{"id":7180,"date":"2020-08-23T17:50:41","date_gmt":"2020-08-23T15:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=7180"},"modified":"2020-08-23T17:50:41","modified_gmt":"2020-08-23T15:50:41","slug":"fleets-tyre-related-downtime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2020\/08\/23\/fleets-tyre-related-downtime\/","title":{"rendered":"Reduce your fleet&#8217;s tyre-related downtime"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-ads-body-copy=\"true\" data-ads-first=\"3\" data-ads-every=\"15\">\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Downtime is a dirty word for most fleet decision-makers, as a vehicle off the road has a negative impact on a business operation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Verizon Connect research found vehicle off-road costs amount to an average of \u00a36,000 a year for small- and medium-sized organisations, with 31% of fleet decision-makers losing sleep over these costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">And tyre issues are a significant contributor to downtime: they are responsible for generating the second largest volume of roadside assistance call-outs to the RAC, after battery failure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">But there is no one simple solution.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">An 18-month Highways England project across the West Midlands saw more than 1,000 pieces of tyre debris from motorways analysed by Bridgestone, which found:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">56% of tyres failed due to road\/yard debris penetration<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">18% failed due to poor inflation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">8% failed due to poor vehicle maintenance<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1% failed due to manufacturing defects<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1% failed due to excessive heat<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">16% couldn\u2019t be attributed to one particular problem<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Paul Collier, key account manager at Michelin, says: \u201cMost fleet managers would like to eradicate downtime altogether, but part of the bid to achieve that means paying close attention to tyre choice and routine tyre maintenance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Here, we look at key areas which influence tyre-related downtime and what fleet decision-makers can do to reduce the risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Tyre pressures<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">More than 50% of cars run on tyres which are below recommended pressures, according to research by Michelin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cThis is a staggering statistic when you consider the impact this can have on a vehicle\u2019s steering, handling and braking, let alone causing additional wear and tear and increased fuel consumption,\u201d says Collier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">When tyres are over- or under-inflated, the tread area in contact with the road is reduced: over-inflated tyres will make more contact with the road in the centre, while under-inflation will make more contact with the outer edges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Both are bad news as they cause irregular wear, while traction will also be reduced, meaning tyres are less effective at gripping the road surface and bringing the car to a halt: factors which mean tyres may need replacing more often, as well as increasing the possibility of a collision.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cAt Michelin, we encourage drivers to check tyre pressures at least once a month and before every long journey to help deliver long-lasting performance,\u201d adds Collier.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Regular tyre wear checks<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">As well as pressures, tyres should be regularly checked for wear and damage such as bulges in sidewalls, early detection of which can reduce the risk of unnecessary vehicle downtime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cKey things to look out for include uneven tread wear, low tread, stones or nails, and any damaged areas on the tyres, including missing valve caps,\u201d says Collier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">David Morris, head of UK fleet at Goodyear, says checking tyres once every two weeks or at least once a month is essential to ensuring your vehicle is running efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cIf you\u2019re carrying out high mileage, checks should be carried out more regularly,\u201d he adds.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-ad-mobile-replace=\"mpu-2\" data-responsive-movable-xs=\"ad-189083-mpu-2\" data-responsive-movable-sm=\"ad-189083-mpu-2\"><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">For many van fleets, the vehicle check \u2013 including tyres \u2013 is a daily requirement for drivers, with some refusing to assign employees their first job of the day until the check has been completed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cEnsuring fleet driver safety should always be at the top of the agenda for any business, but it\u2019s easy to overlook how important regular checks are,\u201d says Gil Kelly, operations director of Venson Automotive Solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cThese should be at the core of any tyre management policy, with staff trained to frequently carry out necessary checks, including tyre pressure, tread depth and damage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cWritten reports by drivers or the use of an online app detailing defects should be mandatory, alerting the fleet team or their fleet management provider of any issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cOnce an issue is highlighted, appropriate action needs to be taken immediately.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Tyre replacement policy<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">The current legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, with Kwik Fit saying the majority of companies have policies that tyres will be replaced at 2mm for safety and compliance reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">However, this means fleets replace tyres more frequently than they legally have to, increasing downtime while new tyres are fitted, as well as extra cost.