By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

Trials run by a Bolton based haulage firm have shown the dramatic advantages of using low rolling resistance tyres.

Haulage contractors Thomas Harwood & Sons Ltd have run exhaustive trials over the last two years comparing vehicles fitted with Michelin ?E? segment tyres against those with Michelin?s Energy tyres. The Energy tyres, which boast low rolling resistance delivered savings of over

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

Dunlop has launched a new range of all-season tyres for SUV?s, incorporating the company?s Touch Technology, which delivers all-weather control and excellent road feedback.

The new range of tyres combines a number of features designed to ensure maximum performance. The tyre boasts a polymer blend tyre-tread compound, suitable for all weather conditions. It?s tapered shoulder-grooves give excellent stiffness distribution, and the asymmetric tread design and shoulder grooves deliver excellent water displacement. The reinforced sidewalls of the Dunlop Grandtrek control the displacement of energy experienced when cornering.

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By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

In April the Government will introduce legislation that will have an impact on all motorists who use their cars for business purposes.

Over recent years tax changes have made company cars less attractive, and an increasing number of companies simply recompense their employees for using their own vehicles on company business. The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, which will be enacted on 6th April, will have serious repercussions for all employers who are paying their employees car expenses.

When the Act comes into force companies will be liable, and subject to prosecution, for any death resulting from a driving accident occurring during a journey taken for business purposes, even if the driver is using his/her own car. Given that the poor condition and maintenance of tyres is cited as a cause of a large number of road accidents, drivers are going to have to take greater heed of the state of their tyres.

The vast number of employees using their cars on company business are referred to as the ?grey fleet?, and it is currently estimated to involve up to one million employees. Fleet- management experts Arval report that 37% of companies clock up 10% of their mileage using employees? vehicles. As from April, employers will be obliged to ensure that these cars are maintained to the same standard as would be expected from a corporate fleet. According to Arval, employers are extremely remiss in checking on the condition of the vehicles their employees are using on company business. A significant proportion doesn?t even run checks on matters such as insurance or whether the car is MOT?d.

The recent smoking ban highlighted the position of a car as a place of work, and the concomitant Health and Safety issues. However, the new Act will create an offence of corporate manslaughter, and this could have serious implications for employers and employees alike. Accident rates for business drivers are significantly higher than those for private motorists, and the ?duty of care? responsibilities of employees are going to be increasingly significant.

Police regularly follow up investigations into accidents to ensure that road safety is included in a company?s health and safety policies. The penalties for corporate manslaughter have yet to be finalised, but the Sentencing Advisory Panel is suggesting that punishment could take the form of fines representing between 2.5% and 10% of company turnover.

Checking insurance, MOT certificates and tyre condition are three simple actions that employees can take to lessen their liability.

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

This year?s Commercial Vehicle Show (15th-17th April) will see the UK launch of the Goodyear Max Technology range of tyres. According to Goodyear this innovative range offers improvements in fuel consumption, greater durability, increased load capacity and shorter wet-braking distances. The Max Technology range has been independently tested, and compares favourably with both predecessors and competitors.

The new range features a high silica content tyre compound, new tread designs and a new carcass construction. According to Nigel Sowerby, Director, Truck Tyres: ?The low rolling resistance of the new Goodyear range ensures improved fuel consumption, and when this is combined with longer mileage, provides low cost per mile for the operator. Longer life and a reduction in fuel usage also mean environmental benefits; using less carbon-based fuel and producing less CO2. At the CV Show we will be demonstrating this with testimonials from the fleets who have tested Max Technology during the last six months.?

The Max Technology range consists of three elements. The first of these is FuelMax Technology which utilises design and material features designed to improve mileage and fuel consumption, while reducing CO2 emissions and wet-braking distances. The second element is KMax Technology which combines maximum mileage with flexibility of use and improved fuel consumption. The third of the triumvirate is AirMax which increases the working tyre pressure, resulting in greater load carrying capacity and, consequently, lower operational costs. This also has the effect of lessening road damage. The entire MaxTechnology range has been road-tested by selected UK companies, and the Commercial Vehicle Show will mark their first appearance in the UK.

