McLaren Tyre Fitting, Brought to Your Door in London

What MC, MC1 and MC-C tell you

Pirelli uses the MC marking to identify tyres made specifically for McLaren cars. You will find versions of it across the range: the MP4-12C, for example, was fitted with a P Zero MC1, while current cars use P Zero, P Zero Corsa, P Zero Trofeo R and P Zero Winter tyres developed for McLaren. The code after MC identifies the version, so a replacement should carry the same marking as the tyre it sits next to.

The Artura is different again. Its tyres carry an MC-C marking, showing they were developed with Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre technology. Each tyre has a sensor inside it, in contact with the tyre rather than the wheel, that reports temperature and pressure to the car. The system also stores details of the tyre type, whether it is a summer or winter tyre, and its load and speed rating. When an Artura needs a tyre, tell us so we can make sure the correct MC-C tyre is used and the sensor is handled properly during fitting.

Pirelli lists MC-marked tyres across almost the whole McLaren line-up, from the Sports Series cars such as the 540C, 570S and 570GT, through the 650S, 675LT and 720S, to the GT, P1, Senna and Speedtail. Sizes and versions differ widely between them, which is why a sidewall photo is far more reliable than a model name alone. It also shows us the DOT date, so we can tell you if older tyres are due for replacement.

Road, track or winter: choosing for London driving

Many McLarens leave the factory on, or are later fitted with, track-biased tyres such as the P Zero Corsa or the Trofeo R, which the 765LT used. They give huge grip on a warm, dry circuit, but they take longer to warm up and have less tread for clearing water. For a car that mostly sees London roads, the MC-marked P Zero for your model is often the more sensible everyday choice.

McLaren and Pirelli also developed P Zero Winter tyres, which are worth considering if the car is used through the colder months rather than stored. As with any staggered car, the front and rear tyres are different sizes, so a winter set means four tyres in two sizes. We can fit them at your address and swap back to summer tyres when the weather turns.

The low-nose problem, and how we handle it

The biggest practical challenge with a McLaren is getting a jack under it without touching the splitter. Many models have a nose lift, which raises the front for ramps and speed bumps. If yours has one, raise the nose before we arrive and leave it up while we position the lifting gear. We lift only at the correct points and check clearance before the jack goes under.

Fitting itself is done with the wheel protected, keeping tools clear of carbon ceramic brake discs. Wheels are balanced on site after fitting, with weights placed on the inside of the rim where possible so the wheel face stays clean. Pressures are set to McLaren’s figures for your model.

When to call us out

The calls we get for McLarens in London tend to follow a pattern:

• A low-pressure warning from a screw or nail, often in a rear tyre
• A sidewall cut or bulge from a pothole or kerb, which always means replacement
• Rear tyres worn down, often after a track day, ahead of a long trip
• A switch to or from winter tyres at the owner’s home or office

Because rear tyres are wider than the fronts, they cannot be rotated, and they usually wear first. If you are replacing one tyre, keep the same model and MC code as the other tyre on that axle. Where the other tyre is heavily worn, we will recommend a pair.

We are open 24/7 and have been fitting tyres for over 30 years. Call or WhatsApp 07396 700 900 with your model and a photo of the sidewall.