Toyota Tests the Temperature With Trial Winter Weather Tyre Programme

EPSOM, UNITED KINGDOM – November 26, 2010: Having the right tyres on your car when the weather turns treacherous provides more than just peace of mind, it makes a real contribution to road safety. With this in mind, Toyota has launched a trial winter weather tyre programme to help motorists be best prepared for the kind of Arctic conditions Britain has suffered over the past few years.

The pilot scheme is targeting owners of some of Toyota’s most popular models: Auris, Avensis and Corolla, plus the Dyna and Hiace light commercials. Two Toyota centres are handling fitting, Currie Motors in West London and Ron Brooks Toyota in the East Midlands.

The rubber compound used in winter weather tyres is specially formulated to maintain performance at low temperatures, ensuring braking and the operation of active safety systems, such as traction control, are not compromised. In some countries, such as Germany, they are a legal requirement during the winter months.

Steve Settle, Toyota Customer Services Director, said: “Safety is of prime importance and, following the severe winters we’ve experienced recently, there is a much greater awareness of the benefits of fitting winter weather tyres.

“We have launched our trial programme to give Toyota owners the chance to gain the right advice and professional assistance to fit appropriate tyres to their vehicle. Although this is a pilot scheme, we will be monitoring its progress closely and there is the potential for it to be expanded to other models and to centres in other regions in the future.”

Furthermore, all Toyota centres are currently offering a free winter vehicle check, which includes a safety report, checks on lights, wipers and tyre condition, screenwash and oil top-up and a visual assessment of brake condition. The offer is available until 31 December with the bonus of a free car care kit worth £35 on presentation of a voucher downloadable from Toyota’s customer web site at www.toyota.co.uk.