General Product Information
How much are the Kleber products?
What is KLEBER's environmental policy?
As part of the MICHELIN brand portfolio, KLEBER adheres to the group's policy and participates in it. Our energy and recycling policy in factories is the same. On the other hand, with regard to KLEBER products; the energy consumption of our tyres is good, helping to reduce global CO2 emissions.
Could you give me some advice regarding Kleber tyres ?
You will find all our advice by clicking on the following link:
https://www.kleber-tyres.com/auto/kleber-advice
If you don't find the information you are looking for, please don't hesitate to contact us by filling out this form https://www.kleber-tyres.com/contact
Where can I find a reseller?
You will find all our points of sale by clicking on the following link: https://www.kleber-tyres.com/auto/find-a-dealer
What are your different collections / Can I have information about this product?
Feel free to consult our various collections online: https://www.kleber-tyres.com/auto/the-range
You will find all the details of our products!
What can I do if I have a problem with a tyre I just bought?
We are sorry for the problem you had with your tyre. If you made your purchase less than 30 days ago, we invite you to fill in the following form to benefit from the TRUST guarantee https://www.kleber.fr/programme-trust
Otherwise, you can also visit our website, and fill out the contact form: https://www.kleber-tyres.com/auto/contact
Hello I would like to know how long my tyres will last?
The service life and the average mileage are strongly dependent on the vehicle, the use, the conditions of use. KLEBER recommends taking into consideration 7 major factors that affect the longevity of a tyre:
some are directly controllable by the driver: inflation pressure, load transported, vehicle speed, driving style (braking and acceleration);
some are not controllable and impose an adaptation of the pipe: sinuosity of the road, type of coating, ambient temperature.
How do I know my tyres are worn?
We invite you to check the wear indicators in the middle of the tread (part of the tyre in contact with the ground). When the gum height of the remaining wear indicator reaches this mark, the tyre has reached the legal wear limit of 1.6 mm.
We strongly recommend that you change your tyres before you reach this limit. Beyond that, you put your safety at risk and you are in breach. If you wish to equip yourself, we invite you to contact your nearest reseller, which you will find here: https://www.kleber-tyres.com/auto/find-a-dealer
I'm concerned about the safety of all season tyres. Could you tell me more about this product?
Our All Season tyres were widely developped in the last couple of years in order to satisfy our costumers expectations and needs. Technical innovations were implemented and we were able to offer high quality products to our costumers, all year long. Quadraxer 3 is an excellent All Season product.
Technical information
What is fuel economy?
Calculating how far your car can go on a full tank isn’t as simple as it might seem. Two vehicles can start with the same amount of fuel and drive the same distance, but their fuel consumption upon arrival may be significantly different due to numerous factors. This is quantified in miles per gallon (mpg), which equates to approximately 4.55 litres of fuel. The higher the mpg number, the more efficient a vehicle is.
Not only does a car start off with an mpg rating, the distance your vehicle can travel varies depending on other factors such as driving style, tyres and terrain. This is why we often use the phrase “fuel economy” in terms of how the engine’s use of its fuel can be optimised.
How to reduce fuel consumption?
Understanding what cars consume the most and why is key to knowing how to improve fuel economy. As a general rule, the larger and heavier a car, the more fuel it will consume. Why?
This is down in part to a tyre’s rolling resistance. The energy needed to push your car from a standstill on a flat surface is only due to the rolling resistance of the tyres. The heavier your car, the harder you have to push, which means more energy required. But, if your car has low rolling resistance tyres, the less you will have to push.
So a simple solution for how to save fuel is to opt for a smaller, lighter vehicle. Or to make sure you only take onboard what you need!
How to improve the fuel economy of your car?
Clearly, changing one’s vehicle is not a solution for everybody. And some people don’t have the luxury of being able to compromise on car size — those with large families or equipment to transport, for example. So let’s look at how to make a full tank go further with these tips to improve mpg.
