Michelin Zero Pressure Tyres

13th November 2025/3 Comments/in All Michelin Tyres/by Eric Roberts

Michelin Zero Pressure Tyres

Michelin’s call their tyre the ZP, or Michelin Zero Pressure.

This, of course, refers to the fact that when the run-flat tyre deflates, it will carry on running with zero air in the tyre. This is exactly what the run-flat does. Because of the much stronger

side walls, the tyre will not deviate from its course. The driver is warned about the deflation from inside the car by the TPMS system (tyre pressure monitoring system).

Let’s face it, our roads are probably the busiest in Europe. Consequently, nobody enjoys having to change a wheel at the side of the road. In fact, they now warn us to stay well away from the car.

Preferably at the top of the embankment. Importantly, while the recovery truck turns up! Because of the many accidents caused by broken-down vehicles. Of course, other vehicles will lose focus and crash into them from behind.

With the Michelin Zero Pressure run-flat technology fitted to your car,. Then this will be avoided. These tyres will lose pressure from a nail or a screw penetration. But your car will keep a straight line, and you will be able to drive home. Albeit at a reduced speed of 50 mph, the tyre will let you travel 50 miles. Naturally, this should be enough to get you out of trouble and have the tyre changed

Michelin Zero Pressure Tyres: Can you mix run-flat tyres with normal radial tyres?

Michelin recommends that you never mix a Michelin Zero Pressure run-flat tyre with a non-run-flat normal radial tyre. The only exception to this rule is if you were stranded in the middle of nowhere. With the only tyre depot for miles around, you could only get a normal tyre. Subsequently, this would be acceptable as a last resort; get you home step, and the tyre must be changed back to a run-flat as soon as possible.

The Michelin Zero Pressure run-flats have completely different sidewalls; they are made of much thicker materials and are known as “self-supporting tyres,” or SST’s. They have two other identification markings on the sidewalls.
1: ZP allows you to drive at 50 mph for speeds up 50 mph (most of the M1 motorway at the moment)
2: ZP SR allows you to drive for 20 miles at 50 mph

Michelin Zero Pressure offer the same ride capabilities as a normal radial tyre- Michelin Zero Pressure Tyres

The first time I drove a BMW Mini that was equipped with run-flat tyres I thought I was in an old truck going down a cobbled road. The ride was horrendous, and my staff, who regularly test drive cars, say that this is a common thing. The ride is very hard because the sidewalls are so thick and reinforced. Michelin claims that their zero-pressure tyres are not the same and give just as good a ride as their normal radial tyres.

Although I have not tried out a car fitted with Michelin Zero Pressure, this has got to be a step in the right direction, and I will try out these tyres as soon as possible to quantify their claims.
However, some fleet companies are now looking at the Michelin because of the more comfortable ride and improved fuel consumption. These tyres have been tested by fleet company Alphabet’s Operational Services Manager, Andy Williams.
He explained, “The comfort compromise everyone used to associate with run-flats has disappeared with the latest technology of tyres.

I have tried Michelin’s new Zero Pressure (ZP) range – Michelin Zero Pressure Tyres

Trust me, you can’t tell the difference from standard tyres. Yes, there have been critics of run-flat tyres in the past, but Michelin has answered all of them. It is high time fleet managers started to embrace the new technology, as it has so much to offer.

The combination of a smooth ride and increased safety is something they just can’t afford to ignore. The fact that a tyre keeps its shape when it loses pressure could be life-saving in the event of a tyre blow-out.”
As I stated earlier, this means that the fleet car user can now safely drive the vehicle to a tyre centre or garage and have the tyre replaced.

This will help to reduce downtime

caused in the past by the driver calling out the emergency services because they are not able to change the wheel themselves or the car is stranded in a dangerous place.

For the private drivers who are fitted out with run-flat tyres it would be well worth trying out these new Michelin Zero Pressure tyres because of the better and less harsh ride that is associated with the other run-flat makes of tyres.

Pellon Tyre and Auto-Centre offers car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. We also sell Michelin Zero Pressure Tyres online.

