winter Archives - Page 18 of 28 - Tyrepress

Posts

Keep Safe Over Winter with Kwik-Fit

As more people are killed and injured on Britain’s roads in the final months of each year than at any other time it is imperative that vehicles are maintained in tip-top condition in the winter months. With the onset of freezing driving conditions, fog and wet roads, Kwik-Fit Fleet has once again launched its annual free five-point vehicle check.

The free winter safety checks are available at Kwik-Fit centres nationwide and they cover:
Tyre check – pressures, tread depth and general condition (including spare)
Battery check – using electronic test equipment
Exhaust check – condition and fitment including hangers and brackets
Tracking check – visual check to determine if the tyres show related wear
Glass/wipers check – condition of vehicle glass and wipers

Road casualty figures from the Department for Transport reveal that last year a total of 303 people were killed on the UK’s roads in October, 279 people in November and 310 people in December – the worst month for road deaths in 2006. Together with road deaths in January and February last year – 242 and 250 respectively – the five months accounted for 43 per cent of all fatalities. In addition, the last three months of the year traditionally account for more people being injured in road traffic accidents than in any other three-month period. In 2006, a total of 68,225 people were injured in the last three months of the year – 27 per cent of the total number of people injured on Britain’s roads last year.

23rd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Winter Tyres Get the Cold Shoulder in New Zealand

Public perception of cold weather tyres in New Zealand has been dealt another blow, with the country’s leading motor industry organisation, the Motor Trade Association, again calling for a ban to be placed upon the importation of cars fitted with cold weather tyres, more commonly known in New Zealand as snow tyres. The association has also proposed denying a warrant of fitness – the 6-monthly New Zealand equivalent to the MOT – to any vehicle fitted with cold weather tyres outside the cold season and away from “colder regions of the country.” Demands for such measures have been repeated throughout this year following the occurrence of two well-publicised fatal accidents involving vehicles fitted with a combination of summer and winter tyres, and this negative attention appears to have overshadowed the benefits that correctly fitted winter tyres may bring to motorists.

16th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Winter Tyres Get the Cold Shoulder in New Zealand

Public perception of cold weather tyres in New Zealand has been dealt another blow, with the country’s leading motor industry organisation, the Motor Trade Association, again calling for a ban to be placed upon the importation of cars fitted with cold weather tyres, more commonly known in New Zealand as snow tyres. The association has also proposed denying a warrant of fitness to any vehicle fitted with cold weather tyres outside the cold season and away from “colder regions of the country.” Demands for such measures have been repeated throughout this year following the occurrence of two well-publicised fatal accidents involving vehicles fitted with a combination of summer and winter tyres, and this negative attention appears to have overshadowed the benefits that correctly fitted winter tyres may bring to motorists.

16th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis to Sponsor Rugby Super League in 2008

Maxxis International UK has signed a deal to raise awareness of its brand in association with the English Super League 2008. Maxxis will advertise at the first 10 live games of the 30-game season, which runs from February to September, with an option on additional hoardings and further games.

The championship will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 on Friday evenings, with further TV coverage in Sky Sports 3’s Saturday afternoon full match replays and in extended highlights on BBC 2 on Sundays.

It will also feature on Sky Sports rolling news bulletins and in Sky Sports 1’s ‘Boots ‘n’ All’ weekly round-up programme, adding up to a UK TV audience of around 38 million. In addition, English Super League action will be seen in 120 countries worldwide each week.

“We will be promoting Maxxis via the scrolling perimeter advertising boards, which are positioned in the front row at ground level, approximately halfway between the try line and the centreline, directly opposite the main TV cameras,” says Maxxis International UK managing director Derek McMartin.

9th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Primacy Alpin Awarded Highest Distinction by ADAC

The new Michelin Primacy Alpin tyre has been awarded the highest distinction – a “highly recommendable” rating – in a test conducted by Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club (ADAC), the German Automobile Association and Europe’s largest automobile club.

Carried out by ADAC and its Austrian and Swiss counterparts – Österreichischer Automobil-, Motorrad- und Touring Club (ÖAMTC) and Touring Club Suisse (TCS) – the comparative test involved 16 brands of 205/55 R16 H winter tyres.

