DIAMOND BAR, Calif. — The Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) of the Specialty Equipment Market Association will conduct a webinar May 19 on National Tire Safety Week, featuring a pair of industry experts discussing ways dealers can educate customers about tire care, safety and challenges related to tires.
The webinar, set for 3 p.m. EDT on the 19th, is designed to help underscore the importance of National Tire Safety Week, the annual consumer tire safety awareness campaign conducted by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association. It's scheduled for June 28 through July 4 under the theme: "Do Your Part. Know Your Roll."
The WTC has invited Gary Ruede, quality and technical expert at Discount Tire/America's Tire, and Kevin Rohlwing, senior vice president of training at the Tire Industry Association (TIA), to discuss the issues.
Among the topics expected to be discussed are:
• The importance of air pressure and its effects on mileage, wear, gas mileage and load capability;
• TIA highlights for tire safety — inflation pressure maintenance on tire life and performance, and the benefits of regular rotation, TPMS maintenance and tire repair;
• California law that requires replacement tires to exhibit low rolling resistance;
• The RIM (Read, Inspect, Mount) Safety Program; and
• Tire registration challenges — Current voluntary registration requirements put the burden on retailers to provide customers with the information. Switching to a mandatory system would put all of the burden on retailers. Without electronic ID, a mandatory tire registration and recall recovery system would be an unreasonable burden for retailers.
The webinar is part of the WTC's Wheel and Tire Industry Insights webinar series. To register, click here:
The WTC, one of SEMA's nine industry-sector councils, is open to all companies whose business focuses on the wheel industry, from manufacturers, importers, distributors, tire and wheel dealers, to service providers.
The USTMA's initiative is supported by its 13 tire company members: Bridgestone Americas Inc.; Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C.; Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.; Giti Tire (USA) Ltd.; Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.; Hankook Tire America Corp.; Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc.; Michelin North America Inc.; Nokian Tyres Inc.; Pirelli Tire North America Inc.; Sumitomo Rubber North America; Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc.; and Yokohama Tire Corp.