Tyre pressure
A major factor that many don’t consider when it comes to how to improve their fuel economy is the tyre choice and pressure. Tyres that don’t have the correct air pressure levels could be a source of unnecessary energy waste, so remember to check your tyre pressure regularly for optimal performance. It is also important for your safety.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance on your vehicle will ensure all the parts are functioning well and smoothly — thereby optimizing the fuel’s movement around the vehicle and preventing unnecessary energy waste. For example, making sure your engine is on tune or fixing a faulty oxygen sensor can really make a difference on mileage.
Lighten the car
To save fuel, ensure you aren’t weighing the car down with unnecessary baggage which will cause more pressure on the tyres and require more energy to overcome the rolling resistance. Check the boot: this toolkit you occasionally take to your parents’ house is an example of what doesn’t need to stay in your car every day.
Reduce drag
Most cars these days are designed with curving aerodynamic lines that help the vehicle move smoothly through the air. The more you can reduce air resistance (drag), the more you can save fuel. So if you’ve installed a roof box or bike rack, consider removing it until needed.
Plan journeys
For how to improve fuel economy before even turning on the engine, plan ahead to avoid traffic and get optimised travel routes with a GPS device or mobile app. The more you can avoid sudden braking, stops and starts, and keeping your engine running in traffic, the more miles you’ll get per gallon.
Air conditioning
Warming or cooling your car uses up energy. So before you turn up the heating another notch, consider whether you could be just as comfortable in a light jumper instead. Likewise with heated seats, the demister and other fuel-hungry appliances. Save heat to save fuel.
What is rolling resistance?
First things first, let’s be sure we understand the idea of tyre rolling resistance. As its name would suggest, rolling resistance refers to the resistance experienced by your car tyre as it rolls over a surface. The main causes of this resistance are tyre deformation, wing drag, and friction with the ground.
The higher the rolling resistance is, the more energy to overcome it is needed. Hence a considerable impact of tyre rolling resistance on fuel consumption (and on how long your tyres will last). A 30% increase in rolling resistance generates between 3 and 5% of fuel overconsumption.
Several elements have an effect on rolling resistance: tyre pressure, tread, diameter, width, or the materials used in tyres or their construction. Regarding tyre pressure for instance, studies carried out on French roads (1) have shown that more than 50% of cars run at least 0.3 bar below the required tyre pressure. This results in a considerable increase in rolling resistance: +6% for an underinflation of 0.3 bar and +30% for underinflation of 1 bar.
What is the cost of fitting tyres?
The price of fitting new tyres will vary depending on your location, tire size and requirements, such as if you’re having multiple tyres fitted or just a single one following a flat tyre. It may also vary depending if you buy your tyres at the retailer and have them fitted there, or purchase them separately.
How long does it take to change a tyre yourself?
From bumpy potholes to driving over a nail, getting stuck with a flat tyre is an unfortunately common occurrence that all drivers experience at some point. Although it’s best to get a professional to change your tyres, if you’re stuck it is possible to put on a spare one yourself or use a car tyre sealant spray before driving to a garage to get your tyre check out or replaced.
Depending on how confident you are, a punctured tyre can be changed for a spare tyre in less than 30 minutes, but make sure to take your time, and proceed safely through each step. Remember that you must only work on your vehicle in a safe, permitted location and that the vehicle and the jack must be on stable ground, the wheels chocked, the parking brake on, and in gear (or Park for an automatic), so that it cannot roll. Also, your spare wheel must be at the correct pressure, it is important to check the pressure of the spare tire regularly at every safety check with a professional. If you’re concerned, it can be a good idea to practice changing a tire in a secure location, such as when parked at home.
Before you drive anywhere, you should always make sure you have all the things you’ll need to change a spare tyre just in case. Most of these should come with your vehicle, but others are useful extras to have stored in your car trunk for a wide range of potential emergency situations, such as a flashlight or car puncture repair kit.
