New Tyre Safety & Performance Indicators

The tyre industry has recently rolled out a new customer information program that will see all replacement tyres supplied with key performance and safety labels.

Focussing on three main areas which include fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise the new labelling will be a legal requirement as of the 1st of November 2012.

The three classes will go some way to help customers make an informed decision about their tyre purchase, allowing them to see quickly and clearly the benefits of investing in a higher class tyre.

But what do the different classes actually mean and how much do they really affect the vehicles performance?

When it comes to ensuring you get the most from your tyres, specialists have been preaching about optimum inflation levels for years. As it is scientifically proven that operating tyres either under or over inflated can have a significant affect on a cars efficiency causing motorists to fill up more often and wear through tyres quicker.

These new performance labels actually provide a rating of a tyres efficiency, highlighting through a 7 step sliding scale (A to G), that a class A tyre can reduce your overall fuel consumption by up to 7.5% (depending on your driving style and other external factors). Which when spread over the life of a tyre can make a premium choice a much more shrewd purchase and a budget tyre not as cheap as first thought.

It is not just the efficiency of the tyre that is rated on these new information labels, but also the tyres ability to affect breaking distances. For example the same class A tyre that has been proven to help reduce the vehicles overall fuel consumption can also reduce breaking distances by up to 30% when compared to a Class G tyre. This means that a typical passenger car travelling at 80kmp/h could stop 18m shorter than the same car riding on class G tyres.

The final criteria to be highlighted on the new performance labels is the external rolling noise caused by the tyres, with the dB (A) clearly marked and given a rating of 1 - 3 based on weather it's quiet, average or loud.

All though these are not the only criteria one should consider before the purchase of their new tyres they do go some way to allowing customers to make a more informed decision.

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For more information on tyres and how to choose a quality brand contact our tyre specialist today on 01257 224770 alternativley visit our website: www.cpdavidson.co.uk/service/tyres

Don't forget if you're looking for your new tyres contact C.P. Davidson today to find out how much you could save.

Driving with a dirty windscreen? - Start seeing clearly!

There are a number of reasons why it's imperative to operate a clean windscreen; driver and passenger safety is the most obvious one, but did you know you could also receive a hefty fine, penalty points or an insurance claim should you cause an accident!

Not only could this affect the individual driver but the repercussions could have a damaging affect on the business, its reputation and work schedule.

At CPD we think we've found the solution, and are pleased to announce that we have teamed up with Heatshot! Now providing the commercial vehicle market with the only heated fluid windscreen wash system.

Designed to help you see clearly the system provides safe driving 365 days a year no matter what the road and weather conditions are. And with our expertise at CPD we can simply fit the system without the need to modify your existing vehicle wash wipe controls so you can start seeing clearly at the push of a button.

Operating a vehicle with a dirty windscreen can have a negative impact on the driver, some of these common problems include:

• Dazzling, where light reflecting off dirt causes distracting effects.

• The detection of distances between objects on the road, thrown massively out of proportion.

• An increase in fatigue and decrease in driver performance, at a much quicker rate.

Did you know the dangers caused by a dirty windscreen often prove even more debilitating for older drivers with research showing dirty windscreens cause drivers to crash twice as often in a simulator when compared to driving with a clean windscreen.

It is fair to say then that for commercial vehicle owners who use their vehicles on a daily basis, often traveling greater distances; are more likely to be affected by a greater amount of bug, fly and road grime accumulating on the windscreen.

Improve your vehicles efficiency and avoid the "stop, start" scenario whereby the driver has to manually clean the windscreen as a result of an inadequate cold fluid system. - You wouldn't wash your glass wear in cold water at home so why wash your windscreen in it?

Ensure the safe operation of your commercial vehicle and see the difference with Heatshot - to find out how to get this very cost effective solution installed to your commercial vehicle; contact CPD today on 01257 224770