Would the time and cost of offering a free 475-point vehicle inspection be worth possible added sales for services rendered?
Talk about value-added!
As part of its vehicle service contract, Allstate Insurance Co. offers four plans to vehicle owners.
The Basic Care plan covers 65-plus parts. The Standard Care plan covers 175-plus parts. The Preferred Care plan covers 275-plus parts. And the Premier Care plan covers more than 475 parts!
We at Modern Tire Dealer are not suggesting you check every component on a vehicle when it comes in for service. However, a look at examples of Allstate’s list of covered parts in each plan might give you an idea of what to add to your own inspection procedure, whether or not you charge for it.
BASIC CARE = 65+ PARTS
ENGINE
Cylinder block
Cylinder head
Engine mounts
Exhaust manifold
Flywheel
Harmonic balancer
Intake manifold
Internally lubricated parts
Oil pan
Oil pump
Timing belt/chain
Turbo/supercharger
Valve covers
Water pump
TRANSMISSION
Bell housing
Electronic shift control unit
Flex plate and ring gear
Internally lubricated parts
Torque converter
Transfer case
Transfer case internally lubricated parts
Transmission mounts
Transmission pan
Transmission/transaxle case
Valve body
DRIVE AXLES
Axle bearings
Constant velocity joints/boots
Differential axle housing/case and cover
Drive axle shafts
Drive shafts
Four wheel drive locking hubs
Internally lubricated parts
Universal joints STANDARD CARE = 175+ PARTS
BRAKES (ABS & Non-ABS)
Brake booster
Brake pedal assembly
Calipers
Electronic control unit
High pressure hydraulic pump
Master cylinder
Solenoids and accumulator
Wheel cylinders
Wheel speed sensors
AIR CONDITIONING
Clutch, coil and pulley
Compressor
Condenser
Evaporator
Expansion valve
Hi/low pressure cut off switch
Hi/low pressure lines
Manual climate control head
Orifice tube
Receiver dryer
STEERING
Center drag link
Idler arm
Pitman arm
Power steering hoses
Power steering pump
Rack and pinion housing and internal parts
Steering column shaft
Steering gear housing and internal parts
Tie rod ends
SUSPENSION
Ball joints
Radius arms and bushings
Stabilizer bars, bushings and links
Steering knuckle
Torsion bars, mounts and bushings
Upper and lower control arms, shafts and bushings
FUEL
Fuel distribution rails
Fuel level sending unit
Fuel pump (mechanical or electrical)
Fuel pump relay
ELECTRICAL
Alternator
Back up light switch
Brake/stop light switch
Courtesy light/door jam switch
Glove box light switch
Ignition switch and ignition lock cylinder assembly
Manually operated switches
Multi-function switch (steering column)
Neutral safety switch
Starter motor and solenoid
Voltage regulator
Wiper motors
Washer pumps and switchesPREFERRED CARE = 275+ PARTS
AIR CONDITIONING
Air ducts and outlet hoses
Automatic temperature control programmer
Blower motor and fan
Electronic climate control head
Heater control valve
Heater core
HVAC control cables
SUSPENSION
Coil springs, seats and bushings
Leaf spring shackles and bushings
Struts
Wheel and hub bearings
COOLING
Coolant recovery tank
Coolant temperature sensor
Cooling fan motors (radiator/condenser)
Cooling fan sensors
Engine block heater
Fan blades
Radiator
Thermostat
FUEL
Accelerator pedal
Fuel distributor
Fuel injection/metering pump
Fuel injection mixture control processor and sensors
Fuel injectors
Fuel pressure regulator
Fuel tank, filler neck and O-ring
IAC motor
Mass air flow sensor
Metal fuel lines and fittings
Oxygen sensor
Throttle body
ELECTRICAL
Body control module (BCM)
Camshaft position sensor
Crank shaft position sensor
Electronic ignition module
Electronic instrument cluster
Engine control module (ECM)
Horn
Ignition coils
Ignition distributor
Knock sensor
Map/courtesy light assembly
MAP sensor
Power antenna assembly
Powertrain control module (PCM)
Transmission control module (TCM)
Vehicle speed sensor
Wiring harnesses
CONVENIENCE ACCESSORIES
Convertible top motor
Cruise control
Dash gauges
Driver information center
Electronic entry/security system
Power door lock actuators
Power door lock motors
Power headlamp motors
Power mirror motors
Power seat motors
Power trunk solenoid
Power trunk/tailgate actuator
Power window motors
Rear window defogger
Radio/equalizer/CD player
Sunroof motor
Window regulators
PREMIER CARE/PREMIER CARE WRAP = 475+ PARTS*
ENGINE
All internal fasteners
Harmonic bolt and pulley
Seals and gaskets
Timing tensioner
Timing cover
Timing gears
Waste gate
TRANSMISSION
Electronic shift control unit and solenoids
Transmission/transaxle case
