Changing tyre type on a company car
Discussion
I'm waiting for an answer from my work fleet team on this but thought I'd see if anyone had experience or thoughts in the meantime.
I got a company car a couple of months ago and am contemplating changing the Hankook summer tyres for some all season tyres - either CrossClimate2 or Continental AllSeasonContact2.
Tyre replacement when worn or damaged is part of my company car deal through Lex but I wondered, is it usually allowed to change tyre type like this on a company car? Willing to do this at my expense of course.
My main question is what happens in the future if one of the all season tyre wears down or gets damaged, and needs replacing. Would I be able to get another all season tyre put on, even if they aren't original to the car, perhaps paying the difference if they are more expensive than summer tyres? Looks to be about a £30 or so difference compared to the type of summer tyre on there currently.
Any experience of anyone who has done something similar greatly received while I wait for the answer!
I got a company car a couple of months ago and am contemplating changing the Hankook summer tyres for some all season tyres - either CrossClimate2 or Continental AllSeasonContact2.
Tyre replacement when worn or damaged is part of my company car deal through Lex but I wondered, is it usually allowed to change tyre type like this on a company car? Willing to do this at my expense of course.
My main question is what happens in the future if one of the all season tyre wears down or gets damaged, and needs replacing. Would I be able to get another all season tyre put on, even if they aren't original to the car, perhaps paying the difference if they are more expensive than summer tyres? Looks to be about a £30 or so difference compared to the type of summer tyre on there currently.
Any experience of anyone who has done something similar greatly received while I wait for the answer!
My last company car was through Lex, it was a Ford Kuga which came with Hankook tyres as OEM fitment.
Tyres were replaced via KwikFit. It was the usual that if I took the car in the tyres were ‘borderline lethal’, except when they found it was a Lex lease car and ‘they’ll be good for a few more thousand miles Sir’.
They were always replaced with the original spec tyres.
Tyres were replaced via KwikFit. It was the usual that if I took the car in the tyres were ‘borderline lethal’, except when they found it was a Lex lease car and ‘they’ll be good for a few more thousand miles Sir’.
They were always replaced with the original spec tyres.
I had a colleague who did a lot of miles, all over the country.
Her parents were concerned about the amount of travelling she did, especially in winter, so were adamant that she use winter tyres.
She therefore spoke to the lease company (Lex IINM) who were happy to allow them to be fitted, providing they were compatible with manufacturer recommendations of course and that they were funded in full by the driver.
Anything to do with tyres from that point were her (my colleague's) responsibility - punctures/wear & tear/etc - until she handed the car back.
Her parents funded the whole thing btw.
Her parents were concerned about the amount of travelling she did, especially in winter, so were adamant that she use winter tyres.
She therefore spoke to the lease company (Lex IINM) who were happy to allow them to be fitted, providing they were compatible with manufacturer recommendations of course and that they were funded in full by the driver.
Anything to do with tyres from that point were her (my colleague's) responsibility - punctures/wear & tear/etc - until she handed the car back.
Her parents funded the whole thing btw.
The company I worked for would only replace tyres at the legal minimum.
As I was doing IRO 50K miles per annum in all weathers this did not appeal to my sense of self preservation.
As it happened whenever with about 3mm left I would go to Kwikfit having noticed a screw in the tread, naturally very close to the sidewall,
KF would soon notice another screw in the other tyre on that axle
The tyres being unrepairable had to be changed.
I may or may not have had a cordless screwdriver and a few screws in my bag........
As I was doing IRO 50K miles per annum in all weathers this did not appeal to my sense of self preservation.
As it happened whenever with about 3mm left I would go to Kwikfit having noticed a screw in the tread, naturally very close to the sidewall,
KF would soon notice another screw in the other tyre on that axle
The tyres being unrepairable had to be changed.
I may or may not have had a cordless screwdriver and a few screws in my bag........
Interesting points raised.
I have a company provided van, fully maintained etc and their tyre policy has never really sat well with me. My first van was issued used with an eclectic mix of unbranded, various depth nonsense and you could tell more so through the damp, cold wet months and in slush etc it was borderline lethal. I had it back in several times to check alignment etc as it was so vague n lower grip surfaces, it was borderline comical.
Thankfully it had the decency to destroy it's clutch which in turn meant I was fast tracked in to a new van, an EV but it arrived on four new Michelin Agilis, albeit a summer biased tyre. This was fine, new, premium tyres along with a van that no longer moved down the road like a drunk gorilla was a much better place to rack up miles. However, said tyres along with the weight / instant torque of the EV meant winter saw a few squeaky bum moments and recently the van was completely thwarted by some wet grass.
