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Volume 5 / Number 6 / Octobre 2008 / $4.95

Tire Dealers Association of Canada Convention

By the Sea 2008

Hall of Fame inductees Eric Gilbert, Jean-Marc Bernard, Gerald Robinson, and Don Blythe

PM 40014105

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Impression : cmyk

DATE CONCEPT. INFOGR. DIR. PROD.

ÉPREUVE RELECT. C. PROJET CLIENT

14/05/2008

1a

MT

F e at u r e S

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ContentsOctober 2008

24 NaSCar in Montreal

Tires Save the Show14 By the Sea 2008

Moving Your Business Forward

editorial 4

Friend and Customer

Industry News 6, 8

New Products 10, 11

Commercial tires 18 to 23

trucks tiresNot All Light Trucks Use Passenger Tires

Specific Commercial tiresThe Right Tire for Hard Working Vehicles

a Huge MarketLight Truck Tires Abound

unusual tiresChoosing the Right Off-road Tire

tire recycling 26

Ontario Directs a New tire recycling ProgramWaste Diversion Ontario Must Develop a Program to Recycle Tires

Wheels 34, 35

Steel or alloy Wheels Winter Can Be Rough on Your Wheels

advertisers 46

October 2008

Be Car Care Aware - Auto Safety Month

October 29-312008 Rubber Recycling Symposium Four Seasons Hotel, Vancouver, BCF www.rubberassociation.ca

November 2008

November 4 AIA Canada - Canada Night 2008Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, NVF Thérèse Santostefano 1-800-808-2920, ext. 225F [email protected] www.aiacanada.com

November 4-6AAPEXSands Expo & Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV, USAF www.aapexshow.com

November 4-7SEMALas Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NVF www.semashow.com

Calendar12 Job Safety—It’s No accident

Employees Who Can’t Work Will Cost You the Most

28 Industry events Ecological Obstacle Course in Edmundston

29 Important Fall update Quebec’s Mandatory Winter Tire Matter

30 age: good for Wine, Bad for tires Know the “Birthdays” of the Tires in Your Stock

32 tPMS: a Money-maker or a Money-loser Customer Education Will Make All the Difference

33 getting the Safety Message Out Care-Van Project Gets the Point to the Public

36 Private Brands What Are They?

38 tire Pyrolysis Overheating Warning

40 Special report O.K. Tire Ranked First

O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8 tn T i r e N e w s 3

editorial

Publisher Rémy L. Rousseau

Contributing Editors Raynald Bouchard, Shirley Brown, François Charron, Éric Descarries, Frédéric Desjardins, Jack Kazmierski, Jil McIntosh

Copy Editor Shirley Brown [email protected]

Production Olivier Rhême [email protected] Valérie St-Cyr [email protected]

Circulation Manager Sylvain Gendron [email protected]

Administration Wendy Allain [email protected] Nancy Belleville [email protected]

Advertising Nathalie Plouffe 416-925-5665 [email protected]

luc Champagne 514-945-1299 [email protected]

réjean a. rousseau 450-649-9007 [email protected]

Subscription 1 year: $19.95 2 years: $34.95 3 years: $49.95

Published by Publications rousseau 2938, terrasse Abénaquis Longueuil QC, J4M 2B3 T: 450-448-2220 F: 450-448-1041 [email protected]

Tire News Magazine is dedicated to serving the business interests of the Canadian tire industry. It is published seven times a year by Publications Rousseau & Associés Inc., a member of AIA Canada.

Material in Tire News Magazine may not be reproduced in any form without written consent from the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and disclaims all responsibilities for claims or statements made by its advertisers or independent columnists. All facts, opinions and statements appearing within this publication are those of the writers and editors themselves, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions or endorsements by Publications Rousseau & Associés Inc.

Publications Mail Agreement 40014105. Return undelivrable Canadian addresses to Publications Rousseau / Circulation Department, 2938 terrasse Abenaquis, suite 110, Longueuil, QC J4M 2B3

ISSN 1710-4211

PRINTED IN CANADA

Friend and CustomerSucceeding in today’s competitive market takes more than a quality product

and a good price. In order to rise to the top, you need to take the time to build

relationships.

Rémy L. Rousseau [email protected]

O ne of the most famous books ever written about success in business is

How to Win Friends and Influence People. Written many years ago by sales and relationship guru Dale Carnegie, this well-known book has long been used as a guide to excellence by some of the most successful sales and business people in the world.

What’s interesting about this book is the fact that it has to do with winning friends. Carnegie realized that success in business is all about building relationships and cul-tivating friendships. Do you?

CustomersCarnegie wasn’t saying that we need to become buddy-buddy with every cus-tomer who walks through the door to buy a set of tires. But we do want to cultivate relationships that will make our customers feel like they know us and can depend on us for their tire needs.

The simple truth is that people tend to do business with people they recognize and feel comfortable with. That’s why it’s a good idea to get involved with your local community.

Have you thought of joining the local chamber of commerce, sponsoring a local baseball or hockey team, or hosting a getting-to-know-you event where local residents can stop by for a free hot dog or hamburger and a closer look at your store?

Although you advertise in the local paper and in the yellow pages, so does every

other tire shop. Why not go the extra mile and get involved with the community so that you stand apart from the competi-tion?

SuppliersDon’t limit relationship building to cus-tomers. Include your suppliers too. True, you won’t be able to sell them tires, but they can help you sell to your customers. Your suppliers can offer you invaluable advice—information that can help you better run your business.

Your suppliers also have friends—friends they might recommend your services to… just as long as you treat your suppliers right.

EmployeesAnd don’t forget to be a friend to your employees. Treat them right and they’ll be more than happy to recommend your shop to friends and family. Treat them badly or take advantage of them, and they’ll tell their friend, family members, neighbours, and anyone else who will listen not to shop at your store.

And do any of your employees have kids that belong to a local sports team, club, or association? If so, why not ask if there’s a way you can get involved. It’s a great way to put your best foot forward with the community, and a great way to build relationships. tn

Rémy L. Rousseau

4 T i r e N e w s tn O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8

ARTIGLIO 50

30th

anniversary 30

th

anniversary

FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT MR. ERIC LANDRY

800-663-0814

NO, WE’RE NOT KIDDING. ONCE YOU TRY THE NEW CORGHI ARTIGLIO 50, YOU WON’T WANT TO WORK WITH ANY OTHER MACHINE. HERE’S WHY!

DOES YOUR CURRENT TIRE CHANGER HANDLE WHEELS UP TO 30”?The Corghi Artiglio 50 handles car, 4WD, and light truck wheels from 12” to 30” inches.

DO YOU STRUGGLE WHEN REPLACING LOW PROFILE & RUN FLAT TIRES? The Corghi Artiglio 50 easily handles low profile and run flat tires and only requires ONE operator.

HAVE YOU EVER DAMAGED EXPENSIVE, SPECIALTY WHEELS?The Corghi Artiglio 50 eliminates the use of conventional bead breakers and tire levers to easily and safely handle expensive alloys.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY?The Corghi Artiglio 50 is 50% faster than other tire changers thanks to its new single arm bead breaker and dual rotation speed.

DO YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY MANIPULATING HEAVY WHEEL/TIRE ASSEMBLIES?The Corghi Artiglio 50 is ergonomically designed, is user friendly, and includes an automatic lifting cradle for heavy tire/wheel assemblies.

Importer of CORGHI products in Canada

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the Future Canadian Automotive Business Portal

A well-kept secret, but rumours are raging like the wind!

A b2b portal, the only bilingual multisegment web site will soon be accessible. autosphere.ca’s flagship segments will be: auto maintenance & repair, collision repair, tires, and fleets.

It’s intended mainly for shop owners, their as-sociates and staff, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and chain stores. It applies equally to Canadian automotive professionals and man-agement across the land.

At autosphere.ca, you’ll find current events, scoops, interviews, profiles, exclusive issues, sur-veys, information assets on the industry, etc.autosphere.ca. Coming this fall!

tire Country Adopts titan tires

Western Canada’s Tire Country recently an-nounced that it has become a primary distribu-tor of the Titan Tire brand. Titan Tire is North America’s third largest manufacturer of off-High-way tires. It also supplies OEMs, including John Deere, Case, New Holland, and Kubota.

nASCAR Will Control the Grand-Am Racing Series

NASCAR has indicated that it would control the Grand-Am racing series in North America, while both organizations will continue to sanction their race event independently. This will include the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series for prototypes that will race with the NASCAR Nationwide race in Montreal next August and the Grand-Am Koni Challenge for race-prepared street cars. Note that Pirelli is the official spec tire for the Rolex Series, while Hoosier is the supplier for the Koni Challenge.

