All Tyre Articles-Including seperate manufacture posts

CAR TYRES-technical developments to create a Greener tyre.

9th April 2021/in All Michelin Tyres /by Eric Roberts

Man made car tyres develop and change over the years.

So the tyres that were made say thirty years ago would not be suitable for today’s cars. The tyre has developed into part of the evolution of greener cars, especially in recent times when vehicle emissions have become a very important part of new car development.

Tyre companies are trying all sorts of new techniques. To develop car tyres that will give a better “rolling resistance”. Better rolling resistance makes it easier for a car to move forward . Whilst at the same time enabling the car to give a smooth ride. Sticking to the road when cornering and in bad weather conditions.

Tyre companies are using new and much lighter materials.

Including new materials that go into the compounds. Ultimately, that make the materials that are used for the outer layers of the car tyres. Hence, for making the sidewalls and tread area. One of the main products used is still latex of course. But tyres companies are now trying other materials. So, to try lesson the use of petrol-chemicals derived from oil.

One of these leading the charge is Yokohama tyres. Yokohama are experimenting with many materials. Importantly, one of the more successful ones has been “orange peel oil”. Another tyre company that are trying new materials are Goodyear tyres. Goodyear has teamed up with a biotechnology company called DuPont. The two companies are working together to produce molecules to try to match the molecules that are found in tyre compounds. Rubber is a molecule! So by replicating similar molecules from sugar molecules they will be able to manufacture a product. Of course, that could be used to make tyre with and replace the dependency of latex. The natural material that tyres are made of at the moment. For more reading… http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/news/making-tires-green.html

Continental tyres are also one of the Worlds car tyres development innovators.

Over the years they have formed what they call their “green kitchen” to enable them to develop more environmentally friendly compounds, by replacing the more dangerous chemicals used in tyre making with new more eco-friendly products, similar to what Goodyear and other tyre companies are experimenting with. More information…http://www.continental-corporation.com/www/csr_com_en/themes/news/reifenmischung_en.html

Michelin Tyres UK are going down the same road. Michelin have always been at the front of car tyres development, ever since the invention of the “steel belted radial” and are now looking at all possible ways of future tyre development, including the use of old tyres…

“Terry Getty’s, Michelin’s research and development director stated that the tyre giant’s innovation strategy continues to focus on exploiting raw materials to the maximum. He further said that TREC is a perfect illustration of eco-design and will help them creating latest high-performance tyres using high-quality raw materials derived from old car tyres”.

This includes Michelin’s latest tyre, which will not lose any grip all the way down to the tyre tread wear bars, due to the different compound depths within the tyres.

Now more important to switch your Michelin tyres round

Tyre rotation has become just as important as ever, because of the new developments and the need gain every bit of wear that you can out of your tyres. In my opinion there is also a need to match the tyres that are fitted to the car, especially if your car has the latest tyre specs that have been developed between the car and the tyre manufacturers.

We are pleasantly surprised though, how many of our customers do indeed practice this now. They are up to date with the fact that car tyres from different tyre manufacturers are now different and that they should be matched up for a better performance, that will give the car the same handling qualities when braking and cornering, in any type of weather conditions.

Michelin Premium Tyres are Still Amongst the Best Including the Alpin Winter Tyre Range

6th April 2021/in All Michelin Tyres /by Eric Roberts

Energy Saver

Michelin Premium Tyres one of the Best

Just the other day I was filling in a tyre complaint form. So, for a suspected faulty tyre, that was made by Continental . The tyre was from an SUV and had started to crack around the shoulder area. The cracks were very deep. Naturally, I recommended that we sent the tyre back to Continental. Importantly, to have a look and see what their opinion was. I always say “suspected fault”. Because we never know whether or not the problem was caused by a mechanical fault or not. Some faults are easy to detect! So, I have learned what to look for over the years. Of course, to determine if it’s a fault or not.

But in this case I was not sure. These SUV’s are very big now and must come up against much flexing. Whilst carrying a large weight, perhaps causing flexing cracks in the shoulder area. So I decided to send them back. Faulty ones are not a very common site these days. Including the budget tyre brands. In fact after giving it much thought! I cannot remember seen a genuine faulty tyre for years now.

