Just Tyres News

An independent agency has recently surveyed Just Tyres customers to find out what they really think about the service they receive.

Over 93% of all customers are extremely satisfied with the service they receive from Just Tyres, their staff and the recommendations provided.

When customers were asked if they will return for their next purchase, a resounding 95% of people answered YES with another 95% of customers recommending Just Tyres to family and friends.

“These results show us that our passion and commitment to providing service excellence to our customers is being achieved. With so many customers recommending us to family & friends, that’s the highest praise we can receive from our customers. However, we’re not complacent and will continue to work hard to achieve better results overall and with each individual who chooses to buy tyres from us".

Motorists shopping for tyres online could be putting their safety at risk by not selecting the most appropriate tyres for their car

As online shopping continues to boom, motorists looking to online retailers for their next pair of tyres are putting their safety at risk by selecting tyres with a lower speed symbol than recommended for their car. Traditionally, many motorists bought tyres at their local garage when they were due to be replaced, however, with instant price comparisons, loyalty point schemes and fitting offered at multiple tyre fitting centres around the country, buying tyres online is becoming an increasingly attractive option. With safe vehicle handling largely dependent on using the right type of tyres for the car, TyreSafe is urging motorists to consider that selecting tyres of the recommended size, load index and speed symbol is essential to safe driving.

“When shopping for tyres, many motorists hold the misconception that their choice of speed symbol should be determined by how fast they drive,” comments Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “The reality is that a tyre’s speed symbol is not just a measure of the tyre’s maximum speed capability, it also provides an indication of overall performance, even at lower speeds. While many motorists may be feeling the pinch in the current economic climate, we would encourage them not to compromise on road safety. Driving on tyres with a lower speed symbol than recommended may seriously compromise vehicle handling, putting the driver and other road users at risk. It could also cause irreversible damage through exaggerated wear or sidewall cracking.”

A tyre’s speed symbol is denoted by a letter and appears immediately after the load index on the tyre sidewall. The speed symbol not only indicates the tyre’s maximum speed capability at its maximum load, it is also an indicator of the tyre’s overall performance capability. The load index corresponds to the maximum weight a tyre can support when inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure. Tyres with a higher speed symbol are designed with a more resilient tread and sidewall structure in order to retain their rigidity when a car is accelerating, braking or cornering. They are better able to accommodate the power of the engine and its acceleration capacity, as well as the load of the vehicle and its braking system, than a lower speed rated alternative.

Leading online tyre retailers recommend that when searching for tyres online, motorists should first check the exact size, speed rating and load index recommended for their car by the manufacturer by consulting their vehicle handbook or contacting a tyre expert.

If you are unsure which speed rating is recommended for your vehicle, please contact us or pop into your local Just Tyres branch, your safety is our priority and we’ll be only too happy to help with any tyre queries you may have.

Motorists often put tyres to the bottom of the list when budgeting for car maintenance, and yet a car’s tyres provide the only contact between the vehicle and the road, making them essential to road safety. Department for Transport figures reveal that illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor in the death of 43 motorists in 2007, and played a part in a further 984 accidents. New research conducted by TyreSafe found that more than half of motorists surveyed admitted to not checking their tyre pressure in the last month, the maximum period recommended by TyreSafe between checks. This negligence is reflected further in MoT failure rates, with 1.1 million failures recorded in 2007/8 as the result of tyre defects, the fourth most common reason for an MoT failure.

Function of the tyre

Tyres play a fundamental role in the performance and handling of a car. Its main functions are to contain a pressurised volume of air in order to carry the weight of the vehicle and its load, to transmit traction and braking forces to the road surface and to keep the vehicle stable when cornering. The tyre also acts as a spring to supplement the vehicle’s main suspension system.