The Grand Am Rolex series that raced Pirelli tires in Montreal will be under control of NASCAR. (photo: Éric Descarries)

Bridgestone to Expand Mexican Plant for UHP tires

Bridgestone Corp. announced it will invest some $90 million to expand its Bridgestone Firestone De Mexico S.A. de C.V. tire plant in Cuernavaca in order to build more UHP tires. The plant already employs 850 workers and it will create another 200 jobs with the expansion. According to the company, the new capacity will produce UHP tires for 16- to 22-inch wheels. Though Bridgestone has another plant in Mex-ico at Monterrey—with its automated BIRD, or Bridgestone Innovative and Rational Develop-ment, manufacturing system—it will soon be closing its older light and medium-duty truck tire plant in Mexico City.

Amtel-Vredestein/Sibur-Russian tyre Deal Is Off… for now

According to a company filing at the London Stock Exchange, the Amtel-Vredestein/Sibur-Russian Tyres deal has been called off. These two companies were supposed to merge in order to create a $2 billion a year tire company that would have had more than 30 percent of the domestic market, and that would have helped the Russian tiremaker have access to Vredestein’s performance technology and European market. The reason given for the failure is the lack of credit to meet the financial terms and conditions. Nonetheless, Amtel-Vredestein has announced it had not given up on the deal yet.

Chrysler Will Eliminate Lead Wheel Weights

Chrysler announced its program is completed to eliminate the use of lead wheel weights from its vehicles, switching to more eco-friendly subs-titutes worldwide.

The move puts Chrysler in full compliance with a voluntary program announced by the U.S. En-vironmental Protection Agency in Detroit August 29. The National Lead-Free Wheel Weight Initia-tive calls for elimination of lead wheel weights in vehicles by the end of 2011.

Wheel weights can sometimes be dislodged on rough roads. Being made of lead—effective and low cost—has raised concerns about lead ente-ring the environment. Chrysler’s wheel weights are now made of steel and zinc.

tIA Releases a Basic Earthmover tire Service Program

The Tire Industry Association recently released a new training program for OTR (off-the-road) and earthmover tire service in order to edu-cate technicians on the proper safety procedures. Basic Earthmover Tire Service (ETS) explains the minimum skills and safety guidelines for servicing one-piece, three-piece, five-piece, and double gutter OTR assemblies. The ETS is designed as an in-house training program including a 3.5-hour video and a 350-page workbook. Technicians who will successfully complete the final exam and skills demonstration will get a TIA Certificate of Completion. For ordering instructions, visit www.tireindustry.org.

Bridgestone Opens an OtR Unit in Peru

Since large scale investment in Peru’s min-ing industry is growing rapidly, Bridgestone has decided to establish a sales company there—the Bridgestone Off-The-Road Tire Peru S.A.C. in Lima, which will specialize in tires for mining and construction equipment.

Continental continues CanAm sponsorship

Continental Tire Canada has announced its ongoing relationship with the Porsche Club of America in the upper Canadian region for 2009.

It is the second year in a row that Continen-tal has been an official sponsor of the CanAm Challenge, which offers Canadian and American members of the Porsche Club and registered car enthusiasts the chance to race at Ontario’s Mosport, one of the fastest and most challenging tracks in North America. Held on the first week-end in August, the CanAm Challenge includes a Test & Tune day, three days of club racing, and sprint and enduro races.

Continental is one of the main suppliers to Porsche. “We are very pleased to sponsor this event,” said Guy Hardiman, general manager of Continental Tire Canada. “Porsche and Continen-tal, both German-based companies, are for their expertise in engineering known worldwide. Due to our strong OE heritage, it’s a great fit for us.”

I n D U S t R y

NeWS


WINTER’S BEST FRIENDS

$50 - 210 SOTTOZERO/SNOWSPORT $30 - WINTER CARVING/EDGE $40 - SCORPION ICE & SNOW

CONSUMER MAIL-IN REBATES VALID WITH THE PURCHASE OF 4 TIRES FROM SEPTEMBER 1st TO DECEMBER 31st, 2008.

WINTER REBATES

Playground Falls Cushioned by Recycled tires

B.C. Educators from East Kootenay School District No. 5 unveiled an innovative approach to physical education with the official opening of three unusual playgrounds at elementary schools in the commun-ities of Fernie, Sparwood, and Elkford. Each of the play areas features a five-inch thick “pour in place” rubber surface made from B.C. scrap tires that cush-ions falls, creates fun, and makes the playground accessible to people of all ages and levels of ability.

Unlike traditional playground surfaces of pea grav-el or wood chips, the solid crumb-rubber surface is completely wheelchair and walker accessible.

“When you set foot on one of these surfaces, it feels as if you are standing on a firm mattress,” says Frank Lento, the retired educator who facilitated the design and development of the three playgrounds. “The children find the cushioning effect so much fun they flock to the playground at every opportunity. These facilities will advance the quality of our physical educa-tion program and assist us in achieving the goal of 30 minutes of exercise for each pupil each day.”

The recycled tire granule surface was chosen be-cause it provides superior safety and accessibility. “Also, pupils confined to wheelchairs or who use crutches now have complete access, which means they can participate fully in play and experience the joy of physical activity and exercise.”

The surface is also very durable—it’s highly resist-ant to cold and heat and has a longer life span than gravel or mulch. The surface is also easier to clean and maintain.

Those interested in learning more about recycled tire products and Tire Stewardship B.C. can do so by visiting www.tirestewardshipbc.ca.

Heart-in-One Video!As part of UNIPNEU dealers’ 2008 fall meeting,

held at Mont-Tremblant’s Le Diable golf course, golfers raised $8770 to be donated to four char-ities: The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Que-bec, MIRA, The Canadian Cancer Society, and The Quebec Breakfast Club.

Participating golfers were also in for a sur-prise—when you visit http://deficoupdecoeur.unipneu.com/foursome25/index.html, specially created by UNIPNEU, you can watch quite a video-clip…

Filmed on location, the clip itself is well worth an evening at a movie theatre. So why not take the opportunity, while you’re on the site, to make a online donation equal to the value of such an even-ing for the benefit of one of the four organizations whose links appear? That will allow you to multiply the amounts received while being entertained.

The Heart-in-One Challenge is a Pneus Unimax initiative made possible by Continental, Good-year, Pirelli, Toyo, and Yokohama.

JK and tornel tires Coming to Canada

According to Tire Business, India’s JK Tyre & Industries, the new owner of Mexico’s Compania Hulera Tornel S.A. de C.V., is looking into sell-ing its JK and Tornel brands of tires in Canada starting in 2009. JK Tyre is the world’s 23rd largest tire maker. According to the American publication, the tire maker has not yet named any possible distributors or discussed any mar-keting plans.

BFGoodrich Chooses Quinn Lakes trail as a 2008 Outstanding trail

In late August, BFGoodrich presented an award and a grant to the Ottawa Valley Off Roaders for its Quinn Lakes Trail close to Ottawa. The grant is to be used to preserve the trail system that is located between Calabogie and Ompah. BFGoodrich, working in conjunction with Tread Li-ghtly! and United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA), chose the Quinn Lakes Trail because it provides driving opportunities for many skills on varied terrain—rock, mud, dirt, and hills. To learn more about this trail and others rewarded by BFG, visit www.bfgoodrichtires.com/outstan-dingtrails.

Ottawa Valley Off Roaders was awarded a grant to preserve its Quinn Lake Trail.

I n D U S t R y

NeWS

www.cdatire.com

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NewP R O D U C t S

yokohama Introduces three new Medium truck tires

Yokohama recently introduced three new me-dium truck tires that feature high mileage, long casing life, and low rolling resistance, all using the new process Yokohama calls Z.environment.

These three tires are the 703ZL, a new premium drive tire for long haul, the 103ZR, a premium regional rib tire, and the 510ZA, a premium on/off highway tire. Other than the highly specialized deep-tread low resistance design, this new line of tires utilizes a new mixing process that creates a more pliable rubber that offers a long casing life to reduce heat build-up, add durability and extend retreading cycles.

new FS560 PLUS Urban Steer tire Sizes

Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions is launching six new sizes in its

lineup of Firestone FS560 PLUS steer tires designed for long wear and low cost per mile of pick-up and delivery and lo-cal hauling applications. The sizes include 9R22.5 and 10R22.5 in F load range, 10R22.5 in G load range, and 255/70R22.5, 275/70R22.5,

and 215/75R17.5 low pro-file sizes in H load range. The

215/75R17.5 size will be available later this year. This tire has four full

steel belts, an all-steel casing ply and a special two-layer tread with a slow

wearing top compound and a layer beneath that helps insulate the casing from damaging heat.

new FD690 Drive Axle tire Sizes

Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions just added two new sizes to its FD690 PLUS deep drive axle tires, the 225/70R19.5 and the 245/70R19.5, engineered to fight irregular wear while its aggres-

sive design adds stability. The middle blocs are tied by rubber bridges,

which increase stability and fight heel and toe wear.

yokohama Adds the AVID touring-S to Lineup

The AVID Touring-S is said to offer exceptional ride quality, stability, safety, and dura-bility for a wide range of cars, SUVs, and minivans, including Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nis-san Altima, Honda CRV, Chevy Uplander, Dodge Caravan, and Toyota Sienna.

