Above and Beyond: Knowing the Latest TPMS Technology Will Set Your Business Apart
Picking up from where we left off in August, this month, we’re going to flip to the other side of the TPMS coin and see what’s going on in the aftermarket. The aftermarket was born from the creative minds of people who were able to adapt. TPMS is no different. Instead of being afraid of
It’s Not Easy Being Single
I sometimes wonder how our industry ever managed the leap of faith it took to convert from gasoline to diesel engines or from tube-type to tubeless tires. Having lived through much of the latter example, I remember several key observations. The performance and cost-savings advantages of tubeless tires were obvious early on, especially to tire
Treadwear 101
There is much to consider when purchasing tires – including brands, tread designs and casing types. Casing types fall into two categories of performance: hard (Tier 1) and soft (Tier 2). Original treadlife and casing durability/retreadability are the basic Tier 1 values, while ride/handling, traction, stone holding, casing size (for retread interchangeability and dual matching)
Partner in Growth: Focus on Cost Reduction, Service to Squeeze Profits Out of Ag Tire Market
The last two years set records in the agricultural history book. Unprecedented farm income growth, high commodity prices and unrelenting production demands in 2004 and 2005 resulted in strong equipment sales. And, those strong farm implement sales boosted the ag tire replacement market. But, the pendulum, now, is swinging the other way. According to the
Risk and Readiness: Lessen Your Liability By Knowing the Limits of Big Tires and Wheels
Just when we thought tire sizes had reached their low-profile limit, just when we thought tire widths were shrinking engine-bay requirements, we started learning how little we actually know. SUVs and light trucks became the “spotlight” ride of the 1990s and 21st Century. In 1996, Ford introduced the Expedition, and later, the Lincoln Navigator, and
Plus Sizing Perils: TPMS Adds More Complexity to Aftermarket Tire/Wheel Installation
Over the next couple of months, I’ll be tackling the issue of how tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) affect the aftermarket and discussing strategies that can help tire dealers protect themselves and their customers. First off, what does NHTSA say about TPMS and aftermarket tire and wheel installation? Here is the excerpt from the latest
Growth Opportunities Still Require Vigilance
Lately, there has been a lot of information about the influx of new equipment to the trucking industry. The combination of more stringent 2007 federal emissions requirements and a generally healthy freight volume have produced robust new vehicle orders for both power units and trailers. Certainly, some of these truck orders reflect a pre-buy to
Selling Safety: Security, Fuel Economy Benefits May Help Consumers Understand TPMS
There’s an old television commercial that starts: “How do you spell relief?” Thinking about tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) instead of stomachs, a tire dealer might ask himself or herself: “How do I spell opportunity?” Try S-A-F-E-T-Y! That’s some of the philosophy being used as a selling tool for TPMS by Mountain View Tire and
Same But Different: Commercial Light Truck Tire Features Changing; Customer Concerns Steady
A decade ago, you could cover 80% or more of the commercial light truck tire market with six sizes, all of them 16 inches. “That is changing,” says John Soule, manager of Michelin brand light truck tires at Michelin North America (MNA). “We are now in the middle of a sizing transition that is bringing
Tread Talk: Worn Tires Have a Lot to Say – If You Know How to Listen
What happens when you turn on your TV set? Within 30 minutes, some health nut is telling you to listen to your body. “Your body will tell you what to do,” says an artificially tanned head on a rippling, hard body. Trouble is, our bodies are crying out for pizza, desserts and other cholesterol-choked foods.
New and Improved: New Rides Rolling Off the Lots Bring New Bolt Patterns and Offsets
Based on the tremendous response we received from the Performance Training Guide launched in May, we’ve developed another unique tool designed to give you a winning edge. Starting this month, and appearing semi-annually, I’ll be covering new vehicle and wheel applications data that will help you get the most from your sales and installation team.
Don’t Miss the Fine Points
The words “training” and “safety” should be closer in the dictionary, since training creates knowledge of new information, and information is the key to safety. This is especially true in a workplace where mechanical items, specialized tools, and a wide variety of equipment is routinely encountered. Trucks and their subsystems, including tires and wheels, provide