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  Value Tyres on Facebook - 15.2.10Why not visit our Facebook page?
We list some great offers, share our latest news and updates and give you the opportunity to discuss anything to do with tyres!
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Getting the most from your tyres - 15.2.10Keep the Pressure Up
The right tyre inflation pressure for your car can be found in the car manufacturer's handbook. Most tyre manufactures also supply correct pressure and fitment details for their tyres. Tyre pressures relate to loads, speeds and vehicle handling and the right tyre pressure is vital for even braking, maximum grip and good tyre life.
Inflation pressure should be checked at least once a fortnight when the tyre is cold since there is an increase in pressure when the tyre has warmed up after being run. A reliable pressure gauge should always be used.
It is dangerous to re-inflate a tyre which has been run flat or seriously under-inflated and such tyres should be removed and inspected by a tyre specialist.
We've many more tips and helpful advice on our Tyres FAQ's page if you'd like to know more
Get a raincheck with Bridgestone - 2.2.10With our winters getting wetter Bridgestone, the world’s number one tyre company, are asking us to be extra careful when it comes to checking our tyres.
As the only point of contact with the road, your tyres are imperative for your safety, performing vital functions such as: providing grip for braking and acceleration; maintaining steering and directional control; supporting the weight of the vehicle and acting as a shock absorber for vibrations from the road.
Tyres that are not well maintained will impair your vehicles performance, risking your safety and the safety of your passengers, as well as other road users. So, for complete peace of mind why not call Value Tyres to discuss your tyre requirements.
Remember: if you need replacements you can always talk to your nearest centre about Bridgestone and discover why they’re number one.
Free Accident Aftercare for our customers - 2.2.10We are pleased to annouce that we are now able to offer all of our customers free accident aftercare for you and your family. You can register for our free membership and find out more information by clicking the link below
Join for free today
Benefits include:
(a) Even if the accident is entirely your fault, membership entitles you to:
•Our 24-hour helpline to call first after an accident
•24-hour vehicle recovery from anywhere in the UK
•Free expert advice
(b) If the accident is not entirely your fault, membership entitles you to:
•Our 24-hour helpline to call first after an accident
•24-hour vehicle recovery from anywhere in the UK
•Your vehicle fully repaired locally without claiming on your insurance
•Your vehicle replaced on a like-for-like basis, delivered to your door
•All the administration handled for you by our specialist team
•Your accident reported to your insurers for you by our specialist insurance-liaison team
•Your financial losses and any other uninsured losses recovered for you
•Our expert legal support at your disposal whenever you want it
•We will keep you fully updated and informed from start to finish
That's not all, though. Your free membership also entitles you to enjoy our wonderfully simple process that takes away all the hassles you would normally have in the aftermath of an accident because our experienced and highly trained specialist teams are there to take care of it all for you while keeping you informed.
You've nothing to lose so why not become a member today.
Winter driving Tips - 2.2.10* Check all tyres for condition, pressure and depth. At least 3mm of tread is recommended for winter motoring.
* Don't reduce tyre pressures to get more grip - it doesn't work and reduces stability
* Check you have a working jack and wheel brace and that you know how to change a wheel if necessary.
* Consider changing to winter or all season tyres - these have higher silicone content in the tread which prevents it hardening at lower temperatures.
* In extreme conditions, carry a spade, blanket and flask of hot drink in case of an emergency.
*Above all drive as road conditions dictate, don't take risks and stay safe this winter.
Driving snow blinded? - 2.2.10One 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.
Tim Bailey, safety expert at Continental Tyres, which polled 4,000 drivers said: ''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.
"An astonishing 52% 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.
The study also found one in four drivers admit they are often half asleep when they get behind the wheel in the morning. And they take at least four minutes to properly wake up after getting behind the wheel. If they are travelling at 30mph this means they will have travelled two miles before they feel awake. 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.
Tim Bailey continued: "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."
Cold Weather Tyre Benefits will outlast the snow... - 2.2.10In 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 took the precaution of fitting cold weather tyres to their vehicle last autumn will continue to benefit from safer driving long after the current snow melts away.
