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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.

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

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 Servicing and Repairs at Pellon Tyre and Autocentre

Winter tyres grip-can help you get a grip in the cold and the Snow

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Winter tyres grip

Winter tyres grip can help you in the cold

Winter tyres

5 Reasons Why Winter Tyres Grip Better in the Snow and Ice

Winter driving can be treacherous, with snow, ice, and sleet making roads slippery and dangerous. That’s why it’s essential to equip your vehicle with the right tyres for the season. Winter tyres are specifically designed to provide superior grip and handling in cold and snowy conditions. In this article, we’ll share with you five reasons why winter tyres grip better in the snow and ice.

  1. Softer Rubber Compound

Winter tyres are made with a softer rubber compound that stays pliable in colder temperatures. This helps the tyres grip the road better in snowy and icy conditions. Summer tyres, on the other hand, are made with a harder rubber compound that becomes stiff and less flexible in cold weather, reducing their ability to grip the road.

  1. Deeper Tread

Winter tyres have deeper and more aggressive tread patterns than summer tyres. This design allows the tyres to dig into the snow and ice, providing better traction and grip. The tread pattern also helps to evacuate water and slush from the tyre’s surface, reducing the risk of hydroplaning.

  1. Sipes

Winter tyres have small cuts, called sipes, in the tread blocks that help to provide extra grip on slippery surfaces. Sipes create tiny edges that bite into the snow and ice, providing better traction and stability. Summer tyres do not have sipes, which can make them less effective in winter conditions.

  1. Studding

Studded winter tyres have small metal studs embedded in the tread blocks that help to provide extra traction on ice. The studs grip the surface of the ice, providing better braking and acceleration performance. Studded tyres are not legal in all areas, so it’s important to check local regulations before using them.

  1. Improved Braking Performance

Winter tyres provide improved braking performance in cold and slippery conditions. The softer rubber compound and deeper tread pattern allow the tyres to grip the road better, reducing stopping distances and improving overall safety. Summer tyres, on the other hand, can become hard and less effective in cold weather, leading to longer stopping distances and increased risk of accidents.

Winter tyres grip
Winter tyres grip

In conclusion, winter tyres are specifically designed

so, to provide better grip and handling in cold and snowy conditions. With a softer rubber compound, deeper tread, sipes, and studding, winter tyres are essential for safe winter driving. If you live in an area with cold and snowy winters, it’s important to equip your vehicle with winter tyres to ensure the best possible driving experience.

It pleases me very much to see how the British public have responded to the efforts of the owners of tyre outlets and the many motoring publications, that have been

Citroen fitted with 4 Yokohama winter tyres

advising the public about the advantages and safety features of fitting winter tyres to your car.

What started me off committing myself to this subject was the massive increase of traffic on our roads, combined with the worsening winters that we were getting. This in my eyes makes road safety, especially where brakes and other road safety factors are concerned.

Cars are travelling and accelerating at much faster speeds and therefore requires better braking systems and tyre technology. The latter is probably my specialist subject and a subject that I am passionate about, therefor the advice that I give to drivers and my customers is in their best interest.

The subject of whether or not to fit winters in November time or not, to me is a “no brainer”. Here in West Yorkshire winter will shortly arriving , in fact this morning the local council gritting trucks are out gritting the icy roads. Winter tyres have a special compound that has silicone added to the rubber compound.

Winter tyres grip

Of course, Your winter safety tyres-Making sure your ready for your winter tyres – KSHB-Eric Robertsthis ensures that the winters remain flexible in freezing weather conditions, and are still able to maintain there grip on icy or snowy roads. On the other hand a summer ones that do not have additives will begin to harden when the temperature drops below centigrade, when Winter tyres grip . The effect is similar to your wiper blades, we all know that in cold weather that your wiper blades become very hard and will not clean the windscreen, all other rubber items have the same affect, and do not work correctly in cold weather.

If the tyre does not flex because of the cold, then the tread will not be able to do the job of gripping, especially in cold weather or on a very dirty rainy day when you may be traveling at 70 mph on a motorway. Winters will flex and give you the full tread onto the road, together with a much better designed tread pattern made especially for wet and snowy winter conditions, there is no doubt that Winter tyres grip . You owe it to yourself and your family to be as safe as possible on our very busy roads in winter time, none of us know what the weather will throw at us on any given day,(not even the weather man)

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles.

