Skip to main content
EVENT TRACKER
Keep track of rescheduled, canceled industry events with our COVID-affected event tracker - Powered by Snap Finance
Close
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
  • European Rubber Journal
tb-logo
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • OPINION
    • CORONAVIRUS
    • AUTO INDUSTRY
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • FACTORY FIXES
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • INTERNATIONAL
    • MOTOR SPORTS
    • NEW PRODUCTS
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • SEMA/AAPEX
    • SMALL BUSINESS
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • COVID takes dealers for roller-coaster ride
      A year later, pandemic's full tire industry impact unclear
      Tire Cologne canceled; rescheduled until 2022
      New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
    • DTM switches horses mid-stream; awards race tire contract to Michelin
      Icahn Auto trims fiscal 2020 operating loss despite 14% lower sales
      Oshkosh unit gets contract for new USPS local delivery vehicle
      Sumitomo adds treadwear-detection to 'Sensor Core' toolkit
    • F1 extends Pirelli's supply contract through 2024
      Titan eyes solid recovery in 2021 as ag sector rebounds
      4 Wheel Parts celebrates 60th anniversary with deals, promotions
      CarAdvise partnering with RepairSmith mobile repair services
    • Goodyear joins connected mobility pilot program in Ohio
      Michelin launches high-scrub, weight-sensitive X One Multi T trailer tire
      TRAC Intermodal redirects retread biz 100% in-house
      Giti rolling out range of GT Radial-brand urban/regional truck tires
    • USTMA joins coalition supporting passage of Equality Act
      McMahon's Best-One increases its minimum wage to $15
      Oshkosh unit gets contract for new USPS local delivery vehicle
      Conti recalling 94,000 Conti-, General-, Barum-brand LT/SUV tires
    • F1 extends Pirelli's supply contract through 2024
      Maxam adding multipurpose radial, solid OTR tires
      Goodyear names Patterson to lead Cooper integration efforts
      DTM switches horses mid-stream; awards race tire contract to Michelin
    • F1 extends Pirelli's supply contract through 2024
      DTM switches horses mid-stream; awards race tire contract to Michelin
      Bridgestone World Solar Challenge canceled due to pandemic restrictions
      Pirelli, Goodyear ink sedan racing series contracts in Canada, Europe
    • Snap-on debuts Triton-D10 diagnostic tool with scan, lab scope capabilities
      Maxam adding multipurpose radial, solid OTR tires
      Michelin launches high-scrub, weight-sensitive X One Multi T trailer tire
      Giti rolling out range of GT Radial-brand urban/regional truck tires
    • COVID takes dealers for roller-coaster ride
      Investment groups to acquire Mavis Tire network
      Vogue Tyre offers $75 rebate on set of 4 tires during March
      4 Wheel Parts celebrates 60th anniversary with deals, promotions
    • Snap-on debuts Triton-D10 diagnostic tool with scan, lab scope capabilities
      Pennzoil offering carbon-neutral lubricants for passenger cars
      Washington dealership uses new-school solution for recruiting auto techs
      Marinucci: Customers may ignore dangerous conditions
    • TIA seeking nominations for Tire Industry Hall of Fame
      SEMA survey shows resilient auto aftermarket in 2020
      SEMA scholarships and loan forgiveness now available
      WTC hosting webinar Jan. 20 on load-capacity standards
    • SEMA survey shows resilient auto aftermarket in 2020
      Trade groups oppose minimum wage increase proposal
      New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
    • Goodyear joins connected mobility pilot program in Ohio
      Titan eyes solid recovery in 2021 as ag sector rebounds
      Michelin launches high-scrub, weight-sensitive X One Multi T trailer tire
      Goodyear names Patterson to lead Cooper integration efforts
    • Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      Stocking Tires for Crossover SUVs
      Sponsored By AppointmentPlus
      Three Important Lessons Learned for the Tire Business During a Pandemic
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
  • SHOP FLOOR
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Video: Balancing Tire
      Safety tips for wheel balancing
      An introduction to wheel balancing
      Wheel weights: Balancing form with function
    • Video: Demounting
      Tire changer types, tips and trends
      How to clear rim rust and corrosion
      An introduction to demounting, mounting and inflation
    • Video: Safety
      Customers
      Considerations for shop safety policies
      Introduction: Creating a culture of safety
    • Video: Tire Repair
      Essential tools, materials and equipment for tire repair
      An introduction to tire repair
      How to properly patch a puncture
    • Video: TMPS Service
      The life-saving work of TPMS
      An introduction to TPMS service
      The importance of proper relearn procedures
    • Video: Training
      Internship ideas to attract tech talent
      Choosing the right auto service tech school
      Intro: Finding and training technicians
    • Video:Vehicle Lifting
      The gravity of proper lift points
      Safety essentials when using jack stands
      An introduction to lifts and lift safety
    • Video: Wheel Torque
      The importance of torque specifications
      Introduction to proper wheel installation
      Torque check and recheck recommendations
  • Multimedia
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • PODCASTS
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
  • Awards
    • Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
October 09, 2006 02:00 AM

Mail Call, Oct. 9

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Consider all options

    It is clear that Continental Tire North America Inc. views the tire segment as its least-profitable source.

    With that said, maybe it's time they look at takeover options. Current management seems to have a serious problem with product marketing. Their answer is low-cost plants.

    Mark Cieslikowski

    President

    United Steelworkers Local 850

    Charlotte, N.C.

