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Savings
British motorists are collectively wasting more than £1billion every year, and increasing the risk of an accident, by failing to keep an eye on their tyre pressure.

According to analysis by Avon Tyres, up to 90 percent of vehicles on Britain's roads do not have the correct pressure in their tyres leading to reduced fuel consumption and accelerating tyre wear. Alarmingly, it also increases the likelihood of a serious road traffic accident.

Failure to regularly check their tyres means drivers unknowingly spend an extra £790m on fuel on £230m on new tyres every year.

Data from the Department of Transport also highlights tyre wear as a possible cause of 2,600 serious injuries or fatalities every year as a result of blowouts or tyre deflation. This represents around seven percent of all road traffic accidents per year.

Experts at Avon estimate that at any one time, ninety percent of vehicles on British roads have at least one tyre under inflated by 10% of the recommended pressure. This equates to a 15% reduction in the tyre's life expectancy or an extra £5.12 per year. With 25 million passenger vehicles on the road, that represents a whopping £230m premature spend.

This astronomical figure pales in comparison to the amount wasted due to unnecessary fuel consumption.

A similarly under inflated tyre requires more power from the engine to get it moving, leading to a two-and-a-half percent reduction in fuel efficiency. If the average car does 30mpg, and travels 10,000 miles per annum, British motorists are collectively shelling out an additional £790m.
“The cost of failing to carry out this most mundane, yet easiest, of checks not only hits the motorist in the pocket but raises the possibility of a tyre failure at speed,” explains Malcolm Jones, product manager at Avon Tyres.

Tyre Information, F.A.Q.

Q. What does the writing on the side of the tyre mean?
A. There is a plethora of information on the side of a tyre
From the tyre size to where it was made and even the date that it was made. The important part is the size of the tyre and this is written as 205 / 65 / R14 91 H

205 is the Section width
205 means that the tyre is 205 millimetres wide, measured from side wall to side wall, with the tyre inflated to the correct pressure but not under load.

65 is the Section height, Profile, Aspect Ratio, Series
All the above names apply to the same part of the tyre, it is measured as a percentage of the section width. In this case the height of the tyre is 65% of the Section width of the tyre. The lower this number, the lower the profile of the tyre, hence the term, low profile tyres.

R is the design of the tyre
In this case it is a Radial ply tyre. (Invented by Michelin in the 1930,s) The other design of tyre is a Cross ply or Bias ply tyre

14 is the rim Size.
This tells you that this tyre is to be fitted on a 14 inch rim, (the round metal bit)

91 is the Load Index
This is the maximum safe weight that this tyre can carry in conjunction with the speed index number.

H is the speed index
This is the maximum speed that this tyre can safely travel at in conjunction with the load index.

Q What is the Legal tread depth limit?
A The UK law states, that tyres in the UK should have a minimum tread depth of at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising the centre three quarters of the width of tread area and around the entire, circumference of the tyre., circumference of the tyre. Most tyres, have tread wear indicators (little blocks of rubber sticking up from between the remaining tread.) If these indicators appear level with the tread surface, then the tyre should be changed immediately. It can be very costly to neglect tyre wear. Not only do you put yourself and other road users at risk, but you can also be fined up to £1,000 per tyre if you get caught driving a vehicle with illegal tyres.

Penalties
Where a vehicle fitted with an illegal or defective tyre and is used on a public road, a police officer may give the driver a Fixed Penalty Notice or, in Scotland, a Conditional Offer Notice.
A police officer has discretion not to issue a fixed penalty but to report the case for prosecution. In law, the driver and the, owner, are liable and, one or both may be summonsed.
The maximum fine which a court can impose for using a vehicle with a defective tyre is £2500 and three penalty points. If a vehicle is fitted with more than one defective tyre, you can be summonsed for each tyre which is illegal and Disqualification is also possibility in certain circumstances.