Bad Old Days

I am old enough to remember the bad old days when the tyre manufacturers were have a hell of a time with steel belted radials. The two companies with the biggest problems were Goodyear and Firestone and thousands were recalled or exchanged free of charge. The problem was that the steel wire that was used to make the steel belts in the tread area was not properly protected from oxidisation (rusting). When they were punctured the water would penetrate the steel belt and cause it to rust. The tyre then started to lift the treads , causing them to go out of shape. We also had them with bad balancing problems.

Michelin Premium Tyres

Michelin coated their steel belts with an alloy made of brass, which was able to stand up to oxidisation and therefore they did not have any problems with out of shape tyres. The patent that Michelin had on the wire was eventually sold to the other tyre companies and the problems that they were having were eventually eradicated.

Michelin tyres warranty

This brings me onto the reason, that Michelin are perhaps still the best tyre product in the World. From the off the tyre manufacturer from France was streets ahead with the Michelin Premium Tyres X range . They were streets ahead of the other tyre makers and the X tyre became famous for its high mileage and reliability, the tyre would do twice the miles as its nearest rivals and the X was followed by other well-known tyre designs in their repertoire, we had the ZX tyres, the XZY and the XZL, XM and XC and many more that have escaped me. Michelin Premium Tyres also make an excellent winter tyre range, lead by the Alpin. This tyre was developed from the experiences of years involvement in motorsport especially auto rallying.

Michelin Premium Tyres to me have always being the epitome of the best products you can buy. They can always guarantee you safety on the road through good handling an d steering qualities, while at the same time giving the car a smooth ride, whatever type or make the vehicle might be. Michelin tyres France always incorporated leading technology into their tyre products, making them a World leader.

When it comes to first rate premium products, Michelin tyres PLC have become a household name. These premium ones give much better handling, grip, endurance, driving comfort and accuracy. Michelin Premium Tyres quality has never been compromised on its tyre materials and design.

the Primacy 3, Michelin Pilot Sport 3 and the tyre developed for the SUVs, the Michelin Latitude Tour HP.

Michelin tyres leaders in greener tyres.

Because of mounting pressure from the Governments onto the Car manufacturers to make more fuel efficient models, then the car makers exerted pressure on the tyre companies to produce

with a much improved rolling resistance. Michelin Premium Tyres were quick to react and developed the more eco-friendly Fuel Saver tyre.

Because the tyres grip the road they consume a large portion of the cars fuel, because of this they brought out the Michelin Energy Saver tyre range. They reduced the rolling resistance of these tyres by incorporating a secret compound mix that reduced the carbon monoxide emissions from the car that they were fitted to. One of the ingredients used was known to be silicone has been used by other tyre companies. Another breakthrough has been the making of a different type of tread rubber, known as Durable Security Compound (DSC) this enables Michelin Premium Tyres to retain the gripping characteristics of the tyre right down the tread ware indicating bars, yet another first for Michelin tyres energy saver tyres.

Runflat Tyres Gone Wrong-A look at the “Runflat Safety Tyres” and how they can go wrong

4th April 2021/in All Tyre Articles /by Eric Roberts

Runflat Tyres Gone Wrong

Not many things surprise us but when a BMW 1 series pulled in the other day then we could not believe our eyes?

On a normal busy Thursday morning a customer pulled in to us with a problem(they usually do). His BMW car was making a nasty sounding noise. In fact the guy thought his engine was about to blow up.

The first thing we did was to check the cars levels. Including the water and the engine oil. To our surprise every thing looked fine. We were treading cautiously. So, just in case the engine was about to fail.

In fact everything looked fine so we decided to run the engine. Ryan listened and everything was in order. No warning lights or burning smells coming from the engine. In fact the engine was in good condition.

The next step was a road test.

Ryan took the car on our normal testing run and indeed he could hear a loudish noise. As a result he brought the BMW back to the garage and lifted it up on one of our ramps. He checked the obvious things that could make a noise. Such as the suspension and exhaust parts, everything was in order.

However to his surprise he noticed a massive piece of the tyre missing on the near side tyre on the inside. Where the sidewall meets the tyre tread. Was this the culprit?

As you can see in the image, the damage was substantial. The car was fitted with the original runflat tyre system. With a runflat tyre fitted to each wheel. The job of the runflat is to get you safely home or to the nearest tyre dealer to get the problem fixed. Consequently, runflat tyres have extra layers of rubber coated belt to give extra strength. For this reason the tyre is able to be driven on albeit at 50 MPH.

