all weather and winter tyres

All-Season Tyres versus winter tyres-(tested)-Are they better than changing to winter tyres?

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All-Season Tyres versus winter tyres

All-Season Tyres versus winter tyres-This is yet another test, regarding the effectiveness of All-Season Tyres versus winter tyres. It is normally the winter tyres versus the summer tyres. The difference in recent years is that we have seen the introduction of new tyre products with differing claims and counter claims.

Leading tyre companies Pirelli, Michelin, Nokian and Goodyear are all launching new all-season products this year. The problem is that, so are many of the mid-range tyre suppliers. These include Apollo tyres with their excellent Vredestein range of winter and all-season tyres.

Most of the tyres that were tested came out very well, n but all-season tyres are not the same as winter tyres. In my opinion, it is still better to fit the real thing and stick to winter tyres. This is especially if you live in a hilly or mountainous region of the UK. Here in Yorkshire, we have a mixture of terrain, but we do have many hills. These hills are large and small and this is where we need the proper winter tyres.

winter tyres are a great debate.

But the fact is that you are better fitting the different products depending where you live. General All-season tyres do offer the driver better protection in all the types of weather that we can expect in a bad UK winter. This, in my opinion, is if you live in the part of the country that has a flat landscape. This would be in say Lincolnshire and Norfolk. All-season tyres are certainly better than using summer tyres.

I can foresee a future when most tyres produced will be of the all-season variety. Why not? It is up to the car manufacturers to these tyres as original equipment. The problem would be that the fact that the tread pattern is more aggressive, alters the rolling resistance of the tyre. This would be no good for the new hybrid and electric cars unless the tyre designers came up with yet another special tyre to fit the electric cars?

Finally, Pellon Tyres are still Nokian tyre dealers for the Calderdale area of Yorkshire UK.

The tyre tests can be seen on  http://www.particlenews.com/

car repairing servicing

BMW Mini Wheel bearing-Our customer thought it was just tyre noise to start with?

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BMW Mini Wheel bearing

So, this was one of those customers that are not your customer if you get what I mean. Let me explain? The owner of this BMW Mini wheel bearing problem had taken the car with its noise problem to two other garages, before finally bringing his car into us.

The first garage put the problem down to the tyres. They were Mini run-flat tyres, 205/45R17 and these tyres were fitted to the original alloy wheels. I personally think that the early Minis were noisy to drive. I thought it was the run-flat tyres, due to the fact that they are very stiff and hard tyres. These tyres have

strengthened sidewalls and are a different tread compound to give them the extra strength, for if a puncture occurs and the tyres are then driven to safety at 50 MPH.

 Wheel bearings

The guy paid them for an hours labour and then moved to the second garage. They told him more or less the same. The tyres are noisy due to construction and noisy roads. The guy was still not happy and so came to us for our advice.

Pellon Auto centre, Halifax, Yorkshire, UK, have a large number of customers that own BMW Minis. We have come across customers with noise complaints before. We did, however, check the tyres and the tyre pressures and they were fine. The next step was the wheel bearings. This has been a common problem for us in the past.

Just as we suspected one BMW Mini Wheel bearing was found to have a little play in it. It did not look to be much, but with the weight of the car and the wheel turning then the noise would have been replicated many times.

We told the relieved customer and carried out the work on the wheel bearings. The outcome was a much quieter BMW Mini and a happy customer.

DVSA confirms crackdown on MOT fraud

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The DVSA has announced plans to crackdown on MOT fraud and increase the number of prosecution cases. The plans, published this week in the DVSA’s latest business plan report, suggests the agency will increase its use

Source: DVSA confirms crackdown on MOT fraud

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Nissan Navara Clutch replacement-Duel Mass Flywheel replaced.

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Nissan Navara Clutch replacement

Nissan Navara Clutch replacement; One of the car problems that increase after the winter driving period, is a noticeable rise in the number of clutches that we fit. The other day was no exception. One of our first jobs that were booked in was a Nissan Navara Clutch replacement.

