“Widespread Confusion” on Winter Tyres & Insurance: ATS Euromaster
ATS Euromaster has issued the following comment in response to reports of insurance companies charging drivers a premium for fitting cold weather tyres to their cars / vans:
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Match-mounting “Removes Unwanted Vibrations”: Pro-Align
NewsLeading wheel alignment and wheel service equipment specialist Pro-Align is offering an advanced wheel balancer and tyre changer combination designed to solve the most difficult wheel vibration issues. “The majority of difficult vibration issues occur as a result of stiff spots within the tyre wall,” explains Paul Beaurain, managing director, Pro-Align. “These variations mean the tyre does not roll in a uniform manner and vibrations occur. However, as the stiff spots can only be detected under load, they cannot be identified on traditional wheel balancers. This means technicians rely on luck rather than correct diagnosis to solve issues.”
Transport Minister & Winter Tyres: “A Complete Lack of Understanding”
NewsWhile we appreciate tyres getting a mention in the House of Commons yesterday, it is regrettable that our Secretary of State for Transport hadn’t studied up on the subject beforehand. During a speech intended to reassure that last winter’s ‘big freeze’ mayhem would not be repeated this year, no less a person than the Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP questioned their suitability for the UK and told parliament that “winter tyres wear out very quickly on normal road surfaces” – a feature that would be a major disadvantage for the cold weather product, were it true.
Tyre Industry Criticises Winter Tyre Insurance Hikes
NewsFollowing a article in this week’s Auto Express magazine claiming that some insurers regard the fitting of winter tyres as a vehicle modification, resulting in high insurance premiums for drivers, tyre industry representatives (including TyreSafe, NTDA and Roadsafe) have voiced the concern and disappointment.
“Many independent tests have proven that winter weather tyres are the safest option for drivers throughout the entire winter period, not just when we have snowfall and ice,” explains Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “To penalise drivers for taking a positive step to improve their safety on the road seems absurd. With the high number of drivers still being killed or injured in tyre related accidents each year, we should be actively encouraging responsible behaviour, such as the fitting of winter tyres.”
Pro-Align Maintains Service Through Winter with Seasonal Tyre Fitment
NewsLeading wheel alignment specialist Pro-Align, has fitted its fleet of service and sales vehicles with winter tyres for the first time. The company says this should help maintain the high levels of support and assistance, whatever the weather this coming winter. By fitting winter tyres, Pro-Align says it aims to maintain its maximum 48-hour response times for any service breakdowns while ensuring its drivers remain safe on the road.
TyreSafe Roadshow to Highlight the Challenges of Illegal Tyres
NewsEarly next year TyreSafe will set its first ever industry roadshow in motion. Solihull has been chosen as the location where the event, hosted by Quentin Willson, will get underway on January 26. The British motoring authority, who has at different times presented both Top Gear and Fifth Gear, has been charged with delivering insights into the challenges the UK continues to face from defective and illegal tyres. During the roadshow TyreSafe will outline its ongoing plans to tackle the key issues linked with this problem and highlight how companies from a wide range of sectors can get involved and help save lives.
Winter Tyres – it’s Decision Time, says Kwik-Fit Fleet
NewsIn the weeks since the September launch of its first winter tyre programme, Kwik-Fit Fleet has reported considerable demand. At present the fast-fitter is fitting more than 2,200 winter tyres a week and soon demand may outstrip supply in Britain’s previously sluggish winter tyre market. And with demand for tyres increasing globally, supplying our market with sufficient fresh stocks may prove no mean feat.
Changing Tyres Is Child's Play, Says etyres
NewsOnline tyre retailer etyres has released a short online video showing motorists how changing a tyre is so easy that even a child can do it. Most motorists dread the idea of getting a puncture and being stranded at the roadside waiting for a breakdown truck. Now etyres has released a short online video which shows drivers how they can fit their spare wheel in a matter of minutes and be back on the road in no time. And to demonstrate just how easy it is, the entire procedure is filmed being carried out by 10-year-old William Stepney. This idea is similar to the YouTube video from TyreSafe, in which two seven-year-olds check tread depths with a 20p coin.
TyreSafe Gets Behind Winter Tyre Cause
News“Winter weather tyres offer considerable safety improvements for many months of the year when driving conditions are typically cold or damp,” explains Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe. It is a theme that has continued throughout the past month, and now the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation has added its own specially commissioned research to the mountain of evidence that suggests the use of correct seasonal tyres could help increase the safety of the country’s drivers in the winter.
Honest John: Where’ve the Spare Tyres Gone?
NewsIn the midst of TyreSafe’s annual Tyre Safety month honestjohn.co.uk, is drawing attention to consumer disquiet when it comes to tyre foam kits. A survey of visitors to the Honestjohn.co.uk website suggests that an overwhelming 91 per cent of respondents said they would prefer to have a spare tyre and almost the same number (86 per cent) said that they would rather have a spare tyre than their vehicle having lower CO2 emissions.
Emergency Services Support TyreSafe
NewsContinuing this October’s Tyre Safety Month, TyreSafe is publicising the thoughts of two “Wheel Heroes”; emergency service professionals who explain why they are supporting tyre safety month. The duo is a fire fighter who will “never forget a fatal minibus crash involving a youth soccer team” and a policeman “who attended an accident where a young nurse lost her life due to an under-inflated tyre”.
Tyre Safety Month Backed by Highways Agency
NewsThis October’s tyre safety month has received a significant boost after the Highways Agency announced that it is backing the campaign month for the first time. Ginny Clarke, director of network services for the Highways Agency, said: “The Highways Agency is pleased to be backing TyreSafe as they launch this year’s tyre safety month. The simple 20p test is an essential part of preparing for your journey. By checking that tyres are still in good condition, drivers are helping to avoid accidents, and the risk of delays to their journey as a result.”
TyreSafe Launches iPhone Tyre Pressure App
NewsiPhone users in the UK now have a useful tool to assist with correct tyre pressure inflation at their disposal. As part of October’s Tyre Safety Month, TyreSafe has launched a free iPhone application that provides a manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure settings in both psi and bar upon entering vehicle registration details.
Garages and Vehicle Main Dealers Support Tyre Safety Month
NewsTyre Safety Month launched today with national backing from Motor Codes and its nationwide network of 6,500 garages along vehicle main dealers of the four Fiat Group brands. Fiat Group Automobiles UK announced that Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Fiat and Fiat Professional will promote the importance of correct tyre care and maintenance across their 328-strong, UK retail and service networks. The Fiat Group’s support will begin by offering drivers free tyre safety checks at its dealerships during tyre safety month.
RoadSafe Pledges Tyre Safety Month Support
NewsThe road safety partnership RoadSafe has stated its support for near-namesake TyreSafe’s Tyre Safety Month initiative, which runs throughout October. Adrian Walsh, RoadSafe director says: “Tyres are a vital part of your car. You cannot brake, steer or accelerate properly when they are worn or underinflated. Drivers must remember to check them regularly. It can save a life.”
