Moving Marvels: Tire Innovations: A Look Back, a Step Forward
From the four full-ply poly bias tires of the early to mid-1960s to the carbon-fiber-enhanced radials complete with Kevlar belts and multiple compound tread designs of the 21st century, we’ve come a long way in a relatively short time. A glance in the rear-view mirror shows that our great industry has been foolish at times
All-Season Debate: Is There Still a Need for Dedicated Winter and Summer Tires?
Thirty years ago, everyone could describe a snow tire – big, knobby, luggy tires with lots of void areas. They weren’t sophisticated, they used the same compounds as regular passenger tires and they were okay for the market at that time. But, they were noisy and wore out quickly in the heat of summer if
Happy Returns?: While RFID Technology Steadily Matures, ROI Questions Persist
Sure, hybrid-powered cars, light trucks and SUVs will save us money at the pump. Yet we pay a premium price for a hybrid vehicle. That’s what we call a “conundrum.” Though we save a few bucks on the family budget, we must pay for that privilege. And that extra dough we’re saving may not be
Perfect Circle?: Out-of-Round Tires, Though Rare, Deserve a Second Look
We didn’t say much when they took the fat out of our ice cream and cholesterol out of our potato chips. Even the sweet taste in our iced tea probably isn’t sugar. Sometimes we don’t pay much attention to the changes taking place right under our noses. Take out-of-round tires, for instance. We used to
Real Balancing Act: Phasing Out Lead Wheel Weights May Change Balancing Forever
If you missed the news, it’s no longer legal to use lead wheel weights in Europe. So, what should that mean to you? Start planning now for the same thing to happen here. Already, wheel-weight maker Perfect Equipment Co. is producing zinc clip-on and steel adhesive wheel weights for GM, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler vehicles being
Lead the Charge: Hybrid Vehicles Need Hybrid Care – So Be the Local Expert
No sense in ignoring hybrid vehicles any longer. They’re here to stay. They are not a trend. Every year since 2000, the sale of hybrid vehicles in the U.S. has doubled. According to ABI Research, by 2006, sales of hybrid vehicles will account for 10% of the two million mid-size vehicles sold annually in the
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,
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
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.
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
Back to Basics: Part 1: Beads and Sidewalls and What They Add to Performance
Did you know entry-level tire construction engineers, compounders and designers aren’t allowed to touch a new tire for a year or two? That’s because tire design and development isn’t part of any college curriculum. The making of a competent tire engineer isn’t the job of a college professor. That task belongs to veteran tire company
Winter Tire Blues: Auto Advances Add Complexity to Winter Tire Servicing
The snowflake branded on the sidewall of a winter tire isn’t there for decoration. The designation means the tire addresses three winter driving concerns: traction, cornering and braking. “Put on a set of today’s winter tires, and driving in the winter becomes irrelevant.” That’s a direct quote from long-time tire test driver Bob Strange, who