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cWe believe replacing car and van tyres at 1.6mm is the right way to go,\u201d says Collier. \u201cThere have been calls from parts of the automotive industry to increase the minimum tread depth to 3mm, but there is no statistical link between tyre tread depths at 1.6mm and an increase in accident rates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cChanging the legal limit will just lead to higher running costs and more frequent trips to the tyre dealer, impacting on fleet productivity and the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cIf you fit a premium tyre that is designed to deliver long-lasting performance, and you maintain it correctly, it will be safe down to 1.6mm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">However, Kwik Fit points out that in the wet at 70mph, the stopping distance of a car fitted with new tyres \u2013 8mm of tread \u2013 is calculated to be almost 100m; with 3mm this increases to 150m and with 1.6mm it is 200m \u2013 double that of a vehicle fitted with a new tyre.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Tyre procurement<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">The different ways in which fleets buy their tyres can have a great impact on vehicle downtime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Therefore, fleet decision-makers should take this into account when considering their procurement method.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">When vehicles are leased with the tyre maintenance included then a leasing company is likely to have a preferred deal with a service provider, usually one of the high street retail chains.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">If this preferred fast-fit is not located close to an employee\u2019s workplace or home \u2013 and they have to travel a considerable distance to reach one \u2013 then there will inevitably be downtime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Fleet decision-makers have the right to choose where tyres are sourced from, although the leasing company is likely to specify the terms and conditions of having the vehicle back with the same brand of tyres and tread depth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">If vehicles do not have a service agreement in place \u2013 and it\u2019s possible to have service agreements which exclude tyres \u2013 and tyres are bought by the fleet, then there could be an opportunity to reduce downtime by utilising a local fast-fit or mobile tyre fitting service.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Mobile tyre fitting services<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">For site-based employees, time taken driving to a fitting centre to have tyres replaced could be time spent working.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Using mobile fitting services which come to your premises and carry out the work without any disruption to the driver can be a more effective solution.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cIf it isn\u2019t managed carefully, tyre-related downtime has the potential to cost more than the price of the replacement rubber,\u201d says Collier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cMinor delays for the driver or, worse, a missed meeting or appointment can be the biggest sign to a customer or prospect that you are unable<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">to deliver.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Companies which offer mobile fitting services also often provide on-site tyre checks to employers, highlighting any issues before they become a serious problem.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cIn terms of tyre checks \u2013 which are a critical part of our vehicle health check programme \u2013 a visual inspection is followed by a more in-depth check with tread\/pressure levels taken and findings recorded,\u201d says Andy Fern, fleet sales director at Kwik Fit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cAuthorisation will then be obtained for any rectification work to be carried out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cTyre inspections on cars and vans are typically carried out in company car parks when employees are busy at their desks \u2013 and that means no working time is lost.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Booking ahead<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">An ever-increasing number of tyre brands, sizes and types means company vehicle drivers should not simply turn up at a fitting centre unannounced, expecting their particular tyre to be in stock.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">In 1997, 19 tyre sizes accounted for up to 90% of company car tyre fitments, but today this proportion is accounted for by 120 tyre sizes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">The remaining 10% comprises 1,030 different sizes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cTyre choice is rising by around 10% each year as vehicle manufacturers increasingly fit bespoke tyres to their new vehicles,\u201d says Fern.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cTaking into account the choice of summer, winter and, increasingly, all-season tyres and the option of premium, mid and budget brands across a wide range of sizes, it is possible that a customers preferred choice of tyre may not be in stock.