How far can you drive on a spare tire?
Depending on the type of spare tyre you have, they’re usually not designed to be used for a long time – or at particularly high speeds. Some car models only have space for smaller spare tyres, which shouldn’t be driven over 80 Kph as they have less traction and are less able to handle the road in poor weather. Keep in mind that your spare could also be a different season tyre from the other ones on your car.
Once the spare is fitted, visit a tyre specialist as soon as possible to make sure that the wheel is secure and for an inspection of your damaged tyre. If the spare is a Temporary Use or Space Saver spare, you must comply with the restrictions on use as described in your vehicle handbook. But as a rule, check in with your garage as soon as you’re able to for a full assessment and to replace your flat tyre with a new one.
When should car tyres be replaced?
It is strongly advised to replace your tyres after 10 years. However, if you notice that you tyre is damaged or has reached the legal tread wear limit before this period, it must be replaced. As a general rule of thumb, you should get your tyres checked by a professional every 5-6 years.
What is tyre rotation?
Tyre rotation maintenance requires swapping the position of the tyres around on a car, from front to back or side to side.
The basic reason a tyre rotation works is that tyres of all types tend to wear down at different rates. Tyres on the drive axle wear the fastest due to the transmission, power and torque. This applies to both front and rear wheel drive vehicles. The front tyres suffer the most as most cars have front wheel drive. On rear-wheel drive vehicles, it will be the other way around.
Under such circumstances, it may very well be beneficial to move the two rear wheels up to the front. It maximises their potential so that all tyres wear evenly and last longer.
When should you rotate your tyres?
Tyres should be serviced periodically following the rotation patterns provided in the vehicle's owner's manual.
You should rotate your tyres approximately every 8,000 km to 10,000 km. For some of you, this is the same time as your car's service. The right time may also be when changing from winter to summer tyres. Or simply when you buy new tyres.
When replacing just two tyres, Michelin recommends that the new or least worn tyres are fitted to the rear axle to improve vehicle control and safety. This advice applies to front and rear wheel drive vehicles fitted with the same tyre sizes front and rear.
Tyre-inflation pressures must be readjusted according to the vehicle manufacturer’s or tyre manufacturer’s recommendations.
Why would you need tyre rotation?
Using tyre rotation as preventative maintenance will help ensure your tyres wear evenly.
Different factors cause your tyres to wear:
The location of the engine in your car: if it’s positioned in the front, it is likely the front tyres will carry more weight than the rear ones. So, your front tyres will get worn out faster.
If you drive a lot on gravel roads or rocky terrain, your tyres will have an accelerated wear compared to regular urban or highway drives.
On most cars, braking is mostly applied to the front tyres, which causes extra wear compared to the ones in the back.
Bad wheel alignment is another reason for accelerated wear.
What is wheel balancing?
When we talk about wheel balancing, we are actually talking about the tyre and rim unit. A wheel can be out of balance when one area of the tyre or rim is heavier or lighter than the others. It is this unevenly distributed mass that creates an imbalance.
Wheel balancing is an intervention that aims to compensate the wheel with a mass to restore its equilibrium and make the rotation optimal.
How do wheels become unbalanced?
Often, when tyres are fitted, there is a slight imbalance in the tyre or in the wheel and these effects can actually combine to amplify the dynamic imbalance. Therefore, dynamic balancing should be carried out systematically whenever tyres are replaced or refitted.
Balancing is associated with mounting. It is systematically carried out by the professional when he or she carries out the tyre fitting for you.
Why is wheel balancing important?
If great enough, any imbalance in the wheel and tyre assembly can generate vibrations in the suspension and vehicle structure at specific speeds. Such vibrations can not only make your driving unpleasant, but also accelerate the wear of your tyre tread and other suspension components in the vehicle. Premature wear leads to increased costs as the tyre will have to be changed before its time.
