RAC Launches Innovative Spare Wheel To Prevent Fleet Driver Downtime

RAC is the first motoring organisation to provide all of its patrols with a unique multi-fit wheel, potentially saving fleet drivers over 229 days1 downtime per year.

RAC is the first motoring organisation to provide all of its patrols with a unique multi-fit wheel, potentially saving fleet drivers over 229 days¹downtime per year.

According to RAC's research, over a quarter of motorists surveyed said they had not replaced the spare wheel since their last puncture and 18% said that they carried a puncture repair kit, but weren't prepared for an irrepairable tyre. Another alarming result from its research is that almost one fifth of those surveyed have never checked their spare tyre for road worthiness.²

The wheel is designed to fit on to most types of vehicle to allow it to be recovered to the nearest repair centre.

Frank Flynn, information manager for RAC, said: "We are seeing a growing trend of call outs from fleet drivers with a puncture or a flat tyre, but no spare wheel, which would previously have required an additional flat-bed vehicle to be deployed.

According to Frank, one large fleet operator alone has had nearly 500 call outs in just one month for this type of breakdown, emphasizing the potential scale of the problem.

"If we cannot fix the puncture at the roadside, having no spare wheel normally means a ‘full lift' recovery is required, as transporting a vehicle any other way with one tyre completely deflated, or worse, can be very problematic, he said."

"The multi-fit wheel can provide a rapid solution to fleet customers as the wheel can be temporarily replaced and the vehicle recovered immediately to the nearest tyre specialist or dealer."

"In addition, the condition of tyres on a vehicle and the spare should be checked regularly, including the pressure and tread depth. This could prevent the fleet driver from returning to the vehicle to find a flat tyre or, even worse, experiencing a blow out on the motorway. Failing to regularly check tyres could easily lead to an accident.

"The multi-fit wheel will avoid the need to wait additional time for a recovery vehicle. As time is money, saving this downtime is likely to be welcomed by all fleet businesses," continued Flynn.

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Notes to editors

¹ RAC Fleet Vehicle Inspections data 2009 - 458 tyre/puncture call outs per month to fleet vehicles x 2 hours (one hour to attend and fix and one hour for flatbed to attend and rescue vehicle) = 916 hours downtime per month. 946 x 12 = 10, 992 hours downtime a year which equates to 458 days a year. 458 ÷ 2 (reduced need for flatbeds to attend callouts because multi-fit wheel has been introduced) = 229 days of downtime saved.

² RAC commissioned Lightspeed Research to carry out the research. Lightspeed surveyed 1,001 people on 17 April 2009.