The Automotive Blog

Tyre Pressure Monitoring was one of his top tips to improve the efficent running of your vehicle.  Martin Lewis said

Lower tyre pressure increases the drag on a car meaning you need more fuel, so regularly check the pressures are correct and your car needs less oomph to keep it moving.

Investing in a tyre pressure monitor such as PressurePro or Air Alert means you can constantly monitor the tyre pressure of your vehicle, ensuring each tyre is the correct PSI for your vehicle.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring improves fuel efficency

Tyre Pressure Monitoring is an essential part of your vehicle maintenance routine because statistics prove that you’re more likely than not to be driving on under-inflated tyres!  One company  checked the tyre condition of 38,000 cars in nine European countries, the results showed a staggering 71% of participating motorists were driving on tyres inflated to a lower than recommended pressure.

The majority of these under-inflated tyres were admittedly less than 0.5 bar under pressure, yet 7.5 per cent of motorists’ tyres were more than 0.5 bar under pressure and half a percent of motorists were driving on tyres at least 0.75 bar under pressure.

By checking the pressure of your tyres, you’ll be preventing the chance of blow outs, which could result in a serious  or fatal accident.  Also by maintating the correct tyre pressure of your vehicle you’ll run a mnore efficient vehicle too.

Check out tyre pressure monitors such as PressurePro or Air Alert.

Brake Testing and Tyre Pressure Monitoring have never been so important for fleet managers!  The first ever criminal case of corporate manslaughter recently reached it’s final verdict and Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings were found guilty of the death of a 27-year-old geologist, who died when a trench in which he was working collapsed. Prosecutors successfully argued that the company had failed to take reasonably precautions to prevent the trench from collapsing and protect Alex Wright, the geologist from his working conditions.

Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings, his employer has been fined £385,000, this is a smaller amount than originally anticipated and there was no prison sentence either. However this is a significant fine however small or large your business. This case acts as an example to all organisations to ensure that helath and safety is top of the corporate agenda.

Companies running fleets of vehicles should take heed of the sentencing and ensure that they are not only regularly testing and checking brakes and tyres of their vehicles but can also demonstrate that they have been following these procedures.

aide automotive have two products that can ensure these health and safety checks are carried out and to avoid any such cases being bought against your company!

For Tyre Pressure Monitoring use PressurePro or Air Alert to ensure your vehicle has the correct PSI for your tyres

For Brake Testing use BrakeCheck,

Many companies are still not taking these procedures seriously but this first case should now demonstrate how serious an issue corporate manslaughter is to a business

Brake Testing for commercial vehicles

Tyre Pressure Monitor, PressurePro

Tyre Pressure monitoring is an important procedure to ensure the safety of all vehicles. Checking tyre pressure on a regular basis is essential to avoid unnecessary blowouts. By investing a small amount in a Tyre Pressure Monitoring device, this could save thousands of pounds in replacement tyres.

One such device that does this is PressurePro, a device that continually reads tyre pressures and reports readings via Radio Frequency (RF). Audible and visual alerts warn drivers to low or high tyre pressures. Further to adding greater safety and convenience to vehicles, other significant benefits from maintaining the correct pressure include increased fuel efficiency, extended tyre life, decreased maintenance, diminished downtime and reduced emissions.

 aide automotive has been stocking this product for a number of months now and it’s proving to be a successful product.  Now there is a new product that they’re about to launch to motor cycle owners, PressurePro Motor Cycle Monitor. PressurePro’s 6 wheel ‘Moto’ Monitor allows users to monitor up to 6 wheel positions allowing easy monitoring of motorcycles.

PressurePro Monitors are capable of reading pressures from 10 psi to 199 psi, provide two levels of low pressure alerts (the first at 12.5% and the second at 25% drop in pressure), and can display pressures in PSI, BAR or kPa. The ‘Moto’ Monitor features a built-in antenna and weatherproof casing for added versatility. Light sensors automatically adjust the Monitor’s brightness to allow for maximum readability and safety for all riding conditions.

 Matthew Burke of aide automotive says PressurePro is already a popular product with our client base so we’re really impressed with this new product aimed at motorcycle drivers.  Tyre Pressure Monitoring is an important procedure for any driver, but a blow out on a motorbike can have serious consequences which makes PressurePro Motorcycle Monitor an essential item for the Motocyclist!

 Visit  aide automotive or call 0115 845 6471 for more details.

The importance of monitoring tyre pressure has been promoted by Eddie Stobart in a unique way! The company has introduced a unique livery on one of its fleets trailers to raise awareness about the importance of checking tyre pressure.

