Where's quality control?
In response to, or rather in corroboration with the Mail Call letter in the June 7 issue of Tire Business concerning ``Round-about problem,'' I'm glad I am not the only one who has noticed the varying degree of quality control problems we are finding in today's tires.
Most of these problems are in fact lateral runout issues-sometimes rather severe. This usually will manifest itself as a wheel vibration at highway speed even though tire balance and wheel runout are not at fault.
We have seen this in the tire size P265/75R16, but also in some of the more common passenger car sizes.
I'd be interested to know how widespread this may be and what other responses have come in to the editorial desk.
Bruce Dickerman
Service manager
Tire Clinic Inc.
Columbia, Conn.
Try a half-hour rate
I enjoy reading Dan Marinucci's automotive service column and often share his ideas during my visits to dealerships. Many of the successful dealers are using the things that Dan covers.
On labor rates, which Dan has written about recently, another option is charging a half-hour rate. For example, instead of $89 per hour, use $44.50 per half-hour as your rate.
I have found that dealers often fear raising their rates. But when they finally do it, they find there is usually little or no resistance from the customer.
Bob DeSanctis
Consumer account manager-Northeast region
Goodyear
Neptune, N.J.
* * *
The following was posted on www.tirebusiness.com in response to the online poll question below:
``Plus-sizing means reduced tread life, increased tire and wheel damage, more ride harshness, poorer braking and acceleration, reduced fuel economy, more problems from underinflation, changed cornering and handling characteristics, possible damage to driveline components, greater tendency to hydroplane. Need I go on?''
Jerry C. White, President White Tire Supply Inc., Beaumont, Texas