Bridgestone Jaguar Tyres-celebrates finishing new Jaguar XJ220 tyres with a documentary film

28th August 2023/in All Car Manufacturer Articles, All Tyre Articles/by Eric Roberts

Bridgestone Jaguar Tyres

Importantly, one of the greatest cars ever made is the Jaguar XJ 220. Unfortunately, many of the car experts, did not like the car and were very disappointed when the car fist came out. The new Jaguar came out fitted with a V12 engine. As a result, the engine was mounted at the rear . making the car suitable for racing use. Indeed a version of the XJ 220 the XJR 9 . Went on to win the prestigious Le mans 24 hr race .

This has been a special project for Bridgestone tyres . Although Bridgestone Jaguar tyres are available for all Jaguars tyre needs. Then the development of tyres for the XJ 220 was to become a special project. In fact it was stated that no profit was to be made on the sale of these tyres.

The XJ’s tyres

Consequently, were originally the sizes of 255/45zr17 and 345/35zr18 and could cope with the cars top speeds of over 200 mph. Consequently, owners of these cars could not buy new tyres, as they were not made and unavailable.

As a result of the tyres being unavailable then Bridgestone have now started to make the tyres available again. Including the Potenza RE031. Of course, Incorporating sports performance with ride comfort, the Potenza RE031 is original equipment (OE) on selected vehicles. Original equipment (OE) on Lexus RX330.

After months of development, Bridgestone has finished creating new tyres for Jaguar’s iconic 1990s supercar, the XJ220. The tyre manufacturer partnered up with Jaguar specialist Don Law Racing to create new rubber for the turbocharged supercar, the British firm also supplied the original pre-production car that Jaguar originally used for testing.

Source: Bridgestone celebrates finishing new Jaguar XJ220 tyres with a documentary film | Evo

Bridgestone are now proud suppliers of tyres for the whole jaguar range going into 2022.

Michelin Tyres Development-Set their Targets High as far back as the Thirties

26th August 2023/in All Michelin Tyres/by Eric Roberts

It is no surprise to the older drivers amongst us that Michelin Tyres Development has always been at the forefront of tyre design

Ever since I started work as a junior tyre fitter all those years ago. So, I have marveled at the skill and professional work. That Michelin Tyres Development have put into their products. Even going back before my time ! French tyre makers were at the top of tyre development.Subsequently, all the other tyre companies were playing catch-up.

Enter the first steel belted radial that started it all off for Michelin tyres.

This was to be the tyre that changed their history. Including the great American tyre makers of the time. Of course, this new tyre from Michelin tyres was to be a far cry from the cross ply. Significantly, made by most other European tyre companies . Including, the Bias-belted tyres that were been developed in the USA.

The new Michelin Tyres Development was to be known as the Michelin”X”. Consequently, first appearing in 1949 (a year after I was born). This tyre would revolutionize the tyre industry ! With a product that would last longer and prove better car handling. Especially, for the type of suspension that was used on European cars.

This tyre was to be fitted as original equipment to Lancia and Citroen cars and also to the Mercedes 190 SL models.

It took a good ten years before the other tyre makers started to catch Michelin Tyres Development up, all trying to copy the steel belted “X” tyre.

Compared to the cross-ply tyre the radial gave many advantages. They gave a much better mileage and road holding, ( I must admit that when I was in my early tyre fitting days. I can remember drivers complaining about Michelin being bad in wet weather ?). This also gave added bonus of lower fuel consumption, a great

bonus for some of those old gas guzzling cars.

This is also the same time that imported cars were coming into the UK cars such as the Citroen 2 CV and Renault Dauphins.

