tpms for run flat tyres

Tyre Pressure-Tyre Tips-start of by looking after your tyre pressures.

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Start with your tyre pressures

The first important thing to do to look after your tyres is to have the correct pressures checked on a regular basis, I prefer to have them checked every week, but at least every two week is better than not at all.

Make sure that you have yours checked by a professional company, it is important that you fit the correct mix of, are their radials? Are they directional? Never mix different

Types on the same axle for example directional with non-directional, or asymmetric the wrong way round. This is one of the problems with buying your tyres on the internet; you will not know which tyres are right or wrong until you come to have them fitted, it is a gamble that you may not want to take.

While you check your tyre pressures. So, you should test the tread depth; drivers should have 1.6 mm of tread across ¾ of the tread width from the centre out, once again your local tyre dealer will do this for you, or you can purchase a simple depth gauge from your local auto DIY store.

Tyre Tips

You should always look out for any damage to the tread and side walls, look for cuts and chunks missing out. If you are not sure to get some good advice.

Make sure that your wheels have had to balance; there is nothing worse than having a shaky steering wheel when driving on the motorway. If your tyres look to be wearing off on the edges, have your Car Wheel Alignment checked out, you may soon find out that your new tyres have worn out too quickly, so have your alignment checked out perhaps when having a service.

Look out for severe weather conditions such as snow in the forecast. If you are experiencing a severe winter, you may think about fitting proper Winter tyres for safety. If you are caught out in snow or ice do not skid too much, this will also damage them, I have witnessed a  tyre ripped apart from continuous skidding.

Tyre Pressure-Tyre Tips;  Check your spare tyre and wheel changing equipment?

Tyre Pressure-Tyre Tips Check your spare. If you have got a car without a spare make sure you have enough emergency inflator liquid in your boot. Make sure you can change a wheel on your own, this may prove paramount in an emergency. Also, make sure that you have a jack and wheel brace that is in good condition when you use it.

Finally, if your car does not drive right or feels strange when cornering, it could be dodgy tyres, centres or even worse a steering problem so get them checked out.

regular servicing

The Mechanic In Your Life- How To Select The Perfect Gift For

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The Mechanic In Your Life

The Mechanic In Your Life

Buying the perfect gift is a great way to show someone you care. A gift should show how well you know someone and what they like, dislike and need. For a mechanic, there are plenty of excellent, thoughtful and useful options you could buy that could help make their lives easier or simply bring them joy. 

Think carefully about what you choose to buy for the mechanic in your life. Consider what will be useful for their professional lives. It may be that you want to get them something they can use for their own car, too. Any tool, equipment or PPE should be of the highest quality and professional standards to ensure their safety.  

Tough Mobile Phone Case 

Working around cars or in garages can be a significant safety hazard for phones, with hard surfaces and hazardous materials all around. A great gift option for mechanics is a rugged phone case that will ensure their phones are protected while they work. There are plenty of options available, including shock absorbent, waterproof cases and ultra-tough screen protectors.  

Steel-Toed Boots 

Working around vehicles and in busy garages can present many hazards for a mechanic’s feet, meaning they need proper, quality protective footwear. Many mechanics choose steel-toed boots for their workplace footwear, so if your giftee has boots that look a little worse for wear, you could consider investing in a brand-new pair. Do your homework to find a suitable pair, ensuring they’re well made with quality materials and will last.  

Quality Working Gloves 

Mechanics have to work outdoors in all weather. Of course using their hands for often intricate and delicate work. Working gloves are crucial for protecting their hands. So ensuring they can work comfortably throughout the day, no matter the weather. Many mechanics use one pair of gloves for warmer weather and one for colder. So getting them a new set of gloves can be an excellent gift idea.  

Personalised Number Plates 

Most mechanics consider their own vehicles to be their pride and joy. They may put work into their vehicle to make it give the very best in performance. Whilst regularly wash and detail it to ensure it looks its very best. A personalised number plate can be the perfect finishing touch to make a car look and feel unique. Consider what kind of private number plate your mechanic might enjoy and look for quality options from reputable specialists like Regtransfers. 

