Jet Tyres

Kipling Motorist Centre – Milton Keynes is offering a free spring tyre check for horseboxes and trailers, which will include a check on the age of tyres.

Glynn Collins, Manager of Kipling Motorist Centre – Milton Keynes, which is part of the Protyre Group, said: “During the spring many horseboxes and trailers will make their first trip after being stored away for the winter. Not all people are aware that tyres can deteriorate when left unused for extended periods of time.

“Also because some trailers and horseboxes are only used occasionally, often for limited miles, they remain on the vehicle for longer. This can be a problem as tyres become time expired after seven years. We suggest to customers tyres older than seven years should be considered for replacement, even if they appear to have adequate tread depth.

“The reason for this is that tyres will deteriorate over time and the chemicals that keep a tyre in good condition can leech out and they are also susceptible to ozone degradation.”

Glynn added: “Owners of horseboxes and trailers can undertake a series of simple checks themselves to check the condition of their tyres. We suggest people carefully examine tyres to ensure that there are no cuts, lumps or bulges and that the sidewalls are not affected by cracking or distortion through being left standing for an extended period.

“Tyres must also have a minimum of 1.6 millimetres (mm) of tread, although we recommend that tyres with less than 2.5mm of tread should be considered for replacement.

While beleaguered UK motorists are now paying on average a staggering 144.67p per litre for diesel, higher than the previous record during last year’s ‘Arab Spring’, and according to industry analysts a new high of 137.44p per litre for unleaded petrol, it needn’t be all doom and gloom.

TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation, points out that apart from improved safety and the reduced risk of experiencing a dangerous blowout, correctly inflated tyres provide lower running costs. This is because the rolling resistance of an under-inflated tyre increases meaning that a bigger force or more energy is needed to make it turn.

Indeed, calculations from one TyreSafe member show that when tyres are under-inflated by just 20 per cent (around 6psi), 3 per cent more fuel is used. It was recently estimated that in the UK as much as £337 million of fuel is wasted each year as a result of driving on under-inflated tyres.

What’s more when driving on under-inflated tyres, the tyre’s contact patch with the road surface is reduced to two smaller areas towards the outer edges of the tread. Not only does this reduce safety but also cuts tyre life significantly.

Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe, said: “Not only are correct tyre pressures essential from a road safety perspective, they are also very important for lower fuel bills, longer tyre life and reduced CO2 emissions. Checking pressures is a quick and easy job and should be done at least once a month or before a long journey.”

TyreSafe also point out that correct wheel alignment can also help reduce fuel bills further. By ensuring that the tyres all point in the correct direction, any scrubbing action with the road surface can be minimised, further improving fuel efficiency and reducing tyre wear.

Correct pressures for your car can be found in the driver’s handbook, inside the fuel filler cap or on a plate on the drvier’s door sill. TyreSafe has also developed a free iPhone app and online database where drivers simply need to input their registration details to receive their correct pressure details.

Goodyear tyres have publicly demonstrated their self-inflating tyre system for the first time at the annual Geneva International Motor Show.

Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, explained: “Consumers often overlook the importance of maintaining proper tyre pressure.

“We believe this technology will enhance safe driving and performance; and have a positive impact on the environment through improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and extended tyre life.

Speaking at the launch of the Aspire 4G high performance tyre in Geneva,Apollo Tyres Ltd chairman and managing director Onkar Singh Kanwar reiterated the tyre maker’s commitment to European consumers. “While European companies are looking east, your company, Apollo, is focusing on Europe, and Europe will remain central to our focus,” he stated. “We will keep investing in production facilities, in technology, development and product launches to ensure that the best and most effective products are brought to you. Apollo will accelerate its growth momentum over the years to come.”

Part of this growth momentum is the construction of a second European plant, and a firm decision on the location of this new East European facility is only a matter of months away. Also speaking at the Aspire 4G launch, Apollo vice-chairman and managing director Neeraj Kanwar shared that “as we speak, multiple teams are undertaking a complete due diligence to pinpoint the exact locations, the requirements, the volumes and the product mix” for the new greenfield factory. “And in the next few months, I’ll be able to come back to you with some more details on the East European project.”

Marco Tronchetti Provera, chairman and chief executive, said “the improvement was achieved notwithstanding the slowdown of the general macroeconomic scenario, especially in western economies.

“This proved the effectiveness of Pirelli’s strategy with its focus on the premium segment and the strengthening of its manufacturing presence in rapidly growing economies.”

Pirelli has benefited from an expansion outside western Europe. It makes just 10 per cent of its revenues in Italy and a third of its revenues in other European countries.

Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership chairman Mike Ashworth said: “Your tyres can’t protect you properly unless you look after them.

“Wet roads, cold temperatures, snow and ice can all result in loss of grip, aquaplaning and longer stopping distances.

“We’re urging all motorists to check their tyres before the winter sets in.” To keep tyres in top condition, here is a few top tips: Make sure all your tyres, including the spare, have adequate tread depth.

Jet Tyres do not just offer new tyres; but because of our extensive stocks and Nationwide fitting stations, we also offer PART WORN TYRES.