The tyres were tested for their grip on snow and ice covered roads as well as on low temperature wet and dry surfaces. Tyre life was also measured, and in this category the Michelin Primacy Alpin received the highest overall score, ahead of all its competitors.

The Michelin Primacy Alpin responds to the dual challenge of optimising safety and longevity. During the design phase, Michelin research and development teams focused on meeting three performance objectives.

28th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Vredestein Introduces New Run-Flat Sizes In USA

(Akron/Tyre Review) Vredestein North America has introduced the new run-flat versions of its Vredestein Quatrac 3 and Wintrac Xtreme lines.

25th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Lends Support to Transaid Charity Ride

Hankook is switching its attention to cycling this winter with the launch of plans to support transport charity Transaid in a 400 km charity cycle ride across Kenya. The tyremaker has pledged its support by becoming key sponsor for Gary Williams, a 55 year old former tyre fitter who is now on the board of Transaid and works for Direct Tyre Management.

Gary said he was looking forward to the fundraising effort. “This is a huge challenge for me but such a worthwhile cause,’’ he said, adding that he is already in training for the cycle ride. “At the moment I’m cycling 20 miles at a time and just thinking about the amazing views across Rift Valley and Lake Victoria.’’

Hankook’s UK commercial sales manager Barrie Horrocks said he was delighted that the company was part of this fundraising event that will help people in Africa benefit from safe, affordable and efficient transport. “As a global company Hankook is involved in transportation around the world and to be participating in such a prestigious and worthwhile event is ideal for us,’’ said Barrie. “We fully support this initiative.”

21st September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Nokian Boosts its Summer & Winter Line-Ups

The range of products on offer from Nokian Tyres is receiving a boost with the introduction of three new tyre lines. The new tyres have been, according to the Finnish manufacturer, developed for the demanding weather and driving conditions in the Nordic and Russian markets.

Two new summer tyres, the Hakka Z and Hakka SUV, complete Nokian’s Hakka tyre family, the first members of which were released in the spring of 2007. The Hakka Z is a UHP tyre designed for high speed driving, and the new product line includes about 30 W and Y speed rated tyres in sizes between 16 and 20 inches. Sales of the Hakka Z will begin in spring 2008. The other new summer product, the Hakka SUV, is intended for mid-sized city jeeps and all-terrain vehicles, a rapidly growing vehicle segment in the tyre’s target markets. The Hakka SUV range is said to cover the most popular vehicles sold in the Nordic countries, and sales for this product are also scheduled to commence in spring 2008.

20th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

VancoWinter 2 Launched in the UK

Continental Tyre Group is pleased to announce the launch of its latest cold weather van tyre to be sold on the UK market – the VancoWinter 2. Available from October, VancoWinter 2 features an advanced sipe concept meaning the sipes spread when braking. This creates an ice scraper effect on the road surface allowing shorter braking distances on winter roads. Open shoulders on the tyre with wide lateral grooves give excellent water drainage leading to a high level of protection against aquaplaning on wet roads.

The VancoWinter 2’s optimum tyre footprint coupled with a unique cold weather compound gives the VancoWinter 2 as much as 30 per cent extra mileage potential in the winter months compared to a conventional van tyre. According to a Continental statement heralding the release, the winter tyre market is becoming “increasingly important for van drivers and fleets who realise the safety benefits of fitting cold weather tyres to work vehicles.”

Continental’s van OE approval success continues with the VancoWinter 2 approved by Mercedes for the popular Sprinter van and the Iveco Daily. Currently one in three vans leaves a European factory on Continental tyres.

7th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Deldo Completes Warehouse Expansion

This summer Belgian wholesaler Deldo completed an 8000 square expansion of its Antwerp central warehouse. As a result of the building work the companies warehouse now covers approximately 60,000 square metres and has a stock capacity of more than 2 million tyres. According to the company the move further underlines the company’s vision of having “everything under one roof.” Deldo offers a complete range in premium brands as well as a mix of exclusive brands, with 50,000 tyres being “handled” at the warehouse each day. Deldo representatives told Tyres & Accessories that the recent enlargement will result in improved internal logistics and greater efficiency. The company also expects the move to further its position as a winter tyre specialist, explaining that “winter tyre require a comprehensive stock.”