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

A professor at the Paris? Industrial Physics and Chemistry Higher Educational Institution has developed a self-healing rubber compound.

Professor Ludwig Leibler has produced the compound based on fatty acids and urea (a component of urine). It has all the characteristics of normal rubber, but when two pieces are held together for 15 minutes it automatically re-establishes its molecular bond. This would, obviously, present problems when used in tyres, but the time delay is close to being eradicated.

According to Takuzo Aida, a chemist at Tokyo University, ?The discovery is very close to being used in business, and could have applications in anything from adhesives to tyres?.

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

Michelin have announced that, due to rising raw-material costs, they will be increasing their prices for passenger car, light commercial vehicle, truck and farm tyres across Europe. Car and light commercial tyre prices will rise by 3.5 per cent in most markets, however in the UK the increase will be 7 per cent. The larger than average price rise in the UK is due to the relative strength of the euro compared to the pound.

The increase in truck tyre prices will be 8.7 per cent in the United Kingdom. While farm vehicle tyres will increase by up to 9 per cent, depending on the brand and range.

All new prices will be implemented between March 15 and July 1, 2008.

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

Tyres get taken for granted. It seems that most motorists give little thought to their tyres until they are told that its time for a change. Nationwide breakdown service Autonational Rescue is appealing to drivers to pay more attention to their tyres.

According to their marketing manager Ronan Hart, ?Tyres appear to be one of the most neglected areas of the vehicle but they can be a life saver. They should be checked regularly for damage or any signs of wear and tear. It?s not sufficient to give them an occasional kick to check pressure or a cursory glance at the tread.?

Autonational advise that drivers should examine their tyres regularly, even if only to check the wear strip. This is moulded into the tyre grooves, and defines the legal tread depth. Ensuring that the tread depth satisfies the legal requirement has a significant impact on the stopping distance of a vehicle, but also, importantly, it has legal implications. An illegal tread depth could result in a fine of

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

The UK?s Air Ambulances fly over 17,000 missions each year. A high percentage of these flights involve the ambulances coming to the aid of motorists. It is fitting therefore that Kumho Tyres should chose to support this charity.

Kumho have been raising funds for the Association of Air Ambulance Charities (AAAC) throughout 2007, and presented the AAAC with a cheque for

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

A major tyre blaze has destroyed a storage facility in Herefordshire. Fire engines were called to the Wyvern Tyres warehouse on Monday evening, and it took fire crews almost five hours to get the blaze under control. The fire caused disruption to train services between Shrewsbury, Hereford and Worcester, which only returned to normal the following day.

Worryingly, this is the second recent incidence of fire in tyre storage facilities. As well as causing disruption to local transport links, there are serious implications for health and environmental concerns. Local fire authorities state that it is unlikely that they will be able to ascertain the cause of the blaze.

By Andrew Williams,
Contributing Editor

There appears to be no end to the ingenuity of boffins looking to make use of our cast-offs. It now seems likely that your old tyres may end up as an integral part of your new phone.

Finnish mobile phone specialists Nokia have unveiled a new concept phone called ?Remade?. The phone is made entirely from recycled materials, including old tyres, aluminium cans and soft drink bottles. Nokia hope that the phone will demonstrate that mobile phones can be environmentally friendly, and that they can help to reduce landfill waste.

The phone?s keypad would be made from recycled tyre waste, and it would also utilise energy saving display-graphics and printed electronics. The phone is still at the concept stage and will not be commercially available in the foreseeable future. A Nokia spokesperson explained its significance; ?it is a concept that explores potential new ideas for the future, and is part of Nokia?s ongoing work looking at how it can help people make more sustainable choices.?