Product h igh l ights of the AVID Touring-S in-clude a twin stability rib for better handling and reduced noise; luxury sidewall construction that utilizes a hard rubber insert to help absorb bumps and vibrations; tapered rain channels that accelerate water into the outer grooves for optimal wet trac-tion; cross traction sipes that improve handling in adverse conditions; and a tri-plex compound for increased tread life and traction on slick surfaces. It will be offered in 19 sizes.

Heat BusterThis is a unique polymer gel that will create a

heat barrier and protect adjacent property from welding flames and heat. It’s an easily applied gel that prevents heat damage to sensitive areas when undertaking repairs involving high temperatures, such as in welding operations.

Heat Buster helps pre-vent damages to adjacent areas when welding repair sections into damaged vehicles, eliminates heat distortion, and prevents welding splatter adhering to surfaces.

It saves time by elimi-nating the costly disas-sembly of valves or other components before bra-zing, soldering, or welding, and reduces danger of fire to surrounding surfaces such as wood studs, drywall, insulation, glass, and plastic.

The sticky gel will adhere to most surfaces, so vertical and horizontal surfaces will be protected, and it’s safe for skin, is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and is a biodegradable product.

Talk to your Auto-Chem representative or call 450-654-9292.

Michelin’s new X One XDn2Late last August, Michelin unveiled its very latest

X One Super Single tire—the X One XDN2 on-highway drive tire—at the 2008 Great American Trucking Show. The XDN2 is the first X One that uses the Michelin Durable Technology that delivers, according to the manufacturer, increased tire life, uncompromised traction, and the fuel efficiency gains of the X One single tire. The XDN2 tread pattern incorporates Matrix Siping Technology corrugated grooves in the tread block that provide a zigzag appearance. These grooves lock the tread block as it moves through the contact patch. It thus provides tread block rigidity and exceptional traction while resisting scrubbing. Note the open shoulder tread design for more traction. Available to end-users in November 2008, the XDN2 will be available in a 445/50R22.5 size equivalent to a 275/80 R22.5 size, while the 455/55R22.5 equivalent to an 11R22.5 size will be available in December. The new X One XDN2 will replace the X One XDA-HT Plus tire.

703ZL

Firestone FS560 PLUS

Firestone FD690 PLUS

501ZA 103ZR


Unibit Cobalt Step DrillIRWIN introduces the Unibit cobalt step drill

bit, made of M35 grade cobalt high-speed steel. IRWIN claims it lasts up to six times longer than the competition. Contrary to other step drills, the latest IRWIN innovation allows professionals to drill through the toughest of materials such as cast iron, carbon steel, alloyed steel, and 16 gauge stainless steel.

In addition, the IRWIN drill replaces an entire twist drill set with just one bit. With just one drill, tradesmen can drill up to 13 different hole sizes without ever changing chucks.

Every Unibit step drill is engineered with a single, radial concave flute to provide the grea-

test control while drilling the truest, most round holes in various materials. Laser-marked sizes, 3-flat-ted shanks, minimal vibra-tion and patented Speed-point tips are features built into all Unibit step drills.

For more information about IRWIN’s line of hand tools and power tool acces-sories, call 1-800-GO IRWIN or visit www.irwin.com.

Dorman tech traysDon’t be stuck at the end of a long week with

a job that you can’t complete because a small part broke and you don’t have it on hand. With Dorman Tech Tray, you have all the small parts needed to help with any last minute problems. The Tech Tray offering makes sure you have the specific part for a variety of applications.

The Engine Splash Shield Hardware Tech Tray contains the most popular Skid Plate/Splash Shield fasteners. The Heat Shrink Tech Tray has heat shrink tubing in the most commonly used sizes and gauges. Keep the Copper Lug/Butt Connector Tech Tray around for battery hook ups and higher amp connections.

Order them today and be prepared for tomorrow—call Dorman Customer Service at

1-800-523-2492 or go to www.DormanProducts.com.

Ride on the strength of Hercules

Hercules Avalanche line-upX-TREME I PASSENGER / SUV / LIGHT TRUCK

For information on Hercules Tire visit www.herculestire.ca

E veryone knows that repair shops are dangerous, and that it’s essential to

train employees in proper procedures, maintain a safe working environment, and have a comprehensive Health & Safety plan in place. But it’s also important to identify potential hazards you may not have considered.

Cages: essential for truck tiresWhen you’re working with truck tires, an inflation cage is a “must.” A tire rupture at these high pressures can be deadly, and multi-piece rims should never be inflated without one.

It’s equally important to ensure that it’s installed correctly and that technicians know how to use it. The cage must be free-standing and at least three feet (one metre) away from other objects; under no circumstances should it be bolted to the floor or placed too close to a wall. The cage absorbs the energy of the rupturing tire, and can deform if it’s bolted down.

It also doesn’t do much good if someone is reaching in to inflate the tire. A clip-on chuck with an in-line valve must be used, with enough air hose so that the technician can stand a safe distance away. Finally, the technician should always wear safety glasses or a face shield, and inspect the tire to ensure it’s seated before it’s removed from the cage.

Treat compressed air with respectMost people know that playing with com-

pressed air for practical jokes is unaccept-able, but think it’s fine as a cleanup tool. The air hose should never be used to blow off clothes or work surfaces.

Blasting clothing with air won’t result in bloodstream air embolisms, as some believe, but it can force metal filings or dirt into the skin, or blow them up into the eyes. There’s also a risk of accidentally pointing the hose at an eye or ear, which can have serious consequences.

Using the air hose to sweep off a work surface can send material flying, with the risk of eye damage. Use a brush or broom instead.

Back injuries: all too commonIt’s estimated that eight out of ten people will suffer a back injury at some time in their lives; it’s almost impossible to find a repair shop that hasn’t had an employee out at some time with back or knee injuries. Reasons for the prevalence of these injuries include worker inexperi-ence, underestimating an object’s weight, lifting improperly, or wanting to “get the job done,” without waiting for others to help or getting a mechanical device such as a dolly.

Technicians should be taught the right way to lift: squatting with the feet apart, hugging the load to the body, lifting with the legs, and turning the whole body to change direction, not just twisting at the waist.

While back belts are popular in many industries, several medical studies found that they made no difference. In some cases, they provide a false sense of secu-rity, leading workers to try to lift more.

A device that does make sense is hearing protection. Auto shops are noisy, and our ears don’t “build up” tolerance; if noise doesn’t bother you like it once did, it’s because your hearing is damaged, and unlike other injuries, it will never heal or reverse itself. Ear protection should be readily available, and comfortable enough that people will wear it.

Your employees are both among your greatest assets and your biggest expens-es; their safety should be among your primary concerns. tn

Job Safety—It’s No accident

Employees Who Can’t Work Will Cost you the MostWho’s the costliest employee in your shop? Don’t look at salaries, because it’s a trick question: it’s the one

who’s off work because of injury.

Jil McIntosh [email protected]


Features & Benefits

improved tread pattern:

Parallel central ribs to improve vehicle handling

Stable shoulder blocks with Force Transmission Links to increase performance

Circumferential central groove for fast drainage, slush expulsion and better self cleaning

increased sipe density and 3D Drop sipes:

More grip edges for better snow handling performance

nordic silica compound:

Innovative winter grip polymer for improved snow traction, performance and ice grip

