If a wheel sensor of the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) on the 2010 Audi Q7 senses a significant loss of air pressure in one or more tires, the sensor(s) sends signals (values) to the tire pressure monitoring antenna. The antenna transfers the values to the tire pressure control module.

Tags: Audi Q7, TPMS, TPMS Service

Mobile tagging is the process of providing data read from tags for display on mobile devices (source: Wikipedia). These are commonly encoded in a two-dimensional barcode and use the camera of a cell phone as the reader device. The content of the tag code is usually a URL for information that is addressed and accessible through the Internet.

Tags: Barcodes, Mobile barcodes, mobile tagging, QR-Codes, Wayne Croswell

MTD Presents the 19th Annual Tire Dealer of the Year Video

Don’t expect any new players in the replacement truck and bus tire market anytime soon. The United States government doesn’t seem to want them.

Tags: Bob Ulrich, CAFE standards, Editorial, EPA, Going green

Light trucks, sport-utility vehicles (SUV) and crossover utility vehicles (CUV) are on the move in more ways than one. As they shift from traditional body-on-frame construction to passenger car chassis derivatives, there is increasing demand for them — and tires that offer ride quality, durability and fuel economy.

Tags: CUV Tires, Light truck tires, SUV Tires

Nobody wants to tell a customer that a flat tire with good tread depth is junk. In fact, most drivers will accept any repair as long as the tire holds air long enough for them to get back on the road. They will even promise to get it changed out as soon as they get home, but usually return weeks later with the same tire in the same position and a mysterious case of temporary amnesia.

Tags: Kevin Rohlwing, Medium truck tires, Tire repair

Well, the digital world keeps on changing, and it’s changing at digital speed. As the digital world accelerates, it will continue to impact the retail, aftermarket sales counter like never before. We are in for some very dramatic changes!

Tags: Google, Groupon, Smartphones

What an amazing month it’s been! I have been out in the field with a whole array of independent tire dealers looking at their businesses, meeting and training their store staffs, calling on customers (wholesale to retail), visiting commercial and truck shops while talking to real technicians about their challenges and opportunities, and having executive meetings with leadership teams.

Tags: Customer service, Doug Trenary, SalesMind

If the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) on 2008-09 Dodge Ram Cab & Chassis 4500 & 5500s detects low tire pressure, the system will continuously illuminate an indicator lamp.

Tags: Dodge Ram, TPMS, TPMS Service

Uncertain European economies, the U.S. debt crisis, Congressional gridlock, 9.2% unemployment and a slumping stock market are enough to explain why consumers are putting off big ticket purchases as long as possible. Add to that, a $1,000 bill for four tires, alignment and a few other suggested repairs further shocks your customers.

Tags: Ludwig Report, Saul Ludwig