All Tyre Articles-Including seperate manufacture posts

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

16th January 2021/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.

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

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 totaling 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”.

Eric Roberts

The Easter holiday season is coming up ! When car/caravan and motorhome owners are looking for some more tyres, before venturing off. Please be-aware of buying part worn tyres. Including, replacing runflat tyres with normal tyre. There guys are not worried about what you fit onto your car they are just after easy money.

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

13th January 2021/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

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

12th January 2021/1 Comment/in All Tyre Articles /by Eric Roberts

Tyre labeling

Tyre labeling is too vague for modern tyres

Brain twister labelling is fraternal against the taxi driver.: .RXP http://t.co/3ZC6K6aCDx

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 ?

Tyre labeling — Tyre labelling with the tyre attributes are now becoming more and more popular with the public and to my surprise some drivers are specifically targeting the best advice from these labels and it will make the tyre manufacturers open their eyes to making a better product.

23 Year Old Tyres-AA man spots nearly-new car fitted with a 23-year-old tyres

11th January 2021/in All Tyre Articles /by Eric Roberts

23 Year Old Tyres

23 Year Old Tyres

This article is a follow on from my other part worn tyre blogs. Although, I am not certain, then I think these tyres would have been sold as part worns. For this reason, the best we could do at Pellon Tyres here in Halifax, UK, was a nineteen year old Michelin tyre. Consequently, this tyre was bought as a part worn by one of our so called customers.

The tyre was picked out on a service. For this reason, we always check the tyres. Especially of late? This is because of all the illegal part worn tyres that some of our customers are buying. When ever we show them what we find wrong about their tyres, they appear to be embarrassed? I am sure that they do know what they are doing.Buying a part worn tyre for £20 helps their household budget.

However, this is false economy and has been proven many times by organisations such as tyresafe.org.

Eric Roberts

The combined age of the four tyres fitted to the three-year-old car – believed to be fitted by the used car dealership that sold it – were a staggering 64 years.

other reading http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-3791367/AA-man-spots-nearly-new-car-fitted-23-year-old-tyres.html

Source: AA man spots nearly-new car fitted with a 23-year-old tyres | This is Money

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

11th January 2021/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

9th January 2021/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

9th January 2021/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.

Runflat Tyres Safer-Are now a Major Car Safety Feature-by Bridgestone Tyres

6th January 2021/1 Comment/in All Tyre Articles /by Eric Roberts

Runflat Tyres Safer

Bridgestone tyres

So, Bridgestone tyres first started to develop the concept of the runflat tyre. Of course, in Japan as part of type of aid to disabled people. The tyre that was used was a 175/70×13 that had a strengthened side wall. Consequently, this was fitted on to the Honda Civic. As a result, this was done in the “International Year Of The Disabled”.

Later this side wall protection technology was used on the Porsche 959. Bridgestone called the new tyre the Potenza RE71.

This new development proved a success. So,in the 1990s Bridgestone developed the TPMS,”Tyre Pressure Monitoring System” . This was to enable the driver to know when a tyre had lost pressure.Henceforth, a light on the dash would be light up when the tyre pressure dropped. Subsequently, warning the driver if a tyre went flat. In my opinion this made the Runflat Tyres Safer. Of course, this system was to become very popular as a safety feature. So,and was fitted to many of the German made cars such as BMW.

Runflat Tyres are Safer allowing the driver to carry on driving the car with a flat tyre.

There are restrictions though. Specifically, the car must be driven at 50 mph for a maximum distance of 50 miles. This enables the driver to drive the car to a safe stopping place. Explicitly, without the car swerving or deviating off course. Those cars that are fitted with this Runflat Tyres Safer system. Therefore, do not carry a jack or spare wheel !

In my opinion this lets the system down. Some car makers will tell us that this makes the car lighter. Therefore more fuel efficient and so greener. In my opinion I feel that in general it is a good idea and makes the vehicles much safer. Significantly, if the car has a rapid loss of air (blowout). Say on a busy motorway. Of course with runflats the car will not deviate. Keeping it in a straight line,making driving with Runflat Tyres much Safer.