 
Car Servicing and Repairs at Pellon Tyre and Autocentre

Quality Winter Tyres -Autocar Says that Winter Tyres Really Work for your safety in winter- Etyres

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Autocar extols virtues of Quality Winter Tyres

“I was running a long term BMW 1M at the time, and at BMW’s insistence the car was fitted with a set of

The Bridgestone Blizzak Quality Winter Tyres are a great choice.

Michelin Alpin winter tyres.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Winter tyres

Of course, there has never been any doubt about Quality Winter Tyres . Significantly, including the fantastic job that they do when winter arrives. Including, most in the Northern hemisphere, no matter what country you live in.

It is always an advantage when great car magazines !

The likes of Autocar reinforce what us tyre experts have been saying for years. So. the reason that we tend to harp on about Quality Winter Tyres. Importantly, is the safety aspect of the product. These days the cars are getting much faster and powerful and we also have had the recent influx of SUV’s and crossover cars. These vehicles are next to useless when it comes to coping with the winter conditions of snow and ice. They are large and powerful and are absolutely useless in the snow without Quality Winter Tyres fitted.

Quality Winter Tyres are now an essential safety commodity

Significantly, to be used on our modern day vehicles. Winter tyres will even give you  significantly safety advantage when driving on the motorway on a stinking wet day. So must be considered before the winter sets in. We at Pellon Tyres in Halifax recommend a couple of makes that have been proven to us over the years. They are Nokian and Jinyu ! Although Jinyu are an economy brand. Importantly, we have tested these on our own vehicles over the past few years.

 

Of course winter is on its way yet again! So, I wonder what the 2020 winter will bring us. However it is important to keep you and your family safe and consider winter tyre if new tyres are required.

Car Servicing and Repairs at Pellon Tyre and Autocentre

Winter Tyres Work- Less Accidents with Cold Weather Tyres fitted

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Winter Tyres Work


Winter tyres work: but this car struggles. Last winter, we saw snow like this at Sowerby, near Halifax

Your winter tyre Tips

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Snowing scenes like this call for “Winters to be fitted ” 

Winter tyres have, in the past three years, helped millions of motorists make safer journeys and arrive home safely. Remember, winter Winters Work . We are now approaching the time, usually November, when you should fit your winter tyres, or if you do not have any, then you should consider buying yourself a set.

Even if you can’t afford a set of four, it is still a better and safer proposition to fit a pair on your drive wheels. Out of all the thousands of customers that have had winter tyres fitted, I have never had a single complaint about the performance; in fact, most drivers will give them a raving revue.

This is one of the reasons why fleet companies are fitting winters into their fleets. all  weather Tyres work. They know that it makes sense to fit them for the safety aspect, and they also know that it will benefit the drivers when they are out in snow and wet weather, and when the fleets buy them, you know they must be good as they will not waste a penny unless it is necessary.

Better Winter and All-Season Tyres for Improved Safety on the Road

What’s up, folks? What’s up with that? It’s getting frigid, no doubt about it. So, now is a good time to discuss winter and all-season tyres. Significant advancements in tyre technology over the past few years have greatly increased road safety. Let’s get a cup of coffee and dive in!

Tyre land: A Tale from Long Ago; Winter Tyres Work

Do you remember when all-season tyres weren’t truly appropriate for all seasons and winter tyres were in short supply? The time for that is passed. We now have solutions that make driving safer in practically any weather, from the blazing heat of summer to the whiteout conditions of the apocalypse.

Tyres for the Winter: It’s Not Only for the Mountains

Winter tyres used to be something only mountain residents or those going on a ski trip would think about. Nonetheless, they are quickly becoming necessities due to the erratic nature of modern winters. These tyres now have improved tread patterns, deeper grooves, and cold-resistant rubber compounds.

All-Season Tyres Can Handle Any Road Condition

When it comes to safety, all-season tyres are a clear victor. Recent updates have made them more effective in the rain, and their grip in snow and ice is excellent. A set of all-season tyres is like a Swiss Army knife for your automobile, especially now that more storms are hitting the UK.

Being Calm Throughout the Storm

More and more storms have been occurring recently. Tyres have been modified to function in a variety of wet conditions, including floods, deep snow, and dreadful rain. What I mean is stuff like stiffer sidewalls for improved control in windy circumstances and water-dispersion technology to help minimise aquaplaning.

Improving Traffic Safety in Halifax

What’s in it for us here in Halifax? The weather here, as we all know, is indecisive. It could be sunny one second and hailing the next; the weather is impossible to predict. More than anywhere else, we need reliable tyres to keep us safe on the twisty roads we drive on every day.

