2014 Editions Archives - Page 4 of 15 - Tire Review Magazine
What’s New With Super Wide Tires?

One tire replacing two tires has many budget benefits for a truck fleet, including improv­ed fuel economy, weight savings and improved brake cooling, not to mention the elimination of dual tire match­ing concerns and, of course, reduced tire and wheel inventory. Drivers consistently report that they like the way the tires feel on the road,

3 Reasons To Push New Shocks & Struts for Vehicles

One ride control manufacturer estimated that 80% of vehicles in junkyards still have their original shocks or struts. Part of the reason is that selling shocks and struts is difficult – even on a good day. It is an item that when it wears, it doesn’t cause the vehicle to stop running, and the driver

Servicing Variable-Assist Power Steering Systems

Variable-assist, variable-rate or variable-effort power steering is used on a growing number of vehicles. Variable assist is a way of providing the best of both worlds: finger-tip parking maneuverability at low speed, and reduced assist at higher speeds for greater stability and road feel. As a vehicle’s speed increases, less effort and assist are needed

Precision Products: Ultra-High Performance Tires (UHP)

Aston Martin, Ferrari, Bugatti, Maserati, Lamborghini…Try Subaru, Cadillac, Land Rover and Volkswagen. Over the past 10 years, those in the industry have noticed the definition of ultra-high performance tires change in size and scope. What traditionally was only fitted on Porsches and Bentleys is now regularly outfitted on Nissans and BMWs. What is the reason

Keep Off-the-Road (OTR) Tire Sales, Service Sharp

Here we are in the final quarter of 2014 and again we are all saying how fast the year has flown by. Many dealers have reported that their OTR tire businesses are up this year compared to last year, which is excellent news. But I also hear the same familiar comment: finding and retaining good

Emerging OE Tire Trends

Corporate Average Fuel Economy – better known as ‘CAFE’ – regulations were first enacted in the U.S. in 1975, in the wake of the panic-inducing Arab Oil Embargo (Google that for details). CAFE standards are still with us today, and are intended to improve the average fuel economy of cars and light trucks, and the

Of Silica and Siping

In the past decade, tire engineering has seen two new technologies overtake the industry in the form of brand new ways of cutting sipes and a brand new way of compounding tire rubber. Together, these new technologies have caused a revolution in tire engineering as complete and far-reaching as any since the introduction of pneumatic

Shiny Wheels and TPMS

Custom wheels can deliver some profitable business, but how can you best deal with TPMS sensors and legal requirements? According to NHTSA, it is against the law to intentionally disable a tire pressure monitoring system, even when switching a customer to custom wheels. In 2011, TIA reached out to NHTSA regarding scenarios that tire dealers

Taking Biz to the Streets

There’s no question about it – the world is going mobile. And so should your business. While that mostly means mobile communication like text message marketing and a mobile-friendly website, there’s another on-the-go trend infiltrating the tire industry. Mobile repair units – trucks or vans outfitted with tire repair, mounting and balancing equipment – are

Freda Pratt-Boyer Outlines 2015 Plans

I am truly honored to serve as president of the Tire Industry Association (TIA) beginning in November. I look forward to expanding upon the great work accomplished by Ken Brown, the entire board of directors, and the TIA staff. With more than 27 years in the industry, it is exciting for me to have the

Curry Branches Out With New Venture

Matt Curry has been working in the auto service and tire business since he was a teenager, even taking the role as a store manager for a major dealer before he was 20. But it wasn’t until 1998 that he and his wife, Judy, stepped out on their own, creating Curry’s Auto Service in 1998

Matt-Curry-The-Hybrid-Shop
BFG Takes on Baja With New All-Terrain Tire

The Mexican state Baja California has been the backdrop of off-road racing for many decades and hosts both the Baja 500 and Baja 1000. The sand, silt, jagged rocks, grated and winding roads – as well as steep hills – make the region a natural roller coaster, and an off-roading playground. It is in this