Poorer vehicle performance

Driving on under-inflated tyres has a significant adverse effect on vehicle handling. Under-inflated front tyres can cause understeer or a reduced ability to corner properly, while under-inflated rear tyres can lead to oversteer, where the back end of the car loses grip and slides out towards the outside of a turn, potentially throwing the car into a spin.
Drivers are often unaware of under-inflation as it can occur over an extended time period, therefore TyreSafe advises checking pressures at least once a month and before a long journey. Driving on under-inflated tyres causes heat to build up inside the tyre, as the tyres require more energy to do their job. Motorway travel on under-inflated tyres can often be particularly dangerous, as heat can build to excessive levels over a long distance, potentially causing a blowout. Tyre failures of this kind are highly dangerous as the vehicle is difficult to control, and the resulting tyre debris on motorway carriageways can often lead to further accidents. Motorists towing caravans or trailers should also be careful to check and adjust tyre pressures prior to setting off on a trip, as extra pressure may be required to support any additional load.

Reduced running costs

In addition to the important implications for road safety, under-inflated tyres can also add financial costs, as driving on under-inflated tyres causes uneven wear towards the outside edge of the tread, which can lead to premature replacement. Research conducted by a major tyre manufacturer and TyreSafe member reveals that by running tyres at just 80 percent of the recommended pressure, motorists can expect tyre life to be reduced to around 75 percent. If the pressure falls to 60 percent, which is not uncommon, motorists can expect to achieve just 35 percent of the potential mileage from the tyre.
Under-inflation also affects fuel economy, with research revealing that a tyre under-inflated by 10psi increases fuel consumption by approximately 2.5 percent. Keeping tyres correctly inflated helps motorists to maximise fuel efficiency and minimise CO2 emissions.

Helping motorists stay safe on the roads

In order to help educate motorists on the practicalities of correct tyre maintenance, TyreSafe has added a set of ten easy-to-follow, digitally animated tyre safety lessons to its website. The lessons are designed to inform motorists about tyre wear and tyre pressure, and cover all aspects of tyre maintenance, providing the viewer with a clear explanation of how to measure tyre pressure and tread depth, together with advice about tools and cost implications.

Top tips for checking tyre pressure

1. Check your tyre pressure at least once a month
2. Check the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended level for your vehicle
3. Check when tyres are cold (i.e. when you have travelled less than two miles)
4. Tyre pressures should be adjusted according to the load or number of passengers being carried
5. Use a reliable and accurate pressure gauge
6. Check the pressure in all four tyres as well as the spare tyre
7. Check the general condition of tyres, removing any embedded objects and looking out for bulges, cuts or lumps
8. If unsure, take your vehicle to an approved fitting centre and speak to the experts.

Congratulations to Mr Duyile of Milton Keynes - Lucky winner of £100 Capital Bond vouchers in the Just Tyres ‘Tell a friend’ prize draw.

October is officially Tyre Safety month, and TyreSafe, the organisation set up to educate drivers about carrying out regular tyre safety checks, is urging motorists to call into Tyre Centres to have their tyre pressures checked. The October campaign stresses that having the correct tyre pressure helps drivers brake, steer and accelerate more safely, whilst prolonging the life of tyres and optimising fuel economy. It goes on to point out that this in turn cuts down the number of tyres sent to landfill sites and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. In essence, monthly tyre pressure checks can help save lives, money and the environment.

Your local Just Tyres branch is participating in the Tyre Safety month campaign, and is offering drivers a Tyre pressure check completely free of charge. Just pop in between 8.30am - 6pm Mon - Fri or 8.30am - 4.30pm on Saturdays, or call for further information. You can also visit www.justtyres.com to find more centre locations.

Just Tyres stock tyres for all makes of caravans, and we can supply replacements which match the size, load and speed rating of those fitted originally by the caravan manufacturer. This is important for handling and safety, and is mandatory in some European countries. Cross-ply tyres, which may have been fitted to older caravans, are no longer available, but our well trained staff can recommend and fit the correct radial ply replacements. This is very important, as tubeless radials can only be fitted to caravans with safety type rims. Caravans with non-safety rims have to be fitted with tubes, but as not all radial ply tyres are suitable for use with tubes, expert advice is essential.