More reading… “The Dauphine took over from the 4 CV in 1956, but not as a replacement. The name dauphine (heiress) was highly significant. Release was a major event on the motoring scene, and followed up by a successful career on French and export markets.
Dauphine played its successor’s role to the full, boasting all the latest features of the epoch, such as adjustable seats, heating, and an automatic gearbox. The finish was very smart, with a red and black steering wheel and matching seats. The dashboard layout was uncluttered, and the interior roomy.
Dauphine was a four-seater, with rear bench and two separate seats at the front. In January 1957, the US motoring weekly The Motor crowned it the “prettiest little four-seater in the world”. Sure, it was beautiful, elegant and shapely, totally in keeping with spirit of the 1960s.”…http://www.renault.com/en/vehicules/hier/pages/renault-dauphine.aspx

The Dauphin did not do too well in the “Cold Damp British climate”

So, soon had a bad reputation for bad rust. But it did come out on Michelin tyres, and I will never forget. Of course, the first time I had to remove one of these products from the rim. The tyre just fell off the wheel it was so easy to do. A big improvement on the struggle we had when fitting Dunlops . In those days we only had a hand held tyre bead breaker and some tyre levers, balancing was carried out on a small “bubble” wheel balancer which I still believe never really worked.

To conclude Michelin Tyres Development have never looked back and in the early days. Because of their better cornering they were used in the early motor-sport cars with great success.

Heat Causes More Tyre blowouts-A surge following excessive UK temperatures

24th August 2023/1 Comment/in All Part Worn Tyres Stuff, All Tyre Articles/by Eric Roberts

Heat Causes More Tyre blowouts

So, this is good advise from the attached article (Garage Wire). Importantly any extra heat build up will put any suspect tyres at risk. I am thinking mainly about tyres that have not been repaired correctly. Of course this brings me onto part worn tyres. In my humble opinion that unless these tyres are tested then the motorists could be driving on death traps.

Well worn tyres also come into this category. There is no excuse to be driving along on bald worn out tyres. However it is still surprising at the number of my customers in Halifax UK are driving about on such tyres.

So, tyres are produced under very high temperatures. Consequently heat is one of the tyres worse enemies. Thus the hotter the tyre gets during operations then the higher the risk of some kind of blowout. Any tyre that has been incorrectly repaired will be at a higher risk. Tyre repairs are governed by certain UK standards and laws. However, there are unscrupulous member’s of our society that ignore these rules. So putting the drivers who look for a cheap job on their tyres at risk.

Stick to new tyres if possible!

Of course as the owner of a tyre centre then I would say this wouldn’t I! However it makes safety sense to stick to buying new tyres where possible. Here at Pellon Tyres in Halifax, we try our best to give our customers a good deal. We sock and offer a great range of quality brand cheap tyres. All are brand new and much safer in red hot weather, such as we have recently witnessed.

Motorists have this week been suffering with tyre blowouts this week after the UK was hit with its highest ever recorded temperatures. Driver were urged to remain vigilant as tyres are at a much bigger risk

Source: Tyre blowouts surge following excessive UK temperatures

Dangerous Part-Worn Tyres-Trading Standards prosecute deadly tyre sellers

22nd August 2023/in All Part Worn Tyres Stuff, All Tyre Safe.org stuff/by Eric Roberts

Dangerous Part-Worn Tyres

TyreSafe has today distributed the following release.

Of course, as members of “Tyresafe” then we are pleased to see that some of the people selling these things are brought to some sort of justice !

Including, the good news of recent convictions of retailers. Consequently, across the whole of the UK. These have once again highlighted the potential risks. Significantly, aimed at unsuspecting motorists take when taking the risk of buying part worn tyres.

Cases in Scotland and London revealed how dangerous and illegal tyres were being sold

Subsequently, part worn tyre traders who sell these to the public. So, have been investigated by Trading Standards and TyreSafe. Resulting, in each instance, that the retailers have now faced stiff penalties and fines. Hence totalling thousands of pounds.

Expressly ,in December 2018, the owner of Springside Tyre and Valet Centre. So, in Irvine, Scotland was handed a 120-hour Community Payback Order. Explicitly, for breaches in product safety and consumer protection regulations. Of course, following prosecution by Trading Standards officers from North Ayrshire. Accordingly, at the accused hearing. So, it was revealed tyres had been offered for sale with an 80 mm nail through a sidewall. Including a part worn tyre with a mechanics socket embedded in the tread.

