The Telegraph is getting to grips with winter tyres this week, with motoring correspondent Chris Knapman about to put them through their paces.

As the weather starts to turn nasty, he points out that winter tyres are a hot topic right now.

Knapmen draws on the fact that Honest John - the papers motoring agony aunt - hears from dozens of readers each week who are contemplating buying a 4×4 for the winter rather than simply fitting the appropriate tyres to their car’s driven wheels.

As Knapman reports: “The truth is, for many motorists, winter tyres just aren’t on the radar.”

He goes on: “It was about 12 months ago, when faced with a 20-mile commute on either delayed trains or roads that looked more like a series of interlocking ice rinks, that I decided the time had come to make the switch. Only, by that point, like thousands of other motorists, I couldn’t find any cold-weather tyres for love or money.”

This year he’s more organised and after having a set of Cooper’s SA2 cold weather tyres fitted to his completely standard, front-wheel drive Hyundai i20 this week, he’ll be putting them through a series of tests and updating readers on his findings.

Knapman continued: “You’ll be able to follow my progress at the winter driving section of the website, including a report on what makes tyres such as these suitable for cold weather, and regular updates on whether or not they actually work.”

Denna Bowman, Head Office

Cooper is the latest tyre manufacturer to urge UK motorists to seriously consider the advantages of fitting winter tyres to their vehicles before the bad weather sets in.

This autumn has been relatively mild, however Cooper is reminding motorists that ice and snow covered roads may be just around the corner and therefore they should prepare their vehicles for the winter weather sooner rather than later.

The company says its UK winter tyre orders have been “strong” and its European dealer network began requesting winter tyre shipments earlier to support project sales.

Julian Baldwin, managing director of Cooper Tire Europe, said: “In central Europe and Scandinavia, it is commonplace for drivers to fit winter tyres in October and use them until Spring arrives in March. In Germany, winter tyres are used by 48 percent of the market.

“Here in the UK there is still some resistance to the additional cost and perceived inconvenience. However, more UK drivers are coming around to the benefits of winter tyres and we are seeing increasing numbers of people prepared to make the initial outlay on products.

“Not only do winter tyres have the ability to keep people mobile in very harsh weather conditions but the safety benefits are proven even in cold, wet weather. They can be exchanged with summer tyres in the spring to provide more than one winter’s worth of extra safety.”

etyres supply and fit a wide range of winter tyres at low prices and our convenient mobile fitting service means you can easily store your general tyres in a garage or shed.

Denna Bowman, Head Office

By Denna Bowman

An alarming survey has revealed that only one percent of US mums considering maintaining their tyres a priority when they think of “keeping their children safe”.

The results cause great cause for concern, according to Cooper tyres which carried out the study, because almost half of the mothers surveyed admitted spending more than four hours per week shuttling their kids around town.

Yet whether they are transporting children to the supermarket or piano lessons, the only part of a vehicle touching the road are the tyres, Poorly maintained tyres have contributed to an estimated 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries per year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Cooper, in partnership with Cars.com and MotherProof.com, set out to uncover where exactly tyre safety ranked among other parenting concerns, such as education, health and nutrition, in a bid to drive home the importance of tyre safety and maintenance.

Mothers were asked to rank areas they pay the most attention to, regarding their children, and what proactive steps they take to benefit their families.

Although safety ranked highest as the category mothers paid the most attention to overall, ahead of health, nutrition and education, less than one percent of responses reported car maintenance as a tactic to ensure their child’s safety, with zero responses mentioning tyre safety.

By Denna Bowman

Fire experts are investigating how a blaze broke out at a UK tyres factory on Saturday morning.

Four fire crews tackled the blaze which took hold at the part of the Cooper Tire factory in Melksham which cures tyres, according to a report in the Express and Herald.

The firefighters were back up with support from a control unit from Devizes and an aerial ladder from Bath .

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus to enter 30m into the building with their hoses and tackle the flames. Their task was made more difficult by the fact that the area was was supplied with high voltage electricity and steam power, and thermal imaging cameras were used to locate and tackle the fire, according to the report.

Close liaison with on-site engineers enabled crews to isolate the fire sprinkler system, which had successfully held the fire in check.