Tyre Pressure

Q Why do I have to check my tyre pressures?
A Rubber is naturally porous and all tyres will suffer from air loss due to
porosity leaks, bead and rim leaks (due to badly fitted tyres, rusty or damaged rims) and valve leaks. An under inflated tyre will cost you more money in extra fuel (greater rolling resistance), Extra tyre wear, uneven tyre wear and are positively dangerous.

Q Why is an under inflated tyre dangerous?
A The tyre on your vehicle has been designed to run at an optimum pressure and temperature for your vehicle as recommended by the vehicle and tyre manufacturer.
Heat is the number 1 killer of tyres. Under inflated tyres run hotter, under inflated tyres also lower grip, cornering and straight line steering stability and most importantly stopping ability. Under inflated tyres are more prone to blow outs due to the extra flexing of the tyre wall and are more prone to side wall impact damage from kerbs, etc.

Q How often should I check my tyres?
A We would recommend every week, but definitely once every two weeks.

Q What should I check for?
A Tyre pressures, check side walls for damage (bumps, lumps, cuts in the side wall). Replace tyre immediately if you have any side wall damage.
Check the tread area for puncturing objects (and remove,) objects stuck in the tread (and remove) cuts, slashes, (get your local tyre fitter to check whether the tread area cut or slash is down to the tyre casing) check tread depth. (It only takes a couple of minutes per tyre.)

Q. Should I rotate my tyres, front to back?
A. This dates back to the "good old days" when vehicle tracking and tyre balancing was not as good as it is today. The idea was that if you had uneven tyre wear, you rotated the tyres around, to wear the tyres evenly. Uneven tyre wear is a very good indictor that there is something wrong with your vehicle. For instance, should you have a tyre on the front of your car that has no tread (bald) on one shoulder of the tyre but good tread on the rest of the tyre, this is a good indication that the steering needs "tracking." But, if both tyre shoulders are bald, this means that the tyre has been running under inflated. By rotating your tyres you are also increasing the amount of money that you have to pay out at one time. You will have to buy 4 tyres instead of just 2 tyres. Also, some tyres are rotation sensitive, which means that they can only be fitted to one side of the vehicle.

Q. What is, "Tracking"?
A. "Tracking", covers 3 basic areas that deal with the steering aspect of the vehicle. It includes, Toe in, Toe out, Camber and Castor of the wheels.

Q, I have vibration through the steering wheel at 70mph?
A, How old is your car? Vibration through the steering wheel as opposed to a steering wheel "wobble" is a good indicator that your vehicle is suffering from mechanical arthritis. This is due to the drying out and wear and tear on the rubber inserts between the various joints and connections between the wheel assemble, suspension and steering assemble. As the rubber components have lost their elasticity, they can no longer absorb road vibration. Get your vehicle checked by a competent mechanic.

Q. What tyre should I buy for my car?
A. Depends on what you are looking for in a tyre. Are you looking for grip in wet and dry conditions, comfort, low noise or longevity? There are many specialist tyres and there are general work - a - day tyres. There is big difference in cost and the number of tyre manufacturers. Your local tyre fitter is the expert give him your criteria and he will advise you on the best tyres for you. Also see tyre comparison chart.

Q. Are tyre sealants a good idea?
A. Any product that increases your safety, peace of mind and can save you money is a good idea.

Q. What should I look for in a good tyre Sealant?
A, 1st, Look for a tyre sealant that has genuine Product Liability Insurance.
2nd, Look for the warranty and that it is a written warranty for the full legal life of the tyre?
3rd, Choose a tyre sealant company that Manufactures and installs its own product and that the company is traceable and does not disappear after a few months.
4th. Beware of exaggerated claims.

Q What is R.A.P.R.A. approval?
A R.A.P.R.A, approval is a myth. R.A.P.R.A. is the Rubber and Plastics Research Association. It is purely a testing facility and does not approve products. It only tests products to required standards.

Q. Has SuperSeal been tested by R.A.P.R.A?
A, It most certainly has, and SuperSeal holds a genuine R.A.P.R.A. report that can be viewed at any time.

