Save money with tyre management
12th May 2010
Choosing the right tyre, and the ongoing tyre maintenance programme, can have a big impact on overall fleet efficiencies. It's not just choosing the most competitive supplier or maximising the life of the tyre. Tyre choice and maintenance can also affect fuel efficiency.
Making the right choice
Choosing a budget tyre may not work out most cost effective over time, life expectation and impact on fuel efficiency may be impacted. An alternative is to shop around for the best price on preferred manufacturer choices.
Advantages and disadvantages of extending tyre life
Regrooving and remoulding are increasingly popular choices. For a relatively small cost per tyre, a tyres life can be extended. Michelin say that by regrooving at a cost of £20 a tyres life can be extended by 25%-30%. However some fleet managers are sceptical about the reliability of using regrooved and remoulded tyres.
Making a fuel efficient choice
In addition impact on fuel efficiency should be considered when deciding the best option for your fleet. Bandvulc Tyre Contracts say that it is difficult to persuade operators to make tyre choices on fuel efficiency as it is difficult to run controlled trials without other variable factors impacting on results.
Getting the best tyre maintenance
Many operators already use specialist firms and manufacturers for outsourced tyre maintenance. ATS Euromaster, Bandvulc, Continental, Goodyear Dunlop and Michelin all offer contract services. The advantage is that they will use their knowledge to maximise tyre efficiency and utilisation. Alternatively by keeping tyre maintenance in-house gives operators full control over maintenance, monitoring and tyre decisions.
Whoever carries out tyre maintenance, regular checks and inspections are important both for safety and efficiency. Daily visual checks are important in supporting 6-weekly tyre pressure and tread depth checks. Wheel alignment should be checked at least every six months.
As well as making good tyre choices and maintaining tyres to maximise fuel efficiency and overall tyre budget efficiency, Axscend also suggests that operators look at maximising their efficiency through effective trailer management. Tools such as Axscend trailer tracking devices capture data trailer location and journeys and on load weights, which can be used in order to improve trailer fleet performance, saving time and money.