Massage Sessions 

Mechanics spend most of their days on their feet or knees, bending over cars and carrying out heavy work. All of this can take a toll on their bodies, leaving them with aches and pains at the end of the day. If left untreated, these aches and pains can lead to more serious issues down the road, so giving the gift of massage can be an ideal option. Consider finding a local physio massage therapist who specialises in those who work manual jobs and buy a set of sessions for your gifted.  

Noise Cancelling Headphones 

Many mechanics work around loud noises all day long, meaning they need to take steps to protect their hearing. Noise-cancelling headphones can be ideal for this purpose, allowing mechanics to listen to their favourite music while blocking out the loud and dangerous sounds around them. There are many options available online. So be sure to research some quality options to suit your gifted.

mot testing and car servicing

Ford Focus Duel Mass Flywheel – Driver heard a noise when clutch pedal pressed?

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Ford Focus Duel Mass Flywheel, clicking noise?

The driver of this Ford Focus presented his car to us. He explained that he could notice a slight change of noise in the sound of the engine followed by a sort of ticking noise?

When asked when the noise occurred he said that it was when started to press the clutch down, to about halfway. Then after the halfway point the noise clears up? The same happens when the clutch is released.

When the car engine is idling, or when you are just driving along, then there is no noise. Then when your foot is off the clutch (either in neutral or driving in gear) there is no noise.

He said that he noticed for the first time, about a month ago. Ryan my service manager thought straight away that the problems pointed to the clutch and perhaps the Ford Focus Duel Mass Flywheel.

The Ford Focus Duel Mass Flywheel is made of many small components and clicking or ticking sounds, point towards the DMF (duel mass flywheel). The sound was only slight and the noise was covered by the car radio.

Alex tackles Ford Focus clutch job !

At first we recommended that the guy should leave well alone and to see if anything else would develop. He agreed with us and went on his way.

We never saw the car again until a month later? This time the noise became a little louder.

Ryan still suspected the Ford Focus Duel Mass Flywheel as being the problem. We took the car in and split the gearbox from the Focus engine to inspect the DMF and clutch. The clutch release bearing and slave cylinder were examined and found to be OK.

Some reasons for the diagnosis of a problem with your Duel mass Flywheel are as follows:-

1) If you have a slipping clutch; if the cars revs become higher but cars speed does not increase, or it feels like you are riding the clutch when driving along or changing gear. Or sometimes you can smell the pungent smell of the overheated burning clutch.

2) Strange unfamiliar metallic noises (sounds like a rattling chain or bag of knife and forks being shook about). This noise will stop when the clutch is depressed then return of release.

3) If your dual mass flywheel has been wearing for a while then your starter motor may start to slip/spin, when you are starting the car.

The driver with the Ford Focus Duel Mass Flywheel problems came to us in good time. The DMF had started to break up and was replaced, along with a new clutch plate. So if you do hear these noises take it along to your local garage to be examined.

New tyre labelling, bridgestone

Independent Tyre Centres-Where Will the UK Tyre Market be Going Next as the giants battle it out?

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Independent Tyre Centres-Where Will the UK Tyre Market be Going Next?

What part will Independent Tyre Centres Have!

This has always been a subject close to my own heart, I have worked in the tyre trade now for a good 40 years and like many more like me, we started our own tyre businesses in the seventies and eighties.

So we have now resigned as a member of the independent tyre group. Due to the fact that they were becoming too large and I thought ineffective.

Most of us used to work for the national companies that were then owned by the leading tyre manufacturers and then decided that we could make a go out of running our own businesses and so the story goes. Many ex managers for companies like Tyreservices a Goodyear owned subsidiary and National Tyreservices, who were then owned by Dunlop, decided that if they could run a  depot for someone else then they could do it for themselves and so looked for premises and started their own  businesses.