This eliminates the need for a spare and saves on the overall weight of the car. Thus helping to reduce the cars emissions. The frightening part of this story is the guy had been driving about Yorkshire for at least two days. So as the tyre slowly deteriorated, then the noise became louder from the flapping tread and the guy thought it was the engine.

When we told him we all had a laugh about it. However he was relieved because he only had to buy a new runflat tyre and not a new engine.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS for short)-What we do at Pellon Tyres in Halifax

3rd April 2021/in All Tyre Articles /by Eric Roberts

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS for short)

So, TPMS, was first introduced as a safety feature and a way to help lower the cars emissions. So, wheat many drivers dont know is that when their tyres have low pressure. Hence the engine has to work harder to propel the car along. Thus creating more pollution than necessary.

Most modern cars now have this system fitted. In fact TPMS is fitted to cars as standard from 2014 onwards. So if the The wheel of your car is fitted with a sensor attached to the wheels valve. Although it looks like a regular old fashioned rubber valve, it is a piece of modern technology warning light comes on then it should not be ignored. The illuminated light means that your tyre pressures are low. Of course this could be caused by a puncture repair and needs immediate attention.

A sensor valve in each tyre monitors tyre pressures

This is how the system works. The wheel of your car is fitted with a sensor attached to the wheels valve. Although it looks like a regular old fashioned rubber valve, it is a piece of modern technology. The sensor knows what pressure your tyres should be set at. If pressure is lost then a signal is sent to the cars computer which illuminates the warning light on the dashboard.

If the rubber or metal valve is damaged then it can be simply replaced and a new one reattached to the sensor. Most car models would cost £19.90 for this service. Incidentally, this price also includes re programming the sensor to the cars computer. Of course this resets the warning light, which consequently goes out.

TPMS sensors should be serviced regularly to avoid sensors developing faults.

So each sensor has its own unique number allocated to it. Of course it is also fitted with a tiny battery. battery failure is beginning to become one of the main problems. The sensor unit is sealed and when the battery fails then a new sensor is required. Like any other battery the more miles a car does then the more use the battery gets. Subsequently, this then leads to battery failure. Thus a new sensor will be needed.

Also like anything else on a car then corrosion can be an issue. The valves and sensors are open to the elements and will eventually be subject to corrosion. This will also be a problem in years to come. New sensors start out at about £69.90 fitted and the light reset. This depends on the type of sensor and whether or not a standard off the shelf replacement will fit your particular car. If the sensor has to come from the main agent then the cost would be much higher.

New vehicles fitted with TPMS and registered from 1st January 2012 so becomes part of the MOT

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS for short)

Drivers should be aware that if your car is presented for an MOT Test. Hence with the The wheel of your car is fitted with a sensor attached to the wheels valve. Although it looks like a regular old fashioned rubber valve, it is a piece of modern technology warning light illuminated then it is a test failure. Although yet another piece of technology, then I think that TPMS is a great safety feature. As a result the system is constantly checking the tyre pressures for you as you drive along. So, any reduction in your pressures ,perhaps due to a puncture will alert you to take evasive action and could save an accident and even lives.

Finally the TPMS system that we use at Pellon Tyres is the Apaseal system and replacement valves.

Bridgestone Dueler Sport Ecopia Tyres

1st April 2021/0 Comments/in All Bridgestone/Firestone Tyres Stuff /by Eric Roberts

Bridgestone Dueler Sport Ecopia Tyres

Dueler Sport Ecopia Tyres

Importantly, the Dueler H/P Sport (Highway/Performance) has been designed for high powered luxury 4×4’s and SUV’s. Of course, Bridgestone tyres bring many tyres out to suit this vehicle range. So, always importantly, in their strive for perfection. Successfully, while keeping up with changes to the modern car designs. Subsequently, this tyre is available in tyre sizes up to 27545Y20 and is a popular choice at Pellon tyres.

Pellon Tyres are located at Halifax in the foothills of the Pennines . So, these tyres are perfect for the owners of 4 x 4 s and SUV vehicles. Especially in winter! When you could be driving on slippery winter minor roads. Then straight onto the M62 motorway and doing high speeds.

High performance SUV tyre

The Bridgestone Dueler Sport Ecopia Tyres lives up to the high performance basics of your premium Sport Truck or SUV. The non-vent design and aggressive look of the sidewall fit the sleek lines of these vehicles. In fact, the Dueler H/P Sport is an Original Equipment choice in the category. Expect great wet performance with a power traction combination of UNI-T technology and high silica content that helps you drive with confidence in changing road conditions.