13 inch 16 inch

175/70R13 82T SL 225/70R16 102T SL

155/80R13 79T SL 215/65R16 98T XL

14 inch 205/60R16 96T XL

175/65R14 82T SL 215/60R16 95T

185/65R14 86T SL 225/60R16 XL 102T

175/70R14 84T SL 205/55R16 94T XL

185/70R14 88T SL 215/55R16 97T XL

195/70R14 91T SL 225/55R16 XL 99T

15 inch 17 inch

215/70R15 98T 235/65R17 108T XL

185/65R15 88T 235/55R17 XL 103T

195/65R15 91T 205/50R17 93T XL

205/65R15 94T 225/50R17 XL 98T

185/60R15 88T XL 225/45R17 94T XL

195/60R15 88T 18 inch

195/55R15 89T XL 245/40R18 97T XL

Nordfrost 5

SIZES AVAILABLE

NEW SIZES FOR 2008

Features & Benefits









13 inch 16 inch

175/70R13 82T SL 225/70R16 102T SL

155/80R13 79T SL 215/65R16 98T XL

14 inch 205/60R16 96T XL

175/65R14 82T SL 215/60R16 95T

185/65R14 86T SL 225/60R16 XL 102T

175/70R14 84T SL 205/55R16 94T XL

185/70R14 88T SL 215/55R16 97T XL

195/70R14 91T SL 225/55R16 XL 99T

15 inch 17 inch

215/70R15 98T 235/65R17 108T XL

185/65R15 88T 235/55R17 XL 103T

195/65R15 91T 205/50R17 93T XL

205/65R15 94T 225/50R17 XL 98T

185/60R15 88T XL 225/45R17 94T XL

195/60R15 88T 18 inch

195/55R15 89T XL 245/40R18 97T XL

Nordfrost 5

SIZES AVAILABLE

NEW SIZES FOR 2008

Features & Benefits









13 inch 16 inch

175/70R13 82T SL 225/70R16 102T SL

155/80R13 79T SL 215/65R16 98T XL

14 inch 205/60R16 96T XL

175/65R14 82T SL 215/60R16 95T

185/65R14 86T SL 225/60R16 XL 102T

175/70R14 84T SL 205/55R16 94T XL

185/70R14 88T SL 215/55R16 97T XL

195/70R14 91T SL 225/55R16 XL 99T

15 inch 17 inch

215/70R15 98T 235/65R17 108T XL

185/65R15 88T 235/55R17 XL 103T

195/65R15 91T 205/50R17 93T XL

205/65R15 94T 225/50R17 XL 98T

185/60R15 88T XL 225/45R17 94T XL

195/60R15 88T 18 inch

195/55R15 89T XL 245/40R18 97T XL

Nordfrost 5

SIZES AVAILABLE

NEW SIZES FOR 2008

A d v e r t o r i a l

T he Tire Dealers Association o f C a n a d a ( T D A C )

Conference really was ‘By the Sea.’ Halifax, Nova Scotia is es-pecially beautiful in the sum-mertime and the venues for the various events were spread throughout the city and nearby sites. Seminars and speakers were many and varied but all had

a theme—the opportunity for tire dealers to move their business forward in the coming years.

Needless to say, a Golf Tournament was the kickoff to the Convention on Wednesday and attendees were given entertainment options for that evening. Meetings and seminars were on the agenda Thursday with luncheon guest speaker, Peggy Fisher, president of TireStamp and current TIA president, giving an interesting talk on products, marketing, and training.

A reception at Pier 21 finished off the day.

Great seminars, great speakersThe next day brought forth Market Trends

presented by Marc Brazeau, president of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, followed by Trends in Scrap

Management, a subject well geared to to-day’s environmental issues. Then keynote speaker Jacques Demers took over. As you all recall, Demers was one of the most successful of the NHL hockey coaches… although he could neither read nor write. Demers coached in both Canada and the United States and was the last coach to help the Montreal Canadiens to a Stanley Cup victory. After he stopped coaching, he went on to have a new career—as a television sports commentator and he was most interesting to hear at the TDAC. His biography was published in 2005.

It was a double-barrel day for famous peo-

Shirley Brown [email protected]

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“The whole event was awesome,” stated Eric Gilbert current TDAC president and

owner of Ericway Tire in Beamsville, Ontario. “I talked to a lot of dealers and suppli-

ers that were present and they thought everything went very well. As well, because of

some issues that needed to be discussed, I’ve talked with people since the TDAC and

their feedback was tremendous. This is unusual because usually when the event is over,

there is no further communication, so it was great to be able to hear people from across

Canada praising the event afterward.

“Another thing that stood out was that we surpassed attendance numbers of former

events—there were a great number of independent tire dealers in attendance. The

seminars were of good quality—that’s what the feedback was—and there weren’t a

great many of them, which can be overwhelming. I give a lot of credit to the organizing

committee who gave us the quality speakers and seminars—they were well attended.

“Halifax was a great place to be—when you combine all the offerings of the East coast,

the friendly atmosphere, the hotels and the piers being right on the waterfront—it was

pretty incredible. We learned something from it… we need to hold all our conventions

in a ‘tourist’ location. Many attendees brought their family and came early and had a

little holiday or stayed afterward to enjoy the scenery.

“All in all I felt the TDAC was a big success!”

By the Sea 2008 Moving Your Business Forward

By the Sea 2008

Moving your Business Forward

By the Sea—this year’s Tire Dealers Association of Canada

Convention—was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The goal of the

event was “moving your business forward.”


ple as the luncheon speaker was Mario Andretti, regarded as the greatest racecar driver of all time. He had a 36-year career and was a very versatile driver; in fact, he competed in and won every discipline he entered—midget, sprint cars, dirt track, stock cars, Champ cars, Formula One, Formula 500, and sports cars. Throughout his career, Mario won 111 major events! He brought a great message to TDAC.

Hall of Fame inducteesThe Hall of Fame was well done and the inductees certainly were worthy of their nominations. Jean-Marc Bernard has worked in the United States and Paris, France in the transportation business. His father had started the Bernard family’s automotive product and service outlets in Quebec in 1943, and by 1975 Jean-Marc and his brother-in-law took over the leadership of the five Bernard Tire shops. He finally founded and operated

SYSDRO. Which specialized in assembling components and supplying tires and rims on an OE basis. This company was sold to cousins in 2004. Eventually, Jean-Marc became vice president of TDAC.

Gerald Robinson of Prince Edward Island was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. Robinson and his brother Virden started Robinson’s Tire Service in 1952, and a year later, they got involved with OK Rubber Welders—now O.K. Tire Stores. Gerald farmed for some years but when his brother’s tire shop burned down, he helped him rebuild, working at the tire

shop and on the farm. In 1969, Gerald took over as manager of the O.K. Tire Stores of PEI and the business grew quick-ly. He also operated his own tire business-es—Parkdale Tire Sales and maintained the BFGoodrich warehouse for PEI. He retired in 1994.

Born in Newfoundland, Eric Gilbert was another inductee. He left Newfoundland for Ontario at the age of 17 and became a Tire Tech with Glendale Tire in Toronto. In 1984, Eric started his own tire deal-ership in Beamsville, Ontario—Ericway Tire. He loved to sponsor and work with

Don Blythe, executive director, Western Canada Tire Dealers (WCTD) was enthusiastic

about the program. “I thought the Conference Committee did a great job of putting

everything together. Most of the speakers were first-rate. The two sessions by Kevin

Rohlwing were excellent, especially the session about what you must do as a tire dealer

(or retailer) that has been legislated by Canadian law… training, certification, etc. In fact,

he told about things that I didn’t know and I’ve been in the business for over 50 years!

Overall, I believe the committee did an outstanding job.”

The rat pack—Jean-Marc Bernard, Gerald Robinson, Don Blythe, and Eric Gilbert



u

children’s sports teams, so obtained his coaching certificate through the national Coaching Certification Program and became a hockey coach. He also spent many years with the local Chamber of Commerce and was president at one

point. Eric was awarded a medal on be-half of Queen Elizabeth for outstanding community service. He was on the Board of directors of the Ontario Tire Dealer Association for 20 years, including a two-year stint as president. Currently,

Eric is president of the Tire Dealers Association of Canada.

Don Blythe, currently the executive di-rector of Western Canada Tire Dealers, was the fourth inductee in the Tire Hall of Fame. Don was born in Lethbridge, Alberta and joined Goodyear Tire & Rubber after high school, working at the order desk and as a tire adjuster. He held several Goodyear sales positions in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, B.C, and the Yukon. For two years, he managed Hub Tire & Battery in North Battlefield. Don finally joined O.K. Tire Stores Canada as regional manager, working out of Calgary. He later returned to Vancouver as general manager of O.K. Tire Stores. Five years later, he opened his own O.K Tire retail stores. Later he would be voted on to the O.K. Tire Board of Directors and then return to the Head Office as Managing director, then as president. Don retired in 2003 from O.K. Tire Stores and has spent his time relaxing by holding down the positions of executive director of the Western Canada Tire Dealers, director of the Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corporation, and chair of Tire Stewardship B.C. tn


“I think the key to any of the conventions, regional or national, is to bring pertinent

information and value to make it worthwhile for attendees to partake in these events,”

stated Jim Schmidt, general manager, Consumer Products, Bridgestone Firestone

Canada. “The time of year, Convention’s venue and the socializing was well done. The

Hall of Fame was a highlight and I thought the speakers were good. They were people

outside the realm of our direct industry and it was good to hear sessions about things

other than tires.

“The conventions are more than just a time for socializing, they’re a time to get together

with your peers in the industry and you always learn something. Jacques Demers

was very good, and Bridgestone Firestone Canada sponsored Mario Andretti and he

brought a good message as well. Again, two speakers from outside the tire industry.

The Industry Leaders’ Breakfast was one of the most informative sessions of the TDAC.

We heard different topics about our industry from five or six business leaders and that

was a pretty good cross section of information.

