Vehicle and Trailer Tyre Replacement Policy Version
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Vehicle and Trailer Tyre Replacement Policy Version 4.1 Date: 1st March 2021 Review Date: 1st March 2022 Owner Name Ruth Silcock Job title Head of Fleet Supply & Demand Mobile 07894 461702 Business units covered This policy applies to all Royal Mail Group vehicles. RM Fleet Policy document – Vehicle and trailer tyre replacement policy Page 1 of 13 Contents 1. Scope 2. Introduction 3. Policy 4. Responsibilities 5. Consequences 6. Change control 7. Glossary 8. References 9. Summary of changes to previous policy Appendix 1 Tread Type Positioning Appendix 2 Example of Re-torque Stamp RM Fleet Policy document – Vehicle and trailer tyre replacement policy Page 2 of 13 1. Scope This policy covers all vehicles and trailers used within RM Group. 2. Introduction 2.1 Tyre condition It is important for drivers, managers and technical staff to understand the legal requirements for tyre condition. Several regulations govern tyre condition. Listed below is a basic outline of the principal points: • Tyres must be suitable* for the vehicle/trailer it is being fitted to and they must be inflated to the correct pressures as recommended by either the vehicle or tyre manufacturer . *Suitability = correct size, correct load specification, speed rating and direction if applicable • No tyre shall have a break in its fabric or cut deep enough to reach or penetrate the cords. No cords must be visible either on the treaded area or on the side wall. No cut must be longer than 25 mm or 10% of the tyre’s section width, whichever is the greater. • There must be no lumps, bulges or tears caused by separation of the tyre’s structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber or deformation of the tread pattern. • Operators, drivers and maintenance staff must ensure that tyre tread depths exceed minimum legal tolerance at all times and the correct pressures are maintained at all times. • The tyre pressure must be checked and adjusted as indicated on the tyre pressure decal, which are aligned to individual manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure. 2.2 Minimum tread depths 2.2.1 Cars, Vans & Passenger carrying vehicles not exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW or 9 seats For cars and vans having a maximum gross weight of 3500kg or less, the legal minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6 mm and must form a continuous band covering the central three quarters of the tread width area and over the whole circumference of the tyre. There are raised ribs (wear bars) in the groove of the tyre to help measure wear. These are spaced out around the circumference of the tyre and indicate when the tyre is at or near to its legal minimum limit. 2.2.2 Goods & Passenger carrying vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW or 9 seats including trailers For vehicles, including trailers, having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500kg, the legal minimum tread depth is 1 mm and must form a continuous band covering the central three quarters of the tread width area and over the whole circumference of the tyre or if the grooves of the original tread pattern did not extend beyond the three quarters of the tread width area, any groove which showed in the original tread pattern must have a minimum depth of 1mm. This excludes the sipes - the very fine slots which appear around the circumference of the tyre. 2.2.3 Motor cycles and Mopeds Motor cycle and moped tyres must have a legal minimum tread depth of 1mm and must form a continuous band covering the central three quarters of the tread width area and a visible tread pattern of the remaining quarter, over the whole circumference of the tyre. RM Fleet Policy document – Vehicle and Trailer Tyre Replacement Policy Page 3 of 13 Classified: RMG – Internal 3. Policy 3.1 Tyre replacement policy • All vehicles will have their tyres replaced based on the following tread depths and prior to the minimum legal tread depths being reached. • Where the vehicle’s tyre depth has gone below the RM minimum tread depth, but remains legal to drive then an appointment with the nearest or any external contractor used for tyre services, where appropriate, should be made to have the tyres replaced prior to their reaching the minimum legal tread depth – the vehicle may be used whilst the tyres remain legally compliant. Vehicle type Legal minimum tread Royal Mail replacement depth policy All vehicles not exceeding 3.5 tonnes 1.6 mm 2.0 mm GVW or 9 seats Vehicles (incl trailers) exceeding 3.5 1.0 mm 2.0 mm tonnes GVW or 