Blog: RICHARD DAVIES
This is ever so slightly sad but we’ve been comparing tyre wear on our business cars.
It started with this week’s introduction of new EU tyre labelling rules, and then the story about UK businesses saving £500 million in fuel by changing to better tyres (see the links below). Well well we said. Fancy that.
Then Richard remembered that he had to fit a couple to the front of his business car – a Saab – and after only 10,000 miles. The previous tyres, Michelins, had done more than twice that. Serves him right for fitting cheap tyres you say, but they weren’t – they were a well know ‘premium’ European brand but known more for their stickability than their durability as it turns out. We’ll spare their blushes.
So it was back to Michelins. Yes they cost a bit more, but at twice the life-span it was an easy decision.
That wasn’t the only surprise. We’re all used to stuff online costing less, but the Michelins were £40 a piece more at a well known national tyre fitters than the identical tyre bought online. Even more bizarre – they were supplied and fitted at the same place!
Finally lets hear it for the Focus. It’s done 13,000 business miles now, and the front tyres – fattish Bridgestones – look ready for another 13,000. In our experience that’s exceptionally good – and we put it down to the much reduced weight of the 1.0 litre 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine.
So there you have it. Pulizter prize-winning this may not be, but a bit of Grown Up Tyre Thinking could save a small fleet a small fortune on your company car finances.