Stobart’s have worked in conjunction with Cumbria Constabulary and TyreSafe, in support of this October’s tyre safety month. The objective of the campaign is simple it will be used to encourage drivers to make sure their tyres are safe and legal.

‘With their distinctive visual appearance, Eddie Stobart lorries are an instantly recognisable sight on our roads,’ comments Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. ‘The alternative design and powerful message will be no less striking and one that we hope will help to prevent many unnecessary accidents and injuries. I’m sure that many Eddie Stobart spotters up and down the country will be keeping an eye out for this unique vehicle.’

Follow this link to find out more about Tyre Pressure Monitors

Visit aide automotive for our full range of products

Tyre Pressure Monitoring promoted by Eddie Stobart

With the Easter holiday approaching, caravaners and motorhomers who have purchased a PressurePro system need to check their PressurePro wheel sensors are working corectly.

Matthew Burke Says “We always see an increase in replacement sensor sales before holiday periods but the Easter holiday is always a starting point for PressurePro users to check there sensors and order replacements. As caravans and motorhomes have been stored for quite a few months over the previous year and into the new year, sensors could have expired their battery life and require to be replaced.”

aide automotive offer replacement sensors for the PressurePro Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

With more than 2 million extra caravan holidays predicted in the UK this year, TyreSafe is reminding caravanners to make sure all of their tyres are safe for travel before taking to the road.

Caravans left standing throughout the year can develop flatspots or suffer from exposure to UV rays which may lead to handling issues or premature failure. Additionally, tyre pressures should be checked not only on the caravan, but also on the towing vehicle and adjusted accordingly to take account of the extra load.

Drivers who set off on under-inflated tyres, greatly increase the risk of suffering from rapid tyre deflation and a potentially serious accident.

Drivers who do not meet these legal requirements not only increase the risk of being involved in an accident, but can also incur fines of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per illegal tyre.

aide automotive  promote tyre safety and recommend the PressurePro LIVE tyre pressure monitoring device.

aide automotive would like to promote Roadtransports top 10 tips for commercial vehicle operators to avoid being stranded.

1. Use the Highways Agency and Met Office websites for primary reference and get regular feedback from any drivers already out in affected areas.

2. Transport managers should make alternative plans to get trucks moving, and if a truck is stranded keep customers informed of vehicle movements.

3. Make sure drivers are well armed with night-out stuff or at least have the basics: a torch, food and drink, and a mobile phone. A truck’s night-heater should ward off the cold but blankets are also important.

4. Get drivers to do a thorough check of their vehicle, checking all light bulbs, topping up washer fluid and de-icer/scraper and making sure tyres are properly inflated.

5. Truck drivers need to double their usual stopping distance from the vehicle in front; don’t be afraid to travel slower.

6. When you are trying to slow the truck down, employ the engine brake and/or retarder before the service brakes. This will slow the vehicle before applying the brakes. Most trucks will have ABS but that is no guarantee of stopping inside the usual stopping distance for a truck. Articulated truck drivers should avoid braking procedures on corners – a sure way to jack-knife.

7. Take your time. Keep to the main roads; they are more likely to have been gritted. On motorways and dual carriageways use the clearest lane and keep away from slush and ice.

8. Don’t use the cruise control – this is no time for efficient running. Keep the truck in high gear as it will slow the vehicle more quickly once you take your foot off the accelerator.

9. Concentrate. Avoid, if possible, poorly lit roads and shortcuts through country lanes. There is a greater risk of ice where the road changes elevation or is exposed to the elements, where it passes under a bridge, and where the sun is blocked out and the surface doesn’t melt.

10. Tune into the local radio station – its traffic updates will be more regular, comprehensive, and up to date compared with national radio.

aide automotive promote various products that could help with the tips above:

Air Alert is an excellent product to identify low tyre pressures.

Brake Light Check makes it easy for the driver to check his or hers lights.

Using BrakeCheck on a commercial vehicle inspection sheet will keep brakes working to the VOSA standard.

From 2012 all cars in Europe will have tpms as a standard fixture. The European Commission has  introduced this as standard to try and reduce the number of accidents caused by tyre blow-outs and to encourage greener driving.

TPMS alerts drivers to under-inflated tyres on a vehicle.

The Correct tyre pressure on car reduces the risk of accident, reduces fuel consumption and prolongs tyres lifes.

However if you have a car without these new systems included you can still manage your tyre pressure effectively with a tyre pressure monitor.

Visit aideautomotive for more details