Researchers Hack a Hole In Tyre Tag Security
Scientists from Rutgers University and University of South Carolina are warning that the wireless communications technology found in tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) is susceptible to interception and high-tech forgery known as “spoofing.” The scientists concede that the potential for misuse “may be minimal,” but the potential vulnerability is said to demonstrate a “troubling lack of rigor with secure software development for new automobiles.”
Continue ReadingReport: Budget Tyres Could Kill, But at Least They’re Quiet
What Car? has named and shamed budget brands in a test warning that tyres like these “could kill.” In the test published online on 4 August 2010 What Car? measured the performance of the Arrowspeed CP661, Continental Premium Contact 2, Goodyear Optigrip, Michelin Pilot Sport 3, Ovation VI-182 and Sunew YS112 in dry braking, wet braking, lateral grip and noise tests. The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 came out top, with particularly strong results in wet and dry braking. However, there were some shocking outcomes in the budget sector when it came to braking and noise.
Continue ReadingVeyron Tyres Last Just 37 Miles at Top Whack
While everyone else was drooling over the Bugatti Veyron Super Sports’s jaw dropping 267 mph (431 km/h) performance on the BBC’s Top Gear programme last night, Tyres & Accessories was observing the tyre geek angle – at those kinds of speeds even the best tyres simply don’t last very long. During his report, May pointed out that Bugatti engineers had told him the car’s tyres lasted for around 37 miles a speeds of up to 258 mph (414 km/h). At speeds beyond this, however, the tyres’ life expectancy is somewhat more opaque: “Ask an admiral how deep his submarine goes,” Top Gear’s May was told.
Continue ReadingMichelin Exclusive Tyre Supplier for Sukhoi Regional Jet
Russia’s Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company has signed a contract with Michelin for the exclusive supply of radial aircraft tyres for its latest major project, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 family of regional airliners. The deal was announced at Michelin’s stand during the Farnborough Airshow 2010.
Continue ReadingMichelin’s Motorised Wheel – Coming Soon to a Peugeot Near You?
At last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show vehicle manufacturer Peugeot presented its BB1 concept, a car just 2.5 metres long and powered by electric motors placed inside the rear wheels - units designed in association with Michelin. This extraordinary vehicle is now a step closer to going on sale after Peugeot confirmed it has shifted the BB1 from concept car status to project status. A production version should thus be unveiled in 2012 or 2013 and most likely closely resemble the concept car’s design.
Continue ReadingNokian Releases HTS Straddle
Nokian Tyres has released a new tyre for straddle carriers. This new radial tyre, the HTS Straddle, is designed for work in harbours and goods terminals and combines, says Nokian, the high load-bearing capacity desired by operators with excellent driving comfort appreciated by drivers.
Continue ReadingCam Systems: Workshop Scheduler Increases Treadfirst Bookings 15%
Cam Systems says that its Workshop Scheduler integrated diary system has led to the recent 15 per cent rise in bookings at Suffolk’s Treadfirst Tyre & Exhaust Centre. Since using Workshop Scheduler to plan its MOTs and servicing, Mick Shaw, managing director of Treadfirst, says: “we have increased the number of jobs and bookings through more effective planning rather than just filling up a page in the paper diary then stopping.”
Continue ReadingTrax Readies its ‘Universal Solution’
Germany is not just Europe’s largest single tyre market – sales of wheel balancing weights there account for a large proportion of the region’s total sales of this product, so a German market presence is naturally a very good thing indeed. Therefore it has understandably concerned UK manufacturer Trax JH Ltd that it has been unable to sell zinc weights into Germany since European directive 2000/53/EC came into effect on July 1, 2005. All this is set to change, however. Trax is tooling up to begin volume production of an innovative new steel wheel weight, and the company’s sights are firmly set on the German market.
Continue ReadingToyo Expands Mobile System With Android
Toyo Tire USA Corp. has expanded its online fitment guide with the release of a mobile version for Android phones, reports Tire Review. The Tire Finder now works with Apple iPhones, iTouches and Google Android operating system handheld devices.
Continue ReadingUniroyal US Tiger Paw Range Extended
In North America the Uniroyal brand belongs to the Michelin product portfolio, and a new high performance tyre released in this market is the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season, which will be launched on July 1. According to Michelin North America, the tyre is engineered to meet the ultra-high performance needs of drivers of sports cars in a range of weather conditions.
Continue ReadingMichelin Deploys Latest Military Tyre
Weapons manufacturers, government representatives and perhaps, one may speculate, the odd soldier of fortune and terrorist crackpot, are flocking to Paris this week to take part in the Eurosatory military vehicle show. Those perusing the latest additions to our global arsenal were amongst the first to catch a glimpse of Michelin’s new XZL2 tyre. Introduced at the show, the XZL2 is designed for both military and off-road commercial applications, and Michelin states it features a redesigned tread pattern that offers greater speed capabilities and improved tread life over a wide range of terrains.
Continue ReadingCapture Footprints with TireScan
Next time you’re sitting in the dentist’s chair getting your teeth checked, you may spare a moment to consider how many degrees of separation stand between yourself and the tyre industry. It may be fewer than you think. American firm Tekscan Inc, which developed its TireScan system in conjunction with Goodyear, admits the basic technology behind the system was originally created for use in dentistry. “However, it was recognised that the principle concept could be adapted for numerous other applications, the tyre industry being just one of them," explained the company's international sales manager, Jason Marcouillier.
Continue ReadingCyber Tyres are Coming, says Schrader
Tyres capable of monitoring themselves, road conditions and ‘talking’ with a vehicle’s electronic systems are only three years away, declares Schrader Electronics. The automotive sensor developer has developed a sensor that is mounted on the inside of a tyre instead of on the valve or wheel rim, as is the case with currently available direct TPMS set ups. This sensor then transmits information wirelessly to receivers mounted in the vehicle’s wheel housing and via the car’s ECU to the driver.
Continue ReadingTranslogik: Helping To Keep Tyres in Top Condition
With tyre costs rising, it makes sense for hauliers and fleet managers to ensure that their tyres are maintained in A1 condition. And it is not just the cost of the tyre itself – properly maintained and inflated tyres can reduce fuel consumption. Translogik produces a range of tyre inspection solutions for fleet managers, including hand-held tread depth and pressure probe - the OTR probe can measure treads up to 130mm deep and pressures up to 190 psi. These are complemented by Translogik's own software, which provides the fleet operator with a totally automated tyre management and fleet inspection process, allowing a series of reports to be generated. These can include a work-to-do list, highlighting what maintenance work is required for each vehicle, and a Tread Depth and Tyre Pressure Analysis.
Continue ReadingMichelin Smartphone Service Delivers Real-Time Traffic Info
At the moment coverage is restricted to French roads, yet the ViaMichelin real time traffic information map scheduled to go on sale in May 2010 gives motorists everywhere a taste of services awaiting them around the corner. Information for all of France will be accessible through a total of 22 matrix codes, 21 of which focus on specific cities and one for the whole country.
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