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January 31, 2011

Change is dangerous if left unmanaged  

The changes we are going to discuss in this month’s article and the next revolve around overcoming two major problems that have several contributing factors. The problems are having the necessary tires on hand and how to handle an out-of-stock situation.

Tags: Counter intelligence, Tire size proliferation, Wayne Williams

Figure 1
January 31, 2011

An avalanche of service  

The 2007-10 Avalanche’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) displays tire pressures and tire locations on the vehicle’s Driver Information Center (DIC), one of the system’s many components. Other components include a Powertrain Control Module, Instrument Panel Cluster, Remote Control Door Lock Receiver (RCDLR), a radio frequency transmitting pressure sensor in each tire/wheel assembly and a serial data circuit.

Tags: GM Avalanche, TPMS

January 31, 2011

AutoFocus: Don't dump on the dumping unit  

If you encounter a Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager minivan (up to the 2002 model year) with the left front brake locking up, see if the right rear brake is locking up as well.

Tags: ABS codes, Nissan Quest, NVH

“With unemployment around 10% — and there being no signs of it getting much better anytime soon — the recovery is fragile, in my opinion,” says analyst Saul Ludwig.
January 31, 2011

Always looking ahead  Web-Only Article

We first asked analyst Saul Ludwig to predict the future of the tire industry in our January 1973 “Facts Issue.” At the time, many independent tire dealers and investors were concerned about the growth of radial tires, and the proliferation of sizes.

Tags: Analysis, Ludwig Report, Saul Ludwig

January 27, 2011

'Hire fast, fire slow' doesn't work  

Hire slow, fire fast. That business advice is as true now as when it was first conceived.

January 26, 2011

AutoFocus: Be a Toyota leak detective  Web-Only Article

Since the start of OBD-II diagnostics, Toyota has used different ways of testing the evaporative emissions system for leaks. The most recent system, starting with 2005 model year, is used on many Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles. This system tests for leaks using an evaporative leak detection pump module that is mounted on the charcoal canister under the vehicle. The leak detection pump module reduces the total number of parts.

Tags: Engine Diagnostics, Service bays, Technicians, Underhood service

January 25, 2011

Look for tire demand and production to continue to increase  

When the last round of tire price hikes were announced last September/October, natural rubber was selling at about $1.50/lb.; today it is at $2.20/lb. There are approximately four pounds of natural rubber in a consumer tire, so that means the cost of a tire to the manufacturer has increased $2.80 just from natural rubber alone in just three months!

Tags: Ludwig Report, Saul Ludwig

January 12, 2011

AutoFocus: Cruising along  Web-Only Article

Mitsubishi’s vacuum pump-operated Auto-Cruise Control system is found on many makes and models covering a wide range of years. The system is turned on and off by depressing the auto cruise main switch. This will cause the cruise control indicator light to illuminate on the instrument cluster. Once the vehicle is above approximately 25 mph, the switch can be moved to the “Set” position. If the driver wants to increase speed, the switch can be moved to the “ACC” position.

Tags: Auto-Cruise, AutoFocus, Cruise control, Mitsubishi

December 29, 2010

AutoFocus: Learning how to 'relearn' on a cranky 2004 Chevrolet Aveo  Web-Only Article

Vehicle: 2004 Chevrolet Aveo 1.6 VIN 6 engine, automatic transmission. Symptoms: Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) was flashing with code P0300. Scan data shows no misfires and no other codes. The vehicle history shows that the engine was overheated and driven until the engine stopped running. A used engine was installed. The shop replaced the oil pan, timing belt, water pump, thermostat and housing. They also swapped spark plugs and the coil pack.

December 17, 2010

Great expectations  

Expectations were high going into last month’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. Both SEMA and the Tire Industry Association (TIA), which hosted the first-ever Global Tire Expo — Powered by TIA as part of the 2010 SEMA Show, promised to deliver an event that more effectively met the needs of tire industry exhibitors and attendees.