Wheel balancing ensures that you will avoid the inconvenience of uncomfortable vibrations in the car and the premature expense of replacing the unevenly worn tyre.
How do I know if my wheels are out of balance?
The main signal is when you notice vibrations while driving, which cause discomfort. You may notice these vibrations in the steering wheel, the floor, the dashboard or the seats.
Imbalance is sometimes only felt when you reach certain speeds that represent natural vibrating frequencies in the suspension systems and structure of the vehicle for example.
When should you store your tyres?
If your tyres are left outside, unused for long periods of time (one month or more), their surfaces will become dry and surface cracks may appear.
It is therefore recommended to store them in a cool, dry and clean indoor environment.
Winter tyre storage
When the outside temperature rises above 7°C, the rubber of your winter tyres softens under the effect of the heat. As a result, it wears out more quickly and your tyres become less efficient. This is why it is recommended to store your winter tyres and fit your summer tyres.
Summer tyre storage
Conversely, when temperatures fall below 7°C, the rubber of summer tyres hardens, resulting in a loss of handling properties. This is the time when it becomes necessary to store your summer tyres and fit your winter tyres.
What should I do before storing my tyres?
Before removing your tyres, note their position on your car. This will allow you to properly rotate your tyres next time you mount them to ensure that they wear evenly.
Inspect each one for damage or uneven wear.
Clean your wheels and tyres with water and dry them well to limit any corrosion.
Remove any stones or debris that have been trapped in the tyre grooves.
Where to store your tyres?
Store your tyres indoors in a clean, ventilated, dry, temperate and well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and the elements.
Keep them away from any chemical substance, solvent or hydrocarbon that could alter the nature of the rubber.
Keep them away from anything that can penetrate the rubber (metal tips, wood, etc.).
Keep them away from any source of heat, flame, incandescent material, equipment that can cause sparks or electric discharges and any source of ozone (transformers, electric motors, welding sets, etc.)
Keep them away from any object that could crush the tyres.
If you store your tyres outside (recommended for a short period only), lift the tyres off the ground and use an impermeable covering with holes to prevent the accumulation of moisture.
Make sure that the surfaces on which the tyres are stored are clean and free from grease, petrol, solvents, oils or other substances that could damage the rubber.
For aesthetic reasons, if your tyres have a white sidewall or raised white lettering, store them with the white sidewall or raised white lettering facing each other. Otherwise, the black rubber may stain them.
If the tyres are on a parked vehicle for a long period of time, they should be relieved of the weight of the vehicle. Either by lifting it or by removing the tyres. Failure to do so may result in irreversible damage.
How do I know if a tyre repair is possible?
The first thing to know is that it depends on where the tyre is punctured.
In the tread area :
The tyre is repairable in most cases. Unless the puncture is too large, tyre repair is usually possible. However, it is important to remove the tyre to ensure that it is not marbled and/or damaged by driving at low pressure.
In the shoulder area :
A tyre puncture repair in this area is not possible. The tyre must be replaced.
In the sidewall :
He tyre is generally not repairable, there is a high risk that the puncture has damaged and weakened the overall structure.
There is one exception:
If the speed rating on the sidewall of your tyre does not exceed the T rating, the sidewall is repairable if the hole is 3mm or less in diameter. Beyond this index, tyre repair is strongly disadvised to avoid any safety risk.
In what case a tyre puncture in the tread area is not repairable?
When a tyre puncture occurs, there is a more or less long run-flat phase until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. When driving with a flat tyre or with low pressure, the tyre can suffer damage to the overall structure (mottling, chattering, tyre dislocation).
How does it work?
When you drive at low pressure or with a flat tyre, the sidewall crushes.
This causes deterioration in the overall structure of the tyre which can lead to several problems:
Mottling of the tyre : the tyre is marked on the inside after being crushed due to lack of air (low pressure).
Chattering of the inner rubber : pieces of rubber heat up and break off.
Dislocation of the tyre leading to its bursting.