Caravan tyres must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm (2mm in some European countries), but Tyre safety organisations recommend that irrespective of the remaining tread pattern depth, tyres should be replaced when they reach 5 years old, as they deteriorate with age - especially if they are not used frequently. The date of manufacture is shown on the sidewall of all caravan tyres, so it is easy to check how old your tyres are.

As well as checking the condition of the caravan tyres, it is essential to check the inflation pressure, and also adjust the pressures of the towing vehicle’s tyres to accomodate the additional load on the hitch. The rear tyres should be set at the ‘fully laden’ pressure or increased by 4 to 7 psi if full load pressure does not differ from that for normal driving. In addtion it is essential the combined tyre load capacity is sufficient for the maximum weight (MTPLM) of the caravan, but as an extra safeguard we strongly recommend the MTPLM does not exceed 90% of the tyre’s load capacity.

Petrol prices are at a 20-year high and motorists are now paying around 25% more to fill up a tank, than they were last year.

Oil companies are reaping the rewards of rising oil prices, but with BP and Shell having recently announced record profits, pressure is mounting on the fuel giants to spare consumers some of the pain and not to pass on the full increase in the cost of oil.

The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, announced in the Budget that a planned 2p increase in fuel duty would be postponed until October. However, he is now under pressure to delay the increase further.

In the meantime, there are things individuals can do themselves to minimise their fuel bills.

While the average price of a litre of unleaded is now 110.6p, prices vary significantly, so it is well worth identifying the cheapest provider in your area. Unfortunately those in rural areas tend to pay more as there is less local competition. Motorway service stations are also expensive places to refill. The large supermarkets that offer petrol tend to be competitively priced. You can find the cheapest filling station in your area by inputting your postcode at petrolprices.com.

There are many more tips that can help you gain more miles to the gallon including:

Keep your car in good shape - Keeping tyres inflated to the correct pressure could save as much as 5% on fuel economy. Replace your air filter where necessary and use the recommended fuel and oil for your vehicle.

Watch your speed - Driving at 70mph consumes 25% more fuel than driving at 50mph. When legal, 56mph is the optimum speed for most vehicles.

Plan your journey - Avoid traveling in rush hour and cut out as many short journeys as possible.

Car sharing - See if a colleague lives close by - you could cut your fuel costs in half by taking turns to drive each day.

Top gear - Stick to the highest gear you can as more fuel is consumed when traveling in lower gears

Motorists advised to pay attention to their tyres as ‘worst storm of the winter’ grips UK

With the latest bout of extreme weather forecast to last for much of the week ahead, which is battering the UK with heavy rain and gale force winds, TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation, is calling on motorists to take added care, and to spend time checking their tyres before driving. Many roads are experiencing high levels of standing water, with more heavy rainfall scheduled, therefore presenting added dangers to drivers.

Recent research has indicated that skidding in the wet is a motorist’s major fear, which can result from reduced adhesion of the tyre following driving through deep water. The build-up of rainfall on the road can equally cause aquaplaning, the loss of steering capability and grip, as a result of a layer of water forming between the tyre and road surface.

The risks associated with wet weather driving can be reduced through maintaining tyres to the manufacturer recommended pressures and to the legal minimum tread depth. Worrying findings have revealed that almost 25% of all cars and vans on the roads in the UK have at least one defective or badly worn tyre, highlighting the importance of having tyres conforming to the minimum legal requirements. In addition, braking distances are significantly extended in the wet by up to four times compared to dry conditions.

TyreSafe is recommending motorists undertake a simple 5 minute tyre safety check to ensure that their tyres are safe before starting their journey.

