Bridgestone Run-Flat Seminars for Technicians

Bridgestone is responding to the fitment of run-flat tyres on a growing number of vehicles by giving expert guidance to technicians at BMW dealerships. To date 15 franchises comprising 22 individual outlets have completed the tyre manufacturer’s comprehensive Run-Flat Certificate Programme. It follows the fitment of Bridgestone’s Turanza ER300 RFT and Potenza RE050 RFT tyres as original equipment on BMW models such as the 1-Series, 3-Series, 5-Series and Z4.

“BMW is one of the pioneering manufacturers supporting the development of run-flat tyre technology, offering consumers the option of run-flat tyres across its entire model range,” said Paul Turner, Bridgestone UK’s technical training manager. “It therefore makes perfect sense for technicians at approved franchises to get to grips with the technology and complete our training programme.

“Every time a run-flat tyre is requested by a customer they are in a position to ensure the best advice is given and the correct fitting procedure is followed, which improves professionalism and will increase loyalty to the dealership.”

He added: “BMW is the first major company to support the RFT training scheme in the numbers it has, and we’re confident other leading manufacturers will follow as run-flat tyres become more and more commonplace on UK roads.”

Bridgestone’s Run-Flat Certificate Programme involves specialist trainers attending the delegates’ site and leading training sessions at the individual depot or dealership. Sessions comprise practical demonstrations and tests to ensure proficiency, and an assessment of equipment to gauge its suitability for fitting run-flat tyres.

Technicians are also given theoretical advice on the technology itself; covering important lessons such as to never fit run-flat tyres on cars that don’t have a tyre pressure monitoring system.