In other cases

Subsequently, over a two month period, three other part worn tyre dealers were prosecuted. Henceforth, by Brent & Harrow Trading Standards having to pay a total of over £15,000. Another prosecution, in January 2019, the director of Grays Tyres (Kingsbury) was fined £3,600 and ordered to pay £1,112 costs. Including a £60 victim surcharge. Directors of S & F Tyres Ltd (Kingsbury) pleaded guilty on behalf of himself and his company. Both of which were each fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £1,122 costs and a £50 victim surcharge.

In February the director of Pennant Tyres (Willesden) was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,117 and a victim surcharge of £75. Colleagues in Ealing brought charges against the director of JFH London Ltd trading as Perivale Tyres (Greenford), who entered a guilty plea and was fined £500 and ordered to pay prosecution costs.

Stuart Jackson, Chairman of TyreSafe, said:
“The continued vigilance of Trading Standards teams the length and breadth of the UK means at least some illegal and unsafe part worn tyres are being removed from the market. However, it is clear we are just scratching the surface of a trade where a completely unacceptable level of professional incompetence and worryingly high proportion of dangerous products are being sold. Nobody is arguing for an outright ban of part worns but when over 60% of tyres inspected by Trading Standards and TyreSafe are unsafe to return to the roads, it is clear that the sale of part worn tyres all too often represents a clear and present danger to road safety”.

Continental Tyre Advice- That Warn You Of Vehicle Overloading your car tyres.

21st August 2023/in All Continental Tyres Stuff/by Eric Roberts

Continental Tyre Advice

Continental Tyre Advice-Continental tyres make new gadgets

Conti Car Tyres has been stepping up its line of products as it already delivers tyres which are equipped with a sensor that tells the user just how much…

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

New Tyre Advice just one of things to come?

Now that we will all be using TPMS systems in the future . So, it comes as no surprise that other gadgets will be developed. Naturally, to aid the motorist. Hence, in the constant drive for more road safety on our cars.

This new device from Continental will be no exception. Significantly, will tell the driver if the car is overloaded or not. Overloading is one of the main dangers associated with the cars handling. Of course, this can be very dangerous when cornering with an overloaded car.

No doubt there will be many more gadgets coming through in the years to come. Thus, to aid drivers probably on German cars such as the BMW’s and Mercs. Working in conjunction with the German tyre giant Tyre Advice professionals . These devices will also become more common on vehicles such as caravans and motor-homes. So, as they will warn the driver of any loss of air pressure, thus resulting in a safer journey.

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. Of course, we also sell Continental Car Tyres online from our website www.pellontyres.co.uk. So, by using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. Consequently, we offer courtesy cars to local motorists .Needing to go to work and leave their car with us for work doing. Also an official MOT testing station. Finally, who carry out checks for high standard of equipment and workmanship.

See on www.ubergizmo.com

Here at Pellon Tyres we can offer the car driver a full compliment of the Continental Tyres product range through our various trading partners across Europe.

Tyre labeling- is now considered good for the motorist to check on?

20th August 2023/1 Comment/in All Tyre Articles/by Eric Roberts

Tyre labeling

Tyre labeling is too vague for modern tyres

Eric Roberts’s insight:

Since this post was first release. Hence, I have now changed my opinion. As a result of regarding tyre labelling. For this reason, at first I did not think that the buying public. Would take any notice of the tyre grading’s. But now we are getting many drivers. That are comparing the makes of tyres. Thus, before they make their purchase. Consequently, I did not think that this would ever happen. Therefore, I thought that most people would buy on price alone. But I admit that I was wrong. I would say that out of all of our purchasing customers about a third now compare the Tyre labelling ratings. We now show all the different Tyre labelling ratings of all the tyres that we offer on our website, so that our customers can look at the different labels and make a more informed choice of tyre for their cars.