Update: Michelin Zero Pressure Tyres

We’ve noticed more drivers asking about Michelin Zero Pressure tyres lately, so here’s a quick update for folk around Halifax who might be thinking about them. These clever run-flat tyres are designed so you can keep driving for a short distance even after a puncture — usually up to around 50 miles at a steady speed.

Handy if you’re stuck on the tops between Halifax and Haworth, or down some of our narrow Calder Valley lanes where there isn’t space to start faffing with a jack. They’re built with reinforced sidewalls, so the tyre holds its shape even with no air in it. As always, we fit and supply them here at Pellon Tyres, and we’ll make sure your car is properly set up for run-flats if you fancy switching over.

Pellon Tyres is now a member of TyreSafe.org

Michelins New Uptis

22nd September 2025/1 Comment/in All Tyre Articles/by Eric Roberts

Michelins New Uptis

Michelins New Uptis Airless Tyres

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, I am old enough to have worked in the tyre industry when most tyres were fitted with an inner tube.

However, 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 less 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, help the motorists 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, 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 50 mph without having to change the wheel. Importantly, the vehicle also remained in a straight line without swerving, possibly 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 is involved in most technological Advances- Michelins New Uptis

I am a great admirer and fan of 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 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 dump trucks and other site vehicles.

Down time is important and these Tweel tyres saved money by not having to stop to repair 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! Michelins New Uptis

The new units will be available as an extra. The tyre and wheel are 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, 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; they will just be another option. TPMS systems now give drivers of cars with conventional tyres fitted. So you “take your choice and pay the price,” like most things in this world.

Michelin Sports Tyres

22nd April 2025/3 Comments/in All Michelin Tyres/by Eric Roberts

Michelin Sports Tyres

6 Reasons to fit the Michelin Pilot Sports 3 Tyres to your car

Improved handling and grip: The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 is a high-performance tyre that has been designed to offer excellent handling and grip, even in wet and dry conditions.
Enhanced stability: The tyre has a stiffer sidewall and a more rigid tread pattern, which helps to improve stability and reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
Longer tyre life: The tyre has been engineered with a durable tread compound that helps to extend its lifespan, making it a cost-effective choice for drivers.
Quiet and comfortable ride: The tyre has a specially designed tread pattern and an advanced tread compound that helps to reduce road noise and vibration, providing a more comfortable ride.
Excellent wet and dry performance: The tyre has been designed with large water evacuation channels and tread blocks that help to improve traction in wet conditions, while the asymmetrical tread pattern helps to provide excellent grip in dry conditions.
Wide range of sizes available: The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 is available in a wide range of sizes, making it suitable for a variety of vehicles and driving needs.

Michelin Sports Tyres: The new pilot sports three tyres will become another winner from Michelin Tyres.

as a Michelin Sports Tyres retailer. As a result, for the last 40 years. Therefore, I have always admired the tyre products that Michelin tyres have produced. Michelin Sports Tyres have, in my opinion, been at the forefront. As a result, car tyre technology and tyre innovation.

as the general public will be aware. Michelin tyres have never been famous for selling cheap car tyres. In fact, they are often the most expensive. however, in my opinion. For this reason, you have to pay for a top-quality product. Michelin tyres are a top product.

If its cheap tyres that you are after. Thus, you won’t get Michelin tyres. So, when it comes to cheap car tyres. Then you will be looking at other brands. Hence, not Michelin.

Michelin Sports Tyres, therefore, have devoted hours of time and money to their commitment to motorsport. As a result, they have applied all of their knowledge to developing better and better car tyres. Michelin tyres have always been the company to beat by their competitors, which is why they have kept their prices higher than the other top tyre manufacturers.

New pilot 3

This latest tyre from Michelin is no exception. The all-new Pilot 3 comes with a new “anti-surf system,” which gives optimum tyre grip in all wet conditions, including deep standing water, the type of conditions that you may get when heavy rain has flooded the road due to a blocked drain. The Pilot 3 just cuts straight through without any deviation in the driving; as you know, when this happens, the car tends to pull towards the curb, but not the new Michelin Sport 3.