Here in West Yorkshire. I can think of at least six people who worked for the national  retailers. Then leaving to start their own  businesses. Some also worked for the tyre manufactures. Of course, the likes of Morris Palmer in Hull, who left Goodyear tyres to form the famous Savoy tyres ! Now run by his son. This was happening all over the UK. Revolutionized the way that tyres were sold.  To the growing market and expansion of the car market. Most households had a car by then and business was good and profitable. So, I started a business that we called Kut-Kost tyres. Accordingly, we grew into three depots and made a good living.

The advance of the tyre wholesaler.

Life went on for a few years and as we were selling more tyres. Of course, then the manufactures were offering better deals . Many of us were tempted to buy in quantity. We were at this stage having to compete with the emerging Kwik Fit Tyre Discount stores . Including the ever more competitive Nationals.

Before computers! Local newspapers would have up six different adverts. Offering all sorts of deals to the motorists. Driving down the tyre prices! Followed of course by lower profit margins. Significantly, buying containers was a way of increasing our bottom line.

At this stage we were all on a different level and knew who was the competition and could price our products accordingly to compete. What we didn’t see was the growing number of

wholesalers that were springing up all over the country and were growing at an alarming rate. I remember my first visit to Southam tyres in the old Rolls-Royce factory in the midlands and was in awe at the amount of stock he carried. Reg Bond also started his empire at round about the same time forming Bond International from an old warehouse in Pocklington ,North Yorkshire and the rest is history.

Many  retailers started to buy the better deals shifting their purchases from the manufacturers to the  wholesalers in our relentless search to maintain our profit levels.

Many other things were happening, but looking back I think that this was a mistake and it gave too much power and the wholesalers, who later decided to form their own retail outlets in direct competition to ourselves, but we are all fighters and with some ducking and diving we always seem to come up with some alternative supplies of tyres and battle on.

I then sold Kut-Kost to an emerging national company owned by Shell Oil, called Superdrive . Superdrive was to form a direct completion to Kwik-Fit, but failed to get the project together and eventually my old depots were bought from Superdrive by Kwik-Fit. I then purchased and developed the business that I am in now, Pellon Tyres here in Halifax and 25 years on fell that we are going through the same torrid times that we had to endure in the early days.

In the past two years the tyre market has seen some huge changes.

These changes have been brought on by the advent of the internet and the growing trend for the motorists to buy online. I have no problem with that and indeed as one of the Norths Independent Tyre Centres. I sell tyres online but not at a national level. But in the Yorkshire catchment area. The internet has now made it possible to buy tyres from the rest of Europe. of course, who are now in direct competition with the British wholesalers. In my opinion it is a good thing and drives down the price of tyres . So, making the tyre manufacturers the companies who are once again making the good profits. Of course, as they did in years gone by when they would deal with retail outlets direct.

More disruption in the tyre World ahead of us

I must admit that I was feeling vulnerable as I was stuck out on my own in little Halifax. Not knowing who was going to buy out what. Just like the seventies and early eighties. The next thing to come along! Has been the emergence of the Giant supermarkets wanting a slice of the tyre cake.

I must confess that I have embraced the chance of earning extra profit by fitting for these companies. But I have a feeling that we may be “bitten in the bum” by these companies. The latest rumor that I picked up. Was that the Tesco/Blackcirces combination were going to turn some Tesco sites into tyre fitting operations. Similar to Costco’s operations (as an update Michelin tyres have now bought Blackcircles). (So to update this then the Tesco-Black Circles deal never happened).

If this is a fact then I fear that it will start a new round of competition from the big tyre companies. All jostling to keep up their tyre numbers. I meanwhile think that I have made a good move by once again after many years dealing with the big five manufacturers. With all the benefits that brings with it.

As I said earlier we Independent Tyre Centres are tough and I am sure that whatever is thrown at us (now including the Corona Virus). We will struggle until these things disruptions pass, and we see better days again.