Crews remained at the scene for some hours stripping out ceiling cladding and checking extract fans to ensure the fire would not reignite.

The fire is believed to have been accidental, although the exact cause is still under investigation.

Cooper have created a set of diamond-encrusted tyres to mark the 60th anniversary of Formula 3 racing in the UK.

No this isn’t a belated April Fool’s joke - the bespoke tyres were created by London jeweller Freddie Keeble at FK Diamonds as a tribute to the upcoming diamond anniversary of the British Formula 3 Championship.

And they were paraded on Rupert Svendsen-Cook’s Carlin car at Silverstone last month.

The 2011 season – which begins on 16-17 April – also represents the 30th consecutive season that Cooper Tires and it’s associate brand, Avon Tyres have served as the sole tyre supplier to the series.

Julian Baldwin, Managing Director of Cooper Tires Europe, said: “The Cooper and Avon brands have been involved in Formula 3 for half of the entire existence of the series in Britain.

“The diamond anniversary is huge landmark for Formula 3 and we are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with one of the most important single-seater championships in the world.”

Freddie Keeble, owner of FK Diamonds, revealed: “The process of setting the diamonds was certainly a little different from what we are used to doing.”

So how did he do it? Well, he set the diamonds and the Swarovski crystals into a Cooper logo made out of metal and the individual lettering was then attached to the tyre with a strong adhesive.

Denna Bowman, Head Office

By Denna Bowman

The price of tyres is rising again in the US as Hankook becomes the fourth manufacture to announce an increase.

The South Korean tyres manufacturer has joined Goodyear, Cooper and Pirelli in Hankook in pumping up its price in the face of rising expenses.

Hankook confirmed it will raise prices by up to 6.5% on its full line of passenger, light truck and medium truck tyres from 1 November 2010, although the amount of the increase will vary by product line and size.

Todd Hershberger, Hankook Tire America senior vice president, said: “While we remain focused on controlling our manufacturing and distribution expenses, the costs of energy, raw materials, and transportation has continued to rise making it necessary for us to make this price adjustment.”

Hankook previously raised prices on its consumer and commercial tyres in the US on 1 June 2010, when it announced increases of up to 6%.

Back in summer in the US Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear, Continental, Pirelli, Hankook, Kumho and Nexen all raised their prices to off-set the escalating costs of raw materials.

By Oliver Hall

Record numbers of Brits who are choosing to spend their holiday in the UK could be putting lives at risk with heavily-laden vehicles and underinflated tyres, according to a leading tyre manufacturer.

Cooper tyres warns vehicle owners that the average family car loaded up for a holiday trip will have to transport an additional 201kg in passengers and luggage, compared to the typical ‘driver-only’ car journey.

However, many motorists not realise they need to set their tyre pressures to compensate for the additional load being placed on the tyres, in order to reduce the risk of accidents and premature tyre wear.

Car manufacturers specify the tyre pressures needed for heavily-laden vehicles. To find the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure, check the tyre information placard label or handbook for your specific vehicle.

Cooper tyres warns that as many as 95 percent of motorists are already driving with tyres that are below the standard required pressure, which can result in tyre failure, increased braking distances, unpredictable handling and add to fuel bills.

With overseas travel down by over 15 percent in 2009, it is anticipated that more holiday makers than ever will utilise the nation’s highways this summer.

Julian Baldwin, managing director of Cooper Tyre Europe, explained: “Apart from the potential danger to the occupants of the car, driving with underinflated tyres can land you with a fine and points on your licence.

“In addition to tyre failures resulting from underinflation, braking distances can also be greatly affected by underinflated tyres and even more so when combined with a car full to capacity with all the family and their luggage on board.”

The tyre manufacturer urges motorists to check tyre pressures at least monthly and before long trips, and to refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s handbook for the correct pressure when travelling fully laden.

Cooper Avon have confirmed that they are interested in entering the Formula One arena and supplying the sport with tyres in 2011.

The announcement follows days of speculation that the tyres company is joining Michelin as one of two possible candidates to replace Bridgestone at the end of the 2010 season.