With more natural rubber in the tyre tread compound than standard ‘summer tyres’, they provide significantly shorter stopping distances in cold (under seven degrees celcius), wet and icy conditions.
“There is a misconception that cold weather tyres are not appropriate for drivers in the UK,” explains Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “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.”
Value Tyres stock a range of cold weather tyres, please contact us for more information.
TyreSafe Survey reveals safety issues with company car drivers - 26.10.09A survey conducted by TyreSafe has highlighted the UK motoring public’s unwillingness to regularly check tyre tread depth. The organisation probed a sample group of 1,552 company car drivers from across the UK and was astounded to find 25% had never (ever) checked the depth of their vehicle’s tyre tread.
A further 41% had not thought their own safety and that of others sufficient reason to kneel down and take a look under the wheel arches during the last six months. Yet, notes TyreSafe, responsibility for tyre safety on fleet vehicles is the responsibility of both companies and employees, and those not making the necessary checks face fines and other penalties.
To simplify the task of checking tyre tread, many companies are being encouraged to promote TyreSafe’s ‘lifesaver in your pocket’ initiative – which encourages simple monthly checks using a 20p coin – to their employees.
20p could save your life. - 1.10.09October is Tyre Safety Month and we'd like to urge you to watch the video below which shows just how much difference driving with illegal tyres can make.
To view this short video click here and press play in the right hand corner of the screen that opens.
Don't forget a 20p piece could be the difference between legal and illegal tyres.
Value Tyres are now on Twitter - 2.9.09We've just added ourselves to Twitter where we'll keep you up to date with the latest offers and industry news so why not follow us
Value Tyres on Twitter
Tyre Safety Month this October - 2.9.09Tyre Safe are gearing up for the Tyre Safety Month which takes place during October.
The Tyre safety group are promoting their annual campaign to raise awareness of the importance of driving on safe, legal tyres.
The legal minimum depth for tyres is 1.6mm and many motorists may not realise that they are putting their safety at risk by not replacing tyres when the tread falls below this.
Drivers are risking being fined, points on their licence along with their own and their passengers safety by driving with unsafe tyres on their cars.
The only contact with the road is through your tyres and if they are not legal this causes braking distances to increase substantially on wet roads which may result in serious or even fatal accidents.
With the cold season fast approaching, don't delay checking and renewing your tyres as soon as needed.
Congratulations to Our Competition Winner - 20.8.09Well done to Miss Hoal who won £100 of shopping vouchers after entering our competion run in conjunction with People Value, the staff reward specialists. Our winner knew that we stock over 50,000 tyre items at any time. Thanks to everyone who entered.
60% Of Drivers ''Zone Out'' Behind a Wheel - 7.7.09Ever driven to work and realised you can’t remember any of the journey? You are not alone. A new study commissioned by Continental Tyres reports that 59 per cent forget parts of their journey, while 60 per cent admitted “zoning out” whilst behind the wheel. Over half (51 per cent) say they switch to “auto-pilot” on their daily commute to and from work. The survey of 4,000 motorists found that drivers were only fully concentrated on the road for 67 per cent of the time spent in the driver’s seat. And tuning the radio, talking to passengers and gawping at the scenery topped the list of everyday distractions. Nevertheless 86 per cent of the stereotypically humble and self-deprecating British driving public rate themselves as "good drivers"!
Online tyre shoppers urged to make safety their first priority - 1.6.09Motorists 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, your safety is our priority at Value Tyres and we'll be only too happy to help with any tyre queries you may have.
3.5 Million Illegal Tyres - 3.4.09Up to 3.5 million motorists in the UK are driving on illegal tyres, according to new research released this week. The study of 4,000 road users for Continental Tyres revealed a worrying ignorance of British drivers when it comes to tyre safety with one in 10 drivers running on tyres below the legal minimum tread depth. More than four in 10 (41 per cent) claim to have never checked their car tyres and a third admitted to not knowing how to check tread depth and tyre pressure. The survey was commissioned to coincide with the launch of a new website offering simple guidance to drivers on how to check tyres and other basic safety information.