This new tyre also comes with a new rubber compound, which gives fuel savings and higher mileage while maintaining its excellent wet grip capabilities, as stated above. Michelin Sports Tyres is committed to lowering the CO2 emissions as low as possible on all its tyre products, and this will be shown by putting the “GREEN X” marking on the sports 3 tyres. This emblem will demonstrate that Michelin Sports Tyres’ newest tyre products, including the new Sports 3 tyre, are designed to reduce fuel consumption.

What is Tyre Separation

3rd April 2025/in All Tyre Articles/by Eric Roberts

What is Tyre Separation

Many people will recognise tyre separation in the form of a bubble or bulge somewhere on one of their tyres. There can be many reasons for this. Back in the good old days, when I was a young tyre fitter, separation was a more common site on our customers tyres. At the time, I must confess that we did not know the reason for this and just took it as the “statusquo.”

Radial Tyres were relativly new in the dark old days

Subsequently, x ply tyres were the most common type of tyres when I first went into the tyre industry. These were followed briefly by bias belted tyres that were becoming more popular in the United States. American tyre companies were always trying to produce a tyre that could cope with the suspensions of the huge American cars that were produced in those days.

Radials were tried and tested here in Europe on very different types of car construction. Importantly, a new type of tyre was being developed by the Michelin tyre company in France. The first type I remember well, the Michelin X tyres were fitted to imported Citroens, primarily the first Citroen 2CV models that were imported into the UK.

I remember that these tyres looked very strange, they were very thin and didnt look like they were up to the job. However, they were to prove us very long and soon became renowned for there high mileage. Especially when compared to Xply tyres.

Michelin patented the secret steel belt that they used in the manufacture of these new types of tyres. Meanwhile, all the other tyre makers, such as Goodyear and Firestone, were trying to catch up by developing their own styles of radial tyres.

Problems started to appear ? What is Tyre Separation

As the radial tyres were becoming more popular, problems started to appear. This is where the link to this post about tyre sepraration comes into play. Michelins secret development of the special steel belt was the secret behind the new type of steel radial tyres. Other tyre manufacturers struggled to find a similar type of steel to make their tyres with.

Hence problems started to arise. I remember Firestone in particular. Consequently, we were presented with Firstone tyres becoming out of shape or developing bubbles on all parts of the tyres. This was known as “separation”. In this instance, it was due to the steel belts oxidising (rusting).

This would happen when a tyre had a puncture allowing water to come into contact with the steel belt, causing it to rust, and the resulting gases would cause the tyres to become out of shape. This could also occur if the tyre was subject to any type of condensation in the air at the time of manufacture.

Michelin were probably the first tyre company to impose strict manufacturing processes in their tyre factories. Also not known at the time, Michelin used special steel wire that was coated with a type of brass before used to make the steel radial tyres. This is where other companies failed and problems started to appear.

Textile radials stopped the rot of tyre separation in the UK

Textile radials were also developed by using many strong materials, such as nylon, rayon, or polyester. Each tyre company used their own choice of materials and claimed that their tyres were the best. However, steel radials still produced the best results.

Dunlop tyres claimed that by using textiles, a much less abrasive material, their tyres were a much softer ride. The Jaguar company installed the Dunlop textile radials on many of their models of sports luxury cars as evidence for this. However, balncing problems haunted Dunlop, but that’s another story.

Michelin eventually decided to release their secret steel coating formulae to the other tyre companies. This helped the other tyre companies to compete on a level playing field, and things such as “separation” problems decreased dramaticaly.

The Quiet Risk: Recognising Tyre Separation and Its Origins- What is Tyre Separation

The unsung heroes of our cars are frequently the tyres. They quietly bear the burden of every bump, curb, and uneven road while ensuring our safety while we travel. Tyre separation is a lesser-known problem that can transform your trustworthy tyres into a major safety risk. Even though this situation is uncommon, if it is allowed to continue, it could be deadly. Now let’s explore the definition of tyre separation, its causes, and prevention methods.