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">This means tyre replacement centres are unable to carry the levels of stock needed to guarantee a fit first time, and, as a direct consequence, drivers risk making wasted journeys and increasing tyre-related downtime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">For this reason, drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and book an appointment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Spare wheels and puncture repair kits<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tyres account for 13% of all breakdowns attended by the RAC \u2013 its second biggest single cause for call-outs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">The motoring organisation says that more than half of new cars come with a tyre repair kit rather than a spare wheel which means a significant number of call-outs are classed as \u201cpuncture, no spare\u201d jobs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cTyre-related problems represent one of the major causes of vehicle breakdown and with many of today\u2019s company cars and vans either having a space-saver spare wheel or a temporary puncture repair kit, downtime can be impacted,\u201d says Fern.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cWhen drivers can\u2019t easily change a wheel or use a temporary puncture repair kit, it results in vehicle downtime \u2013 a recovery patrol must be summoned before that vehicle is subsequently taken to a fast-fit centre.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">If a new car does not have a spare wheel supplied as standard, fleets are often able to specify one is added as an optional extra when ordering the vehicle. Note, this might affect the car\u2019s CO2 rating and, therefore, its tax band.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>All-season or winter tyres<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">One way fleets can help to reduce the risk of vehicles being off the road through collisions in the colder, wetter months is to use either dedicated winter tyres or the new generation of all-season tyres.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">These provide greater traction in difficult conditions than standard tyres, making it less likely collisions will occur.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ian Foster, sales manager for car fleets at Continental, says: \u201cContinental encourages drivers to consider changing their tyres when the temperature falls below 7C.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cAt this temperature, winter tyres provide better grip and traction on snowy, icy roads. For those who experience milder winters, an all-season tyre is a suitable alternative.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Many fast-fits offer a \u2018tyre hotel\u2019 service which allows fleets to store their standard tyres when the winter ones are in use, but Collier says this policy creates its own downtime when tyres are switched over, as well as extra cost.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201c(All-season tyres) put an end to the costly process of switching tyres as the seasons change \u2013 a process which can impact heavily on vehicle availability when it affects an entire fleet,\u201d he adds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden-print\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-details\">\n<div class=\"pull-left padding-right-15\"><a class=\"hidden-print\" title=\"Ben Rooth\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fleetnews.co.uk\/author\/ben-rooth\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"img-responsive alignleft\" title=\"Ben Rooth\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.fleetnews.co.uk\/web\/1\/root\/ben-rooth-headshot_w90.jpg\" alt=\"Ben Rooth\" width=\"201\" height=\"246\" \/> <\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"pull-left mobile-padding-top-15\">\n<ul class=\"list-unstyled\">\n<li>Author:\u00a0 <a class=\"hidden-print\" title=\"Ben Rooth\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fleetnews.co.uk\/author\/ben-rooth\">Ben Rooth<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"hidden-print\">Freelance writer<\/li>\n<li class=\"hidden-print\">\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:ben.rooth@live.co.uk\">ben.rooth@live.co.uk<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden-print author-bio\">\n<p>Ben Rooth is an award-winning freelance business journalist with more than 20 years\u2019 high level experience.<\/p>\n<p>He entered the profession after gaining an MA in journalism. While continuing to write for a variety of national titles, Ben has a particular interest in all aspects of the automotive sector.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"posted-by\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fleetnews.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.fleetnews.co.uk<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/consultancy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>CUT COTS OF THE FLEET WITH OUR AUDIT PROGRAM<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/consultancy\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5377\" src=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/04\/nueva-ley-auditoria.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/04\/nueva-ley-auditoria.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/04\/nueva-ley-auditoria-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/04\/nueva-ley-auditoria-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" alt=\"\" width=\"858\" height=\"572\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The audit is a key tool to know the overall status and provide the analysis, the assessment, the advice, the suggestions and the actions to take in order to cut costs and increase the efficiency and efficacy of the fleet. We propose the following fleet management audit.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/consultancy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>FLEET MANAGEMENT AUDIT<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Downtime is a dirty word for most fleet decision-makers, as a vehicle off the road has a negative impact on a business operation. Verizon Connect research found vehicle off-road costs amount to an average of \u00a36,000 a year for small- and medium-sized organisations, with 31% of fleet decision-makers losing sleep over these costs. And tyre&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[36],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7180"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7180"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7180\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7182,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7180\/revisions\/7182"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}