If the Data is Right: What the Latest Numbers Mean for Tire Shops
I’m going to state the obvious: There’s a lot of data out there. What’s not always so obvious is how that data relates to your tire business. Like, consider data surrounding how is the supply chain recovering from pandemic-fueled disruptions. Does recovery mean more tires are on the way to your showrooms? And what about
How to Be Both the Mentor and Mentee
Have you ever heard of the word “mentee”? Me neither – until a few days ago, I would have guessed that “mentee” was a type of coffee or some sort of T-shirt made specifically for men. However, I couldn’t be more wrong. A mentee is a person who is trained or guided by a mentor.
An Inside Look at the Goodyear-Cooper Integration Process
A little over a year ago, Goodyear acquired Cooper Tire for $2.5 billion, promising synergies among the two companies and streamlined services for dealers. So how are they doing that? What does it take to integrate two American powerhouse tiremakers? Like you, we had lots of questions about how the companies would sort out their
Keys to Employee Retention at Your Tire Shop
You need employees to stick around at your business like this car needs gas. Without gas, this car will stagnate, stall and stop working. The same goes when employee retention at your shop is low – your business will not be able to take in as many customers because you have fewer trusted technicians. Hiring
Solving Customer Complaints About Brake Noise
Have you ever come to a stop, and as your foot hits the brake, your car starts to shake? Well, that is what we call judder. Judder is a vibration that can be felt in the seat or steering wheel, but it will not cause pulsing of the brake pedal. In this Tire Review Continental
Choosing the Right Timing Belt
When it comes to ordering a timing belt or a timing belt kit, there are a lot of choices. Different brands, prices, and quality levels can be confusing. But you have to ask yourself, “How well does the replacement belt match the original belt for materials and design?” Let’s talk materials. Most modern timing belts
How Are You Keeping Up with Technology in Your Shop?
The Tire Review Crew visited the K&M Tire Dealer Conference and Trade Show in Kansas City, and while we were there, it was our goal to get a pulse on the industry by tracking down tire dealers and asking them our most burning questions. This week, that question is: How are you keeping up with
What Does The Three Leaf Symbol Mean On Brake Pads?
If you are a shop owner or technician, you most likely have seen the three-leaf symbol on the side of a box of brake pads. But do you know what it means and why it’s there? In this Tire Review Continental Tire Garage Studio video, we will answer those questions and more. The controversy that
Auto Pros on the Road Visits STR Automotive
In this episode of Auto Pros On The Road, Joe Keene and Jacqui Van Ham visit Spencer Schaible and Ryan Melton, co-owners of STR Automotive in Mooresville, NC. Originally employees at a local family-owned business that was sold to a large repair chain, Spencer and Ryan ultimately decided to step out on their own five
The Real Cost of Cheap Brake Pads
When you look at brake pads these days, corners are being cut and products are being generalized to a highly diverse market. In this Tire Review Continental Tire Garage Studio video, we’ll tell you how to spot poor-quality brakes and what you can do about it. When we talk about brake pads, the “good enough”
Toyo Tire’s Graber: More Tires Coming for US Dealers, All-Weather is ‘Growth Segment’
When tire dealers tell you, “Keep doing what you’re doing, I just need more tires,” that’s a simple yet hard mandate to follow, especially in an environment where the supply chain is as predictable as the weather. Yet this is what Toyo Tires dealers told Michael Graber, president and CEO of Toyo Tire USA, when
Best Practices For Timing Belt Replacement
Service procedures are not suggestions. The step-by-step service procedures for a timing belt were developed for two reasons. First, the steps were developed to replicate how the timing belt was installed at the factory. Second, the procedures are developed to help technicians do the job in the least time possible. Sure, you might be able