Get the Most Out of Tire Service Trucks
Tire service trucks can be a profitable customer service solution for an independent tire dealer – if the dealer selects the right truck. According to a service body manufacturer and a coordinator for a road service fleet, the following are points to consider when purchasing a vehicle to serve commercial truck, OTR, industrial and agricultural
Follow Safety Recommendations to Keep Lifts Up and Running
The safety of any vehicle lifts in your shop should not be taken for granted. It is important for technicians and dealer managers to inspect vehicle lifts regularly. “Maintaining a safe and efficient repair shop is everyone’s responsibility,” explains a marketing director for a major lift manufacturer. “Technicians should check their lifts every day, and
Tire Changer Options Fit a Variety of Needs
One of the most important pieces of equipment in any tire shop, the tire changer can be a simple, welded steel-tube device to raise a tire and wheel to comfortable work height up to a nearly fully automated tire-changing robot. While manual, portable tire changers can still be purchased for $50, the most feature-laden automatic
Consider Benefits When Choosing a Marketing Group
Tire dealers have a lot to occupy their attention every day: employee issues, marketing plans, advertising, technology, government regulations, inventory and cash flow, to name just a few. There never seems to be enough time to manage everything effectively. Fortunately, marketing groups exist to offer assistance that can help dealers pull everything together. With offerings
Can You Lift It? What You Need to Know Before Losing Money
You can only make a few mistakes (see photo) with a lift before it costs more than the lesson is worth. What you don’t know can hurt you if you are using or even buying a lift. The first thing any tech must do is to know what they are lifting. If possible, look at
Modern Balancers Offer Advanced Features
Proper tire/wheel assembly balancing is important for vehicle safety. Balanced tires can mean the difference between a positive and negative driving experience. Especially in high-speed driving, improperly balanced tire/wheel assemblies can cause a vehicle to lose stability and operate in an unsafe – and uncomfortable – manner. Vibration, the most noticeable effect of imbalance, often
More Demands Placed on Today’s Batteries
Vehicles today are equipped with advanced electronics that demand greater dual-purpose performance from the vehicle’s battery. Traditional wet-flooded, openly vented batteries can be either starting-lighting-ignition (SLI) non-deep-discharging or a deep-cycle type that gives up significant cold-cranking amps (CCA). Absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries promise longer life and greater capacity in the same size for starting
Use Quality Wheel Bearings and Seals to Please Customers
Sealed hub assemblies and sealed wheel bearings have become the OE standard for wheel ends in most vehicles. To meet customer expectations for extended warranties, OEMs have replaced the traditional two-piece caged bearing and seal sets with factory-sealed units to maximize bearing life. These units last longer, but inherently cost more to manufacture. Because the
Specialized POS Software Available For Tire Dealers
Point-of-sale (POS) front-counter software used to be distinct from that employed for accounting and other “back office” duties. Now the trend is to integrate the functionalities of both into a seamless, all-encompassing enterprise system that facilitates any marketing task imaginable and is completely customizable to the individual user. The choices can be overwhelming, so it’s
Proper Workplace Hand Protection Required
One could argue that a technician’s most valuable tools are his or her hands. Without them, turning wrenches, squeezing air gun triggers or smoothing a tire repair are almost impossible. As important as they are, hands don’t always receive the proper care and protection they deserve. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, about 250,000
Tire Storage Solutions Adapt to Fit Any Space
The choice of tire racks may seem to be among the most mundane of decisions a tire dealer must make. Nevertheless, proper selection can improve access to tire inventory and also enhance safety, productivity and shop appearance. A variety of sturdy rack, stack or pallet options exist. Boltless racks allow for quick assembly with just
Consider The Customer When Purchasing an Alignment Lift
If you do wheel alignment work, you need an alignment lift for raising vehicles off the ground. A lift is essential because you have to get under the vehicle to inspect the steering and suspension before you check the alignment. You can’t align worn parts, so it’s important to always make sure the tie rod