3.6 Million UK Motorists Driving On Illegal Tyres - 26.2.09As many as 3.6 million UK motorists could be driving on illegal tyres, according to the latest research. Figures from the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) show that of nearly 60,000 cars checked in January 2009 by retail members, 7,000 were being driven on at least one illegal tyre. Extrapolated across the population, this could amount to 3.6 million cars in the UK whose owners are at risk of causing serious road accidents. The disturbing findings are reflected by another recent survey conducted by TyreSafe, revealing that nearly one in ten motorists expects to spend less on tyres in 2009 compared with last year.
“When you consider that there are over 30 million cars on the UK’s roads, learning that one in ten motorists admits they plan to spend less on tyres shows an alarming lack of awareness among drivers towards their own road safety and the safety of the others,” TyreSafe chairman Rob Beddis commented. “Many tyre dealers have indeed reported that more drivers are letting their tyres run below the legal tread depth before they replace them as they feel the financial pinch. This is a worrying trend which sadly may result in more accidents and road deaths as a result of the loss of grip and longer stopping distances associated with illegal tyres.”
The TyreSafe research reveals that motorists in London are most likely to decrease their spending on tyres in 2009 with one in ten drivers expecting to spend less, while drivers in the East Midlands have the most responsible attitude towards replacing tyres, with less than 3 per cent expecting to spend less on tyres over the coming year.
Skiers Be Safe! - 16.1.09When heading to European skiing destinations, motorists should ensure they use correctly inflated tyres with sufficient tread depth to perform on icy, snow-covered roads
British skiers driving to Europe can significantly reduce the risk of an accident by making sure their tyres are safe to tackle sub-zero weather conditions. During the 2007-08 season, over 175,000 skiers travelled to their holiday destination by car. Skiers risk an abrupt end to their trip if driving heavily laden cars with incorrect tyre pressures or low tread depth on icy, snow-covered roads.
“Driving in snowy mountain regions requires a good level of tread depth to maintain traction with the road and stay in control of the vehicle,” comments TyreSafe chairman Rob Beddis. “In certain European countries it is a legal requirement to fit cold weather tyres. British holidaymakers should be careful to check the legislation of their destination country and any they drive through on the way there before leaving, in order to avoid costly penalties or invalidating their insurance.”
Popular skiing destinations such as France, Austria, Germany and Italy all recommend the use of cold weather tyres, while in Scandinavia cold weather tyres are recommended in Norway and Sweden, and mandatory in Finland from 1st December to 1st March. Cold weather tyres contain a higher quantity of natural rubber compound, which allows them to retain their flexibility on frozen roads. They also contain many tiny cuts in the tread which help the tyre to absorb snow, rather than slide over it. Whether driving on normal, ‘summer’ tyres or cold weather tyres, making sure that the tyre has a sufficient amount of tread depth is fundamental to braking and driving safely on wet and icy roads.
“Checking the tyre pressure for their vehicle when fully laden is also an important consideration when driving to a ski resort, as it may be necessary to increase the pressures to support the increased load of the vehicle,” continues Beddis. “Many motorists neglect to adjust their tyre pressures to take account of heavy skiing equipment and extra passengers, which can lead to a build-up of heat inside the tyre as it strains to perform under the additional weight. This could eventually result in a blowout, putting themselves, passengers and other road users at risk.”
Further advice regarding legal requirements when driving abroad in cold weather can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, while details of the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure can be found in the owner’s manual, inside the fuel filler cap, or on the inner sill.
Check Your Tyre Pressures - 2.1.09 Motorists are being reminded to check their tyre pressures before setting off on long journeys this holiday period in order to avoid being stranded by the roadside. Many families experience delays and inconvenience from tyre failures during the festive period as tyres have not been correctly inflated to take account of extra passengers and luggage.
Keeping tyres correctly inflated is particularly important at this time of year as many families drive long distances carrying luggage for overnight stays and presents for relatives. When laden cars are driven without corrections being made to tyre pressures, the chances of suffering a tyre blowout are greatly increased as excessive heat builds up inside the tyre causing it to fail spectactularly. Vehicle manufacturers take account of this additional load and provide laden tyre pressure instructions in the vehicle handbook, but too few motorists follow this advice.
