Michelin launches ‘Fill up with Air’ campaign

The effects that tyre pressures have on driving are often neglected or underestimated. Changes in tyre pressure affects tyre wear, fuel consumption, handling and ride quality of your vehicle. Car makers conduct intensive R&D work to determine the tyre pressures that deliver the optimum performance for their vehicles; deviation from the prescribed values can drastically alter the car’s behaviour.

According to Michelin, three out of four cars in Malaysia have under-inflated tyres, with more than half of them at dangerous levels. Such negligence results in shorter tyre service life, and increased fuel consumption, which in turn adds millions of tonnes of carbon emissions. To raise awareness on this issue, Michelin has launched the ‘Fill up with Air’ campaign to educate car owners on the importance of maintaining the correct tyre pressure.

“Driving with the wrong tyre pressure not only drastically reduces its service life, it causes higher fuel consumption, has a negative impact on the environment and most importantly can seriously compromise safety,” said Yves Pouliquen, managing director of Michelin Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

Deliberately timed to coincide with the school holidays, the Michelin ‘Fill up with Air’ campaign roadshows will be held at the following locations:

• Tesco Melaka and Tesco Manjung, Perak (4-5 June)
• MTD Temerloh R&R (KL-bound) and MTD Gambang R&R (Kuantan-bound) (11-12 June)
• Tesco Plentong, Johor Bahru and Tesco Puchong (18-19 June)

At the roadshows, drivers of private passenger cars can drive their vehicles straight into the specially setup marquees and have their tyre pressures checked. Displays set up at the marquee are designed to emphasize the importance of regular tyre pressure checks and adjustment. As further incentive, there will also be a simple quiz, where winners will get to participate in the Michelin Pilot Experience program and drive a Formula 3 car and other super cars at the Sepang F1 circuit.

“While it is neither complicated nor expensive or time consuming to check and adjust tyre pressures, the lackadaisical attitude is certainly worrying.  The dangers associated with under inflated tyres that could potentially lead to serious accidents that put families at risk could be overcome by a simple two or three minute check once a week,” Pouliquen added.

Campaign radio station partner Traxx FM will be offering hundreds of Michelin collectibles to lucky callers participating in various call-in programs. Meanwhile, at the respective venues, the first 50 Michelin Malaysia Facebook fans to present coupons available on the Facebook page when they visit any of the venues for their tyre checks will also receive an exclusive Michelin umbrella.

More information on the ‘Fill up with Air’ campaign is also available at Michelin Malaysia <em>Facebook</em> page at http://www.facebook.com/MichelinMalaysia.

KON

Picture: Official Michelin release.

See also: Customers get motorsport taste in Michelin Pilot Experience 2010