Continental has launched a new winter tyre for coaches, the Scandinavia HSW 2 Coach, saying that an increasing number of transport companies are now using its latest seasonal heavy commercial vehicle products. In several European countries, the use of winter tyres on trucks is a legal requirement with, in some cases, a minimum tread depth requirement of 6mm.
Merseyside’s Ellisons Travel specialises on providing chauffeured travel to some of the top names in professional sport, supplying Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea as well as the England Rugby Union team. Following a recent test, the company says that it will switch its luxury car fleet to Michelin tyres, having experienced improved performance and up to 30 per cent extra mileage. Ellisons’ fleet of 42 Mercedes S and E class cars will be put onto the policy first, with the company’s policy on a further three Mercedes Sprinters and 23 luxury coaches under review.
The UK is wet and it doesn’t look like drying any time soon; the country is suffering its wettest second quarter since records began in 1910. TyreSafe has reacted to the weather by publicising the necessity of adequate tyre tread to stay safe on wet roads. “Spring felt more like autumn this year with its unusually high rainfall, yet what it does show is that tyre tread depth should be checked regularly, whatever time of year, to make sure they can cope properly with wet roads,” said Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.
Transport hire specialist William Gilder has signed up Michelin to supply its X-Terminal T tyres for the firm’s fleet of terminal tractors; a move it says will reduce operating costs and increase uptime. The dedicated industrial tyre designed for shunting applications will be fitted to the Cheltenham-based company’s vehicles following a trial of Michelin’s tyre begun in August 2010. William Gilder runs a 76-strong transport and machinery hire fleet including the 51 Terberg and MOL tugs on which the X-Terminal will be fitted. The 20-year-old firm also runs its own waste management fleet, which moved to a 100 per cent Michelin policy last year.
In the US, Toyo Tires has introduced the M157 free-rolling axle tyre for long haul highway operations. The company reports that the M157 is EPA SmartWays verified and features Toyo Tires’ proprietary e-balance technology.
TyreSafe has advised motorcyclists that the extra weight resulting from a pillion passenger or pannier loads – common in holiday season – means that tyre pressures should be checked and adjusted accordingly against the bike manufacturers’ recommended levels. Under-inflation (or overloading) over a long period may cause rapid shoulder wear, excessive flexing and deterioration of the casing, which can pose a serious safety risk for bikers. Conversely, over-inflation may result in a reduced contact patch on the road and accelerated wear in the centre of the tread. The tyre could also be more susceptible to impact damage, as well as providing an uncomfortable ride.
With rain showers forecast across much of the UK this coming Spring Bank Holiday weekend, tyre safety organisation TyreSafe is encouraging drivers to check the condition of their tyres before setting off. Drivers should ensure that their tyres have adequate tread depth to grip potentially slippery road surfaces and are properly inflated to carry any additional loads such as luggage or extra passengers.
With the cost of fuel only going one way, how tyres are managed is becoming increasingly more important. That’s why RL Automotive was showing its TAC-Scan laser-based tyre wear diagnostic equipment at April’s CV Show. According to the company, tyre wear diagnostic equipment has been left behind in the tide of new technology as it is largely still done manually, which not only effects accuracy but also makes readings subjective.
Vehicle accessory company Ring Automotive has released a new range of tyre pressure gauges intended to help motorists reduce fuel costs and tyre wear. A total of four gauges are available in the Ring Tyre Gauge line-up and each of these complements the Ring compressor range launched in 2009.
As part of its support for October’s Tyre Safety Month, National Tyres and Autocare will offer customers free tread, pressure and general condition checks for their tyres. National notes that this year’s campaign reinforces the importance of well maintained tyres, particularly tyre tread, with simple advice for motorists on how to check the legality of tread depth with a 20p coin. The campaign urges motorists to regularly check their tyres, and if doubts arise over tyre condition National encourages motorists to seek advice from a tyre specialist.
Titan Tire has introduced a new 27.00R49-sized mining haul truck tyre to meet what it believes is increasing worldwide demand on the back of increased mining activity. The Titan DTE4 radial OTR tyre has a deep lug tread pattern to increase traction and longevity. A popular size for use in coal mining and quarry applications, the tyre is designed with an open tread pattern to promote self-cleaning.
Baker Transport of Cornwall has reported that a set of Michelin XDN2 Grip drive-axle tyres have provided 371,000km on a 44 tonne MAN TGA 480 XXL, having been regrooved once in late 2009 at 301,966km. Michelin says the tyres – with 4mm of tread remaining – are projected to cover a further 10,000km before being removed and remoulded into Michelin Remix tyres, which the company says will offer a level of performance similar to that of a new Michelin tyre.
Results from 15 European countries where Bridgestone’s “Think Before You Drive” campaign was conducted last year show 81 per cent of motorists to be driving on under-inflated tyres. The tyre maker drew this conclusion after conducting tyre safety checks on some 52,400 vehicles in the UK and on the Continent, and notes that this inattention to correct tyre pressure wastes the annual equivalent of four billion litres of fuel and adds 9.3 million tons of unnecessary CO2 emissions to the air we breathe.
Titan Tire Corporation has introduced the Ultimate tyre – this is the name given to its new range of skid tyres, products the US based manufacturer says have been designed to provide extra long life with up to twice the tread depth of conventional skid steer tyres.
On April 1, new regulations covering the use of winter tyres will take effect in New Zealand. The new requirements included in the Land Transport: Tyres and Wheels Amendment Rule prohibit the mixing of winter tyres with other types of tyres on the same vehicle. This ban applies to passenger cars, 4x4s, vans, small buses and light commercial vehicles.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
