ATS EUROMASTER’S WINTER WEATHER STUDY PROVES IMPORTANCE OF COLD WEATHER TYRES
15 May 2013
Following the coldest March in 40 years, chilling statistics released by ATS Euromaster in its annual Winter Weather Study show that temperatures dropped below seven degrees Celsius during prime commuting hours on 173 separate days between 1 October 2012 and 31 March 2013.
The statistics cover temperatures in 10 major UK cities from 7am till 9am and 4pm till 6pm. The detailed weather analysis also revealed that parts of the UK were covered under a blanket of snow for 44 separate days during the six month period.
The figures, commissioned annually by tyre experts ATS Euromaster from the Met Office, highlight the importance of fitting cold weather tyres, as the specialist tyres offer greatly improved grip, handling, cornering and reduced braking distances when the temperature drops below seven degrees Celsius, which it did for 95 per cent of the six months measured.
Peter Fairlie, Group Sales Director at ATS Euromaster, says: “The UK faced one of the coldest winters in recent years and driving conditions have been treacherous for many motorists travelling on roads covered in ice and snow. In fact the UK only experienced nine days out of the whole six month period where cold weather tyres wouldn’t have made driving safer in at least one of the 10 major cities we studied.
“For winter 2012/2013 ATS Euromaster ordered in excess of £10 million worth of cold weather tyres – 60 per cent more than the previous year, and we have seen strong demand for these tyres, proving how valuable they are at helping motorists keep safe when it is cold and in adverse weather conditions.”
Of the 10 cities analysed, Newcastle upon Tyne recorded the highest number of days when commuter time temperatures dipped below seven degrees Celsius with 162, compared to the 129 reported in 2011/2012’s Winter Weather Study. Aberdeen had the second highest number with 159 days, 41 days more than last year, and London was the city with the fewest days, with 120, but still accounting for 66 per cent of the six month period.
Newcastle was also the city with the deepest level of snowfall, with 25cm being recorded on 26 January, while Aberdeen had 12 days of consecutive snow covering in January 2013.
The month with the highest average number of days recorded below seven degrees Celsius during prime commuting times was March 2013, with 30 days. December 2012 was the second highest with 27 days, while October was the lowest with 15 days, but still more than double the number 12 months earlier.
ATS Euromaster launched its cold weather tyre service in April 2010, and take-up of the seasonal tyres has continued to grow amongst retail customers and fleets.
Fairlie says: “It’s now the exception, rather than the norm, to find a supermarket home delivery or ‘blue light’ fleet not fitting cold weather tyres to the majority of its vehicles. These organisations have led the market in becoming early-adopters, closely followed by utilities fleets and other businesses and individuals which can’t afford for vehicles to be parked up during a harsh winter.
“A lot of customers were sceptical about changing tyres at first, but the frequency with which we are having harsh winters reinforces the safety and mobility benefits, and explains why take-up is increasing every year.
“Detailed temperature analysis like this also illustrates why cold weather tyres are beneficial from early October through until late March, and not just when the roads are icy or covered in slush and snow.”
As well as fitting a mix of new, budget, mid-range and premium cold weather tyres to cars and vans – ATS Euromaster also re-fitted tens of thousands of winter tyres purchased the previous year. The company makes it easy for customers to change tyres, offering to store part-worn ‘out-of-season’ tyres in its tyre hotels.
The direct benefits of cold weather tyres start as soon as the temperature drops below seven degrees Celsius, when the performance of regular ‘summer’ tyres deteriorates. As a result of the cold, the rubber becomes harder and less ‘elastic’. This means that the tyres suffer from reduced grip and braking ability, and offer a less comfortable ride.
About ATS Euromaster
Birmingham-based ATS Euromaster Ltd is part of the Euromaster Group, which operates in 17 European countries with 11,271 employees in more than 2,000 service centres. Established in Great Britain since 1964, ATS Euromaster has more than 350 centres (a mixture of retail, comprehensive and truck locations), approximately 900 mobile service vans and employs in excess of 2,600 people, providing coverage nationwide. It is the largest comprehensive tyre distributor supplying tyres for everything from cars and vans to trucks, coaches, forklifts, farm machinery and construction plant. ATS Euromaster was the first national tyre expert to be accredited by both SAFEContractor and the Contractors Health and Safety Scheme (CHAS), and also holds the Silver Award for Occupational Health & Safety from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. The company’s technicians are amongst the most highly trained in the fast-fit industry, offering a comprehensive range of products and services including tyres, wheels, fleet inspections, nitrogen inflation, brakes, batteries, shock absorbers, oil, exhausts, fault diagnostics, air-conditioning servicing, scheduled maintenance servicing and MOT testing. Further information is available from www.atseuromaster.co.uk
Note to editor: For press information please contact Faye McBride or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467.
ATS/453/13
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