Q Will SuperSeal fix a side wall puncture?
A, NO. It would be illegal to repair a side wall puncture with a rubber only repair.
What SuperSeal will do in the event of a side wall puncture is give you semi -controlled deflation as opposed to a catastrophic deflation and would probable give you enough time to slow down and clear any following traffic safely.

Tyres

To some people tyres are a status symbol, to most people they are a necessary evil, to others, they are Big, Black, Round and Very Expensive.

Tyres are an incredible piece of engineering that contributes to motoring safety. The gyroscopic forces exerted on a tyre during normal usage is incredible, tyres not only have to cope with gyroscopic forces during rotation, they also have to be able to handle the immense lateral forces placed on the side wall during cornering but also the forces placed on it during acceleration and deceleration. All this and still give a low noise, comfortable ride and deal with all weather condition.

A Potted History of Tyre development

John Boyd Dunlop, invented the first practical pneumatic car tyre more than a century ago, in 1887,

Simple ideas can change the world. In 1888, while watching his son ride a tricycle, John Boyd Dunlop noticed his discomfort whenever he rode over cobbled ground.

He knew the tricycle's solid rubber tyres were to blame. The solution? He wrapped the wheels in thin rubber sheets, glued them together, inflated them with a football pump for a cushioning effect - and created the first commercially viable pneumatic tyre.

Dunlop patented the idea, giving his fledgling Dunlop Tyre Company a head start over automotive competitors who had already recognised the tyre's many advantages. Ten years later, Dunlop's invention had almost entirely replaced solid tyres.

In 1889, Dunlop opened its first tyre plant in Dublin and its first factory in Birmingham just two years later.

In 1895, the Michelin brothers, built their first pneumatic tyre for the Paris -Bordeaux - Paris road race, it was fitted to a Peugeot chassis with a Daimler engine. (The car was named "Éclair") It was the only car on pneumatic tyres, although completing the race the car was disqualified.

In 1899 the 100 Kph barrier was broken by Jamais Content. The tyres on the record breaking vehicle were made by the Michelin Brothers and the tyres were the first "Low Profiles".

Radial Tyres

In 1937 Michelin filed patent on a tyre known as the "Metalic" which was the first Radial plies tyre. It was also the first tyre to use steel plies instead of Textile plies. (1 steel plies = 20 textile plies).

1949, The year the Radial tyre was first commercialised on the replacement tyre market.

In 1951 the first production car to be made and sold on a mass commercial basis was the Citroen 2CV. It was also the year that the first race was ever won using a Radial plies tyre. (Le Mans 24 hour).

Citroen, Panhard and Peugeot were the first manufacturers to supply cars with the Radial Tyre.

COMMERCIAL SECTION.

All commercial operators are fighting with ever increasing fuel costs which in will in turn effect over all operating cost and lower profits.

Regardless of which political party is in Government, the problem will always exist as Fuel will always be an easy target for tax increases and Chancellors of the Exchequer regardless of the party in power will always look for an easy way of increasing revenue.

Not all operators can move their operation to the continent, so here are a few tips that may help you to ease the burden of Fuel costs and increase your profits.

In the following; to some of you, I may be “teaching my granny to suck eggs,” but who knows, there may be something that you have missed or I have missed and, if there is; no doubt someone will write in and tell me.

What effects Fuel Consumption

Poor Aerodynamics. Bad drivers. Bad driver habits. Poor Tyre (Tire) Maintenance Programs.

Poor Aerodynamics.  You do not need to be a F1 aerodynamicist to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of your truck and make worthwhile Fuel Savings. As much as 80% of the Fuel Economy benefits of a tractor – trailer unit comes from the bits’n’pieces attached to the tractor unit to smooth the air flow over the trailer.  (Bits’n’pieces, AKA, “Air Management Components /Equipment.)” The 3 main components being the, Roof Mounted Air Deflector. Side Collars (at the rear of the cab). And, Under- Bumper Air Dam. Also detrimental to the aerodynamics of your vehicle is Ripped Side Curtains, Body damage, and Curtain straps not being taught, thus allowing the side curtain to “flap” about. And, a Roof Mounted Air Deflector that has not been adjusted to suite the height of the trailer is going to cost you money. If a Roof Mounted Air Deflector is as little as 0.2 meters too low it can make a difference of between 4% and 11% increased fuel consumption.