Tyre separation: What is it? What is Tyre Separation

When a tyre’s many layers begin to separate, tyre separation happens. The steel belts, inside fabric layers, and exterior rubber are the layers that make up a modern tyre. During the manufacturing process, a bond holds these layers together, but as that bond weakens or breaks, the layers start to separate. This may result in diminished performance, surface bulges on the tyre, and, in the worst situations, an unexpected blowout.

Reasons Why Tyres Separate-What is Tyre Separation

Tyre separation can result from a number of things, including operator error and manufacturing flaws. Below is a summary of the most frequent causes:

1. Defects in Manufacturing–What is Tyre Separation

Manufacturing errors can still happen, despite the use of contemporary quality control procedures. There are instances when a tyre leaves the manufacturer with inadequate layer bonding, which can later cause separation. It’s frequently too late for a car owner to notice this, which is why routine tyre checkups are so important.

2. Inadequate Tyre Maintenance–What is Tyre Separation

Poor repair work can have disastrous effects on your tyres. The structural integrity of the tyre may be compromised if a puncture is not correctly fixed. When a puncture is repaired with a plug rather than a patch, for instance, moisture and air may seep between the layers and eventually cause separation.

3. Overburdening–What is Tyre Separation

The maximum load rating of a tyre refers to the maximum weight that it can support securely. When this limit is exceeded, the tires are subjected to severe stress, especially on the inside layers. The layers may weaken and extend as a result of overloading, causing separation. With bigger cars like vans and RVs, where the desire to overload is stronger, this is particularly risky.

4. Inadequate Inflation–What is Tyre Separation

The longevity and safety of your tyres depend on maintaining proper air pressure in them. More of the tire’s surface comes into contact with the road when the tyre is underinflated, which increases heat and friction. The additional heat may weaken the link between the layers, allowing them to separate. On the other hand, excessive inflation can result in uneven tyre wear and stress on the edges, which may cause related problems.

5. Damage from Impact–What is Tyre Separation

It is possible for your tyres to sustain instant, possibly undetectable damage when you hit a pothole, curb, or other road hazard. The impact may result in a small internal split that gradually manifests and eventually becomes more obvious. The damage frequently doesn’t show up right away, but eventually the weakening of the link between the layers may lead to separation.

6. Tyre Ageing-What is Tyre Separation

Tyres wear down over time. The components of the tyre may deteriorate with time, particularly if they are subjected to adverse environments like intense heat, direct sunshine, or chemicals. The rubber may become brittle with age and the links between the layers may deteriorate, increasing the likelihood of separation. For this reason, even if your tyres seem to have plenty of tread left, it’s normally advised to change them every 6 to 10 years.

Tyre Separation Prevention

Although tyre separation is a dangerous situation, there are things you may do to lessen the chance:

Ongoing Examinations:

Develop the practice of routinely inspecting your tyres for deterioration, including cracks, bulges, and uneven wear. Immediately have it checked out by a professional if you detect anything strange.

Adequate Inflation:

Make sure the pressure in your tyres is as the manufacturer has recommended. This information is available on the tyre placard located inside the driver’s door or in the handbook for your automobile.

Avoid Overloading:

Recognise the maximum load that your car can carry and don’t go above it. If you frequently transport large items, you might want to upgrade to tires with a greater load rating.

Cautionary Driving:

Aim to steer clear of potholes, curbs, and other hazards that may result in impact damage. When approaching them, try to move as slowly as you can if you can’t avoid them.

Install New Tyres:

Age can have its effects, even if your tyres appear to be in good condition. Replace old tyres before they become dangerous to avoid pushing your luck.

Expert Repair Services:

Make sure a skilled technician fixes your punctured tyre correctly. Steer clear of fast solutions that could damage the tire’s integrity.

Concluding Remarks

Although tyre separation may not be the first thing that comes to mind, being aware of the risks and taking precautions can save you a great deal of hassle and possibly even your life. You can make sure that your tyres will continue to dependablely carry you for miles on end by maintaining them. Make sure your tyres are suitable for the job, whether you’re driving on the motorway or just stopping by the store here in Halifax, UK. Ultimately, their safety depends on them.

Posts

Michelin Zero Pressure Tyres

Table of Contents

Michelin Zero Pressure Tyres