''THEY'RE BLACK AND ROUND''!

That's the explanation I heard from a tyre salesman one day (in a retailer who shall remain nameless) when asked by a customer if a budget tyre on offer was worth spending money on. Well before I explain why the tyre salesman in question was not very good at his job, let me say that the question the customer asked is totally justifiable. They all look the same and the price gap between Premium tyres and Budget is often so great that it is worth finding out more.
So is it worth the extra investment to spend up on premium tyres?

In a one word answer, Yes! In a two word explanation, Research and Development.

The overwhelming differences between premium brand Tyres (such as the brands pictured above) and their lesser known budget brand counterparts is research and development. Two tyres may look similar at first glance. Black, round, grooves patterns around the outside, etc. But! There is considerably more to those grooves than the everyday consumer might think. Months, even years of testing may go into the tread design of a premium tyre. The angle and size of the sipes (lateral grooves) as well as the compounds used in the manufacturing process can have huge influences on the performance of the tyre where water clearance and grip are concerned. Premium  brand tyre companies invest hugely in R&D and will only patent and release a new tread pattern after the tyre has been rigorously tested in conditions that resemble the worst driving conditions the average motorist is likely to encounter. Budget tyre companies tend to copy the premium brands tread patterns, adjust them slightly to avoid patent litigation and release the tyre on the market without any significant testing. In countries like Ireland where it rains heavily so often the risks involved in using budget tyres is significant. This video produced by German manufacture Continental shows beyond doubt that there is a significant safety risk associated with the fitment of budget tyres.

At Heffernan Tyres, we have fifty years experience of providing all brands of tyres to the market. We know what works and what doesn't. We have mileage data on our database which provides us with performance information on many brands of tyre. We determine our range of tyres on a combination of measurements which guarantees our customers receive the best advice and value for money available. We understand that people need to be conscious of what they spend but our staff also have the expertise to explain the safety advantages of fitting quality tyres to your vehicle. You will never get the ''Black and Round'' answer at Heffernan Tyres. We're good at what we do.

TYRE STRATEGY A WINNER FOR ALONSO AND PIRELLI

Anyone watching the Chinese F1 Grand Prix last week will know beyond doubt that tyre strategy played a critically important role in determining which drivers took the podium spots. The decision of starting on soft tyres and pitting early with a three  pit strategy won places 1,2 and 3 for Alonso, Raikkonen and Hamilton respectively. World champion Vettel was left to rue starting on medium compound and leaving his change to soft until his last pit stop. Despite a frantic challenge for third in the final laps and the fastest pit stops, team Red Bull missed out on a podium with Vettel having to settle for fourth. His team mate Mark Webber crashed out and said of the secret of winning races in the modern age to be  ''tyres,tyres,tyres. tyres, and tyres''

For the fans of F1 there is no doubt that tyres have added huge excitement and unpredictability to the sport, Races have become much more competitive. There are more lead changes, overtakes, closer races, closer championships to keep us engaged, BBC's Eddie Jordan summed it up perfectly on Sunday ''What Pirelli have served up today is excitement and unpredictability'' And that's what it should be about.

When Pirelli took over as the sole supplier of F1 tyres in 2010 many thought that whilst they would run the show well technically, the marketing and branding that Bridgestone had provided would be a hard act to follow. What Pirelli have delivered through their compound and colour coding is a huge boost to their brand and its recognition at consumer level. As the fan or viewer watches the race and notes the driver's tyre strategy he or she is also watching the brand Perelli P ZERO. It's hard to think that they could have done it any better. No doubt it has been a huge investment for them. It would be a great story if a resulting significantly greater market share in the passenger tyre market is achieved in time.

 

Here at HeffernanTyres, we have been one of Ireland's biggest stockist of Pirelli tyres for many years. We have an excellent relationship with the company and stand firmly behind the quality of their products. We look forward to another exciting year of F1 and many more years of success with the Pirelli brand.

MICHELIN GOING THE EXTRA MILE THIS SPRING.

In our some of our previous posts we wrote about the great strides that are being made in the chemical engineering of tyres and how there are significant savings to be made on fuel consumption by choosing the right tyre for your car.

Well it probably comes as no surprise that Michelin have been very involved in the race to make the ''perfect tyre'' for a long time. Michelin invented the radial tyre, the single piece inflatable tyre, the runflat tyre, and numerous other innovations. Energy or fuel saving tyres have been part of the Michelin portfolio of products for over ten years and have prove time and again to cut fuel consumption through reduced rolling resistance.

 Until the end of May Michelin are going the extra mile to save you on your fuel bills.
Just buy two or more Michelin Tyres from Heffernan Tyres and Michelin will send you fuel voucher for up to €50!!!!!. No tricks or gimmicks, just a genuine offer. Combined with never seen before prices on key sizes, this deal puts arguably the market's finest tyre on your vehicle for a seriously competitive price. Values of vouchers depend on the rim size on your vehicle. Phone us today on 045 521253 for a quote. We were Ireland's first Michelin Accredited depot and always carry a wide range of car, van and 4x4 sizes.

TYRES. AN IRISH INVENTION?

JOHN BOYD DUNLOP (1840-1921)

Although his face is featured on the Northern Banks £10 note; John Boyd Dunlop was born in Scotland. After graduating from Veterinary College he took up practice in Ulster in 1867 and it was there that he designed his greatest invention. Whilst watching his son cycling uncomfortably on the cobbled streets of Belfast on solid tyres, he surmised that if the the rims were cushioned by air, the impact on the cyclist would be reduced.

The experiments conducted in America by Charles Goodyear in the 1820s had produced the process of Vulcanisation. This invention greatly improved the elasticity and strenght of rubber. Dunlop was able to prototype the worlds first pneumatic or inflatable rubber tyre.

The success Dunlop's innovation was proven in 1889 when a bicycle fitted with his tyres ridden by Willie Hume won all the races at Queens College Belfast Sports event. The pneumatic tyre was up and running.

Although initially granted a patent, Dunlop has his patent revoked when it was made known that another Scot, Robert Thompson, had patented a pneumatic tyre(Dunlop was unaware of this) in France and  the USA in 1844. Unable to get the right materials at the time, Thompson had not taken the idea to commercial production. Dunlop had already begun production in 1890 and the resulting legal battle saw him sell the patent and company to William Harvey du Cros MP in return for 1500 shares in the company that bore his name.

He never made a huge fortune from an invention nearly as significant as the wheel itself. He retired to Dublin and died in 1821. John Boyd Dunlop is buried in Deans Grange cemetery in Dublin.

Dunlop has become a leading brand in the world market and has been responsible for many innovations since 1890. They also manufacture a wide range of sportswear and equipment. In Ireland Dunlop was a significant employer and manufacturer until 1983.

In 1999 Dunlop was absorbed in to the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company to form the new trading name Goodyear Dunlop. Ironically a giant company was formed bearing the names of two geniuses who never owned the companies that their inventions created.

Here at Heffernan Tyres we have a long standing relationship with Goodyear Dunlop and stock a full range of their products. Their warehouse facility in Dublin and Internet portal for ordering tyres makes doing business with them an easy process. Nearly 100 years after the death of John  Boyd Dunlop; close friend of Queen Victoria and brilliant inventor; the product which bears his name is to be found on the shelves of businesses in the country where he invented it.