Yesterday's high performance tires, by comparison, are today's broad-line tires. Today's high and ultra-high performance tires, in contrast, are engineering marvels.
The evolution of the UHP tire has resulted in tires that can not only go fast on dry surfaces, but also perform on wet surfaces. And last longer. And even perform in the snow -- 20 years ago, who would have believed there could be a V-rated winter tire?
Mounting and balancing techniques and equipment have evolved with the tires. In the Modern Tire Dealer 2012 Performance Handbook, author Kevin Rohlwing tells readers why "Performance tires need performance balancing." And that involves dynamic balancing.
"Why do so many technicians continue to take the easy way out and slap a quick static balance on a performance tire and wheel assembly?" he asks.
Rohlwing, senior vice president of training for the Tire Industry Association, presents a good case for his point of view. The story also includes step-by-step instructions on how to mount and balance UHP tires.
Wait, there's more. In additon, the story addresses what Kevin Keefe, vice president of marketing for Hennessy Industries Inc., refers to as the "hidden trap" of two-plane dynamic balancing: static imbalance that is left over even after a successful dynamic balance that yields "0.00" on the balancer.
Keefe goes on to explain how to prevent residual static imbalance.
The April 2012 Performance Handbook also includes stories on:
* plus-sizing ("Is plus-sizing on life support, or worse?");
* the TPMS in the Chrysler 2009 Dodge Challenger (and Charger);
* Performance Plus Tire & Automotive (how owner Hank Feldman turned his one-store operation into THE place to go for performance tires and wheels).
Check out these informative stories and more (did we forget to mention the "Performance Product Showcase"?) by clicking here for our digital edition.