Tyre labelling does not affect tyre virtues

What do I mean ?

So, the big five tyre makers, have always been torn between two things, Good grip or high mileage. it is very difficult to get the correct balance, we all know about the Michelin “X” when it came out ? it knocked the socks off mileage compared to all the other manufacturers, but also became famous for not been very good in the wet.

This is a great example of the imbalance that can take place between the two things that the tyre makers are trying to achieve. With today’s modern tyre testing techniques these companies have a much better chance of getting the balances correct. So much so that tyres can now be made for specific car models such as BMWs and Mercedes, who have their own specific ones to aid the cars performance.

What I am getting at is that in my opinion tyre labelling is not a good way of determining how good a tyre really is and is just another piece of bureaucracy that came from the European Union. The tyre companies are way ahead of these stupid labels, that really tell the motorist nothing. Also how true is the tyre labelling on imported economy brands ?

See about the new 2021 tyre labelling

Tyresafe Partworn Campaign-About the dangers of buying Part Worn Tyres-www.tyresafe.org

19th August 2023/in All Part Worn Tyres Stuff, All Tyre Safe.org stuff/by Eric Roberts

Tyresafe Partworn Campaign

Part Worn Tyres Are False Economy

Post updated 2/2/2014

Tyresafe Campaign about part worn tyres; are just not worth the money ?

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Trading Standards

Pellon tyres are a member of Tyresafe and are concerned about part worn tyres

For all tyre safety matters this is the web-site to look at . So inwardly digest what they are saying.

Before buying Part worn tyres you must look at what they have to say?. To prove a point, the Tyresafe Campaign . By buying sample part worn tyre products from all over the country. Thus, working out the real worth of part worn tyres . Hence, the facts are startling. As a result, you should not be buying these tyres. Unfortunately, not only could they be dangerous . But” pound for pound” they are not worth the money . Consequently, that you will pay out for them .

What constitutes a part worn tyre to be sold legally?

Many local council trading standards officers . Are pursuing part worn tyre outlets . Frequently, prosecuting the ones that are breaking the law. Not least Warwickshire County Council. Part worn tyres must be checked for cuts, bulges, exposed tyre cords . So, should have no foreign bodies embedded in them . Such as nails and screws. For this reason, they should be clearly marked as part worn tyres. Including, with a minimum tread depth of 2 mm all round. Before they can be sold.

Trading standards officers often pretend to be genuine customers and go round buying part worn tyres, to be tested. Janet Faulkner, Head of Warwickshire Trading Standards Service said:

Tyresafe Partworn Campaign

“Whilst all the tyres we purchased passed the tread depth test, only one was stamped as ‘part-worn’ and two failed because of tread separation or slow pressure loss, neither of which would be obvious to a consumer straight away. Our advice is that it’s always safest to buy brand new tyres, but if you are buying part-worn, make sure the tyre has been tested, check the tread depth, look out for lumps and bumps and keep an eye on the tyre pressure”

See on www.tyresafe.org

Part Worn Tyres Targeted-Calls for part-worn tyre ban following trading standards sting

18th August 2023/in All Part Worn Tyres Stuff/by Eric Roberts

Part Worn Tyres Targeted

This is great news. Especially for us tyre retailers that run a legitimate business. As a result, we are all sick to see all the back street tyre shops. Hence, that have recently opened, selling part worn tyres. We all know that most of the old tyres that these people sell are “Illegal”. Even more annoying, is that members of the public buy this rubbish for their vehicles.

I see this every day. Drivers think that they are saving money. However, it has been proven many times that this is false economy. In addition, we have had many disillusioned drivers calling into my depot here in Halifax UK. Disillusioned, because the tyre that they have just payed £20 for, only lasted them for two weeks. As a result, we examine many of the tyres that we remove. Hence, after being bought as part worn tyres.

Most of these tyres were the pits? They were just over the legal limit with cuts and cracks all over the tyres and many our well over the age limit. Including the sidewalls and the tread areas. The people who sell these tyres should be banned from been in business. In fact I have visited countries such as Egypt. These back street places resemble such third world countries.