Clutches fall into two main categories. These are cars that are fitted with manual gearboxes and also automatic gearboxes. In the UK, the most popular type of gearbox, by far is the manual type of gearbox.

Other types do exist, but they are mainly on the upmarket car models and motorsport cars.

As most of my readers probably know the clutch fits between the engine and the manual gearbox and this Nissan Navara Clutch replacement, was no different.

The clutch enables the driver to change gears, in response to the car engine speed. This enables a smooth transfer of power, from the engine to the gearbox.

The clutch plate is made from a similar material to your brake shoes and eventually, wear away. Like anything else it depends on how the driver treats the clutch, as to how long it will last. The guy with the Nissan Navara could feel the clutch slipping when the truck was fully loaded. He also had problems engaging his gears on occasions.

Nissan Navara Clutch replacement

He brought it into us here at Pellon Halifax UK, for us to check it out. Sure enough, the clutch was slipping and in need of a new one fitting.

The Nissan Navara Clutch replacement, meant us removing the gearbox away from the engine. The Navara is an inline unit, which means that the engine and gearbox are lined from front to rear, driving the rear wheels.

Alex was allocated the job and he soon started to remove the holding nuts and bolts. The Navara is a big vehicle, compared to the clutches that we normally fit and Alex had to use hydraulic engine stands to take the weight of the extremely heavy gearbox when it was removed.

When we checked out the parts, the computer informed us that this model could be fitted with a Duel mass Flywheel (DMF). These were invented to take out many of the stresses and vibrations that were associated with diesel engine cars. In my opinion, some vehicles do not need it. This has become more obvious to me, when certain clutch manufacturers, make an alternative solid “Blue-Print“clutch to replace the DMF.

We contacted the customer and explained to him about the DMF and the solid clutch. He phoned back and gave us permission to fit the solid clutch. This was fitted and the gearbox built back up. The Nissan Navara Clutch replacement was complete and the customer collected his car and away he went.

4 x 4 vehicle-general tyres

All-terrain Tyres-A wide range of tyres for the Land Rover or SUV owner?

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All-terrain Tyres

There are many different types and makes of 4×4 and SUV vehicles on today’s roads, and so explaining about which tyres to use for various vehicle makes, becomes nigh impossible.

For this purpose, I am going to use the Land Rover, for my explanation into all-terrain tyres. All-terrain tyres are for the driver who may do the mixed on-road driving and off-road driving. Many of the SUV’s come out on a standard summer tyre. But the type of tyre that most people associate this kind of vehicle on is a more rugged tyre.

This is where the all-terrain tyres, come into their own. A good example that I came across recently was at an agricultural show in Halifax where my tyre business is based. The cars are all parked in a grassy area, adjacent to the showground. I suspect that you now know what I am about to say because many drivers have experienced this for themselves.

The day started out to be sunny but in the afternoon, then heavy thundery showers were peppering the Halifax area. One shower turned into a torrential deluge, sending spectators and exhibitors for the shelter of the marques. The fun came when the visitors started to drift to the car park and then home. To my surprise, most small family cars did alright, apart from a little skidding.

However, to my surprise, the cars that were suffering and getting stuck were the SUV’s and were also driven by lady drivers. The one I helped was a BMW, with brand new Continental summer tyres fitted. The car was useless and skidded all over the place.

All-terrain Tyres

Halifax is not what you could call a rural area. The terrain is hilly with many small steep bendy lanes and “B” roads. We also have a successful Land Rover dealer in the area, and so it is a perfect scenario to fit a set of all-terrain tyres. These are the tyres you want if you are driving on a mix of road surfaces. You can go from tarmac roads straight onto dirt and farm and forest roads, with high confidence of not losing traction.