1. Check, and adjust if necessary, the tyre pressure in each tyre including the spare as recommended in the manufacturer’s handbook;

2. Clean dirt from around valves and fit dust caps to all tyres;

3. Remove stones and other foreign objects from the tread;

4. Check that tyres have at least 1.6mm of tread across three quarters of the width of the tyre. TyreSafe recommends that motorists consider changing tyres when the tread falls below 3mm;

5. Check for uneven tyre wear which might mean steering misalignment or out of balance wheels;

6. Check tyres for cuts and bulges which could render the tyre defective and potentially dangerous; and

7. TyreSafe recommends that if tyres need replacing they should be replaced in two’s or all four.

We are pleased to anounce that our Basingstoke centre is moving up the road to bigger and better premises with effect from March 2008 !

New location is

Unit 5 Brunel Centre
Brunel Road
Houndmills
BASINGSTOKE
Hampshire
RG21 6TZ Tel: 0845 456 8935

TyreSafe, the tyre industry’s leading tyre safety body, is calling on owners and managers of petrol retail forecourts to ensure that their tyre pressure airlines are kept in good working order following a damning report from the leading motoring weekly magazine Auto Express. The magazine found that up to 40% of these vital pieces of equipment were found to be faulty or in-operative.

Tyre pressures are vital to the safety and economic operation of all vehicles and tyre pressure airlines, that deliver greater or lesser pressures than required on the forecourt, could put motorist’s safety at risk. Recent Department for Transport figures have confirmed that a third of all accidents involving injury was as a result of defective or under inflated tyres.

TyreSafe retail supporter Just Tyres are offering all motorists the opportunity of having their tyre pressures checked and adjusted where necessary. TyreSafe is urging motorists to take advantage of this free pressure check having regard for the particularly heavy rainfall in many areas at present, which will test how good a vehicle’s tyres really are.

Over half of motorists fail to regularly check their tyre pressures. One third of drivers ignore tread depth

As the majority of commuters return to work this week after the Christmas break, the recent onset of wintry weather means that motorists are being welcomed back with difficult and challenging driving conditions, and the latest research has revealed that tyres are far from the highest priority in the new year’s resolutions of drivers.

According to a recent survey, over half of motorists are failing to regularly check their tyre pressures before embarking on their journey, putting themselves and fellow drivers on the road at increased risk, as the latest cold spell hits the UK. This follows the worrying results from a study by automaker Kia which found that one in three drivers failed to check their tread depth each month during the winter season in 2007.

Severely deflated tyres pose a serious safety risk says TyreSafe, affecting the behaviour and handling of a vehicle as stopping distances in icy conditions are significantly increased by up to ten times the normal level, therefore raising the likelihood of an accident. It is equally important that tread depth is maintained above the minimum legal level of 1.6 mm to ensure the maximum level of grip on hazardous road surfaces.

Commenting on the findings, TyreSafe explains: “These results are of particular concern, as it clearly shows that motorists are simply not prepared for the colder weather. With snow and ice forecast to hit the country’s roads in during the next few days, we strongly advise that motorists pay even greater attention to the condition of their tyres and find out their manufacturer recommended pressures if they are unsure.”

TyreSafe recommends that motorists check their tyres before every journey, and more thoroughly on a monthly basis.

The incidence of car accidents on wet roads during winter months in the UK leaps by a staggering 267% according to DfT figures. TyreSafe, the UKs leading tyre safety organisation, is advising motorists of the importance of ensuring that the tyres on their vehicles are in top condition to stay safe this winter.

TyreSafe is also providing information on a new type of tyre now being made available to drivers in the UK - cold weather tyres. These tyres should not be confused with winter tyres - preferable for use in heavy snow and ice - but have been developed to give improved grip at 7oC or below. At this temperature the tread compound of standard ’summer’ tyres - as fitted to the vast majority of cars sold in the UK - begins to harden and provides less grip.

The tread compound used in cold weather tyres contains more natural rubber and thus minimizes the hardening effect. As a consequence this new type of tyre gives extra grip in cold, wet and icy conditions. Drivers will experience significantly shorter stopping distances. Braking tests on icy roads at 20 mph have shown that a car fitted with cold weather tyres will come to a complete stop a full 11 metres sooner than a car fitted with ’summer’ tyres. In a further test, braking from 62 mph on a wet road in temperatures below 7oC, the car with cold weather tyres will stop 5 metres before the car with standard tyres.

In addition to the safety aspects associated with cold weather tyres, there is also a financial incentive for the average driver. In winter months, the wear on ’summer’ tyres increases, whereas with cold weather tyres, wear rates can be reduced by up to 20%. As well as this, cold weather tyres are just as quiet and provide just as comfortable a ride as standard tyres.

TyreSafe recommends that UK drivers visit their local fast fit dealer or independent tyre retailer to discuss the option of fitting cold weather tyres for winter months. Cold weather tyres have been developed by most large tyre manufacturers and whilst the market for this type of tyre in the UK is currently small, cold weather tyres are becoming increasingly popular across the rest of Europe.

Yes those slippy roads are with us so we are offering a FREE winter check on all your tyres! Visit any one of our centres and they will check your tyres for tread,cuts, bulges and pressure to ensure that you have trouble free motoring over this winter period.

We’re sooo happy that we are now able to offer the good people of Buckingham our great prices on tyres and our wonderful service. We have the lot Continental tyres, Goodyear tyres, Dunlop tyres, Bridgestone tyres, Pirelli tyres, Toyo tyres, Michelin tyres, Budget tyres and on and on….Our new centre is now open for business!

Research has indicated that skidding in the wet is a motorist’s major fear.

Almost a quarter of all cars and vans on the roads in the UK have at least one defective or badly worn tyre and according to TyreSafe - the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation - in need of replacement. The current bout of unseasonably wet weather underlines the importance of having tyres with adequate tread depth.

Defective or badly worn tyres are a contributory factor in many vehicle accidents, particularly in the wet, and as the summer holiday period gets into its stride TyreSafe is advising motorists to check all their tyres before travelling to ensure a trouble free drive to their holiday destination.

In particular, when preparing for the holidays motorists should remember that their vehicles may be carrying a heavier than usual load often in warm conditions and travelling much longer distances than usual.

TyreSafe is recommending motorists undertake a simple 5 minute tyre safety check to ensure that their tyres are safe before starting their journey.

Check and adjust if necessary, the tyre pressure in each tyre including the spare as recommended in the manufacturer’s handbook

Clean dirt from around valves and fit dust caps to all tyres

Remove stones and other foreign objects from the tread

Check that tyres have at least 1.6mm of tread across three quarters of the width of the tyre. TyreSafe recommends that motorists consider changing tyres when the tread falls below 3mm

Check for un-even tyre wear which might mean steering misalignment or out-of-balance wheels

Check tyres for cuts and bulges which could render the tyre defective and potentially dangerous

TyreSafe recommends that if tyres need replacing they should be replaced in two’s or all four

Motorists uncomfortable checking their own tyres can take advantage of a free tyre check offered by most reputable tyre retailers who will also provide tyre safety advice and information.

Most drivers think that new tyres should be fitted to the front wheels

A car tyre is often a distress purchase, but even when replacing one in the course of normal vehicle maintenance, it has long been believed that the new tyres should be fitted on the front wheels. Research by TyreSafe, Britain’s foremost tyre safety organisation, has indicated that over 50% of motorists believe this to be the case and 30% of motorists did not know.

However, recent demonstrations have indicated that it is more beneficial to fit the new rubber to the rear wheels, regardless of whether the vehicle is front or rear wheel drive. Industry research suggests that if the new tyres are fitted to the rear wheels, water on the road surface is better dispersed, which improves straight line braking ability. Conversely, if the rear track is fitted with part worn tyres, the car often has a dangerous tendency to oversteer.

Although the majority of the cars on the road are front wheel drive, it seems to make sense to have the new tyres up front. The demonstrations also showed that there is often a greater loss of control when a rear tyre suffers a puncture, so in fact it makes greater sense to fit the fresh, less vulnerable rubber to the rear wheels.

