Double Hit: Improper Torque Procedures Can Damage Wheels – and Business
It’s not difficult to torque wheel fasteners properly, but it’s not difficult to foul up the job, either. We’re not using double talk here; we’re shootin’ straight from the hip. The easy part of proper wheel fastener torquing is knowing the vehicle manufacturer torque specifications for a particular passenger car, light truck or medium truck,
10 Easy Ways to Boost Sales
Here’s something you may not know: American consumers spent $46.2 billion on tires and other auto accessories in 2002, the last year in which the U.S. Bureau of Economics has accurate numbers. That figure may sound impressive, but the Bureau also reported that Americans spent even more than that on shoes. The point: Don’t take
10 Sales Smashers: Avoid These Common Missteps to Ensure Solid Sales Growth and Content Customers
Retail business can be brutal. A tire dealer can spend countless hours contemplating broad business strategy, making sure each facet of the business is in line with overall profitability goals. But you don’t sell to a plan. You have to deal with real customers who, by their nature, are fickle, demanding and unforgiving. No matter
D.C. Doublespeak: NHTSA’s Flawed TPMS Regs Lack Logic and Safety Sense
NHTSA’s Flawed TPMS Regs Lack Logic and Safety Sense
Back to Basics: Part 4: How Tread Design Impacts Wear, Traction and Noise
In the last issue, we talked about tire compounds with the promise that we would delve into the world of tread designs this time. Always fascinating is the size of the contact patch through which the tread design must roll. On an average-size passenger car tire, the contact patch is about the size of a
Brilliant Disguise: All That Glitters is Not Gold, Especially When it Comes to Tire Supply
Reviewing the state of the medium truck tire market in the spring of 2005 is enough to make a fortune teller reach for the Pepto. There is a record demand for tires, what appears to be a tightening supply of those tires (depending on who you ask), a continuing strong demand for Class 8 power
Second Skin: For Retreaders, Technology and Service are the ‘Differentiators’ in Tough Market
Wherever the market for new truck tires decides it is headed, the retreading industry is hot on its heels. Of course, that job is a bit easier for Bridgestone/Firestone, Goodyear and Michelin, because they are involved in both. But even their allocation of time and money must be measured carefully. For companies like Bandag Inc.
Back to Basics: Part 3: Compounding Can Be Dumbfounding
In the last issue of Tire Review, we talked about belt packages and left you with the promise that next time we would dig deep into the subject of rubber compounding – particularly multi-compounding. To help understand the complexities of compounding (and there are many) grab a stick of chewing gum and pull it slowly.
The Ties That Bind: How Do Successful Tire Dealers Cope When Home and Work Collide?
What if your boss is Mom or Dad? What if your closest, most trusted business partner is your brother or sister? Do you need a psychiatrist’s couch or a punching bag? Or maybe – just maybe – you don’t have a problem working with and living with relatives 24/7/365. In fact, what if just the
Back to Basics: Part 2: Tire’s Belt Package Affects Comfort, Steering, Durability
In the January issue of Tire Review, we talked about the primary role of a tire’s bead and sidewall. Now, we’re going to move to the belt package. Let’s begin with some things you probably don’t know. For example, did you know that there are more parts in a tire’s belt system and carcass than
Service or Secrets?
Do you remember Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX)? Of course not. But he was the one who introduced the Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2735) on the floor of Congress back in 2001.
Hands-on Learning: BFNAT Takes Three New Tires on the Road With Classroom on Wheels
BFNAT Takes Three New Tires on the Road With Classroom on Wheels