It is a good idea to sheet; empty tipper bodies and keep overall body height as low as possible. It is also a good idea to ensure that the gap between the cab and a trailer is as short as possible. Also remember that the higher the speed, the greater the aerodynamic drag on Fuel Economy and Profits.

Bad Drivers. A good driver can be worth his weight in gold, a bad driver is probably worth more than his weight in extra fuel and lower profits. By monitoring individual drivers, fuel consumption; it is possible to find the drivers that should be retrained. A fuel consumption conscious driver is an asset to you. Perhaps, when employing drivers it would be a good idea to test their knowledge of fuel conservation?

Bad driver habits.

How about drivers; that leave the engine running when they are Loading and unloading?

(You can add the rest yourself).

A 420hp engine will use about 2 litres of fuel an hour at idle speed when stationary. Also, if you use vehicles with a tail lift that is run from the vehicles own electrical system. Investigate the benefits of fitting a separate battery system for the tail - lift that, is recharged when the vehicle is moving. The amount of fuel saved will more than adequately cover the costs of the batteries.

Tyres

To the boy racer, with Fancy alloys and low profile tyres on his car; tyres are Big, Black and Beautiful. But, to some people tyres are Big, Black and B****y Expensive. Next to Fuel, they are the biggest drain on profits.

Tyres can also be a substantial contributor to Higher Fuel cost.  Tyres that are not properly maintained can increase your fuel consumption by up to 6.25%.

Under Inflation is not only hitting your Profit Margins by increasing tyre wear and increasing tyre purchases, it is also hitting your Profit Margins on Lower Fuel Economy and Increased Tyre maintenance costs. (But, let’s face it, if your tyres are 30% under inflated,

1. You should not be in the trucking business and, 2. You ain’t going to be in the trucking business very long.)

Maintaining Tyre Pressures manually.

With Labour costs of £5:00 per hour and, taking just 1 minute per wheel per day to check and maintain tyre pressures, the following would be typical costs. (Annual figures calculated on a 240-day working year).

Multiply the annual cost by the number of vehicles in your fleet and it will give you some idea of how much, under inflated tyres, are hurting your profits. Not only that, but a Prohibition Order placed on a vehicle by the Ministry of Transport because the driver did not check his tyres?

There are many tyre fitting companies offering tyre maintenance programs, ATS, Hi /Q Motorway, National Tyres and, a plethora of good independent tyre fitters. They not only offer tyre maintenance programs, but they will also replace your punctured or deflated tyre on the motorway or wherever you are, for a price?

 Most times you do not get a choice of replacement tyre. You could be a “Michelin” man and get a Dunlop, Goodyear, Continental, Bridgestone or Pirelli or, even a remould. (If you are a “Michelin” man; to you it will be a Re-mix). No matter how well implemented your tyre maintenance program is, it cannot stop you losing money on down time, missed time slots due to punctures or blow outs.

So is there an alternative?

Yes there is and, it is very cost effective. It is the use of a Tyre Sealant. Not only does it help to lower your Fuel costs by maintaining the optimum tyre pressure, it also helps to extend the life of the tyre by up to 25%. This could equate to you, purchasing up to 25% less tyres per year. Add this to the 3.5% fuel saving and you are looking at considerable savings and increased profits.

How does it work?

I can only tell you how our product works and how a good tyre sealant should work. Our product is installed though the valve after the removal of the valve core. (The tyre is not deflated for this process). After the installation the product is spread around the complete inside of the tyre (by rotational forces) sealing all porosity leaks, (Rubber is a naturally porous material,) bead and rim leaks. Once the inside of the tyre is completely coated with the product; the tyre in then a completely air tight container. Thus, maintaining the optimum pressure for the full legal life of the tyre. SuperSeal, also helps to dissipate excess heat from the tread area of the tyre with no, effect on the working temperature of the tyre.

