Michelin tyre clocks 300,000th km, fifth year on Scottish coach

South Lanarkshire’s Whitelaws Coaches has reported that a set of Michelin XDN 2 Grip drive axle tyres have reached their 300,000th kilometre and fifth anniversary. The XDN 2 Grip tyres were fitted as original equipment to a 49-seat Sunsundegui Sideral in 2006 and are still going strong today, with 10mm of tread remaining. Michelin says the set will cover a further 100,000km before needing to be regrooved. Whitelaws director George Whitelaw has now fitted the drive axle tyre across his 42-strong fleet in place of the former Michelin XDA 4 fitment, saying: “We are amazed by the performance of the XDN2 Grip tyres. This set could well be seven years old before they need replacing. When a vehicle is doing long-distance, trans-European journeys, it’s quite remarkable for a tyre to last this long before even needing to be regrooved.”

Since being fitted to the original Sunsundegui, the tyres have been switched to two further coaches. First, an identical Sideral in 2008, and then a Volvo B10MT Van Hool in 2010. While the first two vehicles were primarily used for private UK tours and holidays abroad, particularly winter ski trips to Austria, Italy and France, the current Volvo is generally employed on local operations including school runs.

The XDN 2 Grip is designed with Michelin Durable Technologies – a rubber compound that increases mileage performance; “Double Wave” and “Raindrop” sipes built into their deep, wide tread pattern enhancing grip and resulting in better performance consistency. These sipes also help grip on snow and wet roads.

Whitelaw says Michelin has been the tyre brand of choice on the fleet since his father started the company in 1973: “I grew up with the belief that Michelin tyres are, quite simply, the best, and that’s something I still hold to now,” says Whitelaw. “We expect the XDN 2 Grip’s improved longevity to reduce our annual tyre bill and deliver obvious safety benefits given their suitability for our European winter tours.