SPARE TYRE and WHEEL WHICH SYSTEM DOES YOUR CAR HAVE?

30th March 2021/in All Tyre Articles /by Eric Roberts

WHICH SPARE TYRE SYSTEM DOES YOUR CAR HAVE?

As a tyre retailer for 40 years, this is an increasing problem for the modern motorist. When the car manufacturers had to make their cars lighter. So that they could hit their emission targets. Considering many ways to lighten the weight of their cars to make them more emissions friendly. Including other different ways of doing without a SPARE TYRE and wheel.

Today’s problem has been that the car makers did not come up with any universal and unified method of doing this. So different cars have differing systems for the replacement of your spare tyre. Consequently, the problem is that when you buy a car it is the last thing on your mind. Off course, to check out the spare wheel system for that particular model of car.

Space saver; flat tyre systems.

This was one of the first ideas to come from the car manufacturers. In theory the idea is not too bad. If you look into your boot you will see a very thin looking wheel.

With a thin looking car tyre that actually resembles a motor bike tyre. The wheels are usually painted a bright colour, bright red or bright blue, to distinguish the spare wheel from the wheels on the car. The space saver car SPARE TYRE is a different size to the rest of the tyres on the car, but is the same overall diameter (height) so that when it is fitted to the car then it keeps a balanced driver experience, when the wheel is being driven on. The space saver spare tyre is regulated to 50 MPH when used because the tyre is much thinner and can only carry the cars weight at a slower speed. Once the tyre is fitted it is important to get your original puncture fixed and return it to the car, this will not then restrict your speed.

Run Flat tyre system

The cars that are fitted with Bridgestone Run Flat Tyres do not have a spare tyre at all. The technology is in the actual tyres. When you get a puncture in a run flat the increased strength in the tyres structure. Consequently and supports the weight of the cars weight without having any air in. This is only a temporary fix. Thus, once again the car must not exceed 50 MPH. The other downside of the run flat tyres. Of course, is that because the tyre has been run on. Unfortunately, they are usually damaged beyond repair and a new one is required. The main advantage is.Subsequently, if you do get a puncture then you can just drive the car at 50 MPH. Importantly, in relative safety without the car deviating and the driver having to get out of the car and changing a wheel.

Emergency tyre repair kit spare tyre system

This is simply a can of tyre repair solution that you screw onto the tyres valve and it release a solution into the tyre a hopefully seals the hole that has caused the puncture. In my opinion this is the most unsatisfactory system. In the perfect scenario when you just have small nail or screw in the centre of your tyre, then the repair kit would probably work, but this is not the usual case.

Side wall damage

So in all my experience, most tyres succumb to side wall damage. Including, larger repairs that the emergency repair kit will not be able to cope with. The last car that I had with this system was a Nisan Juke. Because we travel to France a couple of times a year, we needed a spare tyre so we found an alloy wheel that fitted the studs and fitted a new spare tyre, you will also need a small jack and a wheel brace, because these are not supplied by the car manufacturers. This is an easy thing to do if you have a friendly tyre retailer and well worth the effort to cover yourself in case you have a dreaded puncture in the middle of nowhere.

The main gist of this though is to make sure you know which spare tyre system that is provided with your car and familiarize with it. Some car owners are lucky enough to have the old fashioned spare wheel fitted complete with a jack and a wheel brace.

Flat Tyres on the Motorway-Joining the Breakdown Service is now Imperative !

30th March 2021/0 Comments/in All Tyre Articles /by Eric Roberts

Flat Tyres on the Motorway

So, in the past years. Then I have written many times. Of course, about how to change your punctured wheel. Although not all punctures occur on the motorway system. Importantly, this is what I am going to write about ! British motorways as we all know are always extremely busy. So, as many of my readers know. Hence, then I delivery some of our battery sales to all over the UK. Inclusively, from Devon to Aberdeen. Covering all of the UK . When delivering very large truck batteries or even leisure batteries.

Many times I will set of at 4.30. Of course, depending where I am going to. So, for a short while in mid-summer then it will be light at this time. Happily, and a pleasure to drive, with wonderful sunrises that only the early risers would see. However the particular morning that caused me to write this article was dark. Raining heavily, and extremely windy. In fact a terrible morning to be driving on the motorways !