    Speed ratings? Come on

    With reference to your Sept. 25 issue and the article “Sticky situation” concerning tires with speed ratings—what appears to be the problem?

    Who goes 150 mph? Certainly not the redneck downing a couple of bottles of Budweiser on his beer run or the granny going to church on her once-a-week religious excursion.

    Of the 50 states in the U.S., only 15 have a maximum road speed of 75 mph for cars. Unless the tire is meant for racing or on the autobahns of Germany—which, contrary to belief, do have sections with speed limits of 50-75 mph and wet and adverse weather speed limits, thus only about half has no speed limit—I fail to see any worry about litigations occurring from traveling at speeds that are 'Y' rated (186 mph).

    In all my years of driving—and a mad urge to push a Ford Mondeo (in the United Kingdom) to its limit of 140 mph—speeds in excess of this would scare me (unless I was racing). It appears the slightest bit of snow, rain or fog in the U.S. warrants drivers to go at a snail's pace with their hazard lights flashing! (What's that about?)

    So the thought of one of these unskilled drivers doing 186 mph down the interstate tossing beer bottles and such out of the window is a real horror movie. All that just to prove their tires can live up to their 'Y' or 'ZR' ratings?

    If an accident did happen at those speeds, I feel the driver would be in no state to file a complaint. It's hard to sue someone when your entrails are wrapped around a tree.

    Dean Smith

    President

    Doc Retread Inc.

    Goodlettsville, Tenn.

    Enough sizes already

    What is with the tire industry?

    Why are there all these tire sizes for no apparent reason, especially with the price of oil skyrocketing and the environmental hazard caused by scrap tires? Why isn't the industry getting regulated? Twenty different tire sizes is plenty enough. We don't need all the sizes out there.

    All it's doing is creating more of a tire problem—from storage to recycling. Do the new tire manufacturers want only new tires sold and nobody to be able to recycle anymore?

    I've been in the passenger/light truck tire casing business for more than 25 years and there are only a couple of retreaders/remolders left. Now that the used tire market has picked up over the years, used tire guys are having a harder time getting the sizes they need for their customers due to all these crazy sizes the tire manufacturers are making.

    Why? Because they want a new tire market only, of course, and a lot of these new tires are being made cheap—I mean really cheap.

    When are they going to put a stop to this? Tire stores are selling more and more tires and we U.S. recyclers are salvaging less and less tires due to sizes.

    Tires made cheaply just means more rubber is getting burned off onto the pavement and into the environment.

    Yes, as a recycler that inspects thousands of casings and used tires every week, I see the same pattern with some brand casings and used tires all the time—the same reasons why they aren't good enough for resale. I see certain tire brands with separations in the shoulder areas; others have insides loaded with bubbles or razor cuts; some low-profile tires, sizes 16-, 17-, 18- and 19-inch, have breaks inside the bead and sidewall areas.

    It's the same pattern with the same brands of tires. I'm sure tire dealers know what I'm talking about.

    Remember, the more the U.S. recycles tires, the less oil gets used. And there are a lot of less fortunate people who can't afford new tires and new vehicles. They need us used tire dealers to supply them with good, serviceable tires.

    I think it's time the tire industry looks at this issue because it's out of control.

    There are enough tires and cars in the world today to keep everyone selling tires. But don't create sizes that aren't good to be re-used as used tires and end up ground up before their time.

    Steve Bucholtz

    Owner

    Steve's Used Tires

    Kingston, Pa.

    Tread depth review needed

    Your recent front-page article (Sept. 25 issue) on tread depth—describing the ancient “history” of the 2/32 tread depth requirement—shows the need for review and clarification of the subject in light of this peer-reviewed information and the fact that our world now depends on radial tires, not bias tires.

    This review can take years with no guaranteed outcome. However, dealers can take immediate action on their own and use this information to try to encourage motorists to properly replace worn passenger and light truck tires.

    Dealers should use this information to try to discourage the problematic and common two-tire purchase, which is not recommended by the tire industry or by the car manufacturers.

    In fact, the two-tire purchase opens the door to some strange litigation theories now being bounced off courtroom walls. When a customer who ignores the industry- recommended tire rotation guidelines and the recommended four-tire replacement, or who continues to drive a mechanically challenged vehicle, comes in for that ill-advised two-tire purchase, he/she should be told that this is not his/her best decision and is not consistent with the owner manual instructions or with tire industry safety recommendations.

    The recent Rubber Manufacturers Association wet traction recommendation (with exceptions) of “two new tires on the rear” is a further service complication created by the negligent “no rotation/mechanical” two-tire purchaser.

    Dealers should recommend the four-tire replacement and anticipate its possible/probable rejection. An initialed and memorialized sales document can be useful if the tire service seller is ever accused of being the cause of a vehicle-related human tragedy.

    Harold Herzlich

    President

    Herzlich Consulting Inc.

    Las Vegas

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    tb-logo
    Reader Services
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • OPINION
      • CORONAVIRUS
      • AUTO INDUSTRY
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • FACTORY FIXES
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • INTERNATIONAL
      • MOTOR SPORTS
      • NEW PRODUCTS
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • SEMA/AAPEX
      • SMALL BUSINESS
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • SHOP FLOOR
      • BALANCING
      • DEMOUNTING
      • SAFETY
      • TIRE REPAIR
      • TPMS
      • TRAINING
      • VEHICLE LIFTING
      • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Multimedia
      • VIDEOS
      • PHOTOS
      • PODCASTS
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • Awards
      • Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award