Conti Eco Contact 5

Continental Tyres UK Ltd-Spies In Your Tyres? This Gizmo Will Help Your Car Drive Itself

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Continental Tyres UK Ltd

A few years back, on a week long bus tour of Continental Tyres UK Ltd AG’s technology and engineering centers in Germany, one item attracted more attention from journalists than nearly any of the other whiz-bang connected-car stuff: A simple tire pressure monitor.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Continental Tyres UK Ltd new TPMS and more idea

This article written by Bob Gritzinger. Therefore, is all about the new ideas and inventions. Thrown about by the Auto industry at the moment. Consequently, this idea from Conti has now been tested on truck tyres. But at the moment I don’t know whether it has been a success or not. I suspect it will be effective. Because the concept of a monitor. Hence, vulcanised into the tyre. Relaying out information electronically about such things as tyre pressures and the inside temperature of the tyre is obviously of great benefit to the driver of the vehicle.

The device will be able to aid truckers. Because it will also be able to send the driver information. Thus, about the load that the tyre is carrying. Including  the traction details of the tyre, with this giving the driver the knowledge that the full load and road conditions can be checked as the truck is rolling along. I don’t know what sort of signals theIce road truckers would be getting from their in built TPMS tyres?

TPMS Valves becoming more common

The new Continental Tyres UK Ltd valve sends out the information. Hence, out by wireless signals. Therefore, is picked up in the cab by the driver on an in-car system very similar to the ones now where the TPMS Valves signals are fitted to the wheels. Continental Tyres UK Ltd says that this is all part the future that may introduce the driverless vehicle to our towns and cities. If an object penetrates a

tyre the system will pick up the loss of pressure and stop the car in some sort of safe area and the problem reported and fixed.

 

See on www.forbes.com

Continental tyres are still a great favourite of company boss Eric Roberts. Continuing to do so in the future drive to build sales at Pellon Tyres in Halifax.

new continental van tyre

Tyre Trade News Exclusive

Tyre Trade News Exclusive

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New VW Multivan Factory-Fitted with Continental Tyres

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is factory-fitting its new Multivan with Continentals AllSeasonContact tyres in 16″ and 17″ fitments. 

This premium all-season tyre is designed to cope with any weather, all year round. Thanks to a special tyre compound containing a high proportion of silica and special performance resins. So, the AllSeasonContact offers excellent traction and braking performance. The braking forces are transmitted to the road via the tyres with exceptional efficiency. Importantly, resulting in shorter braking distances.

Particularly on icy and snow-covered roads during the winter. The AllSeasonContact also offers outstanding braking performances. Especially, on wet and dry roads in the summer. This is all thanks to the special geometry of the shoulder groove. Of course, which ensures improved water drainage. The shoulder groove is also designed to provide additional stability. Importantly, during cornering as well as exceptional lateral aquaplaning performance.  

The AllSeasonContact is characterised by its high energy efficiency, rated with EU tyre label “A” making it a leader in its segment.

The significantly improved rolling resistance was achieved through an optimal balance. Of course, between compound, geometry and sidewall thickness. Lower rolling resistance helps to reduce fuel consumption and, in turn, CO2 emissions. 

Different automotive magazines have recently praised Continental’s AllSeasonContact for its versatility. The allround specialist recently won, for example, the all-year test conducted by Gute Fahrt (edition 9/22), confirming the success it enjoyed in the tests conducted by Auto Zeitung (19/21) and Auto Bild (40/21).

The following products and sizes are factory-approved for the new VW Multivan in numerous markets, including the UK: 

AllSeasonContact, 215/65 R16 102H XL  

AllSeasonContact, 235/55 R17 103H XL

Another great article from the renowned “Tyre Trade News Magazine” . Of course keeping small and medium tyre companies in the picture with new and fresh content.

continental tyres in the store room

Conti Eco Contact 5-Motorists will be Saving fuel with these Continental Tyres

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Conti Eco Contact 5

Saving fuel and reducing running costs is important to drivers. Our ContiEcoContact5 eco tyres are engineered to provide the best fuel economy possible.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Conti Eco Contact 5 and Michelin have amongst the best Rolling resistance in the  World of tyres

Rolling resistance is a word that we in the tyre World have been familiar with for many years now. It is only in recent years that the words have come to be synonymous with

saving energy and less fuel consumption. The Conti Eco Contact 5 is the new fuel saving tyres from the Continental tyre company.