Two miles on and a loud bang !

So, this particular day then I was heading for the Bristol area with about ten deliveries of different batteries. My usual motorway entry junction is the Barnsley entry/exit just south of the “Woolley Edge” service area on the M1 motorway. As I have said it was a stinking morning with a gale blowing and raining heavily ! No problem I thought it can only get better , However I could not have been more wrong ! So, about two miles on I remember running over something in the dark . Frighteningly, this was followed by a kind of juddering sound .

This was to be my first punctured tyre at any time in my life ! Probably, one of the reasons for this. Is because as the owner of a Tyre Centre then I have always had new tyres on any of my vehicles. Thus protecting me against any imminent tyre problem. My van started to drift about ! So at first I thought it could be the strong winds that were blowing. Even at that time of the morning then the M1 motorway is very busy with trucks and other vehicles alike.

Realizing that I had a flat tyre then I pulled over onto the hard shoulder of the motorway. The wind was howling ! Rain pouring down and I was totally miffed to say the least. Adrenaline was beginning to kick in ! Frightened at the prospect of changing the wheel with trucks whizzing by only four foot away. So, the first thing that came to my mind was “where is the spare wheel” and jack and “wheel brace”. Disappointingly, then I did not practice what I had been preaching for all these years.

Finally found all the tools and spare wheel

Scrambling about in the dark, then I shifted the batteries and finally found the wheel brace and tool kit. Jacking points were no problem and luckily I managed to lower the spare wheel without any problems. So, this is where my 40 years experience came in. As the trucks were hurtling by I managed the job pretty quickly. My only snag was that I had put the spare back into the carrier the wrong way round.

So, it was sort of dangling about a bit. However I was able to limp along to the next services and fit the spare correctly and in safety. As daylight approached then I began to think about my bad experience. Proudly I had applied myself and did the wheel change safely and speedily. So I was back on my way down the M1 just an hour later.

However my experience had made me think what could have been ! Including what if the driver had been a lady driver ! Or even an elderly driver. So much in fact that I have now completely changed my stance. Specially over changing a wheel on the motorway or any other busy road. My new advice from now on would be that drivers should join one of the breakdown services. Recently, I have noticed that the breakdown services have been changing their customers wheels. Admittedly, I did snigger a little ! Of course but not now !

Having ! experienced this with all the elements against me ! So I do now know that many people would not have been able to cope with this bad experience. Also if you are capable physically of changing your own wheel, So, you should check out all the tools that you will require.

Also there are now different spare wheel systems.

Many vehicles still carry a standard type of spare wheel. Just the same as the ones that will be on the vehicle. This was the case in the van that I was driving on that torturous rainy night.
Vehicles will also have a spare wheel. However it will be “temporary spare” wheel. The wheel is the same overall diameter as your vehicles tyres. However it will be much thinner and usually a steel wheel. Most vehicles have alloy wheel and this spare will look much thinner that the ones on the vehicle. Subsequently, these wheels do do the job and enable you to carry on with your journey. Importantly, though there is a limit of driving at 50 mph for a distance of 70 Miles with one of these spares fitted.
Many cars are fitted with run-flat tyres. At first I did not agree with these run flat tyres ! Primarily because they were more expensive to replace than a standard tubeless tyre. However I have changed my mind ? Because of the tyres safety aspects. So if I had runflats fitted to my then then I would have been able to limp on. Albeit, at 50 mph. So the cars fitted with the run-flat system will not have a spare wheel, but the system will get most drivers out of trouble.
In my opinion this is the worst system ! car makers lower the weight of their vehicles by not fitting a spare wheel at all. The spare is replaced by a can of repair sealant. This sealant only works if the tyre has a small nail or screw impaled. So, anything larger such as a small cut or large hole can not be sealed. So, leaving you no better off and still stuck at the side of the road. The “no spare system” was to lower the cars overall weight to cut back on the cars emissions ! In my opinion then membership f one of the breakdown services is a must. Incidentally, when this repair sealant is used then the tyre has to be replaced as the cant be repaired.

I hope that this article informs drivers enough to check and see what spare wheel system is used on their car. Importantly, because of the high volume of traffic on our roads then we should perhaps join one of the breakdown companies. Ensuring that you wheel will be changed in safety whatever your cars spare wheel system.