The ratio of on/off road capability is most often about 60/40. The one tyre that I would recommend through years of experience is the General Grabber AT. These all-terrain tyres are ideal for the Land Rover owners and any other type of these vehicles. The General Grabber tyres also carry the “snowflake” symbol, which means they are also ideal for bad winter weather and snow.

Fit these tyres and you will be the person that gets to work on time, or can pull off the grass at an agricultural show?

aquaplaning car

Tyre Aquaplaning- Watch out for sudden rain downpour? Especially with bald tyres.

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Tyre Aquaplaning

Like the rest of the planet. Britain has been struck by large spells of torrential rain. Here in Halifax, UK, we are part of the Calder valley, river and canal system. The river Calder is surrounded by steep hills. Also with many small country roads at each side for much of its length. This has a funneling effect for any rain that falls. Especially, heavy rain.

This winter has seen really bad flooding in the Calder valley. As a result, towns such as Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd were very badly flooded. In this case, on Boxing Day of 2015.

Our area was deluged. Therefore, the water was coming down the country roads, like rivers. Accordingly, the vehicle in which I was travelling was fitted out with winter tyres. Because of this, I felt safe and secure in the knowledge that the car would not aquaplane. My car ploughed through the water and I felt confident that my winter tyres were disposing of all the water that the heavens could throw at us.

Tyre aquaplaning is caused when builds up in front of your tyres at a faster pace than the weight of your car can push out of the way. This causes the car to rise up, and creates a thin layer of water between your tyres and the road surface.

Tyre Aquaplaning

When this happens. Then, your car is virtually out of control, Of course, and can have a will of its own. Often, drifting out in any direction and even off the road. The worse scenarios are combined with the lack of tyre tread (bald tyres). We have all seen the effects. As a result on racing tyre slicks, (the racing tyres with no tread pattern at all) when there is a sudden downpour during a race.

The race cars just lose total control, well this is what happens with your tyres aquaplaning.

Better still fit winter tyres, they are not just for the snow, but will get rid of most of the water and will make your life much safer, during any bad weather.

Also watch out when it rains for the first time after a dry spell. The rain mixes with the oil and other chemicals on the road surface and can make it very slippery. This condition often causes many crashes.

If you are driving through a storm and the rain gets too heavy then pull over and stop (when it is safe to do so of course).

michelin tyres

Michelin Star-Not tyres this time-but Michelin Restaurants and their Star System.

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A few months ago I decided to look into the history of the Michelin star rating system for restaurants.

I found it fascinating. Hence, how the whole thing started. From the desire to help the early motorists to secure a good place to eat on their travels. To today’s

the sophisticated way that Michelin award recognition to the best eating places all over the world.

I got it into my head that I must visit such a place to see what the difference is. My wife Michelle and I make sure that we go out at least once a week together and preferably on our own. I must admit that I prefer good Italian food, but now later on in life can take in an Indian meal. Eating out is a good time to reflect on the week gone by and talk about our garage business because we have a large grown up family, it is a real time have a bit of one on one conversation together.

However back to Michelin star?

Michelle’s birthday is on the 17th of December. It becomes increasingly difficult to buy something so near Christmas. In recent years I have treated her to a concert and a hotel stopover (which we both love doing). This year I thought about the Michelin star, and looked up about the Star Inn in a village near Helmsley, in North Yorkshire.

The Star is on the main street of a picturesque village called Harrome, about three miles from Helmsley. I looked it up online and discovered that the Star also

Does overnight accommodation. This also included a taster evening the first night, and because we decided to take the two-night deal the second night included a choice from the a la carte menu.

Did we arrive on wet, misty December day? The rooms were all individually set out. Hence, and were all decorated in a countryside style.

This was to be the first time that I had visited a Michelin star restaurant. I could not wait. Thus, the building itself dates back to the fourteenth century. As a result and from the outside looks small with a beautiful thatched roof. The pub part of the star is like stepping back in time and is one of the best pub’s I have ever visited.

