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Pirelli named most recommended tyre
Research conducted by Encircle Marketing reveals that Pirelli was the most recommended tyre brand in the UK during 2011, the second year running for the Italian-based manufacturer. The analysis, which continuously monitors brand recommendations in the market, found that Pirelli came top with 6.7 per cent of all recommendations.
Hinko folding car production to start next year
Folding car moves closer to reality The Hiriko folding electric car is set to be launched this week before going into production next year. When folded, the Hiriko takes up two-thirds of the footprint of a Smart car By Michael Fitzpatrick (The telegraph) An electric car prototype that folds into itself to save parking space, and is powered by four in-wheel motors, will be launched tomorrow (Tuesday, January 24) by José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, in Brussels.
Punctures not being repaired properly
STAFF at four garages have been given a warning after inspectors found tyres were being left in a dangerous state. Staff from Trading Standards visited 10 garages to check if they were repairing damaged car tyres properly. Inspectors found that four of those were not doing repairs correctly. One-third of the 108 garages inspected also prompted concerns. Inspectors were worried punctured tyres that are repaired from the outside or that are patched rather than plugged could allow water to enter them.
Winter tyre sales increase even with little snow on the ground
Fleet demand for cold weather tyres has soared to record levels in winter 2011-12.Figures to the end of December last year reveal a massive 243% increase in sales versus the same period in 2010. Following the recent harsh winters many fleet managers decided not to risk being caught out in 2011-12 and opted to fit cold weather tyres in the autumn. There was a surge in demand when the first snow fell in the Peak District, north of England and Scotland in November last year.
Stolen Tyres
Stelaing tyres has become big business, some of the performance tyres used on the large BMW's, Porsches, Mercedes etc are worth hundreds of pounds per tyre. Although not easy to remove due to their size, they are easy to sell to motorists looking to save cash. The latest theft happened in Elgin, info from the BBC news: Dozens of tyres worth thousands of pounds have been stolen in Elgin. About 100 tyres were taken from BS Tyres at the Moray town's Chanonry industrial estate between 17:00 on Thursday and 08:00 on Friday.
Caravan show London 2012
The 2012 caravan show in London's Excel centre is in February. I have already seen a couple of caravans on the road, so it looks like this years mild winter will mean an early start to the season. If you are preparing your caravan for 2012, remember to check your tyres, as they could have deteriorated after sitting for a few months over the winter. For more advice on caravan tyre safety, have a look on the caravan clubs website. http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/1022844/caravan-tyres-and-wheels-mo.pdf
Bentley Tyres
I have been busy fitting two tyres to a Bentley Continental where the customer had hit a Pothole and split two tyres on the same side. As part of the fitting we moved the tyres around to keep the two new tyres on the same rear axle and the two older tyres on the front. This vehicle was fitted with 19" tyres and has TPMS sensor valves incorporated in the wheels. This is something where special care has to be taken so as to not put any undue pressure on the sensor valves, as they can break quite easily.
2012 New Years Resolution
Make it your New Years Resolution for 2012 to check your car tyres both for tread and tyre pressure on a regular basis. A vehicle with at least 3mm of tread and correctly inflated tyres will have improved handling and stopping distances. During 2011 I replaced many tyres that were well passed their legal requirements and also many more that had less than half the amount of air pressure required.
Blow out due to nail
Called out to a Motorcaravan with a blown out rear tyre. The cause had been a small nail that had punctured the tread, the driver didn't notice and continued to drive till it disintegrated. This is a good reason for installing a tyresure tyre pressure monitoring system. If interested call us at Hometyre, these systems can be installed in cars, vans, caravans, trailers or horseboxes. They have a dash mountable monitor that will warn you as soon as a tyre pressure changes by more than 3 psi (The 3 psi pressure change is adjustable to a setting you find suitable).
Back down on TPMS checks on MOT
VOSA were planning to do a big change on Tyre Pressure Monitoring Syatems (TPMS) by making them part of the MOT check from January 2012 for vehicles already fitted with them prior to this date. It was pointed out to VOSA that with some vehicles it is not possible to get replacement valves that will work with the monitor as they are obsolete (e.g. Rover 75). This would mean all of these vehicles with obsolete vales would fail the MOT, and would have to be scrapped as parts are not available to keep them on the road.
Icy roads in the South
Frosty mornings and Icy roads have arrived in the South. Please ensure you have at least 3mm of tread on your tyres or you will find yourself slipping more than usual. Winter tyres are also an option.
Old tyre problem
Customer fitted her 9 year old spare tyre to her Jeep last week, within 5 days it had blown. I replaced it with a new tyre today.
All weather tyres
Have just fitted new all season tyres to a Skoda, the customer is travelling to Europe over the xmas period, and to drive in some European countries you must have either winter tyres or all season tyres fitted. Are you considering travelling to the alps for a skiing trip? What are your tyres like? In some countries if you have the wrong tyres fitted not only can you be fined, but if involved in an accident, then your insurance becomes void, and the driver is responsible for any costs. Call our sales desk for advice before you travel.
Part worn tyres
I have just removed two tyres with bulges on from a Porsche, once removed from the vehicle these tyres look OK. This is the type of problem you can get with part worn tyres, they look fine until fitted and put on a vehicle, then the weight of the vehicle adds to the pressure and can force a bulge out. If this is on the inside of the wheel it can go un-noticed and is dangerous. Would you wear someone else's pants? No, so why would you use someone's cast off tyres.
Runflat puncture
Had a customer today who had had his runflat tyre sealed by a tyre depot as it was continually loosing air. He called me out as it had gone flat overnight. Turned out the seal was not the problem. The tyre had been driven flat, and the actual sidewall of the tyre had perished and was leaking. Soon fitted him a new tyre and he was on his way.
Nail in tyre
Called out to a lady that had a nail in the shoulder of her tyre, unfortunately for her, that area counts as the sde wall and is unrepairable. We carry charts that give an exact measurement for each tyre size, showing what we can and cannot repair.
Check the inside of your tyres
I have recently pulled off a few tyres, where the tread on the outside still looks legal, but the inside is right through to the canvass with wires sticking out. Not only are these illegal,(3 penalty points per tyre + upto a £2500 fine) but the are extreemly dangerous as they can burst at any time. Drivers need to get dowm on their knees and check the tread on the inside of the tyre, not just look at the outside.
TPMS Valves
How many people who have sensor valves (TPMS) fitted have had them replaced with rubber valves when they have failed or broken? From Jan next year, they become part of the MOT system, and you will all fail the Mot test. Hometyre can replace any missing or damaged valves at prices that are better than most dealers.Buy Tyres Online Here
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