If you missed top motoring expert Quentin Willson teaming up with Goodyear tyres yesterday for a live Web TV show about prepping your car for the winter, today’s your lucky day!

Follow this link http://www.studiotalk.tv/show/winter-driving-masterclass
to see how winter tyres can be life-savers on British roads and hoover up Quentin’s tips on how to drive safety on snow and ice.

Quentin stresses it is vital that we educate ourselves about how to look after our car in the winter and know how to handle hazardous road conditions.

He demonstrates the braking distance difference between normal summer tyres and winter tyres, which at seven car lengths is ‘life-saving’.

And Kate Rock from Goodyear also urges motorists who are not planning on investing in a new set of winter tyres to make sure their current ones are well maintained with plenty of tread depth (the legal minimum is 1.6mm) and the correct air pressure.

Quentin also gives some basic tips on winter driving techniques, like doing everything in slow motion; don’t punch away at the pedals; stay in as high a gear as possible and leave plenty of distance between yourself and the car in front.

Denna Bowman, Head Office

Motoring expert - and housewives favourite - Quentin Willson teamed up with Goodyear tyres for a Web TV show earlier today to talk about tips to help motorists stay safe this winter.

Obviously tyres featured heavily in the show, which focused on driving on snow and ice and how to navigate your vehicle while skidding around in low visibility.

Quentin joined Goodyear Dunlop PR support manager Kate Rock to take part in the show which was based on a OnePoll survey of 4,000 motorists that our collective phobia of driving in winter conditions.

The research also showed that millions of us continue to drive in terrible British winter conditions without really preparing ourselves for the journey ahead.

Unlike other European countries like Germany where winter driving is almost an artform and regulated by the Government, in the UK most of us don’t change to winter tyres, and most of us have never been given lessons in driving in snow and ice.

Furthermore, with a severe cold snap approaching once more this year, how many of us have started packing an emergency kit to chuck in the boot in case we break down and get stuck in freezing conditions for hours on end?

If you missed the show (which you probably did…..), don’t worry, we’re looking out for a link that will let you watch it at your leisure.

Denna Bowman, Head Office

By Denna Bowman

Goodyear Dunlop marked the official inauguration of its new tyres testing centre in Meuspath, which is close to the world-famous Nürburgring racetrack, earlier this month.

The tyres manufacturer announced that the tyre test facility is an important institution both for the ongoing further development of its products and for training and education purposes.

The 600 square metre site contains a range of equipment, including a complete tyre mounting workshop and hydraulic lifts, and will employ up to 15 test personnel during peak periods. The centre’s close proximity to the Nürburgring circuit’s Nordschleife track also counts as a major asset for Goodyear Dunlop, according to a report in Tyres and Accessories.

Jürgen Spielmann, general director at Goodyear Dunlop’s Development Center Hanau, said: “Nowhere are test conditions as ideal as on the Nordschleife: 20.8 kilometres, 73 curves and an altitude variation of almost 300 metres – no other circuit is as demanding as the Nordschleife.

“Hence this course in the Eifel qualifies as a yardstick for upcoming production models and the tyres fitted to them. Every kilometre on the Nordschleife is as hard as ten kilometres on a normal road.”

By Denna Bowman

Air pumps on garage forecourts could become a thing of the past thanks to new self-inflating tyres which are being developed by Goodyear, according to a report in the Sunday Times.

The new tyres will always maintain the correct pressure, automatically adding more air if necessary.

The invention will eliminate the need for drivers to have to manually check their tyre pressure and pump them up if needed.

The breakthrough will not cure or prevent a puncture, but it will increase fuel efficiency and safety, according to Goodyear.

The company believes the invention could prove to be the biggest shake-up the industry has seen since the pneumatic tyre was invented in 1845.

Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear’s chief technology officer, said: “A tyre that can maintain its own inflation is something drivers have wanted for years. This will become the kind of technological breakthrough that people will wonder how they lived without.”

Precise details of how the tyre works are still a closely guarded secret and Goodyear says the system is at least two years away from commercial use.

The Caravan Times has picked up on the story that Goodyear is working on a new innovation that could means their readers would never have to worry about re-inflating their tyres again.

Caravan and motorhome owners know more than most what a pain tyres-related problems can be - which is why our mobile fitting service is so popular with them, because we can replace their worn or damaged tyres at their home so they don’t have to squeeze their vehicle into a tyre depot.

Now Goodyear’s announcement that it is only a matter of time before work is completed on a tyre that automatically reinflates to the right level when required is will make their lives even easier.

The Air Maintenance Technology system will see a small pump included in each tyre that automatically inflates it to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

Keeping the correct tyre pressure on both the towcar and the tourer can help caravan owners to be more fuel-efficient - especially on long journeys.

Such technology should also improve safety, as tyre blowouts are one of the most common causes of caravan accidents.

Denna Bowman, Head Office

By Denna Bowman

Goodyear has got its techies working flat out on a new innovation that could make tyre pumps obsolete.

According to the US manufacturer, the days of manually adding air to under-inflated tyres could be a distant memory thanks to a new innovation under development in its laboratories.

Keeping tyres properly inflated doesn’t just eliminate the practice of checking a tyre’s air pressure and finding a tyre pump and gauge that works. It also can mean real savings at the fuel pump.

According to Goodyear: “Whether you drive a passenger vehicle or a commercial truck, underinflated tyres result in between a 2.5 percent and 3.3 percent decrease in fuel mileage, according to government and industry research. At today’s prices, that translates to about 12 cents per gallon at the pump.