I started to see that this is what every business should be run like? All the staff were very kind and helpful. The most important thing to me though was the staff’s knowledge about the food, the wine and their understanding of the business and the history.

Michelin Star

This is what dealing with customers, and the public is all about. The Star had hundreds of small thoughtful ideas to make the public’s stay a better experience.

This is what running any business (even a garage) was all about, little touches that are not expensive to implicate, but make a huge difference to the public’s experience, when they visit your tyre shop or garage.

The food was out of this world, and the wines we tasted were all part of the experience, I sort of thought they would be because that’s what a Michelin star is all about.

The thing I did not expect was the total business experience? You could compare this with your business experience and procedures, to improve the way that we treat our garage customers and add those little extra touches that make a world of difference, that can also give you a better bottom line.

I must congratulate the Star Inn for opening my eyes. Especially, to the way that a business should be run. Especially a company that deals with the public. So we all can add those little touches that make a difference. hence, to the visitor experience. I like to think that I run my garage and tyre business in a similar fashion. But it gave me a whole new enthusiasm and insight. For this reason, into make better profit margins. By not thinking cheap all the time.

I would like to end by also thanking Michelin for introducing me to the Star Inn; we have decided to make a visit there an annual pilgrimage near my wife’s birthday. I would recommend any business owner to visit and see how a company that deals with the public should be run.

More Information…http://www.thestaratharome.co.uk/

car repairing servicing

Broken Engine Mounting-Mercedes A Class thought his engine was dropping out?

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Last week was a busy week, one of the jobs was a broken engine mounting.

The customer came into our garage here at Pellon Autocentre in Halifax UK, with what he thought, “Was the engine dropping out”?

He told us that the Mercedes Class A an increase in engine noise and vibration felt inside the car, as if the engine was ready to fall out?. The customer thought that the noise was even louder, when the car was stood still and idling. The guy was very distraught. He explained how the car made a noticeable thumping noise when he changed gears.

Ryan Linton had a good idea of what it could be. Consequently, the customer left the car with us for examination. Like any other part of the car the engine mountain can be prone to breaking. It is similar to a large exhaust bracket that supports the engine against vibrations. Once it breaks it sounds like the engine will fall out.

A few weeks ago we also had a Mazda 3 in to us with a broken engine mounting problem. The Mazda had a top engine mounting problem and caused the car to vibrate badly when idling. Other cars show different signs, but in general all the noises are stressful, for the car owners.

Broken Engine Mounting

The mountings are checked on the MOT test, but the rubber part of the mountings can break apart very quickly.

Ryan checked out the Mercedes and as suspected the car had a broken engine mounting. Because we are a part of Unipart Car Care centres, all our work is guaranteed and covered by a nationwide warranty scheme. Because of this we use replacement parts that are of the same standards as the original equipment parts.

The engine mounting is the part that holds the engine to the body. Or to the engine cradle (sub-frame) of the car. This is to reduce the amount of engine vibration felt inside the car. Most engine mounts are filled with rubber as shown in the image and works. Because, there will be no direct metal-to-metal contact between the engine and the car body In most cars. Furthermore, the rest of the engine and gear box assembly are bolted together and held in place by three or four other mountings.

Ryan went ahead and removed the old mounting. When the new one arrived he fitted it and the car was as good as new. Ryan road tested the car and gave the

thumbs up. When the guy picked the Mercedes up he was highly delighted with the cost, because he was convinced that he needed a new engine?

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General Tyres 100 Years-A great tyre company from the Continental tyres Stables

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General Tyres 100 Years

General tyres are very well known for their excellent 4×4 tyre range. However nor many people know that they manufacture a full range of summer and winter tyres, for regular cars. All the general tyres are made by their owners, Continental tyres. The tyres are manufactured by Continental, alongside their world winning tyres.

The General tyres use the same casing as the ones used to make Continental tyres. They are the exact same quality and will the driver the same excellent performance that we expect from their Continental parents.