9 seats 75York Double Deck Trailers 1.0 mm 3.00 mm Motor cycles and Mopeds 1.0 mm 1.0 mm Tyres will also be replaced where - • The tyre has a break in its fabric or cut deep enough to reach or penetrate the cords. No cords must be visible either on the treaded area or on the side wall. • There is a cut longer than 25 mm or 10% of the tyre’s section width, whichever is the greater. • There is lump, bulge or tear caused by separation of the tyre’s structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber or deformation of the tread pattern. Tyres over 10 years old - • From 1 February 2021 new legislation was introduced. • Tyres fitted to STEER Axles on all LGVs over 3.5tonne, Buses, Coaches and ALL single wheels on minibuses (9-16 seats) must be less than 10 years old. • The date of manufacture is normally stamped on one side of the tyre. • When completing the vehicle tyre inspection, the size, rating and date must be checked and highlighted with a yellow crayon (this will show its been checked if presenting the vehicle) and the date of the tyre entered on the Vehicle Inspection sheet. • If the date is not legible on an LGV steer axle, the tyre must be replaced. • If the date is not legible due to be being twinned on a drive axle, then a note must be made on the Vehicle Inspection Sheet that it cannot be checked. • If a tyre is 9 years old, it must be replaced. • This check must also take place and be recorded for trailers, although they are not in- scope of MOT or roadside prohibition, they may incur an advisory notice. RM Fleet Policy document – Vehicle and Trailer Tyre Replacement Policy Page 4 of 13 Classified: RMG – Internal 3.2 Replacement tyre standards 3.2.1 New tyres Will comply with current legislation and manufacturing standards and, will be of the correct size, correct load specification and speed rating for the vehicle to be fitted. 3.2.2 Re-grooved (re-cut) tyres Heavy goods vehicles tyres (including Trailers) are designed to be re-grooved, thus extending the overall life of the tyres. Re-grooving, where appropriate is a specialised task and will be undertaken by suitably trained RMF staff or tyre supplier, ensuring the re-grooved tyre remains legal and without any exposed cords. The best practice denotes that they should be re-grooved when the tyre tread is between 2 & 4mm. It is industry good practice and Royal Mail Policy that the retread or re-grooved tyres are permissible on semi-trailers and 7.5 tonne GVW vehicles & above and, shall be fitted only to second steer axle and drive axles only. Note: The only exception to this is that the Double Deck (DD) 75 york trailers must not be fitted with either re-grooved or remould tyres. 3.2.3 Retread (remould) tyres Vehicles Where the cost of retread tyres to Royal Mail offers a significant advantage compared to new tyres purchased under a National Contract, the use of retreads will be introduced. This should be a “Bead to Bead” remould only. “Top Cap” remoulds are not to be fitted. Should a retread tyre be fitted to a vehicle it should only be fitted to the second steer and drive axle. On vehicle breakdowns it is advised that the contractors only fit new first life tyres on steer axle and retread to drive axle. Trailers With the exception of Double Deck trailers, all other trailers should be fitted with re-tread or re- grooved tyres. On trailer breakdowns it is recommended that contractors only fit the new first life tyres when the re-tread or re-grooved tyres are not available. 75 York Double Deck trailers These must always be fitted with Premium branded tyres. The spare tyre & wheel on the DD trailer should also be checked during the scheduled inspection routine for condition & correct tyre pressure and to ensure that it is not a re-tread or a re-grooved tyre fitted to the spare, Straight Frame Double Decks Trailers These must always be fitted with mid-range or premium tyres. (Re-grooved tyres are acceptable). 3.2.4 Tread positioning All vehicles of 7.5 tonnes GVW and above, including trailers shall be specified with steer, traction or in respect of trailers low rolling resistance type tyres. Care shall be exercised, in the event of wheel changing, to position these tyres correctly with attention to tyre tread depths. A maximum of up to 10% tread depth variance should be permitted when tyres are fitted in a pair. RM Fleet Policy document – Vehicle and Trailer Tyre Replacement Policy Page 5 of 13 Classified: RMG – Internal Note: it is quite acceptable to use a re-grooved steer axle tyre on the second steer axle only and a re-grooved drive axle tyre to the rear of a motive unit or rigid 7.5 tonne vehicles and above.