Add together the Optimum Tyre pressure for the full legal life of the tyre plus, the dissipation of excess heat from the tread area and you can get up to 25% extended tyre life. Plus up to 3.5% savings on Fuel. Because of the benefits of SuperSeal in controlling porosity leaks and helping to keep the tyre cooler it may be an option for some of you to look at remould tyres as another option. There are some good tyre remould companies out there. Bandag, Adco, and Colway and remould technology and machinery has improved vastly as has the quality of production and end product. One company in particular has a very aggressive attitude in rejecting casings that are not suitable and a quality control system that would probable put some new tyre manufacturers to shame.

How Can We Help You to Save Money?

In addition to the above, we can eliminate 95% of your tyre deflation problems due to Punctures. This would include. Down Time, Call out Charges, New Tyres or Repairs, Missed time slots on, time sensitive loads. So confident are we in our product, (Which; we manufacture ourselves to ISO standard) that we offer the following written guarantee: That should any tyre that has been treated with our product suffer deflation due to a puncturing object within the criteria then SuperSeal International Ltd will replace or repair the Tyre FREE of charge.

How Can You be Sure, That You are using the Right Tyre Sealant?

As with Tyre companies, such as Michelin, Goodyear, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Barum, Semprit, Continental, Pirelli, to name just a few, the choice is yours. However, I would suggest that you chose a Tyre Sealant Company that:

1. The Company has Full Traceability.

2. Manufactures their own Tyre Sealant.

3. The Product is manufactured to ISO standard.

4. Has, Product liability Insurance. (Very Important)

5. The Product has been tested by R.A.P.R.A. and conforms to ECE Regulation 30. (R.A.P.R.A. does not approve products. R.A.P.R.A is purely a testing facility.)

6. Has an intensive and continuous training program for their operatives.

7. Has a, Written Guarantee.

8. The Company is prepared to run a trial period for you.

9. Full Technical and back up support is available 24 / 365.

10. Offers full training for your own staff for self installation.

Is SuperSeal going to Solve all My Fuel and Tyre Problems?

You wish, I wish. I’m afraid that to a certain extent you have to contribute to the problem solving yourself. We can only help in keeping your tyres at the correct pressure for their full legal life thus, extending tyre life to that which the tyre is capable of.  And, as the tyre is always at the correct pressure this in turn will cut down on rolling resistance which will decrease your fuel consumption. The puncture proofing element of the products capabilities is relative to the number

of punctures that you get in a year. If you have a low incidence of punctures then the puncture proofing element is of little concern to you. However, it is an extra benefit that could save you money should you have a puncture. (Think of it as extra insurance)

SuperSeal should be an integral part of your overall strategy in tyre and fuel conservation.

If you consider that only about 1/3 of the energy in a Tank of fuel is translated into useful energy at the wheels, it makes sense to have as little rolling resistance as possible and to be as aerodynamic as possible. Ensure that whatever tyre maintenance program you install not, only checks tyre pressure and tyre condition, but also includes the correct tread pattern for that axle and correct twinning, this to include tyres of equal tread depth as well as tread pattern on the same hub / axle. Use the correct tyre and tread pattern for the application, (you do not need reinforced shoulders on the motorway and block tread on steering axle or a trailer.) And, ensure that your tyre maintenance program is vigorously and if necessary aggressively applied.

IT IS A COLLECTVE RESPONSIBILITY.

It is not just your responsibility to be alert to the tell tale signs of the lack of fuel efficiency in your vehicles. Everyone; that works for you should be aware of the problem, from your maintenance staff, office staff to the people working in the yard, they should all be aware of the tell tale signs and report them to the maintenance department. The driver is the first line of defence. He should be the first person to be aware of a problem with the vehicle. He is the person that should notice a dragging brake and report it. A saw toothed edge on the tread would indicate that the wheels are not running in alignment and adding extra friction and drag thus using more fuel as well as reducing the life of the tyre. It should be reported and dealt with immediately.