Reg Bond-A Great Guy Who Will be Sadly Missed

30th March 2021/0 Comments/in All Tyre Articles /by Eric Roberts

Reg Bond

So, this is a sad day for the hundreds of people who set off on the trail of being the owners f their own tyre depots in the 60,s and 70,s. Of course the passing of Reg Bond. Firstly I would like to pass on my condolences to his children, Lyndsey, Greg, Charlie and Mike. Remembering the early days of starting out in business has always brought me very happy memories! I will never forget the help that we received from our tyre suppliers in the early days.

For many of us who were the early pioneers of starting your own tyre businesses, were working for the then “national tyre companies”. Many of us were hard working people from council estates who were determined to work for ourselves and so took the plunge and the gamble of the unknown. Of course setting up our own tyre businesses that were built on pure enthusiasm. Indeed we were first generation business owners with the love of tyres.

Love of Tyres

This probably sounds strange to outsiders but the guys in the tyre industry actually loved tyres and the tyre industry and this is where Reg Bond came in! So we did not know at the time but thinking back then Reg was an inspiration for the rest of our lives in the retail tyre trade. I will never forget the dark wet rainy day that Reg invited me and my ex business partner Peter Winfield to an old warehouse in Pocklington a pretty North Yorkshire market town.

The warehouse had many of the windows smashed and was inhabited by a flock of wild pigeons. Reg cam along with his life long friend and employee Bill Hardy. As many of us old tyre dealers know then Bill sadly passed away a couple of years before Reg.

The thing that came from our meeting was the sheer enthusiasm and love of tyres that both Reg and Bill came out with. Of course this was to be the start of my forty years of buying tyres from “Bonds of Pocklington”. Importantly, Reg was to be the inspiration to many of the tyre dealers that became Bond customers for the rest of our business lives.

Bonds are the only tyre dealers that we have dealt with for the total length of time that we have been in business. This is an incredible compliment to the man himself, Reg Bond.

So Why was he Special!

Well one of the attributes that many tyre dealers have is that we are “wheelers and dealers”. Believe me Reg was a king when it came to wheeling and dealing. Reg could always find a bargain which he would pass onto his customers. This attribute gave us all a chance to compete with the bigger tyre companies. The people who knew Reg in the early days will all remember some of the great deals that he conjured up. He travelled all over the world doing great deals that were to help is own customers back in the UK.

The guy was a true pioneer and this is greatly appreciated as he helped us independent tyre retailers to make that extra few pounds and have a better life style. This is why we will always deal with this company. Reg and Bill were to help many Yorkshire tyre dealers in the early years. Bonds always had the right products and this included all the leading brands.

So, as Bonds grew in stature then so did we and hundreds of other tyre dealers throughout the North of England. Reg had a couple of good sayings but the most important was to emphasise the fact that Bonds were a “family Business”. This became really important as all our businesses moved on through the years. Indeed one of the sons still tells this from time to time (Charlie).

Business now run by family members

Reg now has his family running the business and over the years we have become friends. This is another great virtue to Reg, I personally know how difficult it can be to employ family but Reg has manged to stabilise all his children to run what has now become a truly national tyre business selling over 5 million tyre a year.

Well done Reg we will all miss you, but we will never stop supporting your family at Bonds International.

Popular Run Flat Tyres-Definitely an Improvement to road safety- KULR-TV

27th March 2021/in All Tyre Articles /by Eric Roberts

Popular Run Flat Tyres

Popular Run Flat Tyres
Many new models are now equipped with inflator and sealant kits or run flat tires which are designed to go at slower speeds for 50 miles or more after a tire has been punctured.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Run Flat tyres are an interesting subject.

Of course, the problem was that that cars were getting bigger and faster. Consequently, at the same time the car makers were being pressured. By governments to make their cars more fuel efficient and therefore greener.

Car makers were forced to comply with certain regulations ! This meant shedding weight and creating engines. Subsequently, that were controlled by computers . Therefore to really hammer down the emissions. Caused by burning fossil fuels (gasoline or petrol in the

How run flat tyres work

UK). Subsequently, the car companies looked at all sorts of ways. So, to reduce the overall weight of vehicles including tyres. Importantly, even the tyre companies looked for ways of making tyres lighter in weight. Importantly, and indeed they succeeded.