“Properly inflated tyres also result in lower emissions, longer tyre life, enhanced safety and improved vehicle performance.”

Goodyear’s Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) will enable tyres to remain inflated at the optimum pressure without the need for any external pumps or electronics. All components of the AMT system, including the miniaturized pump, will be fully contained within the tyre.

Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear senior vice president and chief technical officer, explained: “While the technology is complex, the idea behind the AMT system is relatively simple and powered by the tyre itself as it rolls down the road.

“A tyre that can maintain its own inflation is something drivers have wanted for many years. Goodyear has taken on this challenge and the progress we have made is very encouraging,” said Kihn.

“This will become the kind of technological breakthrough that people will wonder how they ever lived without.”

Goodyear did not provide an estimate as to when this technology would be available at tyre retailers, but said the timetable would be accelerated due to recent government research grants in United States and European Union.

The United States Department of Energy’s Office of Vehicle Technology Wednesday announced it has awarded a $1.5 million grant for research, development and demonstration of the AMT system for commercial truck tyres.

The grant will be administered by the National Energy Technology Laboratory and work will be conducted at Goodyear’s Innovation Center in Akron, Ohio.

By Denna Bowman

Driving is the transport of choice for many holidaymakers this summer, according to a survey by a leading tyres company.

Almost three-quarters (73%) of holidaymakers in Europe plan to travel by car, compared to 35 per cent who say they will fly, the survey covering 15 European countries by Goodyear Dunlop revealed.

Half of the drivers quizzed also admitted they planned to spend a long time in the car, exceeding 1,000 kilometres, suggesting that road safety is of the utmost importance.

However, the survey also highlighted how many drivers fail to carry out basic car maintenance and safety checks before setting out on long journeys.

It revealed that a third of drivers are “not very likely” to check the air pressure of tyres or the level of oil in the engine before setting off on their long-distance journey.

Alarmingly, one in eight drivers say they would wait until after the holiday to change tyres worn close to the legal limit.

Other key findings showed that a third of drivers have in the past travelled for more than five hours on holiday without taking a 30 minute rest-stop.

Goodyear Dunlop has, therefore, issued some stern advice to holidaymakers. It has urged motorists to leave ample time for the journey, know the route and read up on the local rules of the road of the country they are visiting beforehand.

It reminded drivers to check the tyre pressure and make sure there is sufficient tread depth, while it is also important to make basic maintenance checks in case anything goes wrong.

By Denna Bowman

Goodyear has reported record sales and higher earnings for the second quarter of 2011.

The US tyres company’s sales reached $5.6 billion, up 24 percent from a year ago and the highest ever achieved by the manufacturer in any quarter.

Second quarter sales also reflected strong price/mix improvements, which drove revenue per tyre up 18 per cent over the 2010 quarter, excluding the impact of foreign currency translation.

Richard J. Kramer, chairman and chief executive officer of the tyres manufacturer, said: “I’m very pleased with our outstanding second quarter results, which represent another step on the path toward our 2013 targets.

“They present confirmation that our strategies are right and that they are working,” he added.

“Earnings growth in North America is a key outcome of our strategies. North American Tire’s second quarter results show the type of performance we should be able to sustain once we reach our 2013 targets,” Kramer said.

Goodyear tyres is delighted that its Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tyre has been selected by Mercedes-Benz as an original equipment fitment for its new CLS.

The Goodyear tyre, which was only launched earlier this year, will be fitted on the four-door performance coupé in size 255/40R18. This newly-announced OE fitment, Goodyear Dunlop notes, is one of 30 original equipment deals involving the tyre, according to Tyres and Accessories.

Xavier Fraipont, EMEA marketing manager at Goodyear Dunlop, commented: “This important approval continues the Goodyear Eagle F1’s series of original equipment fitment successes, particularly with high-performance premium vehicles,.

“The previous F1 Asymmetric was fitted to vehicles such as the Ferrari California, Porsche Cayman, Boxter and Panamera, Mercedes-Benz E-Class plus the Audi A7 and A8.

“That fact that our tyres can now once again be found on the latest, highly-dynamic Mercedes-Benz model so soon after the tyre’s own premiere, signifies the newest Eagle F1 Asymmetric’s outstanding performance and quality.”

Denna Bowman, Head Office

By Denna Bowman

Goodyear confirmed that it is commited to investing in new Blimps - the iconic Zeppelin Airships that are synonymous with the US tyres company.

The US tyres manufacture will continue to work with the German zeppelin manufacturer ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik to supply it with airships well into the next decade.

Richard J. Kramer, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Goodyear, said: “The Goodyear blimp is one of the most recognisable brand icons in the world. An event isn’t considered truly special unless the Goodyear blimp is there to provide aerial coverage.

“I am pleased this investment will ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to experience the joy of seeing the Goodyear blimp grace the skies.”

Goodyear has built and operated more than 300 airships – including two large rigid airships the U.S.S. Macon and U.S.S. Akron, but the current blimps are nearing the end of their lifecycle.

Nancy Jandrokovic, Goodyear’s director of Global Airship Operations, added: “We saw this as an opportunity to take the next evolutionary step in our airship programme.

“Throughout the history of blimps, Goodyear has been an innovative leader. With Goodyear and Zeppelin working together again, we believe a new standard is about to set.”

The Zeppelin LZ N07 – 101 model airships will be built with Zeppelin and Goodyear airship teams at Goodyear’s Wingfoot Lake Airship Hangar near Akron, Ohio. Construction on the first airship is scheduled to start in 2013 and begin operating in 2014.