In recent years tyre manufacturers have published the rolling resistance of each individual tyre that they bring out. The tyres have to put the fuel efficiency on the left hand side of the new labels, the best starting at A and then downwards.

Over the years Michelin tyres have always been amongst the top performance when it comes to energy saving tyres with Bridgestone a close second as shown in the figures bellow from the excellent: The daily green website:

The best performer was the Michelin Energy Saver A/S, which delivered 53.8 mpg in a Prius, meaning a 4.74% improvement. The Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 was next, with 53.5 mpg and a 4.12%. On the other hand, both the Michelin HydroEdge with Green X and the Goodyear Assurance Comfor Tred (terrible name) actually did worse (down .59 and 2.64% respectively) than the control tires… http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/cars-transportation/low-rolling-resistance-tires-461009

Please do not forget though the thing that makes all tyres more fuel efficient is to keep your tyres correctly inflated at all times and that includes the Continental Eco Contact 5

See on blog.conti-online.co.uk

Michelin Uptis tyre

Michelins New Uptis-On the Move

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Michelins New Uptis

Michelins New Uptis

I am not really surprised at this particular development coming out of the Michelin Tyres stable! Since the first tyres were produced back in the 1800’s.So the large tyre companies have been in the race to try and beat the rest. Both in tyre development and tyre safety issues. Nothing in the tyre industry really stays still.
Over the years the general principle of tyre has remained and is based around “air”. So, Pneumatic tyres are filled with air. Keeping this air in a tyre at the correct pressure has always been the challenge.
Unfortunately for me then I am old enough to have worked in the tyre industry when most tyres were fitted with an inner tube. However it was about fifty years ago most tyre manufacturers were making radial tyres which were also tubeless tyres. Hence, as a young tyre fitter at the time things became much easier. As inner tubes became less used and not as important.

Punctures were less common

The tubeless tyre was not only easier to fit but could still hold some pressure when a puncture occurred. Hence very often the nail or other objects would seal the tyre a little. So, helping the motorists to get home and then change the wheel. Having the tyre repaired at their convenience. Tubed tyres would deflate immediately leaving the driver stranded. Tubeless was to be the standard for many years. However with the increasing amount of traffic then a new safety tyre would be on the cards!
Runflat tyres were to be introduced as a new safety measure. So, these tyres were developed so as not to deflate when punctured! Especially at high speed. These tyres enabled the driver to limp home at 50mph without having to change the wheel. Importantly the vehicle also remained in a straight line without swerving and possible causing an accident. These tyre and wheel units only come out on certain vehicle brands. Other companies designed different tyre safety features with the same outcome in mind. So, to prevent accidents caused by a flat deflated tyre at speed.
The answer was to be a tyre without having any air to worry about.

Michelin Involved in most technology Advances

I am a great admirer and fan of the Michelin tyre products. Mainly because in the past they have been in the advanced stages of new tyre developments. Going way back to the invention and development of the radial tyres. This new advanced Uptis tyre will be no exception. Michelin first developed a tyre called the “Tweel“. This is an airless tyre that does not have any punctures. The tyre was to be used for certain off road uses. Such as dumper truck and other site vehicles. Down time is important and these Tweel tyres saved money by not having to stop for repairing tyres. However it was always in the corner of Michelins eye to improve the technology for road use and general motoring.
The Uptis has now been developed along with general motors on their new small EV car range as soon as 2024. The new tyres have been tested on these cars and will of course bring extra safety. No puncture repairs! The new units will be available as an extra. The tyre and wheel is in one piece so a separate tyre will not be an option.
Going forward I do think its a good idea but like the EV’s will just be part of the big mix. Better off drivers will be able to afford them just like electric cars. However I do not think they will kill everybody off but just be another option. TPMS systems now give the drivers of cars with conventional tyres fitted. So you “take your choice and pay the price” like most things in this world.

