite studs. Must match exactly for the wheel to fit.

The distance between the wheel's centreline and its mounting face. Positive = wheel sits inward, negative = outward. Changing by more than ±10mm from factory spec can affect handling and WOF compliance.

No — four things must match: PCD, centre bore, offset range, and load rating. Getting even one wrong can cause vibration, damage, or safety hazards.

Spacer rings that fill the gap between a wheel's centre bore and your hub. They centre the wheel perfectly, eliminating vibration. Essential when fitting aftermarket wheels with a larger bore.

View all 59 answers →

🏔️ Terrain Types

40 answers

HT vs AT vs RT vs MT — gravel, mud, towing, beach driving, and NZ conditions.

HT = 90%+ on-road, quiet. AT = 60/40 road/off-road. RT = 50/50, stronger sidewalls. MT = 70%+ off-road, aggressive, loudest on pavement. Browse 4WD tyres →

HT — best fuel economy, quietest ride, shortest wet braking. Only step up to AT if you regularly leave the pavement. Shop Highway Terrain →

AT for occasional gravel, RT if your roads are rougher or you also hit mud. RT's reinforced sidewalls handle sharp stones better. Shop All-Terrain →

Yes — no legal restriction. They must meet standard requirements: 1.5mm tread, correct load/speed rating, no damage. They'll be noisier and wear faster on sealed roads. Shop Mud Terrain →

Yes — typically 5–15% longer wet stopping distances compared to HT due to less rubber in contact with the road. See the numbers in our braking simulator →

View all 40 answers →

🏷️ Our Brands — Anchee & Predator

45 answers

Anchee quality, Yokohama partnership, Predator USA engineering, and warranty.

Yes. Yokohama partnership for shared R&D. Every size carries E-mark and DOT certification, meets EU wet grip standards, WOF legal. Over 440 verified reviews average 5.0 stars. Anchee Brand Page →

Anchee is an independent Chinese manufacturer (est. 1996) with a formal Yokohama partnership — shared technology, testing, and quality control. Not a sub-brand.

Designed and engineered in the USA by Transamerica Tire Co. in Memphis, Tennessee. We're the exclusive NZ distributor. Predator Brand Page →

Every tyre we sell carries E-mark (European) and DOT (US) certification — the international standards NZ accepts for WOF compliance. Verifiable on the sidewall.

90% of stock is less than 1–2 years old. Check the DOT date code on the sidewall — four digits (e.g., "2624" = week 26 of 2024). DOT Code Decoder →

View all 45 answers →

📦 Tyre Categories

52 answers

Passenger, HP, UHP, commercial, EV, run-flat, winter, and choosing by vehicle.

Passenger, HP/UHP (performance), SUV, Light Truck, Trailer/Motorhome, EV, Run-Flat, and Winter. Separate from terrain types — a 4WD can be Light Truck category with AT terrain.

Check your load index. Smaller crossovers (CX-3, ASX) often use passenger-rated tyres. Larger ones (RAV4, X-Trail) typically need SUV or XL-rated tyres for the extra weight.

Reinforced sidewalls that support the car at up to 80 km/h for ~80 km after a puncture. Common on BMWs and MINIs. No spare needed but cost more and ride firmer.

Technically possible but not advised. Run-flat vehicles often have no spare wheel, and the suspension is tuned for stiffer sidewalls. You'd have no backup after a puncture.

Yes — EVs are heavier with instant torque, wearing standard tyres 20–30% faster. EV-specific tyres have reinforced structures, low rolling resistance for range, and foam for cabin noise.

View all 52 answers →

🔲 Tread Patterns

49 answers

Directional vs asymmetric vs symmetric, rotation rules, wear, and hydroplaning.

Directional = V-shaped, channels water, arrow marking. Asymmetric = different inside/outside zones, "Outside" marking. Symmetric = identical both sides, simplest to rotate.

Asymmetric is most popular — handles wet roads well while staying quiet on chipseal. Directional is best for heavy rain. Symmetric suits budget-focused drivers.

Water evacuation reverses — dramatically increases hydroplaning risk and wet braking distances. Safe to drive slowly to a shop, but get them corrected ASAP.

Symmetric generally lasts longest — even tread distribution and more rotation configurations. Asymmetric is close behind. Directional can wear faster without regular rotation.

Sidewall markings: "Outside"/"Inside" = asymmetric. Arrow/rotation direction = directional. Neither = symmetric. Or use our AI Tyre Scanner.

View all 49 answers →

⚙️ Technical Specs

80 answers

EU labels, UTQG ratings, TPMS, balancing, puncture repairs, and standards.

Standardised ratings for wet grip (A–E), fuel efficiency (A–E), and external noise (decibels). Lets you compare tyres objectively. Not mandatory in NZ but many manufacturers test to these standards.

US system measuring treadwear (lifespan number), traction (AA/A/B/C), and temperature (A/B/C). Unlike EU labels, treadwear gives a lifespan indicator — 400 lasts roughly twice as long as 200.

No — only mandatory within the EU. Many manufacturers test all sizes to EU standards anyway. We publish EU data where available on product pages.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System — alerts you when pressure drops. Common on post-2010 European cars and most EVs. Direct TPMS uses sensors; indirect uses ABS. Sensors may need replacement with new tyres.

Crown area (centre tread) punctures can usually be repaired with a mushroom plug + internal patch. Sidewall damage, shoulder cuts, or holes larger than 6mm = replacement. Plug-only repairs aren't WOF compliant.

View all 80 answers →

🛡️ Safety & Maintenance

52 answers

Tread depth, tyre pressure, blowouts, alignment, and emergency repairs.

Replace at 3mm — well above the 1.5mm legal minimum. At 1.6mm on wet roads at 100 km/h, stopping distance increases by up to 50%. See the difference in our braking simulator →

Insert a NZ 20-cent coin into the groove with "20" facing down. If you can see the entire number, tread is below 2mm — replace the tyre. Check inner, centre, and outer edge.

Increase rear pressure by 4–8 PSI above standard. Exact increase depends on tongue weight and gross towing weight. Use our PSI Calculator →

Every 8,000–10,000 km on sealed roads, 5,000–6,000 km on gravel. Front tyres wear faster on FWD, rears on RWD. Directional tyres can only swap front-to-back.

Standard alloy wheels: safe to about 15 PSI. 4WD steel wheels: 10–12 PSI. The risk is the tyre debeading from the rim. Always carry a compressor to re-inflate before sealed roads.

View all 52 answers →

Can't Find Your Answer?

Our team answers questions every day — from tyre sizes to fitting advice. Get in touch and we'll help you find exactly what you need.

Answered by Taylor Houghton — Tyre Dispatch NZ

Director of Tyre Dispatch (retail) and Traction Tyres Ltd (wholesale). Exclusive NZ importer for Predator and Anchee tyres. Our 500+ FAQ answers draw from real customer questions, 5,190 site search queries, 440+ product reviews, NZTA VIRM requirements, and hands-on experience fitting thousands of tyres.

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