7th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BMW Approves Conti Winter Run-Flats

Continental has secured another OE contract with BMW, this time supplying run-flat winter tyres to a number of vehicles produced by the German manufacturer. The supply deal covers the 1 and 3 series as well as the X5 SAV and the Z4 coupe and convertible.

To accommodate the different driving dynamics of the various vehicles, BMW has ordered two tyre models – the X5 will be fitted with the ContiCrossContact Winter in 18 and 19-inch sizes, whilst the other vehicles will be equipped with 16 and 17-inch fitments of the ContiWinterContact TS 810 Sport.

Conti reports that the company currently supplies 50 per cent of BMW’s OE tyre requirements.

6th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Keep on Trucking Through Winter

This October will see Continental’s latest cold weather tyre for light commercial vehicles, the VancoWinter 2, arriving this side of the Channel and released onto a market that is increasingly becoming important to van drivers and fleets who realise the safety benefits of fitting cold weather tyres to work vehicles.

Already approved as OE for the popular Mercedes Sprinter van and the Iveco Daily, the VancoWinter 2 continues Continental’s success in the area of OE van tyre supply. According to Conti one in three vans leaves a European factory running on Continental tyres, confirming the German manufacturer’s strong OE position.

The VancoWinter 2 features sipes that spread when braking to create an ice scraper effect on the road surface, allowing shorter braking distances on winter roads. Open shoulders on the tyre with wide lateral grooves provide excellent water drainage, leading to a high level protection against aquaplaning on wet roads. Conti has striven to create an optimum tyre footprint for the VancoWinter 2, one that allows for even wear. This, coupled with the tyre’s cold weather compound, is reported to give the VancoWinter 2 in the vicinity of 30 per cent extra mileage potential in the winter months compared with a conventional van tyre.

4th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Cool Performance in Cold Weather

Avon Tyres has expanded its already sizeable winter range programme with the addition of new sizes to fit a broad variety of popular high performance cars and 4x4s. Introduced to tackle the precarious driving conditions motorists face from November onwards, the Ice Touring ST and the Ranger Ice have been introduced for high performance saloon cars and 4x4s, respectively.

The Ice Touring ST’s wide, low profile design combined with its specially-engineered tread pattern delivers sure-footed grip and handling in winter temperatures. Its high silica content, together with extensive siping, helps keep the tread blocks flexible at very low winter temperatures, which aids grip in the wet and traction in the snow. Wide spacing of the tread blocks also helps prevent the tread clogging up with snow.

29th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin XDN Grip Halts On the Job Flashing

Wilson McCurdy Haulage from Ballymena in Northern Ireland has recently become a fan of Michelin’s XDN2 Grip tyres after fitting a set to the drive axle of a 580 hp Scania 6×2 tractor unit. The Michelin rubber is just what Wilson McCurdy Haulage needs as the days become cooler towards the end of the year, as the XDN2 Grip offers increased traction in wet conditions and excellent performance on hard packed snow and icy surfaces.

The Scania operates at 44 tonnes with a Heil petrochemical tanker and had previously encountered a slight loss of traction when running empty on wet roads, particularly whilst negotiating roundabouts. “We need a powerful tractor unit as this vehicle operates in a very rural area, but the driver reported that in wet conditions the traction warning light would be flashing on and off repeatedly,” says Bill McCurdy, a partner in Wilson McCurdy Haulage.

28th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Winter Tyre Test Specialist Appoints New MD

Test World, the independent winter tyre testing facility located in the brisk northerly reaches of Ivalo in Finnish Lapland, has a new managing director. Following the retirement of incumbent managing director Timo Mäkelä on August 1, deputy managing director Harri Eskelinen has filled his snow shoes.

The company performs an invaluable service for Europe’s tyre manufacturers. Tyre World’s extreme northerly location ensures frigid weather for a large chunk of the year – the test season begins in late October and runs until the end of April – making Ivalo a much sought after location for putting winter tyres through their paces. The testing specialist has developed track maintenance techniques that permit invariable conditions for the duration of tyre tests, and can conduct tests in all conditions likely to be encountered, including snow, slush, wet and dry surfaces. During 2007 the company is also launching a brand new indoors test facility that will be used for performing approval tests conforming to ECE norms.

20th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors