[11 Jan 10] Cold weather tyres will outlast the snow
General

In the middle of the UK’s coldest winter for 30 years, industry association Tyresafe and tyre manufacturers and traders alike are pointing to the lasting benefits of driving on specialist cold weather tyres.

The clear advice is that drivers who fitted cold weather tyres to their vehicle last autumn will continue to benefit from safer driving long after the current snow melts away.

There's more natural rubber in the tyre tread compound than standard ‘summer tyres’ so they provide significantly shorter stopping distances in cold (under seven degrees celcius), wet and icy conditions.

Stuart Jackson, Chairman of Tyresafe says “There is a misconception that cold weather tyres are not appropriate for drivers in the UK"

“However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Cold weather tyres provide much better grip in both wet and dry conditions when the temperature falls below seven degrees, so they offer extra safety typically from October through to March.

These tyres also have different tread patterns from ‘summer’ tyres making them more able to cope with snowy conditions. Those drivers who have chosen cold weather tyres will continue to benefit long after the current snow falls melt away.”

At Just Tyres we stock a large range of "winter" tyres, see details on our website or just give us a call for more information.

[7 Jan 10] Don\'t drive blind this Winter
General

One in three motorists admits they will drive this winter without being able to see out of their windscreen properly according to research by Continental Tyres.

This will mean six million close calls on our roads this winter, as nearly two million drivers were close to crashing at least three times in the last year because their windscreen wasn’t clear before setting off.

Researchers found most motorists think they are 'in too much of a rush' to fully defrost their windows and mirrors before heading off to work. It also emerged men are far worse than women at pulling off the driveway while peering through a tiny spot of clear glass at the road ahead.

Preparation is key when setting out in your car, especially during the winter months. It is essential to be able to see and be seen, and an astonishing 52 per cent of people know it is wrong to drive without a fully clear windscreen but fail to do anything about it.

Stopping distances are affected by weather and road conditions and people are six times more likely to have an accident during the winter months. Check your lights, ensure your windscreen and windows are clear, that your brakes are in good condition, your tyres have a minimum of 3mm of tread and increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front.

It also emerged that four out of ten motorists don't bother cleaning mirrors or rear windows before setting off in the winter. And such is the lack of preparation that one in five have reported to using a credit card to clear the windscreen of ice.

Seven out of ten never check tyre tread depth and fail to ensure tyres are roadworthy, and one in two never put anti-freeze in radiators. Four out of ten don't check windscreen washer bottle levels and a similar figure don't bother to check whether their wipers are working properly. A quarter don't even check if their lights are working.

Eight in 10 see other motorists on their daily commute who have been too lazy to clear their windscreen, an average of four cars every frosty morning.

Almost four out of ten said they found it harder to stay alert during the winter.

One in five are under the wrong assumption that you’re supposed to drive ‘out of’ a skid when slipping on ice.

When the temperature drops below 7oC, cold weather tyres which have tread patterns and compounds designed for wintry roads are certainly worth considering. They improve stopping distances in icy, wet and any snowy conditions we might experience in the coming months. Again, it’s all about being prepared so that you are safe in all eventualities this winter.

Drive safe this winter and give yourself an extra few minutes to clear all of the windows in your vehicle before setting off.

[4 Nov 09] Cash-strapped motorists neglect their car tyres
General

A recent report out by the AA says there is evidence that there are increasing numbers of people driving around on tyres that are so worn, they are illegal.

The latest figures show 34 deaths and 900 injuries were caused by tyre related issues on our roads last year. They feel that motorists aren't taking tyre safety seriously enough.

In the current economic climate motorists are neglecting their vehicles, if it's reliable, then they leave them alone. However, it's imperative to ensure that you keep on top of tyre safety as tyres are the only things keeping you on the road, it's important to check them regularly and get them changed if necessary.

A tyre that's on its' minimum tread depth limit of 1.6mm is 50% less efficient than a new tyre and people wouldn't drive around with 50% efficient brakes! Tyre companies are seeing levels of up to 65% of illegality on the tyres they are taking off vehciles.

With the current recession it is easy to ignore the state of your tyres because of the cost involved, however, if your car is fitted with illegal or defective tyres the penalties are steep as you could be fined up to £2,500 per faulty tyre and get points on your licence.

Don't risk a fine, points or your safety. If you're unsure if your tyres are legal, pop into your local Just Tyres centre and we'll inspect them for free.

[3 Nov 09] Tyre Price Promise launch
General

Just Tyres are confident that we can provide competitive quotes, so much so that we want to make sure our customers are aware:

"If you receive a cheaper quote from one of our competitors, we aim to beat the price of any like for like quote where we can, so why not give us a call and see if we can help today."

[1 Oct 09] Tyre Safety Month
General

October is Tyre Safety Month and we've teamed up with Tyre Safe to raise the awareness of the importance of driving with legal tread on your tyres.

Quentin Willson, in conjunction with Tyre Safe have put together a short video comparing stopping distance with legal and illegal tyres, it makes for interesting viewing:

To watch the video follow the link and press play.

If you are concerned about the condition of your tyres or need any advice at all, please pop into your local Just Tyres centre and we'll be happy to help.

[2 Sep 09] October is Tyre Safety Month
General

The industry is preparing for Tyre Safety Month which takes place during October.

The UK’s leading tyre safety group are holding their annual campaign to help raise awareness of the importance of driving on safe, legal tyres.

“Many motorists may not realise that they are putting their safety at risk by not replacing tyres when the tread falls below the legal minimum of 1.6mm” says Tyre Safe.

People are not only risking fines and penalty points on their licence by driving with unsafe tyres, they are also putting themselves and their passengers safety at risk.

If you’re concerned about the condition of your tyres, please pop into your local Just Tyres Centre and we’ll carry out a free check.

Follow this link to obtain your free check voucher.

Free Tyre Check

[12 Aug 09] Congratulations to our competition Winner
General

We'd like to congratulate our recent winner G Brown who attended our opening event at Just Tyres in High Wycombe.

" I was both delighted and surprised to learn that I had won a set of four pirelli tyres. May I wish you and your company continued success and once again thank you for drawing me out of the Pirelli Hat!"

[1 Jun 09] Just Tyres customers are extremely satisfied
General

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".

[1 Jun 09] Online tyre shoppers urged to make safety their first priority
General

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.

[2 Jan 09] Good Motoring
General

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.