The odds of this happening though are not as high as the motorist having what I call a “normal puncture”,

this is where the grey area is and this is what Bridgestone say…

“With certain types of punctures in the tread area, the Bridgestone Run-Flat technology tyres may be repaired subject to certain conditions (Depending on how far and at what speed the car was driven after the puncture). Please consult your nearest RFT authorized dealer to have yours inspected.
Before attempting a repair, consult the vehicle owner’s manual for restrictions. The vehicle manufacturer may restrict the use of repaired tires on its vehicles”…
“In my opinion we would repair a runflat tyre only if the customer says that he has had a slight loss of pressure and we can find an object such as a screw or nail within the legal area of a normal tyre puncture for example ¾ of the tread width from the centre of the tread outwards and the tyre had not run whilst in a totally deflated state, we would have to take the drivers word for this,so we always take caution and inspect the tyre for any signs of running under inflated, such as

carbon dust or creasing and cracking on the inside of the casing. If we are not sure we would always fit a new tyre.

Eric Roberts… https://www.pellonautocentre.com/runflat_tyres.htm

Can I replace run flat tyres with normal tyres ?

In my opinion the answer is NO , but the following text from Bridgestones website does open a slight gap…

“Bridgestone EU do not recommend mixing tyres with Run-Flat Technology and standard tyres on the same vehicle, even if paired in axle sets. If you have a puncture, tyres with Run-Flat Technology are designed to permit you to proceed to a tyre dealer where you can have the tyre checked and replaced if necessary with another tyre with Run Flat Tyres Technology. In exceptional and emergency circumstances a conventional tyre of the same size can be fitted. It must be noted that standard tyres do not have Runflat Tyres Safer characteristics and should be removed at the earliest opportunity”… http://www.runflat.eu/english/qa/

In my opinion they should say that the two different types of tyres should not be mixed, but they say that you can mix them in an emergency, could the fact that the car owner just cant afford them be classed as an emergency.

Ring your insurance company is the advice that I give to all you 2^nd and 3^rd hand BMW Mini owners when you fall on the floor at the cost of replacing runflat tyres.

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. Selling Cheap Runflat Tyres online from our website www.pellontyres.co.uk . Of curse,by using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. Offering courtesy cars to local motorists who need to go to work. Naturally, and leave their car with us for work doing. Official MOT testing station.

New Bridgestone A001-Weather Control tyres for a safer all year round driving experience.

3rd January 2021/2 Comments/in All Tyre Articles /by Eric Roberts

New Bridgestone A001

This tyre the New Bridgestone A001 developed for certain European countries

Of course, Bridgestone tyres are the largest tyre company in the World. So, who are always developing new tyre products. Consequently, to suit different weather conditions on our roads. The new tyre the A001 is no exception. This new Bridgestone tyres has been developed for countries that have very wet winter (and summer) climates. Naturally, with the addition of very cold and snowy spells.

This of coarse includes us here in the UK. Including, other European countries consisting of France ,Ireland,Belgium and perhaps Denmark. Subsequently, in my opinion. The new New Bridgestone A001 tyre is really in the class of an all weather tyre. Possibly should be left on the car the all year round. Especially in a very wet summer that we are definitely experiencing in more recent years.

The new tyre achieves this ability to get rid of high water volumes. Including, a large amount of sipes on the tyres edges. As a result, this has also found to be an advantage when facing ice and snowy conditions. Of course, during the hardest winter months.

Bridgestone tyre have also added their expertise in tyre compounds, probably emanated from their days in F1 racing and added “silica” to the tyres compound, this gives the new ones the ability to stay more flexible when the temperature drops bellow the dreaded 7 degree, this is the temperature where summers start to loose their grip by becoming harder and not allowing the tread to grip.

The new Bridgestone A001 is available in most popular sizes

And is marked as an M+S to cope with all winter conditions and as I say earlier will be best kept tyres on the car as an all-weather tyre not having to change from summer to winter tyres.

For further reading…

“Bridgestone has recently launched its A001 ‘all weather tyre’ in the UK. The tyre is designed to cope with the more challenging winter driving conditions whilst at the same time maintaining high performance in the summer months and is available at 400 selected stockists across the UK. Honest John checked with Bridgestone that sufficient stocks are available to meet the current surge in demand”… http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/parts-and-accessories/2010-11/winter-tyres/

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. We also sell Cheap Bridgestone Tyres online from our website www.pellontyres.co.uk.