If the carcass has been damaged, your tyre is too weak and cannot be repaired, even if the puncture was in the tread.
How can I repair a tyre?
There are three ways to repair a tyre:
With a PRP, also known as a "mushroom": this tyre repair, carried out by the professional, is the most qualitative. He dismantles the tyre, examines the inside to check for damage, taps the hole, inserts the PRP from the inside and glues it in place so as to obtain a complete seal.
With a wick: it is inserted into the tyre from the outside. This type of tyre repair is strongly disadvised because it does not involve a check of the inside of the tyre after a low pressure or flat tyre ride and assessing any damage that may have occurred.
With a patch: this is a similar process to that used to repair a bicycle inner tube. This type of repair is also not recommended because it will seal on the inside, but not between the tread and the inner rubber. There will therefore be a risk of water infiltration and oxidation of the (partly metallic) layers. If this damage occurs, it can lead to the tyre bursting.
Tyre repair kit: can it effectively repair a tyre?
A tyre repair kit generally consists of a puncture repair spray that fills a hole by injecting foam into the tyre, or a drill to fill the hole from the outside. Michelin does not recommend repairing your tyre permanently with these methods because no check of the inside of the tyre will have been made, which may expose you to the risks mentioned above.
In the event of a tyre puncture, it is also advisable to change the wheel and then take the punctured tyre to a professional for examination. If you do not have a spare tyre or if it is not usable, call a breakdown mechanic to take your vehicle to the nearest garage.
If neither is possible, then use your tyre repair kit as a last resort. This type of repair can only be temporary so that you can drive to the nearest garage where the professional will then take care of the tyre.
Is it safe to repair a punctured tyre?
Tyres can sometimes be driven at high speeds. That is why it is important that the tyre is repaired properly to ensure your safety.
A tyre repair is only safe if it is carried out properly, which is why it is important to have it done by a professional. If the tyre is found to be repairable after examination, the professional will fit the correct bead to the hole and give you a tyre that performs as well as it did before the puncture.
If the tyre has not been damaged by running flat, its life span will be exactly the same as if the tyre had not been punctured.
What tyre pressure for my car?
Checking your tyre pressure is simple and inexpensive. It is important to use the pressure recommended by the manufacturer to avoid overinflation or under-inflation.
Overinflation can lead to premature tyre wear in the centre of the tread.
Under-inflation can lead to premature tyre wear in the shoulder area. It reduces the grip qualities.
The tyre pressure recommended by your manufacturer
The pressure has been optimally defined by the manufacturer for the vehicle / tyre combination. All performances have been checked by the manufacturer with a clear objective: your safety. This is why it is imperative to consult the pressure recommended by your manufacturer for your vehicle. It is generally indicated:
- on a sticker in your driver's side door,
- in the fuel filler flap,
- or in the vehicle manual.
The recommended pressure for your front and rear tyres may not be the same. You will also see that two types of pressure are indicated:
Normalized pressure: this is the standard pressure
Loaded pressure: to be adopted when the vehicle is particularly loaded, for example when going on holiday
The pressure is indicated in the pressure unit used in the country you live in: in BAR or in PSI (1 bar = 14.50 psi).
What are the risks of incorrect tyre pressure?
The manufacturer's recommendations are essential for your safety and you should refer to them whenever you check the pressure of your tyres. Otherwise their performance may be reduced, especially in the following cases:
Endurance
Driving on underinflated tyres causes deterioration of the overall tyre structure which can lead to dislocation and/or bursting.
Aquaplaning
If below the vehicle manufacturers recommended tyre pressure, there is a sharp increase in the risk of aquaplaning.
Braking
A difference of 1 bar or 14 psi, from the vehicle manufacturers pressure recommendation can increase the braking distance on wet roads by 11 metres.
Fuel Consumption
Tyres under inflated by 14 psi (1 bar) have increased rolling resistance, which increases fuel consumption by 1 full tank of fuel per year.