Increasing the tyre pressure to the required level is a straightforward job which only takes a few minutes. We would encourage all motorists to make sure their tyres are safely inflated before setting off on a long journey,
Driver can find details of the correct tyre pressure for their car in either the owner’s manual, inside the fuel filler cap, or on the inner sill. Tyre pressures should be checked when the tyres are cold or when the vehicle has driven less than two miles.
Eco Friendly Tyres? - 31.8.08We’ve all heard of eco-friendly, green or low rolling resistant tyres and their fuel saving abilities. With the EU commission planning to lower the limits for rolling resistance and tyre noise, not to mention the increases in fuel prices, eco tyres have never been a more attractive option for motorists.
But for many, the question remains, what actually is an eco-friendly tyre and why is it such a technological advancement?
Whatever name they’re known by, Eco-friendly tyres were developed for one reason: to reduce fuel consumption without affecting performance or grip.
Up until recently, it has been impossible to produce a single tyre which can reduce fuel consumption and still provide excellent grip due to the differing amounts of energy required for fuel economy and grip.
Here’s the science bit: Lowering rolling resistance (the amount of energy a tyre absorbs) reduces the amount of energy needed to move the car therefore, reducing fuel consumption. This requires tyre compounds which absorb low levels of energy. However, grip is affect by high frequency distortion (the degree to which the tyre faces small stones and uneven road surfaces). For the best grip, compounds which absorb high levels of energy are required.
By introducing silica to a tyre compound the previously impossible is made possible. Engineers can now produce a single tyre which can absorb different amounts of energy at different frequencies for fuel consumption and grip.
What does this mean you the consumer?
Well, assuming that your tyres maintain the correct tyre pressure and making allowances for varying speeds and different driving characteristics, Eco-tyres offer a 20% reduction in rolling resistance which equates to a 5% fuel saving. In the promotion of the Michelin Energy tyre, Michelin claim that this is a saving of £65 a year for the average motorist, a figure which covers the cost of the tyres over their lifetime.
The use of silica has also been found to offer substantial benefits in winter all-season tyre variants. Compounds using silica are more elastic and flexible at lower temperatures which allow for better grip and braking during wintry weather. In fact, Vredestein claim to have improved wet skid performance by as much as 15% whilst substantially improving braking distances.
Eco-tyres currently on the market include:
Michelin - Energy Saver
Pirelli - P3000 Energy
Hankook - Optimo 4S
Continental - Conti-Eco Contact 3
Firestone - Fuelsaver range
Goodyear - GT3
Beware Of Curbing Tyres - 5.7.08Motorists unaware of hidden dangers from bumping up and scuffing kerbs
TyreSafe has issued a warning to motorists about the increase in the number of premature tyre removals as a result of either kerbing damage, or uneven tread wear due to wheel or axle misalignment.
The cause of a significant number of these early removals is due to motorists mounting or hitting a kerb, which usually occurs during a parking manoeuvre. As most modern cars are now equipped with power steering, drivers consider that the presence of a kerb is not an obstacle to manoeuvring a car into a tight spot, which may lead to a tyre’s sidewall being pinched between the kerb and the wheel, or the steering system becoming misaligned.
A driver may not be aware of any problem associated with such a manoeuvre until either the tread pattern shows rapid and irregular wear or a bulge appears on the tyre sidewall, therefore increasing the likelihood of an accident. Furthermore, the level of grip of an unevenly worn tyre is unpredictable in the wet, whilst a sidewall bulge, the result of a fracture in the carcass of the tyre, can cause a tyre to either lose pressure or in a worst case scenario a tyre blow-out.
Whilst it should be common practice for motorists, TyreSafe points out that tyres should be maintained at the levels of pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. TyreSafe recommends that drivers who are aware of having impacted a kerb with some force should have the tyre(s) inspected for any damage and the vehicle alignment checked by a tyre dealer. Tyre sidewall damage cannot be repaired and may lead to possible failure because of the leaking of air from the tyre.
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What our customers think
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Clive Summerfield
"Thank you Value Tyres, you deliver on tyres, price and service"
Sharon Cunnings
"Great quality tyres at such a cheap price, how do you do it!"
Alison, Bath
"My tyres were great value and your service was excellent"
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