LETTERS to Fleet News’ editor Martyn Moore.

Maker’s advice on run-flat repairs

SIR – In response to the letter regarding run-flat repairs, ‘Problems abound over run-flat tyres’ (Fleet NewsNet, April 20), it did not state the brand of tyre fitted to this car.

Goodyear are the market leaders with this type of tyre technology, with the RunOnFlat tyre range, and our official guidelines for our dealers are as follows.

Goodyear recommends that RunOnFlat tyres be changed after they have been used under deflated conditions. However, Goodyear understands that customers might want to repair their RunOnFlat tyres for cost reasons.

Unless otherwise specified in the car owner’s manual, Goodyear RunOnFlat tyres can be repaired by a qualified tyre professional after a thorough inspection and analysis of the tyre history. In case of doubt, the tyre should not be repaired. The professional who is going to repair the tyre will be responsible for his work in any case.

However, Goodyear doesn’t support tyre repairs:

  • Outside the tread area.
  • If the inside or outside of the tyre sidewall area has been damaged by a sharp object.
  • If the tyre has been run at low or zero pressure for a distance longer than recommended in the vehicle’s manual or at a higher speed than recommended. The driver has to provide the necessary information.
  • If the inner liner looks damaged or rough.
  • If there is any damage that would make a standard tyre not repairable.

    NB: If the car manufacturer doesn’t permit the repairing of RunOnFlat tyres or has special restrictions for the respective car model, the customer has to follow these guidelines.

    It should be noted that most standard tyres, particularly ultra high performance tyres, are also recommended to be replaced after a puncture, especially if the tyre has been driven without pressure.

    Another significant factor in the improved safety of RunOnFlat fitments compared to standard tyres is the use of a pressure monitoring system. This means that a slow puncture is likely to be detected before the tyre begins to run at dangerously low pressures, preventing potentially catastrophic consequences.

    JAMES BAILEY
    Manager, corporate communications, Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK

    MIB threat is an insult

    SIR – I am furious to see that the Motor Insurance Bureau is about to grass up fleets who haven’t registered cars on their database to the police.

    Don’t they think we have enough to do?

    It’s bad enough that the authorities are using fleets as a way of controlling motorists and getting fleet managers to do their dirty work for them. To then threaten us with prosecution is an insult.

    Only a few weeks ago Fleet News printed a story about how the police were looking to fleet managers to help them sniff out drivers who should not be driving.

    Will they save time and combine the reasons for a visit? ‘Good afternoon, sir. We’d like you to help us catch drivers who shouldn’t be on the road. Oh, and while we’re at it, you’re under arrest for not filling in a form about insurance.’ It’s mental.

    It doesn’t even sound like a proper law. The 4th EU Motor Directive – what does that mean? And what role do the insurance companies play in this? My insurance company has all the details of my fleet on its system.

    Why can’t they be the ones asked to supply the data to the Motor Insurance Bureau? It might be easier for them because insurance companies only deal with insurance. I’ve got a million other problems to deal with.

    I’ve got a duty-of-care problem to sort out that stems from the fact that the driver is an idiot; I’ve got a finance director asking me why I didn’t know our fuel bill was going to increase despite cutting the fleet size; I’ve got a risk assessment company in who would probably tell me my pen is dangerous and now this. I’m sorry this is a rant, but I’m really hacked off.

    TREVOR WENTBRIDGE
    By email

    MIB stance a necessary step

    SIR – Your front page story about the Motor Insurance Database will no doubt upset a few fleet managers.

    But it’s all part of a very important initiative to make sure that all cars on the road are insured. The problem of uninsured drivers is getting worse and it’s not until you come into direct contact with the problem that you realise how bad it is.

    Last year one of our drivers was involved in an accident with an uninsured driver and the headache that caused was unbearable. The problem went on for months and, in fact, was never fully resolved to my satisfaction. In the end, I’m afraid I was forced to give up.

    So, we need to co-operate to get these people off the road and helping police to identify law-abiding motorists is part of that solution. Of course, the other problem is that if you don’t get your drivers’ details on the database, then they will be far more likely to get pulled over by the police when the computer doesn’t recognise them.

    That should be enough of an incentive, without the threat of prosecution.

    PAULINE DIXON
    Dixon-Framstone Associates