The company policy was to fit any old garbage lying around, a tyre is a tyre right? I've raised the point a few time stating I'd pay the difference between their cheapest nonsense and a decent tyre, ideally an all season tyre given a the nature of the driving and the conditions I face. Recently, it was announced that "winter tyres" would be authorised for those of use who regularly drive on untreated roads, but only those deemed to need them. Which again, doesn't sit well with me... potentially we all drive on such roads and it only takes one incident.
And rest assured, when the time comes the the current Michelins need replaced on the front (currently 4mm, bring on a Scottish winter on them...!) and assuming my plight is heard and they do agree to winters, they'll be some sort of cheap horrible things and fitted on the front axle only. which will be interesting. And come the warmer months, cheap winters will be brilliant...
I run all seasons on both cars and have done for years... going from them into my work van, the difference in available grip is significant. I have noted a few major companies run all seasons, British Gas, the Royal Mail and a few of the supermarkets run all season tyres, mostly Michelin Agilis Cross Climate or similar. Having briefly driven for Asda in the Scottish borders during some pretty severe weather, the most appropriate tyres for the task in hand could be considered a life saving addition. But they're dearer... and sadly that's usually what matters most.
I have a company provided van, fully maintained etc and their tyre policy has never really sat well with me. My first van was issued used with an eclectic mix of unbranded, various depth nonsense and you could tell more so through the damp, cold wet months and in slush etc it was borderline lethal. I had it back in several times to check alignment etc as it was so vague n lower grip surfaces, it was borderline comical.
Thankfully it had the decency to destroy it's clutch which in turn meant I was fast tracked in to a new van, an EV but it arrived on four new Michelin Agilis, albeit a summer biased tyre. This was fine, new, premium tyres along with a van that no longer moved down the road like a drunk gorilla was a much better place to rack up miles. However, said tyres along with the weight / instant torque of the EV meant winter saw a few squeaky bum moments and recently the van was completely thwarted by some wet grass.
The company policy was to fit any old garbage lying around, a tyre is a tyre right? I've raised the point a few time stating I'd pay the difference between their cheapest nonsense and a decent tyre, ideally an all season tyre given a the nature of the driving and the conditions I face. Recently, it was announced that "winter tyres" would be authorised for those of use who regularly drive on untreated roads, but only those deemed to need them. Which again, doesn't sit well with me... potentially we all drive on such roads and it only takes one incident.
And rest assured, when the time comes the the current Michelins need replaced on the front (currently 4mm, bring on a Scottish winter on them...!) and assuming my plight is heard and they do agree to winters, they'll be some sort of cheap horrible things and fitted on the front axle only. which will be interesting. And come the warmer months, cheap winters will be brilliant...
I run all seasons on both cars and have done for years... going from them into my work van, the difference in available grip is significant. I have noted a few major companies run all seasons, British Gas, the Royal Mail and a few of the supermarkets run all season tyres, mostly Michelin Agilis Cross Climate or similar. Having briefly driven for Asda in the Scottish borders during some pretty severe weather, the most appropriate tyres for the task in hand could be considered a life saving addition. But they're dearer... and sadly that's usually what matters most.
Davie said:
But they're dearer... and sadly that's usually what matters most.
I had a 3 series provided by a well known UK lease operator. When I needed tyres for the first time, the worn Conti Sports were replaced by a budget brand and me paying the difference for a premium brand was greeted with a "computer says no" stonewall I lost interest in circumventing - going off piste on any repair or maintenance item would have potential insurance ramifications, even if a trained monkey could see that it would be for the better. After I left the next cost cutting exercise that I heard about was that every fleet car would be serviced by an independent chain rather than the respective dealer.
Thank you all for your points, really interesting to read. I'm still waiting to hear back from Lex but I suspect the answer will be, you're free to fit all season tyres but if you do, you're on your own in terms of replacing them when worn/damaged.
I might bite the bullet and do it in that case. I live among the Pennines so when the weather turns, it can sometimes be interesting getting around. The car is a Skoda Enyaq so a heavy, RWD EV so I'm sure that has potential to add to any difficulties!
Also, minor point but I do find the Enyaq a fairly firm ride at times and I'm aware that all seasons can add some comfort in that sense, so it might be worth it for that point too!