Finishing Up; Winter Tyres Work

That’s all I’ve got, guys. Technology advancements in tyres have greatly increased traveller security, particularly in the face of erratic weather patterns. Technological advancements are worthy of praise, whether we’re talking about all-season tyres that can handle any weather or grippy winter tyres.

So long for now!

You know where to find me if you’re thinking about getting new tyres. Be careful, stay warm, and help me make this winter’s roadways as safe as possible! Winter tyres work; its a fact

We at Pellon Tyres here in Halifax, West Yorkshire, recommend that you go for an economy winter tyre such as Jinhu winters if you are on a low budget, or an excellent mid-range tyre is the Falken Winters. For SUVs or larger sedan types of cars, you could look no further that choosing a leading brand such as Michelin or Pirelli Winters; they are all excellent products

.As the article says, there were 6,000 road accidents here in the UK due to snow and ice, according to the Department of Transport (DFT)

See on www.fleetnews.co.uk

 

Hankook Tyres-launches 4 HP

Big Five Tyre Makers+Back in Front where they belong+Big tyremakers are regaining their grip

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Big Five Tyre Makers

Big Five Tyre Makers

There is no doubt that in my long presence in the tyre industry. Then the top five tyre companies have always been in contention. Hence, for the top spot.

Whether it be on numbers sold or quality then the top five manufacturers have kept in front. Therefore the likes of Michelin, Goodyear, Continental, Bridgestone and Pirelli.

One of the main reasons is because premium car manufacturers tend to stick to premium car tyres. Hence, for the original equipment tyres they choose.

Consequently,there has begun to be a wider variety of OE tyres chosen in the mass market car sector. Previously, most car manufacturers have stuck to the top five tyre manufacturers.

Big Five Tyre Makers could it change

As this has already started to change. manufacturers that were previously labelled as “mid range” tyres are now appearing on new car models. Especially, if the country of origin is the same. Indeed this is how the big five started out. With Michelin supplying the mass car markets in France. Including Citroen and Renault. Pirelli had a good foothold with supplying Fiat and Alfa Romeo cars.

Of course in Germany then the huge car makes of Mercedes and  BMW, not forgetting VW were supplied by the giant Continental conglomerate. Goodyear had a firm hold of the North American market, before going global. Japan cars were coming out as original equipment on famous car brands such as Toyota and Nissan.

In recent years the mid-range and budget tyre market has increased with world demand as the car industry has flourished. Including, the introduction of the new tyre labelling laws. This manifested itself with the shock that some of the budget brands had just as good a rating as the big 5. Causing some embarrassment to say the least. Going forward this could very well encourage mass market car manufacturers to look closer at the budget brand tyres. Especially, if they have similar good looking results on the new labels.

We at Pellon Tyres have noticed that consumers will take these labels into consideration when choosing tyres. In my opinion this could lead to the likelihood to see a change in the original equipment tyres. of course, that mass market car manufacturers may choose?

Car makers under pressure to bring down costs

Under constant pressure to bring costs down, car manufacturers may feel able to justify to consumers. That the economy brands will deliver the same performance as the more expensive mid-range. Not forgetting the premium brands. In my opinion though the top five companies also lead the way in tyre technology. As a result, they are always looking at innovative ways of improving their tyre products,

A great example of this is the tremendous effort that Pirelli have put in to the F1 racing scene. This involvement has given great confidence to the general public  when buying Pirelli tyres.

Consequently, there is actually much more to a tyre’s performance than just wet braking. Including rolling resistance and external noise, but it is often first impressions that count. Especially when people are trying to save money. Of course, the fact that surveys have so far shown that many drivers don’t even know about the tyre label. Although this is improving in recent times.

To summarize, I think that the tyre buying public will support the better products that the big five can offer. Including the growing mass SUV market. Some of the tyre sizes are over 20 inch and require great skills to manufacture tyres that are quite whilst giving great performances on faster models such as the BMW’s and Jaguars.

Check Your caravan Tyres

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

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 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.

Check Your caravan Tyres

Michelin Quality Pays

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Michelin Quality Pays

There is no doubt in my mind that, over the many years of being in the tyre industry, Michelin has the best reputation for quality and reliability. Michelin is one of the best-known and most respected tyre brands in the world. The company has been in business for over 100 years and has a long history of producing high-quality tyres for a wide range of vehicles.

