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
    • New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      Cover-up: More retailers requiring face masks to curb COVID
      USW alleges COVID-19 violations at Kumho plant
    • Conti starts production of ‘HL' load index tires for select OE customers
      GM banking on 'BrightDrop' EV to build commercial van business
      Stengel promoted to president of NAPA parent Genuine Parts Co.
      Former auto exec Tyrone Jordan joins Cooper board of directors
    • NLRB certifies USW as bargaining unit for Kumho plant in Georgia
      Air France renews tire supply deal with Michelin
      Hwa Fong joins Taiwan tire makers' bid for alternative to import duties
      Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
    • Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
      Evolving delivery trends good for CV tire sector — Cooper exec
      Conti adding light-duty products to General Tire OTR tire lineup
      GM banking on 'BrightDrop' EV to build commercial van business
    • Hwa Fong joins Taiwan tire makers' bid for alternative to import duties
      New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      USW opposes Taiwan tire makers' dumping counterproposal
      New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
    • Air France renews tire supply deal with Michelin
      Russia's Kama Tyres expanding truck, ag tire capacities
      OK Tire adds Cooper, GT Radial passenger tires, Michelin, BFGoodrich commercial tires
      Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
    • New NASCAR, F1 tire designs delayed due to COVID
      U.K. race series extends contract with Goodyear through 2026
      Goodyear Racing staying on track
      General Tire Canada renews sponsorship deal with Raceline Network
    • Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
      Hankook doubles size range of Ventus V2 all-season UHP line
      Conti adding light-duty products to General Tire OTR tire lineup
      Goodyear-brand belts back on the market under licensing arrangement
    • Manley: Tire dealers look to future
      OK Tire adds Cooper, GT Radial passenger tires, Michelin, BFGoodrich commercial tires
      Wholesaler K&M Tire hosts virtual dealer conference
      Hankook doubles size range of Ventus V2 all-season UHP line
    • AMRA to host 5 educational webinars in Feb., March
      Shocks/struts maker KYB unveils video training series
      Bauer Built completes expansion at Neb. facility
      Marinucci: Basic steps to email efficiency
    • WTC hosting webinar Jan. 20 on load-capacity standards
      Denver's Brian Sump named AAPEX Shop Owner of the Year
      DUB, TIS Wheels founder Myles Kovacs is SEMA Person of the Year
      AAPEX: Using social media to promote your business
    • New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      2020 Review: PPP loans give boost to small businesses
      Latest COVID relief bill includes $325B in small-business support
    • Hwa Fong joins Taiwan tire makers' bid for alternative to import duties
      New NASCAR, F1 tire designs delayed due to COVID
      Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
      Papadimitriou to leave position with Pirelli after six months on job
    • 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
  • SHOP FLOOR
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Video: Balancing Tire
      Choosing the right balancing equipment
      Safety tips for wheel balancing
      An introduction to wheel balancing
    • Video: Demounting
      Demounting Equipment
      Making rims ready for a tight seal
      Tire changer types, tips and trends
    • Video: Safety
      Making friends with OSHA
      Ergonomics on the shop floor
      Customers
    • Video: Tire Repair
      Tire repair: Shining a light on visual inspections
      Staying safe when repairing a tire
      Essential tools, materials and equipment for tire repair
    • Video: TMPS Service
      Decoding sensor data for TPMS diagnosis
      Replacement TPMS sensor overview
      The life-saving work of TPMS
    • Video: Training
      Advantages of apprentice program partnerships
      Options and resources for CE tech training
      Internship ideas to attract tech talent
    • Video:Vehicle Lifting
      All types of lifts for all types of work
      Tips and recommendations for lifting safety
      The gravity of proper lift points
    • Video: Wheel Torque
      Using torque sticks to speed service times
      The danger of too much, too little torque
      The importance of torque specifications
  • Multimedia
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • PODCASTS
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
March 05, 2013 01:00 AM

TB EDITORIAL: Are tire repair laws really needed?

Tire Business Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    AKRON (March 5, 2013) — There doesn't seem to be a groundswell movement nationwide for the establishment of tire repair legislation, which makes us wonder why the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the Tire Industry Association (TIA) continue to push for such action.

    Even in Maryland, where the legislature is debating model tire repair legislation co-written by the two organizations, there is concern by some legislators who are asking, "Why do you need to do this?" according to TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield. He testified on the subject Feb. 6 before the Maryland House Committee on Economic Matters. "They are nervous about putting new regulations on consumers," he said.

    They should be, because legislating tire repair would not only require enforcement but would likely cost taxpayers money.

    The same goes for tire dealerships and other shops. They don't need more intrusive regulations, especially on something as fundamental to their operations as tire repair. What's next, legislating mounting and demounting practices?

    There is no question that everyone repairing tires should follow recommended industry practices and, from what we understand, not all shops do. But isn't that their issue, and won't they suffer the consequences if an accident occurs because of a shoddy repair they performed? No business wants to have that happen.

    Proper tire repair requires the demounting of the tire from the rim, a visual and tactile inspection of the tire's interior and exterior, and the repairing of punctures and cuts in the tread area with a patch and rubber stem or combination repair unit. All shops should follow these procedures.

    Rather than trying to establish regulations on this issue state by state—which could lead to a hodgepodge of rules throughout the country and open up all kinds of legal and compliance issues—might the industry be better served if these two associations took up the mantel to yearly teach proper tire repair techniques and encourage everyone who touches a tire to follow industry-accepted practices?

    This could be accomplished through TIA's well-regarded training programs and via marketing campaigns like the one RMA conducted last August when it sent out literature to 220,000 businesses in the U.S. promoting proper tire repair. Shouldn't we see the results of that campaign before considering enacting new legislation?

    How about promoting the fact that performing proper tire repairs can bring a dealership much needed revenue via higher charges for this service? That's always a legitimate incentive.

    We applaud the RMA and TIA for working together on common industry issues, but this one on tire repair legislation continues to befuddle us as to why it is necessary in the first place.

    This editorial appears in the March 4 print edition of Tire Business. Have an opinion on whether tire repair laws are needed? Send your comments to [email protected].

    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
    • List Rental
    • 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