Cooper Avon confirmed: “As a major motorsport tyre manufacturer, Cooper Tyre, through its Avon Tyres Motorsport operation, has been approached to supply Formula 1. The company is in discussion with the relevant parties and cannot comment further at this stage.”

With the departure of the Japanese tyre supplier at the end of 2009, F1 is looking for a new manufacturer. It seems FOTA have in principle agreed to Michelin’s demands, which involve the introduction of an 18-inch wheel, rather than the current 13-inches.

However, the Michelin contract includes payment from each team, something the smaller teams are not happy about and neither, apparently, is commerical rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone.

It’s thought Ecclestone is backing the supply contract from Cooper Avon, rather than ex-supplier, Michelin, despite telling the BBC that he didn’t mind which company succeeded.

“We’re trying to make an agreement. I don’t mind [which company] as long as the teams are happy.”

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team

By Alex Kapadia

Formula One teams are hoping that a decision will be made about who will be supplying their tyres for next season before they reach the Spanish Grand Prix.

A giant question mark has been hanging over the issue for months, ever since sole tyres supplier Bridgestone announced they were pulling out of the sport when their contract expires at the end of the 2010 season.

Michelin have confirmed they are interested in returning to the world of F1, but have several conditions which would have to be met.

And at the end of last week AUTOSPORT revealed that Cooper Avon were throwing their hat in to the ring at the last minute as surprise contenders to supply tyres to the teams.

Now AUTOSPORT have revealed that several team bosses are optimistic that a deal can be agreed before the Spanish Grand Prix.

Discussions took place between teams and Bernie Ecclestone in Shanghai last week to try and get a deal agreed as soon as possible, because 2011 car designs need to start being worked on soon.

Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner told AUTOSPORT: “I think there are two credible options potentially on the table and hopefully in the next few weeks it can be finalised.”

However, he would not be drawn on whether he preferred the Michelin or Cooper Avon option. “I am totally impartial,” he said: “I think both tyre companies that have been mentioned are more than capable of producing quality tyres and it is important that specification of the tyre, the quantity, the service and all those elements are right for F1. And also the cost implications as well.”

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh added: “I think we are making some progress. We have some options and that is something we have got to work out. I hope it will be sorted by Spain. We will see. At least we look like we are going to have some tyres next year. That is a pretty important one, and we now just have to decide how and where and who they are from.”

And Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali confirmed: “Of course it is a point of concern for the future of F1 – there is no doubt about that.

“As far as I can say, as you know Michelin has made a proposal that is under evaluation to make sure that it is the best proposal from the technical point of view and the commercial point of view.

“On the other hand I know that there is a possible discussion to have another tyre competitor who can be ready to come for next year, and I think we will know something more, I would say 100 percent, by Barcelona. So by Barcelona the situation of tyres should be almost clear if not defined.”

If you thought all the Formula One action was taking place on the Shanghai circuit today, then listen up.

The latest rumour doing the rounds in the paddock is that Cooper Avon tyres has emerged as a surprise late contender to supply tyres for the sport next season, according to Autosport.

This is despite the teams having agreed in principle a deal with Michelin!

Apparently, after weeks of discussions between F1 teams and the French tyre manufacturer, well-placed sources have revealed that an official offer for a 2011 deal has now been proposed in writing to the Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA).

Autosport reports: “While what is proposed is believed to have the support of every team, the move still needs ratification from the FIA and F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone before it can be put into practice.

“However, despite the teams being keen on the Michelin plans - which will include a switch to 18-inch wheels – sources claim that Bernie Ecclestone is not in favour of such a move, and is instead believed to be keen on a different tyre manufacturer getting involved.”

High level, behind-the-scenes meetings are expected to be going on today to try and sort out the situation – with Ecclestone having not yet informed teams what his own preferred route for 2011 is.

A source told AUTOSPORT: “We want to know by the Spanish Grand Prix what tyres we are running in 2011. That is why we plan to meet with Ecclestone on Sunday to see what his idea is.”

Sources suggest that Ecclestone is pushing for a deal with Cooper Avon. It is possible that the tyre manufacturer could use former Bridgestone personnel to help service the tyres and ensure it is operating at a level that will satisfy F1 teams.

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team