Part Worn Tyres Targeted

As an industry we have fought for years to make tyre safety a priority. Including, tyre tread depth and rules about repairing tyres and the age which tyres should not be fitted. People who sell illegal part worn tyres should be closed down. I frequently pass these places and it makes me cringe. Thus, when I see regular motorists have these tyres fitted to their cars. Also I often see taxis having these death traps fitted. As I have said on many occasions. Then I do not mind the sale of “legal” part worn tyres being fitted. But looking at the state of these places then I very much doubt that anything about these companies will be carried out legally. Including, public liability insurance and many other things that we legitimate businesses have to provide to be able to trade with a clear consciousness.

Finally, it is good to see that trading standards are making some inroads into the problem. more reading https://www.pellonautocentre.com/dangerous-tyres/

Eric Roberts

Source: Calls for part-worn tyre ban following trading standards sting

Caravan Tyres Season Again-A great Video from Tyresafe.org About caravan Tyres

17th August 2023/in All Tyre Articles/by Eric Roberts

Caravan Tyres Season Again

Yet another great video about your caravan tyres. Furthermore, this advice also applies to the owners of motorhomes and towed caravans and trailers. In addition, all vehicles that could be stood for long periods. Of course, and then take off on a journey. Consequently, the tyres on these vehicles are also exposed to the sun. For this reason, tyres that are exposed to the sun then suffer from cracking.

This cracking can be seen and identified on this video. Therefore, worth a look at the video. Millions of people set off this time of year. Subsequently, to take an Easter break. As a result, our roads are full of caravans, campervans and motorhomes. Nothing wrong with that? As long as the owners make safety checks. Especially on their crucial tyres. Including a visual inspection and checking the tyre pressures.

Caravan Tyres Season Again

I find it incredible when I see a caravan smashed to pieces after an accident. Many of these accidents are caused by tyre blowouts. For this reason, every year we see our customers bringing in tyres that have been torn to pieces after a deflation on the motorway. Undoubtedly, there are many such incidents that go unnoticed. Ownership of one of these vehicle should mean total responsibility from the owners for safety concerns.

Millions of caravan and motorhome are responsible people. Unfortunately, it is the few irresponsible drivers that give the majority a bad word. Another important thing that I feel I should mention.

To sum up, is to make sure that the tyres on your vehicle match up to the correct load ratings for your specific vehicle. Especially, if you own a larger vehicle. You can be sure that your load rating will be higher than say a standard car tyre. Please check and if you are not sure ask your local tyre centre for advice.

Tyre issues biggest cause of breakdowns- National Highways data shows

15th August 2023/0 Comments/in All Tyre Articles/by Eric Roberts

Tyre issues biggest cause of breakdowns

Of course this is nothing new. In my opinion the main reason is that the car manufacturers have failed their duty of care! Cars no longer have spare wheels in many cases. Drivers are left with either nothing at all or a can of inflation fluid. Some vehicle are fitted with the skinny looking spare wheels. On the lets say posher part of the car market then many have run flat tyre systems.

Cara are also fitted with TPMS systems. These light up when a tyre is deflated and under pressure. As the owner of a busy retail tyre outlet here in Halifax UK, then I must stick up for the customers. Subsequently I find that most car owners are respective about the condition of their cars tyres.

Like many other things in life we always get people who dont give a damn about their tyres and rod safety in general. These are also the people that think nothing about fitting part worn tyre and the dangers that these can bring to our busy roads.

Drivers are now forced to join the national breakdown services because of the lack of spare wheels in millions of cars. Originally done to lower the weight of the cars to reduce emissions. But this must have also increased the profit margins ?

More than 41,500 people broke down on National Highways roads last year because of tyre issues – that’s more than 20 per cent of all breakdowns. National Highways, which is responsible for motorways and major A

Source: Tyre issues biggest cause of breakdowns, National Highways data shows