Scrap Tyre Dumping Returns

Which Tyre Choice-New tyres, Remould tyres or Part Worn tyres?

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Which Tyre Choice

New tyres, Remould tyres or Part Worn tyres? Which Tyre Choice

To start off this article, Which Tyre Choice? I am going to say that in my opinion. So, you are better to use remoulded tyres (re-tread tyres have a new tread bonded to the old carcass remould tyres area full bead to bead re-mould ). Hence, than to buy un-regulated part worn tyres. If the part worns are sold under the 1994 laws that govern part worn tyres then that is fine. The 1994 legislation comes under the following law… The legislation

The Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994. Set out minimum safety standards for the supply of part-worn tyres. To comply, it is important that you and your staff are fully aware of these Regulations.

“Under the Regulations. it is illegal to supply any part-worn tyre that is capable of being fitted to a motor vehicle or trailer unless the conditions detailed below are met”..

This only applies to the UK of course; the States will have their own legislation. Remould tyres are a good substitute for the older and vehicles that go off road. Remould tyres were at one time very popular. Older cars and vans and the increase in cheap imported new tyres from China. So, put an end to many remoulding companies here in the UK.

Another good point about remoulds. Consequently, is that most tyres fitted to aircraft (large or small) are fitted with remould tyres. Of course, and the same applies to trucks. Many of the trucks that you see hurtling down the highway. Will be fitted with remould or re-tread tyres. You may have noticed the strips of tread. That are discarded at the side of our motorways, these are the tread that has stripped off the tyre carcass usually due to the tyre having a puncture or it has been run under inflated which has caused it to overheat and therefore come apart.

Which Tyre Choice-New tyres are what they are

brand new tyres and therefore will be extremely safe to use .the failure rate of new tyres is very low, in fact I have not seen a genuine faulty tyre for a few years now. Remould tyres are also very well made by the few companies that remain making them, the failure rate for car and van tyres is a bit higher than new tyres, bur still not worth bothering about. As I said earlier the problem I have is the sale of un-regulated part worn tyres, otherwise you will be safe on new or remould tyres. For further Which Tyre Choice and tyre safety information see…www.tyresafe.org

So in my opinion properly governed and legal part worn tyres have a part to play when funds are running low as in the Corona Virus.

 

car batteries

Lithium-Sulfur Battery Race Heats Up For Faster Charging and Dis-Charging of Electric Car Batteries

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Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are hot on the trail of a lithium-sulfur battery that packs four times the punch of conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Is the Lithium-Ion battery under threat from the Lithium-Sulfur battery?

A battery has been developed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  One of the USA owned Department of energy scientific facilities (ORNL for short).

This new battery has been developed using a chemical that we all know as sulphur. Which is a very abundant and low costing material. The new battery has been tested as having at least four times the energy density as the new one that now powers many of our electric products the Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Scientists at the ORNL facility. Have been able to use new types of sulfur rich materials. Consequently, and were then able to join the new type sulfur cathode. With a lithium anode together with a solid electrolyte material. So, to produce an energy dense solid type. Because the scientists have used sulfur the resulting product. Of course, is much safer and more cost effective that the lithium-Ion batteries. Hence  in use at the moment. Considered a great breakthrough.

Sulphur comes from waste

The sulphur that is used is a waste product from the petro-chemical industry and so is almost free of charge. This makes it possible to re-cycle a waste product (sulphur) into a useful new battery.

The new batteries are not on the market just yet. But a patent has been applied for. Subsequently, it is thought that this excellent new invention will be available. Naturally, for commercial purposes in the near future.

One of the problems that the scientists have come across, is that Lithium-Sulfur Battery compounds can leak out from where they should be, which causes the batteries charge to deteriorate. The researchers set out to find it a possibility to restrain these escaping compounds.

To get round the problem, the scientists have  made very small, hollowed shells out of a type of carbon, which will conduct the element. The researchers then coated them with a film of polymer to help keep the Li-S compounds inside.

See on cleantechnica.com