BMW come up with the Mini Run Flat Tyres

Positively, tyre manufacturers came up with the run-flat tyre ! .Of course, this would mean that cars would no longer have a spare wheel and tyre. Thus reducing the overall weight of the vehicle and reducing emissions. Importantly, if a tyre on a car had a sudden drop in pressure (puncture). Importantly, then the car could have the capabilities to drive on.

Albeit at a slower speed (50 mph) until the tyre was eventually changed. Safety wise, the positives are that the car would not deviate. Therefore, carrying on driving in the normal way. Therefore not causing an accident. So, much safer than a standard radial tyre. Also you would not have to get out of the car ? Say on a rainy night having to change the wheel when you had a puncture.

Cost was an early problem ?

Early drawbacks are the cost of replacing these tyres is much higher than a standard tyre. A new Run Flat Tyres is required after each incident. Puncture repairs in these tyres are not recommended ?

Incidentally, on long journeys should you have the need to want a new tyre ! Then you only have fifty miles to have the Run Flat Tyres fixed.

In the States the gap between some towns and cities can be hundreds of miles. So you pays your money and takes your choice ?

Since I wrote this article ? Then the run flat tyres have been well accepted by most motorists. Older drivers who prefer a genuine spare wheel can now buy a new tyre and wheel unit for the spare wheel.

https://www.pellonautocentre.com/rent-continental-tyres-wow/

Apollo Tyres at Manchester United Partner Launch at Old Trafford the home of Manchester United

25th March 2021/in All Tyre Articles /by Eric Roberts

Apollo Tyres

Six figure three-year deal with Manchester United

I have just arrived back from the three venue launch of a three-year deal with the iconic Manchester United. The venues were in Edinburgh, London and the final one took place at the Old Trafford home of Manchester United.

So, Apollo tyres are embarking on a three-year deal with Manchester United. To help launch the brand here in the UK. The tyre company was first to make its tyres in Perambra, Kerala In India in 1976. They have since become the leading tyre maker in the national Capitol Region of India. Apollo was soon to be recognised for their excellent tyre products. For twenty years they kept them within the Indian economy. Building their distinctive brand products and using good marketing initiatives to promote their products. Some of the things that Apollo did were to promote a customer loyalty scheme and help establish better-driving habits on the overcrowded Indian roads.

Apollo tyres then made the decision to expand outside of India and in 2006. They ventured into South Africa, by buying the Dunlop International of South Africa, including the Regal tyres brand. This also included Zimbabwe and the Dunlop brand is now sold to over 30 African countries, using the renamed Apollo tyres Of South Africa brand name.

Apollo Tyres UK then spread their wings into Europe

Consequently, acquiring Dutch tyre company Vredestein tyres, now known as Apollo Vredestein who also have strong links and a dealer network here in the UK. This was in 2009

Premiership trophy on display

and it was the plans of Apollo to set up a presence on yet another continent, Europe. The tyre company also went into partnership with a car battery manufacturer in Bangladesh in 2011.

The next step for Apollo tyres

Was to enter the North American marketplace, but after a huge setback failed to take over Cooper tyres and eventually pulled out of the deal.

Back here in the UK, Apollo has started to become a much larger player in the battle for tyre market share. Using the iconic Manchester United brand to become their launching pad for a market attack. I was invited as an independent tyre retailer, probably because of my past association with the Vredestein tyre brand, who are renowned for their excellent quality, especially their winter tyres collection.

We were to be on the third and final phase of the Apollo tyres promotional tour. With a tour of the Manchester United ground and museum. The tour was excellent and conducted by professional tour guides who gave some insight into the clubs history and background.

This was most interesting !

Because not everybody were football fans and the ones that were football fans supported other clubs. So, after the tour, we were all invited for an evening meal on the ground. Happily, we were able to take pictures of the Premier League trophy. Subsequently, which the club kindly displayed in the dining room.

After an excellent meal, we were treated to a question and answer session from ex-Manchester United player “Lou Macari” all transported back to the Hilton Hotel in Manchester. There we were all given overnight accommodation and then treat for evening drinks in the hotel rooftop bar, we all had an excellent time.

Hi I would like to introduce myself. Working in the Garage and tyre and Battery business now for 40 years. So. Working for a couple of national tyre companies before starting my first business. Of course, I now own a company here in the UK called Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre. Blogging about anything to do with cars and their related products. Naturally, that will help my business.