Press release -
RAC rolls out mobile tyre-fitting service at 10 locations across the UK
Britain’s most experienced breakdown provider is launching its new mobile tyre fitting service across 10 key city and urban centres as they gear-up to deal with over 120,000 ‘puncture no spare’ breakdowns in 2014.
Together with battery and electrical faults, damaged tyres and wheels top the list of breakdowns for modern vehicles and can result in a huge inconvenience for motorists. The RAC has seen the problem compounded by the state or our roads recognised by 84% of drivers* who report that the condition of local roads is deteriorating. In 2013 the RAC dealt with 356,927 puncture and tyre breakdowns which equates to 14% of all call-outs. The added confusion of manufacturers removing the spare wheel from new cars to reduce the weight to comply with EU emission targets ensures the odds really are stacked up against drivers.
In response the RAC has recruited a team of tyre patrols to operate the fleet of 10 dedicated tyre vans which will enable them to respond to the growing number of motorists who are left stranded in the event of a puncture as 50% of new cars being sold now do not come equipped with a spare wheel as standard. Normal RAC patrols do a great job of fixing the majority of punctures at the roadside or by using the RAC’s pioneering new universal wheel, but our this new tyre-fitting service will complement the experienced patrol force.
The vans are supplied by Mercedes based on the successful Sprinter model and fitted out by the RAC’s technical team with the latest puncture and tyre-replacement equipment, a full-tool kit and stocked with a wide selection of the most popular makes and sizes. The team are supported by the RAC’s regional network of tyre suppliers and will be able to respond swiftly to tyre-related breakdowns.
RAC head of technical Phil Ryan said: “The RAC’s new dedicated fleet of mobile tyre-fitting patrols will ensure that we can respond to the growing number of members and motorists who suffer a puncture only to discover their car does not carry a spare.
Suffering a puncture is a very common problem and we wanted to be able to offer motorists an effective solution which would enable them to get back on the road in the shortest time possible.
“Our mobile tyre-fitting service will cover many of the key city and urban centres and enable us to respond at the roadside to the greatest number of tyre-related breakdowns. We have developed the service in response to demand from our members who welcome the benefit of a fast and reliable mobile replacement tyre service.
“Our normal RAC patrols do a great job of fixing the majority of punctures at the roadside or by using the RAC’s pioneering new universal wheel, but this new tyre-fitting service complements our experienced patrol force and ensures that we have the right solution for our members to keep them moving.”
In December 2013 the RAC rolled out its acclaimed universal spare wheel to all of its 1,600 patrol vehicles after a successful trial period in the South West. The RAC universal spare wheel is another key innovation to save motorists and businesses time and money. The patrol simply replaces the punctured wheel with a multi-fit wheel developed by the RAC, avoiding the timely process of towing the motorist to a tyre centre, allowing them to continue on their journey to their destination. They can then arrange for their original tyre to be repaired or replaced at their
convenience, leaving the RAC’s universal spare with the tyre centre to be collected later by the patrol.
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About the RAC
First formed in 1897, the RAC has been looking after the needs of its members and championing the interests of drivers for more than 120 years.
Today it has more than eight million members and is one of the UK’s most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, insurance, buying a used car, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information – the RAC offers a solution for all motoring needs. The RAC is committed to making motoring easier, safer, more affordable and more enjoyable for drivers and road users.
The RAC is the motorist’s champion and campaigns to support the interests of its members and UK drivers at a national level. This includes voicing concerns about the increasing cost of motoring, particularly the price of fuel and the high level of tax levied on it, advancing levels of road safety, and supporting the needs of all drivers, from young to old.
The RAC’s annual Report on Motoring – first published in 1989 – is one of a kind and provides a clear insight into the concerns and issues facing today’s motorists.
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