We are now proud to announce that we here at Pellon Tyres in Halifax, Yorkshire UK have become the General tyre dealer for the Halifax area. We would also like to congratulate General Tyres 100 Years of been in business.

The regular tyre that we will be offering the Halifax public will be the Altimax Comfort for the regular tyre for summer use and delivers high performance and long service life. The Altimax has a new asymmetric tread, and features the unique Replacement Tyre Monitor and Visual Alignment Indicator designed to indicate tyre wear and provide advice for timely replacement (the legal limit).

This is a great development in General Tyres 100 Years car tyre history.

General tyres also make the Altimax Comfort tyre. ; the Altimax Comfort car tyre ensures a safe grip on wet and dry roads. The non-directional tread also has great attributes, with its durability and great comfort.

The next tyres to come along in the General Tyres 100 Years history, is the Altimax Sport. This tyre guarantees the driver a precise steering experience and safe driving in all challenging conditions. A new, asymmetric tread pattern design with an innovative and up to date silica compound provides the driver with exceptional wet grip and opportunity for high mileage.

General Tyres 100 Years have been developing tyres for many years. All of this experience combined with the manufacturing skills of Continental, have been

precisely aligned to the winter road conditions, here in Europe and has been optimally combined to create the Altimax Winter plus.

General Tyres 100 Years

 Wide longitudinal and lateral grooves reduce the risk of aquaplaning in bad wet weather and provide superb traction. Therefore, this winter tyre with its special compound guarantees high mileage, which is a great plus for a winter tyre. An all-round success and excellent choice for anyone who wants to safely survive the winter in their car!

Finally, we at Pellon Tyres will be stocking the excellent Eurovan 2 tyre . Which achieves high mileage and powerful traction when shifting those heavy loads. General Tyres 100 Years’ experience have helped develop new tread structure. Consequently, which help  enhance brake performance and handling on dry roads and in curves. Because, this is very important for van drivers on today’s busy roads here in the UK. . Staggered opposing tread grooves in the shoulder reduce noise and heighten ride comfort. Because of this the flat tyre contour ensures even wear and lengthens the tyre’s life.

caravan and motorhome batteries

Motorhome tyres from Michelin-Massive motorhome fit new tyres-sad ending?

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Motorhome tyres from Michelin

Last Saturday saw yet another campervan pulling onto our forecourt for some new tyres fitting. The guy had fitted Kumho tyres in the past but was a little disappointed with the low mileage that he had achieved.

The guy told us that his father always fitted Motorhome tyres from Michelin. His father had two front Motorhome tyres from Michelin fitted about two months ago and was highly delighted with their performance.

Consequently, they pulled his twin rear wheel motorhome into the forecourt and we decided that we should jack the vehicle up and remove the wheels outside. As we were fitting the tyres the customer came into the reception for a free coffee and a chat. I love chatting to my customers, as I believe that it’s all part of giving a good service. Although I don’t always feel like talking all the time, then I make an effort

Motorhome tyres from Michelin

Excellent, Motorhome tyres from Michelin are specially designed specifically for vans and motorhomes; these are the exact tyres for the job. They are called the “Michelin Agilis” and are the ones to fit to achieve a better mileage and carrying capacity.

Especially relevant, they are closely related to van tyres are built with extra performance in terms of load capacity and sidewall kerb wear.  You would be surprised if you saw the campervan owners who fit normal car tyres to their vehicle. Because, the correct tyre choice of campervan tyres can lead to reduced fuel consumption due to reduced rolling resistance. Because of their ability to carry all the extra weight that a motorhome may carry.

Because there is no doubt that this customer has made the correct choice of tyre for his motorhome. Finally, to end on a sad note the guy told me that his father did a six week drive to Spain and sadly past away. He now has to go to Spain and drive his father’s vehicle back home, to sell it.

More information… http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/van-motorhome-tyres#type=type_2