“The trade show sector of the TDAC was good for the insurance, the wheels, the equip-

ment, some of the aspects of the business that support the tire industry. It does more

for them than it does for the tire manufacturers.”

From a supplier’s perspective, Dave

Lottridge, president of the supplier’s

Council and president of PREMA Canada

thought, “The venues were excellent

and the meals were great. I thought the

organizing committee did a fantastic job

—everything was just first class. I didn’t

hear many speakers but it was neat to

hear that Mario Andretti first touched

the shores of North America not far

from the place we were in quite a few

years ago! I also thought the trade show

was good although we were expect-

ing to see more people go through it.”

Lottridge was at the trade show with

tire supplies—balancing weights, valve

hardware, ice studs, tools, lubricants,

etc.—every day supplies to maintain

and service tires.

Dave Lottridge, president of the supplier’s Council and president of PREMA Canada, hands a $30,000 contribution to Corey Miller for the organization of By the Sea 2008.



Corey Miller, of Miller Tire Service, Fleet Retreading Services Limited, and Conference

chair, believed “the Conference was extraordinarily received. We had about 300

people there and that was a pretty good turnout. The visiting delegates from Canada

and the U.S. gave us enormous positive feedback. They loved the venues and were

complimentary about the trade show. The people liked the speakers. They liked Mario

Andretti who told us he had been to Halifax some years ago—this was the port at

which he and his family landed when they came to America! This was pretty incred-

ible in my mind.

“He took the time to sign autographs and have his picture taken. Jacques Demers did

the same thing—they were very gracious. It was a momentous occasion and on top of

that, the weather was just perfect!

“It was also quite touching to have the Hall of Fame inductees there in front of us.

They are still active and are great people in our industry. It’s wonderful to see them

still involved.”

Mario Andretti and Jacques Demers, speakers at By the Sea 2008

Commercial tires

S207Drive all-steel radial truck. Wide and deep transversal grooves for greater driving force.Deep tread depth for extended mileage. Reinforced bead construction and durable carcassfor excellent retreading rate.

trucks tires

not All Light trucks Use Passenger tiresAccording to the latest reports, light truck sales have been slipping in

North America. But still, the number one overall vehicle in sales remains

the same pick-up we have seen up there for the past 30 years. Does that

mean that light truck tire sales will slow down too? No! As a matter

of fact, you should expect them to rise since actual light truck owners

will keep their ride longer and that means they will need replacement

tires more than ever.

P or LT tires?Light truck tires are not passenger car tires. They have a load to sustain. Some light trucks come equipped with sturdy LT (Light Truck) tires with sizes that can interchange with passenger tire sizes. Consequently, in order to save a few dol-lars, some owners might want to switch to passenger car tires claiming they never load their light truck. This might not be a good idea. Light truck owners are known to overestimate the capacity of their vehicle. They might never load up their truck but it could happen that they will expect their small truck to carry a big load, a load that passenger car tires are not made for. Worse even, they might try to pull a trailer, something they

rented for only a short period of time, that will add more weight to the rear tires. The P-Metric tires might prove to be too weak for such a situation—they will build up heat and fail.

Used trucks with P-metric tiresObviously, the customer who wants P-metric tires (the P, as you know, stands for Passenger) is also looking for a smoother ride. Indeed, an LT tire will give a harsher ride to the vehicle. But this is mostly due to stronger sidewalls that can sustain heavier loads and heat build-up. Also be aware that some light truck tires are available both in P-Metric and LT formats. The surprise could be heavier for someone who has bought a used

light truck on which the previous owner changed the LT tires to P tires.

Being an expert, you should have a keen eye for such vehicles. How can you be sure of the original fitment? Have a look at the placard in the doorjamb, inside the glove box, or in the owner’s manual. You will find the original fitment for the vehicle and if it says LT, show it to your customer. He might not like what he will see but you will have done your profes-sional duty—and you will have shown him that you are concerned about his safety. tn

Éric Descarries [email protected]

Light trucks don’t always have P-metric tires as original

equipment. (photo: Ford)

This Bridgestone Dueler A/T light truck tire is available in the P-Metric and LT format. (photo: Bridgestone)

S208Premium all-steel steer axle radial. Reinforced bead construction and durable carcass for excellent retreadability. Decoupling groove for extended wear and stress relief sipes for all weather traction.

ViSit WWW.heRculeStiRe.ca

heRculeS MeDiuM tRuck tiReS affoRDable, Reliable tiReS built to PeRfoRM

Specific Commercial tires

the Right tire for Hard Working VehiclesSome specific vehicles require very specialised tires. In such a case,

the choice is narrowed down to just a few products.

Delivery vansDelivery vans are probably the most used—and abused—light duty com-mercial vehicles on the market. Some come with P-Metric tires, but most are delivery equipped with LT tires. It is not recommended to switch from LT tires to P-Metric tires, but the opposite is highly recommended if the vehicle owner can

find the right sizes—and the replace-ment wheels.

Some of the vans now come from Europe, where tire companies serve them well. But their specific tire sizes are not neces-sari ly avai lable every-where in Canada. This is where companies like Continental come into the picture with replacement

products such as its Vanco 8 tire series. Slowly, other tire manufacturers, once again mostly from Europe, are begin-ning to offer products and sizes for such vehicles.

According to Goodyear, who recently intro-duced its Unisteel G949 RSA, G947 RSS, G933 RSD, and G971 medium duty commer-cial tires for pickups, delivery vans, and trucks up to 14,000 lbs, some of the most popular hard-working commercial truck tire sizes in-clude: LT225/70R19.5 • LT245/70R19.5 • LT235/85R16 • LT225/75R16 • 8R19.5LT • LT215/85 R16.

Manufacturers include tires for such sizes. BFGoodrich is one of them with its Commercial T/A products. Uniroyal has the Laredo HD/H and HD/T Traction, which have some of those sizes and other helpful fitments. Bridgestone has the Duravis, and Firestone offers the Transforce A/T products for light commercial vehicles. Actually, there are even a few more tires that should fit the same definition. For more information, a quick check with your local distributors will tell you more.

Winter tiresWinter tires are not always easy to find for such sizes. Fortunately, more and more tire manufacturers are listening to their

customers and are bringing in specific winter tires for delivery vans and other light duty commercial vehicles. Continental of-fers its Vanco products in winter configuration, which is a great help for Dodge Sprinter owners. BFGoodrich also has a great winter tire for com-mercia l vehic les, the Commercial T/A Traction which bears the RMA winter logo on its sidewalls—note that it is also a very useful off-road tire. And lately, Pirelli Canada has begun offering the Winter Chrono for such vehicles and this tire can be studded.

Keep in mind that many big RVs must also rely on LT tires. Few owners will change their tires because they are worn out and still fewer will install winter tires on their RVs. But some of them might stop at your shop to replace a damaged tire. This is where the information on this page can come in handy. tn


Vehicles like this Dodge Sprinter sometimes require specific commercial tires.

Tire manufacturers such as Bridgestone offer light commercial truck tires like this most recent Duravis.

BFGoodrich’s Commercial T/A Traction

can be used for snow or off-road situations.

Commercial tiresÉric Descarries [email protected]

a Huge Market

Light truck tires AboundThough passenger car tires still make up the biggest part of the North American tire market, light truck

products definitely have their place. Most major tire manufacturers have quite a few products for light

trucks—LT tires, off-road tires, winter tires, and even performance tires. What follows is an overview of

what’s available.

BFGoodrich offers quite an array of specialty tires for light trucks. Most of them are targeted at off-roading and while many of them are good for the road, some are specifically designed for serious off-roading. Indeed, tires like the All Terrain T/A, Mud Terrain T/A, Long Trail T/A, and Rugged Trail T/A are good for use on the road, but the meaner Krawler T/A is good only for serious

off-roading. BFGoodrich also has a performance version

of its light truck tire, the G Force T/A KDW, but the Commercial T/A and Commercial T/A Traction are definitely aimed at heavier commercial truck

users—the latter has the winter logo on its sidewalls.

Cooper Tire markets its light truck tire line-up under the Discoverer brand name. This tire is available in many shapes, including HT, touring LT, and more aggressive S/T and STT off-road products. The Discoverer is available as a winter tire identified by its M+S logo.

Bridgestone has a few great light-duty truck tires to offer, such as its Dueler A/T Revo and its tamer Dueler H/L Alenza. The company also has quite a few versions of its A/T, HT, and HP tires—the latter is available in a 20-inch version for high-performance light trucks. In addition, Bridgestone offers the more commercially-oriented Duravis product for some of the beefier light trucks.