I might bite the bullet and do it in that case. I live among the Pennines so when the weather turns, it can sometimes be interesting getting around. The car is a Skoda Enyaq so a heavy, RWD EV so I'm sure that has potential to add to any difficulties!
Also, minor point but I do find the Enyaq a fairly firm ride at times and I'm aware that all seasons can add some comfort in that sense, so it might be worth it for that point too!
maurice28 said:
The car is a Skoda Enyaq so a heavy, RWD EV so I'm sure that has potential to add to any difficulties!
Interestingly, a lot of the time a company / fleet stance for driving in winter conditions is to helpfully throw you a set of those crappy snow socks and tell you they're the answer to your issues if you get stuck. To be honest, I'd rather not get stuck in the first place if possible and snow socks won't help stop you turning into a 2 ton sledge on a low grip slope. I buried a fully laden Asda Sprinter in the Lammermuirs a few years back. I'd wisely decided the snow was getting too bad and turned round and was doing ok on the all seasons, slowly picking my way along an exposed moor road.., then the back slipped sideways a mere few inches and that was it. Stuck, whiteout, sub zero temperatures... who was coming to help me up there? Thankfully, a local farmer did but from there on I decided self preservation would take priority over fulfilling any task my employer set.
For once I am with the Germans on tyre safety.
I believe it is illegal to drive a car in winter in Germany on summer tyres.
It was even 40 years ago.
I did a stocktake at an electronics warehouse back in the 1980s and saw the stack of tyres in the corner of the building.
I asked if I should include them in the stock (jokingly).
The legal need to change tyres twice a year was explained to me, with amazement on their part that we in the UK didn't do the same.
I believe it is illegal to drive a car in winter in Germany on summer tyres.
It was even 40 years ago.
I did a stocktake at an electronics warehouse back in the 1980s and saw the stack of tyres in the corner of the building.
I asked if I should include them in the stock (jokingly).
The legal need to change tyres twice a year was explained to me, with amazement on their part that we in the UK didn't do the same.
Riley Blue said:
QBee said:
The legal need to change tyres twice a year was explained to me, with amazement on their part that we in the UK didn't do the same.
Our winters tend to be wetter and warmer than Germany's.There's nothing like hitting a river running across the A1 at speed in heavy traffic to make one appreciate the value of a set of Rainsports on all 4 corners
Jader1973 said:
Ask your fleet department what their documented Risk Assessment is for driving in winter on summer tyres, and whether that's been reviewed by corporate H&S.
That might prompt an “oh s
t” moment.
Fixed that for you, particularly as the HSE are starting to regard collisions while driving for work as within their purview. That might prompt an “oh s
t” moment.Thought I'd update this, in case anyone is particularly interested. I heard back from Lex, who will authorise the changing of the tyres from summer to winter or all-season.
This comes with a cost for the existing tyres - the email says "All-season tyres should always be fitted in a full set, therefore if any of the tyres being removed have more than 2mm of remaining tread the customer will be recharged for the unused tread. Any recharge will be based upon 17% of the cost of the new tyre for every 1mm of remaining tread above 2mm."
The summer tyres on the car are fairly new - at a total estimate, say they each have 6mm of tread left. If the new all-season tyres (I've been looking at CrossClimate2s) are £200 average each, I estimate the recharge cost to be 17% of 200 (£34) x 4, so £136 per tyre. This would make the recharge cost about the same of just buying the all-seasons myself (although doing it through Lex means they are covered for replacement).
Anyway, waiting for the actual quote and details to come through, then I can decide what to do for the best. It's a pertinent question though, with snow forecast for tonight, so the weather is turning!
This comes with a cost for the existing tyres - the email says "All-season tyres should always be fitted in a full set, therefore if any of the tyres being removed have more than 2mm of remaining tread the customer will be recharged for the unused tread. Any recharge will be based upon 17% of the cost of the new tyre for every 1mm of remaining tread above 2mm."
The summer tyres on the car are fairly new - at a total estimate, say they each have 6mm of tread left. If the new all-season tyres (I've been looking at CrossClimate2s) are £200 average each, I estimate the recharge cost to be 17% of 200 (£34) x 4, so £136 per tyre. This would make the recharge cost about the same of just buying the all-seasons myself (although doing it through Lex means they are covered for replacement).
Anyway, waiting for the actual quote and details to come through, then I can decide what to do for the best. It's a pertinent question though, with snow forecast for tonight, so the weather is turning!
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