Mobile tyre fitting in Merthyr Tydfil services have introduced convenience to customer with mobile services at their location, removing those trips to the traditional garage. Mobile tyre fitters, however, have the additional challenge when dealing with high performance and run flat tyres as they need specific tools, techniques and expertise. They go on their tyres that are intended to be more durable and faster, but, with their stiff sidewalls and a flatter than normal symmetric twin tread design, are difficult to fit. Advanced equipment, specific to manufacturer guidelines, must be used by mobile tyre fitters and specific balancing and alignment procedures must be followed by tyre fitters to maintain vehicle performance and safety. The focus of this article is the difference in how mobile tyre fitters handle high performance and run flat tyres compared to standard tyres.
Specialized Equipment for Installation and Removal
The main difference in handling high-performance and run-flat tyres lies in tools. Following on from the above, these tyres are more rigid, so conventional tyre fitting machines are not always appropriate. The high-quality tyre changers with assist arms carried by mobile tyre fitters ensure that no damage occurs when the tyres are mounted or demounted. Unlike standard tyres which are easy to remove with a simple tool, high-performance and run-flat tyres need to be removed with bead-breaking machines that apply controlled pressure in order to not cause cracking of the rim or sidewall.
Low-profile adapters are also used by mobile fitters when working with high-performance tyres. Low-profile tyres are found on many performance vehicles; because the rubber is not flexible, there is less flexing to work with when mounting into the wheel rim. Lubricants also come into play here, because they lessen resistance and avoid tearing or excessive friction, which could cause weakening of the tyre structure. Without these specialized tools, the chance of doing something wrong increases, including the safety and performance of the system.
Precision Balancing and Wheel Alignment
Handling high-performance and run-flat tyres requires balancing and alignment. But being designed like that, even a small imbalance can cause excessive vibrations, uneven tyre wear, and dangerous loss of vehicle stability at high speeds. Precision wheel balancers are used by mobile tyre fitters to make sure the weights are evenly distributed. Unlike standard tyres, high-performance tyres are much more complex and will need to be dynamically balanced, meaning that the rotation forces experienced at high speeds have to be taken into account.
In some advanced mobile fitting setups, road force balancing technology is used. It simulates the real road conditions to detect such imperfections, which can cause vibrations or uneven wear. TPMS are present on many high-performance vehicles and vehicles with run-flat tyres, all of which need to be calibrated once new tyres have been fitted.
Stiff Sidewalls and Structural Integrity Handling
The run-flat tyres are designed to keep their shape and functionality after a puncture so drivers can continue with their journey for a few miles. Their reinforced sidewalls allow the tyre to resist collapsing under the vehicle’s weight. This structural rigidity also makes them harder to remove and to fit. Run-flat tyres have sidewalls that are much more rigid than normal tyres with flexible sidewalls, and they require quite a bit of force to remove, so should the need arise, it is necessary to use a special bead-breaking tool for high-strength materials.
The stiffness of the sidewall is very important for high-performance tyres, particularly in terms of vehicle handling, particularly when cornering at high speeds. However, a bad fit can let air leak, damage the bead, or make the tyre unseated. For mobile tyre fitters, extra care is needed when inflating these tyres and the bead should seat properly without too much pressure that could damage the wheel or the tyre.
Adhering to Manufacturer-Specific Guidelines
High-performance, or run-flat, tyres tend to be more rigid as to what fitting techniques can be used, and may have manufacturer-specific guidelines they need to adhere to. Some of the leading car manufacturers, like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche, have strict protocols for tyre fitting and need to optimize performance. Mobile tyre fitters need to know these requirements: the tyres they fit need to meet the pressure levels required, be in the correct alignment from normal first, and the load ratings to meet the size or diameter of the vehicle the tyres are being fitted to.
Also, some high-performance, run-flat tyres have special valve stems and seals, and in vehicles with advanced TPMS. Mobile fitters replace these tyres and ensure they use the correct valve components so there are no air leaks or sensor malfunctions. In certain instances, manufacturers may suggest the application of approved tyre sealant in place of replacement for minor punctures, which mobile fitters will be expected to use.
Customer Advisory on Performance and Maintenance
Aside from fitting tyres, mobile fitters also help customers on how to maintain the vehicle. Run-flat and high-performance tyres are expensive things to start with and need the most care to last long. Mobile tyre fitters also educate customers on the limitations of run-flat tyres, such as they should not be driven beyond the recommended distance (usually 50 miles at a maximum speed of 50 mph) after a puncture.
