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Tyre Bay Direct Reveals How Motorists Can Make Their Tyres Last Longer – March 6th, 2015

As British motorists continue to take advantage of low oil prices, Tyre Bay Direct has released an insider’s guide to helping drivers make their tyres last as long as possible. As one of Europe’s leading retailers of tyre consumables and garage equipment, the company has a wealth of experience in keeping vehicles at their prime.

In the wake of falling oil prices British motorists have enjoyed significantly smaller bills when filling up the tank, revealed the RAC Foundation. In December 2014 motorists spent £2.57bn on fuel, a figure that was £330m less than July’s spend. The plummeting price of fuel is having a direct influence on driving habits, with the latest research from the British Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reporting that in the last quarter of 2014 UK drivers racked up 2.2% more miles than the same period in 2013. Furthermore, the SMMT disclosed that 2014 new vehicle registrations reached the highest figure in over a decade, with 2.5 million new cars hitting the road.

Leigh Stote, Sales and Marketing Director at Tyre Bay Direct said, “With oil prices at an all-time low now is a great time to be on the road. Of course, with increased drive time comes an increased need to look after tyres and keep them in roadworthy condition for as long as possible. After all, filling up the tank may be cheaper but that doesn’t mean motorists should waste money on new tyres when they could have extended the longevity of their old ones with just a few simple steps.”

To help Brits stay safe and save cash, Tyre Bay Direct has released an insider’s guide to keeping tyres in tip top condition. Care and maintenance is an essential part of on-road safety, helping motorists to accelerate, brake and take corners safely.

The first step is checking air pressure. Over or underinflated tyres are not only dangerous but can inflict unnecessary wear and tear on rubber and chew up more fuel. When pressure is too low tyres will create drag which amplifies tread wear and increases the risk of punctures. To combat incorrect tyre pressure Tyre Bay Direct recommends using nitrogen inflation technology. For garages, investing in a nitrogen inflation system is also a great way to expand a service menu and keep customers safe. Most cars will be subject to natural air pressure loss which means air should be topped up every fortnight.

Balancing tyres can be done at most local garages and is an easy yet effective way of preventing premature wear. Imbalances can be identified when one side of the car feels heavier or lighter. Wheel alignment is another important on-road factor, with unaligned tyres fast-tracking deterioration as well as compromising on-road handling.

Giving tyres a quick once over every few days can also mean the difference between a quick repair job or a complete replacement. Look out for any punctures, check valves are in good condition and ensure that tread is at least 1.6 millimetres as this is the minimum legal requirement.

For more information on our range of nitrogen inflation systems and tyre equipment, click here.

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86% of all Cars Involved in UK Road Accidents have Incorrect Tyre Pressures. – February 11th, 2015

Tyre pressures are critical as the footprint of a tyre is the only contact a vehicle has with the road. The only control you have is dependent on that foot print operating the way it was designed to which means, at the correct pressure. Most people are well aware of the fact you are supposed to check tyre pressures regularly but how many of us actually do? You’d be surprised at some of the results road checks uncover.

Sussex Police force, in the United Kingdom, carried out a roadside survey to check tyre pressures due to their concern with incorrectly inflated tyres. The check allowed a +/- 5psi tolerance against recommended handbook pressures.

The results of the survey were that 73% of all cars checked had incorrect pressures.

Police also check the tyre pressures of every car involved in a road traffic accident in the UK. This data shows that 86% of vehicles involved in road traffic accidents have incorrect tyre pressures.

Furthermore, tyres that are under inflated by just 20% (4-6 psi) on average can lead to your tyre lasting 26% less than it would correctly inflated. According to police figures 73% of tyres checked were 5 psi out against handbook pressures.

It is estimated that under-inflation of 20% can cause fuel costs to rise by 5%.

The simple answer therefore is that Nitrogen inflation can save you money and keep you safer on the road.

How does Nitrogen save money and make you safer on the road?

Compressed air contains Oxygen and Nitrogen in roughly a 20% to 80% mix. It does however contain other gases as well as water, water vapour and dirt / grease.

Certain components namely Oxygen, water vapour and free water that are found in compressed air are prone to permeation through the tyre structure. This is not from faulty valves or leaky rims but a natural pressure loss across the tyre and into the atmosphere. The wall of a tyre may seem solid but it is in fact a “Permeable Membrane” meaning gases can pass freely across it. Tyre manufacturers coat the inside of a tyre with a Butyl liner to slow pressure loss but it is not a cure.