Continental has a large array of light truck tires to offer its customers whether they need high performance products, touring tires, winter tires, or light commercial products that also fit motor homes. ContiCrossContacts come in UHP versions, but most customers will go for the ContiTracs and their 4x4 tires including a winter version, the Conti 4x4 WinterContact. The commercial tire mentioned here is the Vanco, and it has a winter version available; it is considered ideal for Sprinter vans.Commercial T/A

Duravis R500 HD

Vanco

Discoverer M+S


Dunlop is one of Goodyear’s premium products. It pro-vides great high-performance products, but its catalogue also includes a few light-truck tires, including its Radial Mud Rover and Radial Rover RV/XT products mostly for light off-road adventures.

Slowly rebuilding its line-up, Firestone has a few interest-ing light-truck tires to offer its customers, the Destination A/T and the Destination M/T, the latter being a full-fledge off-road tire with, of all things, pin holes for studs. Firestone also offers the Transforce H/T and A/T commercial truck tires for 15- to 18-inch wheels.

Hankook’s catalogue in-cludes light truck tires such as the Dynapro ATm and MT off-road products, which are also used as touring products. For winter tires, Hankook recently unveiled the I*Pike RW07 and the I*Pike RW11.

Kumho offers a few great light-truck tires. One model, the Ecsta STX, is mostly a high-performance product meant more for show than for go. On the other hand, the whole Kumho Road Venture line of tires includes touring products and aggressive MT off-road tires with serious tread.

Hercules Tires has a few light truck tires in its catalogue, including the All Country A/T and All Country LXT off-road products for 16- to 18-inch wheels. As far as light medium duty truck tires are concerned, we could include the S-209 series for 17.5 to 19.5 wheels.

General Tire is going through a rejuvenation, but it still has some traditional products for its customers. The com-pany has a LT tire line up of different Grabber products for high-performance, street, and off-roading as well as a more traditional AmeriTrac TR light truck tire.

Goodyear’s name is closely associated with truck tires of all sizes. Among its star products, it offers the Fortera line-up for upscale pick-up trucks and SUVs—including the Silent Armour product and the newer TripleTred which bears the winter tire logo. The Wrangler with Silent Armour also shows that logo, but the Wrangler MT/R is mostly designed for serious off-roading. Remember that Goodyear also pro-duces a full-fledged commercial light truck tire discussed in another article, the Unisteel G947, G949 G933, and G971.

Grandtrek SJ6

Transforce H/T

AmeriTrac

Wrangler MT/R

I*Pike RW11

Venture MTu


Commercial tiresÉric Descarries [email protected]

Maxxis is slowly building its line up for American needs and its catalogue includes HT, MA, and off-road MT prod-ucts. It also offers light-duty tires like its UE 168 model for 12- to 16-inch wheels, and Marauder and Buckshot products. There will probably be more to come from Maxxis in the future.

Michelin has quite an array of light truck tires to offer, whether they be the tamer 4x4 Diamaris, popular Cross Terrain SUV, Latitude Sport, Latitude Tour HP, or the more work-oriented LTX AT/2 or winter M/S. For winter purposes, there is the Latitude X Ice. Michelin also has a few RV tires, such as the 17-inch XCA and the 16- and 16.5-inch XPS tires.

Japanese tire manufac-turer Toyo is busy in the light-truck segment. Its catalogue shows a great array of products including the Proxes line of performance tires and a very excit-ing Open Country line of tires including all-season products and real off-road tires like the M55. Toyo also includes the Open Country M606 LT tire for 16-inch wheels that could be considered a light commercial and RV tire.

For light trucks, Uniroyal has a good array of prod-ucts known under the Laredo brand, includ-ing the popular Cross country, All Season AWP, AWR, AWT, and AWTII all-terrain tires, and its commercial HD/D and HD/T tires.

Most of Yokohama’s line-up is identi-fied as Geolandar products whether they are road-going H/T, off-road A/T, or the winter-designed I/T G072. Still, Yokohama has a few commer-cially oriented products, such as the Y788 and the Y742S. If your customer is looking for a “show” or high-performance tire, suggest the Parada Spec-X product from Yokohama. tn

Better known for its winter tires, Nokian has a few light truck tires that might fit many customers’ needs. For the now, the Hakkapeliitta LT and Hakkapeliitta 5 SUV tires are the best known.

Pirelli has specialized in high performance light truck tires, including the very special Scorpion Zero and Zero Asymetrico, which are available up to 24 inches. These are probably the world’s only computer-made tires, produced at Pirelli’s automated plant in Rome, Georgia. Scorpion tires are also available in an Ice & Snow version. Let’s not forget that Pirelli has a Winter Chrono tire for light commercial trucks in winter.

4x4 Diamaris

Hakka Sport Utility

Open Country

Maxxis 760

Winter Chrono

Laredo AWT



unusual tires

Choosing the Right Off-road tireCustomers do not exactly rush to tire shops to buy off-roading tires. We’re talking about real serious off-road

tires—the ones with huge blocks and knobs that grab into mud and sand for the best possible traction. Still,

there is a market out there for such tires.

Most tire manufacturers will offer off-road tires; some of them have

even been installed as original equipment on regular production vehicles. Indeed, in the past, Goodyear provided its Wrangler MT/R on Jeep’s early TJ Rubicon. Today, it’s BFGoodrich that is the official provider for the newer Wrangler (JK) Rubicon with its Mud Terrain T/A. Both tires have a three-ply wall construction that will avoid cinching the tire when it is deflated at a lower pressure for off-roading activities (many speciality off-road tires are offered with three-ply sidewalls). By the way, these two tires might be good in deep snow but are not the best performing tires on ice. A good recommendation would be to re-place them with “real” winter tires during the cold season.

Mud, sand, rock? A country as big as ours has many differ-ent kinds of trails available, depending on where the off-road enthusiast is located. In some areas, off-roading is done mostly on very rocky trails that might require specif-ic rock-crawling capabilities. However, the better part of Canadian trails will be in

muddy areas that will require what are referred to as “mud terrain” tires. They are recognizable by large voids that clean themselves up very quickly in such situa-tions. The commercially better accepted “all-terrain” tires will do the job here, but their tighter voids might have the ten-dency to clog up faster and provide less traction on muddy trails.

Speciality tiresSpeciality off-road tires are not always easy to obtain. Very few distributors im-port tires under the brands of Mickey Thompson, Dick Cepek, Swamper, Nitto, or Pro Comp, but there is indeed a mar-ket for such products. A few speed and specialty shops can get you those huge tires with very aggressive tread. They might not be the best tires on the road and they might not perform well on ice—however, they can be surprising in very deep snow—but they are still the ones “serious” off-roaders look for. tn

Super special off-road tires

are good in mud or rough

terrain, but not so much on

the road or in winter.

All-terrain or mud terrain tires are good in sand if slightly deflated.

Our test Jeep Wrangler was equipped with its OE BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A tires.

Kumho still produces a

modern version of its Road

Venture off-road tire that is not

bad on the road.

Skid Steer OOPSA story we recently published in Tire News on

skid steer tires has sparked a controversy, and

our editorial department has received a number

of inquiries on the subject. Since the matter

clearly needs to be explored further, Tire News

will be devoting a special Industry Report on the

subject in our April 2009 issue. This report, we

feel, will give all sides an opportunity to present

their cases, tell their stories, and let our readers

come to their own conclusions.

Super Swampers are typical

extreme off-road specialized tires.


Tires save The showThe Montreal NASCAR Nationwide held at Le Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve was, once again, a spectacular and

unique event. Last year, local driver Patrick Carpentier made the show by finishing second to veteran Kevin

Harvick. This year, Carpentier once again finished second, this time to Canadian Ron Fellows,

who was driving the JR Motorsport Chevy. But Montreal’s event will go down in history as

NASCAR’s very first official race held in the rain!

NaSCar in Montreal

I ndeed, as the race was only a few laps old, it started to rain. NASCAR had never raced in the rain. But its

only tire provider, Goodyear, was ready with a trailer full of rain tires that were made almost ten years ago but never used. Many of the drivers in the Montreal road course event had some kind of experience in road racing and driving in the rain. That decided Nationwide director Joe Balash to run the first ever NASCAR race in the rain! Taking time for a lengthy red flag, he allowed teams to switch to rain tires. Balash’s decision was also based on the fact there was no rain date for a next race.

The decision paid off. Almost every fan stayed to watch, very few drivers went off-course, and the event was a real success, not only for fans, but also for NASCAR and Goodyear who, the weekend before, had to go through a disastrous Indianapolis race where its race tires self-destroyed in less than seven laps. This time, Goodyear had the right answer.

Earlier during the morning, the NASCAR Canada race saw last year’s champ Andrew Ranger win the race with his Tide Ford Fusion.