Tags: Global Tire Expo, SEMA Show

Hankook will introduce the Enfren Eco, its first eco-friendly tire for the North American market, next year, says Bainbridge.
December 17, 2010

Growing and green  

Hankook Tire America Corp. bills itself as the fastest-growing tire manufacturer in the United States. The company is indeed expanding at a rapid clip.

Tags: Global Tie Expo, Hankook, SEMA Show

“Our goal is to bring newer technology into our products,” says Chuck Yurkovich, Cooper’s vice president, global technical (right), with Steve Sawyer, Cooper’s director, brand/product management.
December 17, 2010

No longer a 'fast follower'  

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is bringing new tires to market more rapidly than ever in an effort to shed its reputation as a “fast follower,” according to Chuck Yurkovich, Cooper vice president, global technical.

Tags: Cooper, Global Tire Expo, SEMA Show

"Our goal is to be a top-end Chinese brand through service, fill rate, quality of product and communication,” says Sentaida International’s Max Wee.
December 17, 2010

Top-end tires from China  

Sentaida Group Co. Ltd. was born in Qingdao, Shandong, China, in 2008, during one of the most devastating recessions in United States history.

Tags: Global Tire Expo, SEMA Show, Sentaida

Schrader’s new EZ-Sensor can   be programmed using a variety of TPMS scan tools, says Wacker.
December 17, 2010

A universal TPMS sensor?  

The market now has a universal, one-size-fits-all tire pressure sensor, says Carl Wacker, global vice president of sales and marketing for Schrader International.

Tags: Global Tire Expo, Schrader, SEMA Show, TPMS

Falken Tire Corp.’s first premium ultra-high performance tire, the Azenis PT722, will be available in early March.
December 17, 2010

Tires, tires, tires!  

Amidst all of the press conferences and announcements, new tires remained the heart of this year’s Global Tire Expo/Specialty Equipment Market Association Show.

Tags: BKT, Cooper, Falken, Global Tire Expo, Greenball, Hankook, Hercules, Lexani, SEMA Show, Vredestein

The Bosch FSA 050 diagnostic tool is designed for hybrids.
December 17, 2010

Undercar and under-hood  

The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo lived up to its name during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week. From Nov. 2-4, 2,074 exhibitors showcased the best they had to offer.

Tags: AAPEX, Bosch, Global Tire Expo, Interstate Battery, Monroe, SEMA Show

December 17, 2010

'Good, better, best' is dead!  

Thirty years have brought a lot of changes, a lot of choices, a lot of complexity, and it’s moving towards chaos.

Tags: Counter intelligence, Inventories, Wayne Williams

Comments(2)

Don Nebelsick, co-owner of Don’s Tire & Supply in Abilene, Kan., has been forced to pass extra costs associated with farm tire price hikes to his customers. It hasn’t always been an easy task.
December 17, 2010

Staying power  

Last year was challenging for Don Nebelsick, co-owner of Don’s Tire & Supply, a two-outlet farm tire dealership in Abilene, Kan.

Tags: Ag tires, Don Nebelsick, Farm tires

Con-Way Truckload in Joplin, Mo., runs X One wide-base tires on all of its 2,700 tractors, says Bruce Stockton, the firm’s vice president of maintenance.
December 17, 2010

One million and counting...  

In just 10 years, the Michelin X One wide-base truck tire has gone from niche product status to widespread, mainstream acceptance, according to Michelin North America Inc. (MNA) officials.

Tags: Michelin, Wide-base truck tires, X One

Marangoni Tread North America’s Madison, Tenn., plant will begin building Unitread products this spring, says CEO Bill Sweatman.
December 17, 2010

'We see a big opportunity'  

Marangoni Tread North America has offered its Unitread flat precure product in North America for years, but only on an import-only basis.

Tags: Marangoni, MTNA, Retreading, Unitread

 

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