Of these components in compressed air, both water vapour and free water can enter the tyre in varying amounts even if identical tyres are inflated with the same gauge on the same day. Compressed air is not a specified gas and as such will always contain varying amounts of these components that are not suitable for tyre inflation.

In tests, that 20% Oxygen / 80% Nitrogen mix changes to a 10% / 90% mix in a tyre that has aged and not been topped up recently. This demonstrates that the oxygen is leaving the tyre cavity faster than the oxygen so why not start with a higher Nitrogen concentration to begin with? It is true to say that regular tyre maintenance negates the need for Nitrogen inflation but unfortunately, a huge majority of motorists don’t do this resulting in under inflation.

Under inflated tyres create drag which increases tread wear, fuel costs and the risk of punctures as well as having a significant effect on a cars performance both in handling and cost. By having your tyres inflated with nitrogen this produces a stable inflation mixture, as can be seen in the diagram below, that has improved pressure retention properties that will ensure tyres remain fully inflated for longer.

By having your tyres at the correct pressures you will experience the following benefits:

1. Better handling and road holding
2. Reduces tread wear and increases tyre life by up to 25%
3. Correct inflation pressures reduce puncture risk by up to 33%
4. Reduced rolling resistance improves miles per gallon by 2%

Nitrogen tyre inflation is not a new concept. Nitrogen as a tyre inflation medium has been around since the early 70’s and has been used in applications which require safety or performance. The earthmoving industry use Nitrogen to prevent latent heat build-up as Nitrogen does not heat up as much as compressed air when a vehicle is in motion. Similarly, there is an Airworthy Notice posted to say that all aircraft must have a minimum 95% Nitrogen in their tyres. This was issued following 3 aborted take offs by an air Mexico flight, cause so much heat in the tyre that when it was retracted into the undercarriage the combination of heat and oxygen cause the tyre to explode.

Formula 1 Grand Prix racing have used Nitrogen for decades as the tyre pressures are so critical and nitrogen is a dry, inflammable gas. Standard compressed air, contains 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and 1% other gases. It also contains water, both in free form and as vapour. At tracks like Monza, the tyre cavity can reach temperatures of 180 degrees centigrade and at this temperature water can expand to 1000 times its original size, greatly increasing tyre pressure. As there is no control over how much water enters the tyre a driver would have 4 tyres, at various different pressures, while doing close to 200 miles an hour.

For the majority of general motorists, Nitrogen inflation machines provide a solution to the gradual pressure loss which requires air top ups every 2 weeks, and will maintain the correct pressure, correct contact patch and provide safer and more cost efficient motoring.

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Tyre Bay Direct Releases Winter Tyre and Safety Tips – December 18th, 2014

Winter is well and truly upon us and as one of Europe’s number one tyre vendors we’re helping Brits stay safe with a series of seasonal road safety tips. With over 22 years of experience retailing tyre consumables and garage equipment, we are offering tried and tested advice from our expert team of professionals.

Recent statistics released by the Department for Transport revealed that treacherous winter weather conditions caused 5070 car accidents in 2012. Furthermore, wintery conditions were responsible for 324 light goods vehicle accidents and a further 336 incidents involving motorcycles, 149 involving HGVs and 75 involving buses. These figures are alarmingly high and indicate the dire need for UK motorists to maintain vigilance and ensure that vehicles are equipped to deal with the extreme winter weather.

Most drivers are well aware that winter weather conditions can have a dramatic effect on road safety, whether driving in the city, suburbs, motorway or countryside. Snow and ice create slippery surfaces which significantly impact steering, acceleration, braking and overall control. Yet despite this widely held knowledge, many UK drivers aren’t aware of simple measures that can be taken to enhance on-road safety during the winter months.

Leigh Stote, Sales and Marketing Director said, “Winter is by far the most dangerous time of the year to be on the road. Unfortunately many seasonal accidents could be avoided with the right education. That’s why we’ve released a collection of simple yet effective tips that we hope will minimise on-road accident statistics and even save lives this winter.”

One of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of winter accidents is to check lights are clean and in good working order. The short daylight hours and increased chance of fog mean that fully functional headlights and high beams are an on-road essential. Drivers are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution when braking, even in non-emergency scenarios. Hitting the brakes in snow or ice does not foster the usual level of tyre grip, causing the centrifugal force to pull the vehicle outwards. This can result in spins, skids and even flips. To avoid accidents we suggest drivers change into a lower gear, allow speed to drop and apply braking pressure as gently as possible. It’s also recommended to increase the gap between cars by up to ten times the usual distance.