Pirelli was there tooLess celebrated, on late Friday afternoon before the Nationwide race (held on Saturday afternoon), was the Rolex Grand Am endurance race. Last year, all teams had to use Hoosier tires. This year, Italian tire maker Pirelli stepped in and it was a wise choice. The Montreal race was among the most interesting—and with one of the biggest crowds—of the season. At the end, the Canadian team of Brian Friselle and Mark Wilkins got to the check-ered flag first, driving a Riley Ford. tn

photos: Éric and Guillaume Descarries

The Todd Braun Racing team serviced Jacques Villeneuve’s Camry very well. (É.D.)

A Pirelli-shod Grand Am Daytona Prototype car in action. (É.D.)

Pirelli was ready for any weather in the Grand Am series. (É.D.)

Goodyear pulled out its NASCAR rain tires for the first time. (É.D.)



Working on Jacques Villeneuve’s car. (É.D.)

Andrew Ranger won the NASCAR Canada race. (É.D.)

Working their way in the rain. (G.D.)

Patrick Carpentier was the star of the show. (G.D.)

Pirelli guests had a great spot to watch the Grand Am race. (É.D.)

Patrick Carpentier, Jacques Villeneuve, and eventual winner Ron Fellows at work

in the rain. (G.D.)

Goodyear posted recommended pressures before the race. (É.D.)

Mike Wallace (Camry No 7) was one of the rare drivers to lose it on wet pavement. (G.D.)

official SuPPlieR of

PRoDuctS iN caNaDa

the leaDiNG SPecialiSt iN tiRe RackiNG

t. 1-800-754-9432

info @mskcanada.com

www.mskcanada.com

Ontario Directs a New tire recycling Program

Waste Diversion Ontario Must Develop a Program to Recycle tiresAlthough other provinces have had tire recycling stewardship plans in place for many years, Ontario has

always lagged behind, despite the efforts of tire associations and organizations to put one in place.

H owever, in August, Minister of the Environment John Gerretsen direct-

ed Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) to develop a program intended to recycle 90 percent of Ontario’s used tires by its fifth year. In the directive, the Minister requires a plan to clean up any existing tire stock-piles as quickly as possible, and to ensure that the program be self-funding, with an industry organization collecting program fees from tire producers.

Required by December 2008The program will cover all motor vehicle tires, including OTR, industry, and farm vehicle tires supplied to the Ontario mar-ket. In his letter, Gerretsen insists that a program be submitted for approval by December 31, 2008.

WDO is a non-crown corporation that was created in June 2002 under the Waste Diversion Act to develop, implement and operate waste diversion programs for a wide range of materials, including Blue Box waste, used oil material, electrical and electronic equipment, and municipal haz-ardous or special waste.

Ontario has had no official program for used tires since 1989, when a short-lived $5.00 fee that was ostensibly a recycling charge was levied on each new tire sold

in the province. The money instead went into the general revenue stream, and the incoming government repealed it in 1993. This time, the request states that no fees will flow to the government.

Instead, in his letter, Gerretsen directs that WDO either develop the program in coop-eration with an existing Industry Funding Organization, or incorporate one, and take on an active role as the organization devel-ops the program.

Priority is the 3 RsThe program “should place a priority on the diversion of used tires into higher end uses whenever possible, based on the prin-ciple of the 3 Rs (reduction, reuse—i.e., retreading where feasible—and recycling),” the letter reads. “Landfilling, the use of used tires as daily cover at landfills, or in-cineration, shall not be part of the program unless the 3R options are not available or not technically feasible.

“The program should be consumer-focused and designed in a manner to ensure that the program and its return options are user-friendly, available across the province, and accessible to all Ontarians. There shall be a single fee paid by the stewards that is associated with the program. Collectors of tires, including retailers, that are par-

ticipating in the program, shall not charge consumers an additional fee for the man-agement of tires following the removal of the tire from the vehicle.”

Cleaning up stockpilesGerretsen instructs that the program must also include a plan to clean up existing stockpiles of used tires across the province, and “promote the diversion of stockpiled tires into recycling and higher end uses whenever possible, depending on the qual-ity of the stockpiled tires. The cleanup of stockpiles should be considered a prior-ity under the early mandate of the pro-gram and expedited as much as possible. WDO should work with the Ministry of the Environment staff to identify and prioritize stockpile sites for cleanup.”

According to the report, over 10 million used tires need to be managed in the prov-ince each year, and that currently about half are being shipped out of the province for use as TDF (tire-derived fuel) or are being stockpiled.

The 2008 Ontario budget has also allo-cated almost $2 million, over two years, to remove 300,000 illegally-stockpiled tires in the province’s Middlesex County, and to review the inventory of scrap tires in Ontario. tn

tire recyclingJil McIntosh [email protected]


A nd for that reason, the Formation de

conduite Avantage in Edmundston, NB decided to present its traditional slalom—which reached its 6th edition in 2008—in a different manner. On September 21, more than 250 people showed up to watch ob-stacle races in the Brunswick Centre’s park-ing lot. Drivers had to go through various manoeuvres while respecting road signs. Challenges included 180° turns, emergency stops, the serpentine, the dead end, and the “final decision.”

School and construction zones were also set up on the course thanks to real signs, bumps, and an authentic school bus. The main difference with previous courses was the types of vehicles used during the day—most of them were hybrids or environmentally friendly. This type of eco-friendly demonstration was a first in the

Maritimes. “People haven’t been made aware of these new types of vehicles. Even if we’re green conscious, comfort and performance are still at the forefront. We must find a way to curb our consumption in order to reduce greenhouse gas,” explains Gilles Francoeur, president and founder of Formation de conduite Avantage and spokesperson for the Maritimes Be Tire Smart—Play your PART program.

Dealer participationMany car dealers in the Edmundston area eagerly accepted the invitation to present their hybrids and eco-friendly models in an event which combined both safety and the environment—in the form of a game. Drivers with faults lost their licence after crossing the finish line. To recover it, they had to correctly answer a road safety question live on CFAI-FM.

Other organizations also had booths on site, COGERNO and the Edmundston police force to name but two. Spectators got to watch police chase simulations. On a more technical note, a few participants tested their skills at changing a flat tire in the shortest time. There again, all safety and verification rules had to be respected so as not to lose points. “When a flat oc-curs, it’s always important to check your spare tire. Some contestants didn’t think of checking the air pressure in that tire. Inflation of all tires must be checked regularly and it’s preferabe to inflate them with nitrogen if possible,” added Francoeur.

The event should take place again in 2009 with other innovations, such as a demon-stration of emergency braking with new and used winter and all-season tires. tn

Industry events

Ecological Obstacle Course in EdmundstonLike other fields, the automotive world had to adjust to the intricacies of the ecological wave spreading across

the planet. What’s left for us to do is convince the population that the words ‘ecological’ and ‘performance’

can indeed go together.

Frédéric Desjardins [email protected]

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The final decision exercice required the driver to brake rapidly in one of the three designated stop zones at the end of the course.

Police chases were recreated within the obstacle course at the Brunswick Centre.

Participants had to change a flat tire.In order to make visitors aware of the importance of being sober when driving, the Formation de conduite Avantage company put a damaged vehicle on display.

Gilles Francoeur giving instructions to a participant.


A t press time, Quebec’s Ministère

des Transports (MTQ) was finalizing certain last amendments to Acts 55 and 42, making the use of winter tires manda-tory. However, these modifications do not affect application dates already adopted, remaining December 15 to March 15 of each year.

During a conference call held on September 9, 2008 between the MTQ governmental committee and representatives of numer-ous organizations, including the Quebec Tire Specialists Association (ASPQ), the matter concerning the new identification of tire classification in particular was among the amendments.

Pictograms and Markings• Two new markings—AT and Nordic—will

be added to the 7 already prescribed, which are: ARTIC, BLIZZARD, ICE, SNOW, STUD, WINTER, and LT with regard to the types of tires to be considered compliant with the definition of a tire designed spe-cifically for winter driving.

• Prior to December 15, 2014, all tires bearing the snowflake/mountain symbol as well as those bearing at least one of the nine following markings: ARTIC, BLIZZARD, ICE, SNOW, STUD, WINTER, NORDIC, LT, and AT will be considered compliant with the definition of winter tires and will be accepted according to the the amended regulation.

• After December 15, 2014, winter tires will have to comply with new standards and new identification criteria which should be adopted by the Canadian gov-ernment during 2009.

• The Mud and Snow (M+S) marking will not be considered compliant.

Definition of a touring vehicleBased on the Highway Safety Code defini-tion, the MTQ will issue an administra-tive memo specifying what a touring ve-hicle must or must not be. Said definition should soon be available on the MTQ Web site. tn

Important Fall update

QUEBEC’S MAnDAtORy WIntER tIRE MAttER

The ASPQ deemed fit to share this information with Canada’s tire industry and with all interested parties, be they manufacturers, distributors, resellers, or other concerned associations. In fact, the Canadian government was on the verge of issuing, in 2009, the compliance standards for winter tires throughout the country. Those mentioned in this article apply to Quebec and could lead the way to national regulation. Note that this information is distributed without prejudice, since the MTQ could still bring forth minor modifications. We will be made aware of the content regarding the final version of Act 55 when it is published in the Gazette officielle du Québec in a few weeks.

