Supertracker offer a selection of wheel alignment systems, including laser wheel aligners and computer wheel aligners for car and commercial vehicles.
Supertracker offer more than just wheel alignment, tyre changing and wheel balancing equipment for sale. We also offer repair, support, calibration and maintenance services.
The evenings are drawing in, leaves are falling and the temperature is dropping – we’re fast approaching the time of year when your customers should be thinking about winter tyre care. Now’s the time to invest in the Supertracker range of tyre equipment! Tyre changers, wheel balancers and wheel aligners – we’ve got you covered.
As a garage or tyre shop you know the importance of looking after your tyres going into winter, but do your customers? Cold and damp roads can dramatically reduce tyre performance resulting in the increased risk of accidents. Here are a few tyre safety tips you can pass on to customers:
Tread depth – All you need to check your tread depth is a 20p! The legal minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6mm across the central ¾ of the tyre, around the entire circumference. Simply place a 20p coin into the main tread grooves of your tyre. If the outer band of the 20p coin is obscured when it is inserted, then your tread is above the legal limit. If the outer band of the coin is visible, then your tyres may be illegal and unsafe and should be checked immediately by a qualified tyre professional.
Condition – Tyres should be examined frequently removing stones or other embedded objects from the tread. Any bulges or lumps should be inspected by a tyre specialist as these may indicate internal damage. Any other signs of damage like cuts or cracks should be also inspected straight away, as these can affect the structural integrity of the tyre.
Pressure - Pressures should be checked when the tyres are cold (i.e. travelled less than 2 miles) against the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended levels. If the tyres are under or over inflated then handling and grip will worsen, potentially causing irregular or unpredictable car behaviour. Over-inflation results in less grip and increased wear on the centre of the tyre tread. Under-inflation causes wear to the outside edges of the tyre and make the wheel rim and tyre more susceptible to damage.
Winter tyres – if you live in a rural area or experience low temperatures and snowfall during winter, you may want to invest in winter tyres. These tyres are made from a specialist compound which means they remain supple in lower temperatures offering more grip, while summer tyres stiffen up. They also have specialist tread providing better grip and stability in snowy conditions, shorter braking distance in the cold and resist aquaplaning on freezing or thawing roads.
By educating your customers on how to look after their tyres during the winter, you can offer advice on when to take action for piece of mind. And when that time comes, investing in good quality equipment means you can offer them the best service that they can trust year on year.