Seals and gaskets
Vacuum modulator
Viscous coupler
DRIVE AXLES
Center support and bearings
Couplings/flex disc
Drive shaft yokes
Four wheel drive engagement actuator/motor
Front wheel drive axle shafts
Rear wheel drive axle shafts
Seals and gaskets
BRAKES
Backing plate
Equalizer
Hydraulic brake booster
Metal hydraulic lines and fittings
Pressure modulator control/isolation dump valves
Proportioning and combination valves
Seals and gaskets
Vacuum assist booster
AIR CONDITIONING
Air ducts and outlet hoses
Automatic temperature control programmer
Bearing and pulley
Blower fan
Blower motor
Electronic climate control head
Heater control valve
Heater core
Hi/low pressure hose and metal A/C lines
HVAC control cables
Idler pulley and bearing
Oil and refrigerant (when required with covered repair)
O-rings
Seals and gaskets
Serpentine belt tensioner
STEERING
Reservoir and internal parts
Seals and gaskets
Steering column couplings and bearings
SUSPENSION
Coil springs, seats and bushings
Control arm shafts and bushings
Leaf spring shackles and bushings
Links and bushings
Mounts and bushings
Seals and gaskets
Spindle
Spindle support
Stabilizer bars
Struts
Strut/track bars
Wheel and hub bearings
FUEL
Accelerator pedal control processor/module
Fuel distributor
Fuel injection/metering pump
Fuel injection mixture
Fuel injection mixture control sensors
Fuel injectors
Fuel pressure regulator
Fuel tank
IAC motor
Mass air flow sensor
Metal fuel lines and fittings
Oxygen sensor
Seals and gaskets and lift pump
Tank filler neck and O-ring
Throttle body
Throttle cable
Throttle linkage
Throttle position sensor
ELECTRICAL
Front wiper motor
Headlamp switch
Power lock switch
Power window switch
Rear wiper motor
Starter motor and solenoid
Turn signal switch
Voltage regulator
Wiper motor relay and delay switch/module
COOLING
Cooling fan relay
Fan clutch
Fan shroud
Seals and gaskets
Thermostat housing
CONVENIENCE ACCESSORIES
Rear window defogger
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
A/C-Heater air box
Adjustable pedal motors
Cigarette lighter
Head lamp motors
Headlight dimmer module
Head rest or ceiling DVD players
Heated seat systems
LED signal mirror
Lighted vanity mirror
Outside mirror memory modules
Power head rest motor
Power seat module
Power vent window motors
Rear power window shade
Recirculation doors and motors
Seat memory modules
Seat recliners
Sunroof guides, tracks and cables
Washer motor
NOTE: Examples of excluded parts include components covered by manufacturer’s warranty; brake drums, rotors, pads and linings; spark plugs; batteries; and windshield wipers.
Ice and snow may be just around the corner: Don’t forget about the relationship between temperature and winter tires
Autumn starts on Sept. 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. The winter season starts three months later on Dec. 21. However, some states begin experiencing temperature drops earlier than the official onset of winter.
For example, the average high in Alaska in October is 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Because winter tire tread compounds are engineered to remain flexible below 45 degrees F, the winter tire selling season may fall between autumn and winter. The same is true in Quebec and European countries where the use of winter tires is mandatory.
According to Reinalt-Thomas Corp., which does business as Discount Tire in most of the U.S. and online, the difference between all-season tires and winter tires is noticeable.
“By the time temperatures drop below 45 degrees, all-season tires are hard enough to begin losing traction. This makes braking, accelerating and cornering less reliable.”
And what does Discount Tire tell its customers? “All-season rubber compounds are optimized for longevity and ride comfort. This is great for spring, summer and fall driving, but it makes winter driving unreliable at best, and dangerous at worst.”
According to research from Pirelli & Cie SpA, the differences are not about small changes that only test drivers and experts might notice.
“Even regular drivers, particularly of the increasingly popular SUVs and crossovers, will easily be able to notice the difference in terms of car dynamics.”
It’s all a matter of timing, says Pirelli. If your customers buy the tires too soon, the softer shoulder of winter tires and the wide grooves accentuate the car’s drift when turning, “which increases the likelihood of understeering when going into the corner and oversteering when coming out, as well as lateral rolling of the car.”