Rear tyres are subject to relatively low wear rates as well, meaning that the new tyres will have a longer lifespan on the back rims. Fitting new tyres to the rear and moving part worn rubber to the front each time also means that the rear tyres will be less prone to age-related deterioration from prolonged exposure.

The UK goverment has introduced a campaign encouraging motorists to reduce CO2 emissions through adhering to a number ofsimple principles, including regularly checking tyre pressure.
The ‘Drive Smart’ campaign, promoted by the Department for Transport, began on 11th March and states that CO2 emissions could be reduced by 8 per cent if all drivers in the UK followed the campaign’s smarter driving tips, this equals 5.5 million tonnes of CO2 a year, or more than £2 billion in fual costs.

Over 30% of high performance tyres removed at a specialist tyre outlet proved to be potentially dangerous

Drivers of Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini and other high performance cars are risking an accident and injury on wet roads because of worn tyres, according to research released by TyreSafe, Britain’s foremost tyre safety organisation.

One of the UK’s largest suppliers of high performance tyres and a major TyreSafe supporter has, over a two month period, checked on the condition of tyres removed from high performance cars at their depot in the south of England. The results give cause for concern says TyreSafe. A dramatic 30% of the tyres removed were either defective or badly worn, almost three times the national average*. In addition to risking a £2,500 fine and 3-penalty points on the driver’s licence, worn tyres increase the risk of an accident on wet roads. Independent research undertaken by the tyre industry at the Motor Industry Research Association showed that the ability of tyres to grip in the wet fall dramatically with a tread depth below 3mm.

Many of these cars, say TyreSafe, are not used regularly, and so tyres are not being checked on a weekly basis. Furthermore, high performance tyres tend to be more hidden under the wheel arch than those which are of more conventional size and therefore, visual checks of the tread are consequently more difficult to undertake.

TyreSafe is urging drivers of high performance cars to take advantage of free tyre checks offered by all reputable tyre dealers. This is to ensure that their tyres are legal and are capable of matching both the performance and handling potential of the car.

Pressure washers can damage tyre sidewalls in only 5 seconds says TyreSafe

Hand car wash teams have mushroomed dramatically in the UK in the past few years. Estimates suggest that there are between 5,000 to 10,000 two or three man teams up and down the country offering this service to motorists. However, TyreSafe - formerly the Tyre Industry Council, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation - has issued a warning of a potential safety risk involving the equipment used by these groups that could lead to potential tyre failure.

There is growing evidence that pressure washers used by hand car wash providers can cause tyre damage unknown to most motorists and that they could be putting there own lives and that of their passengers and other road users at risk.

Heavy-duty pressure washer machines are capable of dispensing water at extremely high pressure and if aimed directly at the tyre, the jet can cause sidewall damage and degradation particularly if the water is heated or if the pressurised water is applied for an extended period.

According to a recent survey by TyreSafe, it was revealed that over 80% of drivers were unaware of the impact that pressure washing can have on their tyres and the danger posed.

In fact, German safety group DEKRA has discovered that if a washer nozzle is held close to a tyre at very high pressure, serious damage can occur in just five seconds! Even tyres that appear normal after being subjected to a pressure washer may have microscopic perforations, which can weaken the sidewall and cause a possible blow-out.

Other contributory factors to sidewall damage are the width of the water jet and the strength of any soaps or detergents used. Strong soap can remove protective chemicals that are embedded in the sidewall - usually resulting in the visual indication of brown watermarks - which can result in a significant reduction in durability.

For worry-free washing, TyreSafe has the following tips for motorists:

• Ideally, a light-to-medium duty pressure washer should be used (110 bar or less)
• The washer jet nozzle should be kept at least 20 cm from the tyre surface
• Always use a fan nozzle to clean tyres, rather than a circular nozzle
• Prevent prolonged exposure to a specific area of the tyre
• Avoid aiming the water jet directly at the join between the tyre and the wheel rim

Just Tyres are pleased to announce founder membership of TYRESAFE. More details will follow shortly.