Servicing tyres with a nitrogen inflation system is another certified way to stay safe during the winter period. Used by Formula 1 Grand Prix, earthmoving vehicles and aircrafts, nitrogen is renowned as the world’s safest inflation element. The diatomic gas does not contain the components of compressed air that are prone to escape which makes tyres more reliable and less at-risk of deflation. Incorrect tyre pressure is one of the key factors jeopardising vehicle handling and road holding. While incorrect tyre pressure during the summer can marginally affect handling, on slippery surfaces the consequences can be fatal.

Tread is a year-round tyre concern yet during the winter months we urge drivers to be particularly attentive. When temperatures drop to below 7°C tread compound begins to harden which reduces on-road grip. To prevent hardening, drivers can choose to replace tyres with purpose built winter models manufactured with natural rubber and unique silica compounds designed to minimise the hardening effect. The benefits for winter weather tyres were recently proven in a test commissioned by the British Tyre Manufacturers Association which found that when fitted with winter weather tyres, a car braking in 5°C on a wet road at 60mph stopped five metres shorter than its non-winter ready counterpart.

Finally, we encourage all winter motorists to drive with a fully charged mobile phone. This will allow them to call for help should they encounter an accident while traversing the winter roads.

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Have you heard about Tyre Bay Direct’s £250 Christmas Giveaway? – December 9th, 2014

For the past week we have been adding Gold Gift Cards to every parcel which could be the key to not only a FREE gift, courtesy of Tyre Bay Direct, but also £250 cash! One week into the competition and loads of instant prizes, from thermal flasks to tubeless valves, have already been snapped up. With heaps more prizes to be won you can join the list of instant prize winners by getting involved today.

As well as the instant prizes to be won there is also the chance to win £250 cash – no strings attached! Every card holder that visits our website and plays using their unique code will automatically be entered into the £250 cash prize draw. There is also the opportunity for you to double or even triple your chances of winning the cash by sharing on Facebook and Twitter!

To join in on the fun and see if you are an instant prize winner and to be in with a chance of winning £250 cash simply place an order with us between now and 16th December 2014 and the Gold Gift Card will be on its way to you! Good luck!

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Tyre Bay Direct warns motorists to prepare for TPMS becoming compulsory to pass the MOT – November 20th, 2014

By November 2014, all new models of passenger vehicles will be required by law to have a tyre pressure monitoring system installed, also known as TPMS. TPMS has become a legal requirement after a high rate of accidents were discovered to relate to tyre malfunction – with around 1,200 road casualties reported in 2011 alone. We are urging motorists to prepare for the changes and the differences you will see at your local garage.

TPMS was conceived to reduce the number of traffic accidents caused by under-inflated tyres by identifying early on when the performance of the tyre is failing. The advantageous system provides drivers with fuel savings, an extended tyre life, decreased downtime and maintenance and environmental efficiency, and most importantly ensuring the safety of passengers. Working in close accordance with the vehicle, the TPMS monitors the air pressure of tyres, reporting real-time tyre pressure information to the vehicle driver.

Direct TPMS, which is the choice the majority of car manufacturers have used, allows sensors to be fitted to each wheel of the vehicle to monitor the changes in tyre pressure. The sensors send signals to a receiver located inside the vehicle using a wireless connection. Once low pressure or leaks are detected, an in-car alert system signals the driver’s awareness and triggers a dashboard display or warning light. The system sends a signal approximately every 30 seconds whilst driving. If low pressure is detected, the driver is alerted immediately. The tyre sensors identify leaking air and also can tell if a tyre has low pressure at engine start up.

Leigh Stote, Sales and Marketing Director said, “The number of cars that have a TPMS system has risen steadily since 2002 but with the new law coming into force as of January 2015, a car fitted with a faulty TPMS system will automatically be failed at MOT inspection. It’s something that people will need to bear in mind but most professional fast fit centres will have suitable tools to assist.”

These sensors are considerably more expensive than a normal car valve though, which costs around £3-£5 pounds. For a new sensor and ECU re-program customers could be looking at spending £60 plus at a tyre shop and even more at a dealership. Currently, there is no law to state that the TPMS system should work, so people are entitled to disconnect the system and just use a normal valve, however, this will not be the case as of January 2015.