I can honestly say that in all those years, I have never seen a genuine Michelin faulty tyre. Michelin has played a significant role in the development of the tyre industry and the advancement of tyre technology from the early days of the automobile to today’s modern tyre market.

Michelins History

The history of Michelin began in 1888. Of course, when the company was founded by brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, France. The company began by producing bicycle tyres. However, they quickly expanded into the automotive market. In 1891, the company developed the first removable pneumatic tyre. Importantly, this revolutionised the tyre industry and made it possible for cars to travel at faster speeds.

throughout the early 20th century. Michelin continued to innovate and develop new tyre technologies. In 1946, the company introduced the radial tyre. which had a stronger and more flexible sidewall and offered improved fuel efficiency and a longer tread life. This innovation quickly became the industry standard and was widely adopted by other tyre manufacturers.

Michelin became well-known for the excellent mileage that their car tyres could achieve. Other tyre companies could just watch and try to follow. The secret was in the steel chords that were part of the radial tyre mix. These were patented by Michelin. making it very difficult for other tyre companies to copy.

The result for some tyre companies was a mess. when the steel chords were broken, say, by a puncture. The steel belts would rust and cause all sorts of problems. Michelin coated their steel belts with a copper coating. So, the steel is protected, and a nail or screw that goes through the steel belt won’t let water in and cause problems.

Moving quickly on

In the decades that followed, Michelin continued to push the boundaries of tyre technology. The company was one of the first to make run-flat tyres, which let a car keep going even if one of its tyres gets a hole. They also made tyres that can fix themselves and have sensors that keep track of the pressure and wear.

Today, Michelin is known for producing high-performance tyres that offer superior grip, handling, and overall driving experience. The quality and performance of Michelin tyres are demonstrated by the fact that Porsche, Ferrari, and BMW all use them on their high-performance vehicles.

Michelin ruled supreme when it came to innovation, recently developing the Michelin CrossClimate, a summer tyre with winter capability.

Michelin is also a major manufacturer of commercial vehicle tyres such as trucks and buses. The company has developed tyres that are specifically designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, which is important in today’s world where there is a growing concern about environmental impact.

Michelin and the environment

In addition to producing high-quality tyres, Michelin is also committed to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of its operations. The company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and has put money into projects to use renewable energy and recycle.

Finally, Michelin is a tyre brand that has made significant contributions to the growth of the tyre industry and the advancement of tyre technology. From the invention of the automobile to the modern tyre market. As I have said earlier in this post, Michelin has been at the forefront of innovation and has consistently produced high-quality tyres that offer superior performance, durability, and safety. Michelin Quality Pays

aquaplaning car

Bald Tyres-and Rain Soaked Roads = AQUAPLANING

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Bald Tyres

Bald Tyres-Change your tyres at 3 mm to avoid aquaplaning

As we all know, then this has been one of the wettest days of the year here in the UK. I say this because when I was driving along the M62 motorway I noticed that many parts of the motorway were flooded and had large areas of standing water. On all the carriageways. This meant one thing to me “AQUAPLANING”.

Unfortunately, we know in the tyre industry. That many motorists are putting off buying new replacement tyres. All our sales figures are down. So the mixture of bald tyres on these very wet roads is a disaster waiting to happen. As I am writing this blog some motorists will be experiencing aquaplaning when driving along the motorway at speed with no tread left on their tyres, as I say this is a disaster waithttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/tyre-wear/ing to happen and it will happen, “mark my word”

What is aquaplaning on Bald Tyres ?

Of course, aquaplaning is a word that became synonymous with a Goodyear Tyres advert in the 1970s. Now becoming a very important word. Because of our changing climate and faster roads with increasing traffic numbers. Aquaplaning, means that your wheel loses contact with road surface. In affect, due to a thin layer of water between the tyre and the road surface.

The driver loses control of his car very often causing an accident. Certainly, a good tyre with more than 3 mm of remaining tread. Of course, will push the water away as the car drives through the water at speed.  Giving good grip and safer driving  conditions. All the leading  manufacturers design their tyres with aquaplaning (Driving in Wet Weather) as one of the main aspects of design.

Michelin  have even developed a system called “the anti-surf system” to enable their products to give maximum grip when going through areas of static water on the roads, this system is built into the Michelin Pilot sports 3. This tyre has also got added shoulder design to help push the water away and help delay the onset of aquaplaning.