Due to the credit crunch people are generally looking around for a better deal, and Jet Tyres ensures our customers that our prices are as low as they can possibly be – but we want to offer more. We understand our customers needs, and sometimes money maybe tight, so putting that Pirelli tyre on your car can be a large expense; so Jet Tyres have now decided to offer part worn tyres.

What! Second Hand Tyres? No Thanks!

‘Part worn‘ tyres are those which have been used previously – in other words they are ‘second-hand’ tyres however, part worn tyresusually have 50% or less of their original tread (legal minimum is 2mm) and may still have a few thousand miles more motoring in them. The essential attraction for many motorists is of course the price.

Jet Tyres have large stocks of part worn tyres available for mail order. To purchase any part worn tyres you will need to call our head office and purchase these by calling 0800 328 5160.

TyreSafe have been organising an event to get to grips with hot topics in the world of tyres and road safety.

The UK’s leading tyres safety group is hosting the briefing at the Ardencote Manor hotel in Warwickshire on 3 May and part-worn tyres and tyre labelling will head the agenda.

Last year their man focus was winter tyres and the safety of them and their opinion of whether you should have them on your vehicles or not.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: “This is a great opportunity to explore some pressing road safety issues and we would encourage as many connected to the industry to come along.

In the Telegraph newspaper recently there was an article that stated information about the new labelling of tyres, which we have spoken about previously.

Tristan Young writes: “First it was fridges and washing machines that gained rainbow stickers, and now eco-labelling is coming to car tyres. From the start of November all new tyres will have to carry a sticker (shown right) demonstrating their impact on the environment.

“Although the law comes into effect on November 1, all tyres produced from July 1 will have to carry the new labelling to help consumers become familiar with the EU-wide regulation that comes into force four months later.

“These labels will give drivers an idea of a tyre’s performance. However, while the labelling is being introduced as a “green” measure, there is a contradiction because a tyre’s primary function is to help keep a car on the road in all conditions. So, as an acknowledgement, one of the three measurements on the tyre label will be a safety criterion.”

The upper two panels indicate rolling resistance and wet braking. The lower panel relates to noise

“Currently there’s no guidance at all on tyres, so some guidance is useful, but it doesn’t give all the information buyers need,” said a spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). “I don’t think it’s a case of a little information is a dangerous thing, because people already know that buying a premium tyre means they’ll be getting a better performance tyre than a budgettyre.

“The SMMT is looking forward to the labelling because it will help lower vehicle emissions, but safety is a key focus for us. The labelling is a step forward.”

Tim Bailey, head of safety at Continental Tyres, said: “The new label is designed to show information regarding three criteria, however there are many other important performance factors to consider.” He highlights the following as aspects to consider when choosing tyres: resistance to aquaplaning, driving stability, handling and steering precision on wet and dry roads, durability, braking performance on dry roads and capabilities in winter conditions. “Car manufacturers require the very highest standard across all these performance factors before they approve tyres for their new vehicles, so sticking to the original tyre make and product your car was supplied with is a good idea.

Michael Schumacher is not overly bothered by the level of soft tyredegradation experienced by the Mercedes team during the final pre-season Formula 1 test of 2012 this week.

He ruled himself out of the battle for wins this year, he said ‘the team is in a stronger position heading into a new season than at any other point since the team was re-established’.

“I don’t think that’s possible for us to fight for first position,” he said. “Already Red Bull is quite strong. It’s a separate thing to be first position.

“But after this it’s a pretty tight field. With this testing knowledge and not knowing everything in detail, and how much fuel people are running, it’s very difficult to assume and assess what that means.

The principle advantage is that they might save your life because you’ll never be forced to stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway.

People have been in danger when in that situation and wouldn’t want anybody else to share such an experience.

Dunlop India, which has suspended operations at its Ambattur unit here due to labour unrest, today said it plans to restructure the facility under associate company Falcon Tyres after settlement of the dispute.

“We are looking at an early settlement of the discordant issues with workers of the Ambattur plant. It will be followed by a thorough restructuring of operations at the plant, which includes laying off some employees,” Dunlop management sources said in an email to PTI.

Dunlop India said if the the plant has to run profitably and operations made sustainable, the workforce would have to downsized. “The new workforce will function under a new management system under Falcon Tyres”, it said.Asked if the company had adopted a wrong strategy to handle labour issues,the company admitted that restructuring and downsizing of employees should have been completed in October 2009 itself, ahead of its plant’s reopening.The company reopened the Ambattur plant in the third week of October, 2009, after reaching a settlement with the labourers in July, 2009.

Goodyear tyre company are recalling almost 41,000 of its Wrangler Silent Armor tyres over concerns that they could cause fatal crashes by tearing.

The company’s letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said: “A small number of tyres within this population may experience a partial tread area separation under certain severe usage conditions. Use of these tyres in severe conditions could result in partial tread separation which could lead to vehicle damage or a motor vehicle crash.”

Goodyear employees inspected the tyre involved in the fatal crash and determined that it had sustained damage from external causes.

However, based on an analysis of the warranty and damage claims and discussion with safety regulators, the company decided to recall the tyres and plans to notify customers by March 22.

“Statistics show the vast majority of tyre issues are related to tyres that are used while under-inflated, overloaded, in a poorly maintained condition or have suffered impact damage,” said a Goodyear statement.