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Raynald Bouchard [email protected]


W ine improves with aging, but tires definitely don’t—and if you’re not

paying attention to the manufacturer’s date on the sidewall, you could be pass-ing along a problem tire that could affect your customer, your supplier, and your business.

As you know, the tire manufacturer put the date the tire was made on its sidewall. Everyone in your shop should be aware of the codes, know how to read them, and understand their importance.

No regulationsWhile there are no regulations in either Canada or the U.S. on the shelf life of tires, Transport Canada recommends that tires should not be put into service if they have been in storage for more than six years, and that all tires should be replaced ten years from their date of manufacture.

If you’ve got a very full warehouse, it’s entirely pos-sible that some tires might get overlooked, espe-cially if they’re in a slow-selling size, and could sit until they’re close to the recommend-ed expiration

date. Stock rotation should depend not on the date you got the tire, but on the day it was manufactured.

A higher profileYou can expect this to take on a higher profile with customers, especially since ABC News prepared a special investigative report earlier this year. The network called aged tires a “ticking time bomb,” even as it reported that some tire companies and car manufacturers issue consumer warnings about using a car beyond a specified age.

ABC also reported that some of its “local reporters” went into tire shops, looking for aged tires sold as new. While the network

didn’t say how many shops the re-porters visited or how many

tires they examined over-all, they found seven

tires, one at a branded tire store and the rest at Wal-Mart, made anywhere from 1999 to 2001 and sold

as new.

That’s not a lot, but it’s seven

too many when it comes to

consumer con-fidence, and such stories quickly take

on a life of their own.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that it has been examining the issue since 2002, but will not consider regulations until it has determined an accurate test to measure the effects of age on new tires, and has studied costs and potential safety ben-efits.

Tires deteriorate over timeTransport Canada says that it does not regulate shelf life “because the depart-ment’s investigations have not revealed a pattern of motor vehicle collisions caused by tire failure due to tire aging of the time of sale.” As well, “many variables come into account to evaluate a tire lifetime, such as environment (storage conditions, temperature, climate), the driven frequen-cy, the composition and quality of tire, and vehicle maintenance practices (proper inflation pressure, wheel alignment, etc.). As such, many experts agreed that tires deteriorate over time, even if they are not used or driven on.”

In other words, it’s up to you to regulate your stock; just as importantly for your business, you need to keep your customer informed. It’s a good opportunity to build your goodwill by letting customers know that they’re getting fresh stock, by show-ing them how to read their tire codes and the importance of replacing old tires, even if they’re not badly worn, and to re-place their spare tires when they get too old. Make their tires’ birthdays work for them—and for you. tn

age: good for Wine, Bad for tires

Know the “Birthdays” of the tires in your StockWhen you sell your customer a new tire, is it really new? Or has it been sitting in a warehouse somewhere,

gathering dust, until someone finally got to it and added it to your order?



$B ut that doesn’t necessarily translate

into an easy sell with your customer, and dealers will have to focus on training, equipment, and knowledge to remain profitable when it comes to TPMS. That was the message from Kevin Rohlwing, senior vice president of Training for the Tire Industry Association (TIA), during his presentation at the TDAC Convention in Halifax earlier this year.

The difference between making and losing money is in being able to sell the value of maintaining the TPMS to your customer, and then continuing to service the vehicle correctly so that it continues to monitor the tires, he said.

Numerous obstaclesUnfortunately, there are a lot of obstacles in your way. For consumers, there’s the price: at approximately $50 per sensor, you’ve got to “sell” the customer on some-thing that can represent one-fifth the price of each tire.

On your shop floor, you’re going to need tools, updates, parts, resources and scan-ners, and possibly the most expensive of all, staff who are trained in proper mounting, dismounting, testing, and cali-bration of the various systems. That’s not made easier by the fact that there is no

standardization for TPMS, and worse, no quick, comprehensive guide. If your technician doesn’t know the difference between a valve-mounted sensor and a banded one, for example, you could be looking at an expensive repair that will be your responsibility, not the customer’s.

Communicating the importanceAnother problem that will affect indepen-dent shops, Rohlwing said, is that the TPMS industry has not effectively com-municated the importance of system main-tenance to customers. Not only are many drivers unaware of what this new warning light means, but they’re also likely to ignore it once the vehicle’s warranty has expired, or will find ways to disable it, rather than pay to have it repaired. That’s not the news you want to hear when your shop is ready to go with expensive tools and training.

And TPMS can even go the other way, as a new survey released by J.D. Power and Associates following the TDAC convention shows: when asked about satisfaction with their tires, vehicle owners reported nearly 20 percent more complaints about “slow leaks” in their tires in 2008, when compared with 2007. The problem? J.D. Power suspects that drivers were moni-toring subtle, non-problematic pressure changes or false readings on their digital

TPMS readouts, and mistakenly blaming the tires.

An uphill battleSo what’s the solution? Education, Rohlwing said, with OEMs and suppliers emphasizing the safety aspect of TPMS to consumers; as the number of safety-conscious drivers grows, so does the mar-ket. Even so, independent shops face an uphill battle, as consumers become weary of paying to repair or replace components, and realize that the car will still work even if the warning light is on.

TIA, meanwhile, is introducing a new TPMS chart that will become the foundation for its advanced TPMS training programs, with relearn summaries, part numbers, and torque values for all domestic and import models.

And at the retail level, dealers need to stay on top with training at all levels of the shop, from the service counter to the shop floor, with the aim of “relearning” not only the TPMS system, but also its owner. Seatbelts, airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control all had to be “sold” to the customer in their day, and now they’re considered essential. One day, with the proper emphasis, TPMS will be there also. tn


tPMS: a Money-maker or a Money-loser

Customer Education Will Make All the DifferenceBy now, tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are probably

hardwired into your brain. The phase-in period for their federal

mandate in the U.S. is complete, and that’s had a profound

influence on the number of cars in Canada so equipped.




getting the Safety Message Out

Care-Van Project Gets the Point to the PublicAs tire professionals, you know that consumers should take care of their rubber: maintaining pressure, checking

wear, and thinking about safety. And you also know that consumers often don’t do any of those things.

G etting them to think about the im-portance is the goal of the Care-Van

program, a new initiative by the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC). Currently a pilot project operating within a 500-km radius of the Greater Toronto Area, the program may one day operate nationally with a fleet of vehicles.

Trained tire experts“It’s a play on words,” said Gilles Paquette, Communications manager for RAC. “It’s the van that tells you how to properly care for your tires. We have staffed it with trained tire experts, people who are master com-municators to explain the importance of proper tire maintenance. They don’t just tell people about it, but they get them to commit that they will be measuring their tire pressure monthly.”

The Chevrolet Express van is shrink-wrapped with decals, featuring the associa-tion’s “Philip the Tire” mascot, along with bilingual reminders to check tire pressure monthly, and the website address for Be Tire Smart.

The van has been taken to numerous community events, including fall fairs, car

shows, and Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition and Ontario Place.

Member events“One priority is that we’re accommodat-ing our members’ events,” Paquette said. “We’ve been attending tire manufacturers’ events, sales events, product launches, and dealer events. Dealers often do communi-ty-based events where the public is invited to come and visit the store. For example, Niagara Battery & Tire did a big event where they brought in some race cars and we were there.”

Over the years, the Be Tire Smart cam-paign has educated thousands of consum-ers, but the association has found that it isn’t always enough just to tell people what they should do. Instead, they’re asked to sign a commitment, which is surprisingly effective, according to the RAC’s research. The approach is used at the Care-Van for maximum benefit.

“We want to use this pilot project to evalu-ate the feasibility of this type of event vehicle,” Paquette said. “If it’s successful, we’d love to roll this out nationally. We’re thinking three vehicles, one out West, one

in Ontario and Quebec, and one in the Atlantic Provinces.”

The choice of a Chevrolet Express van isn’t random; the RAC chose it because it was named the 2008 EnerGuide winner as the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class. Paquette said that if the project does turn into a full program, he’d love to see the vehicle fleet made up of hybrid SUVs.

An education programThe RAC has also signed a three-year agreement with Natural Resources Canada and, over the next three years, plans to develop an education program. “We’re looking at how we can target schools and partner with community police officers who are already going into the schools,” Paquette said. “We’re looking to develop a mascot that’s a large version of Philip the Tire, with an oversized tire gauge. He would be like Elmer the Safety Elephant.

“If we get to them when they’re young, they can develop the correct habits, so when they do get their licenses and get into their cars and become the drivers of tomorrow, they’ll already have the message of tire safety and tire maintenance.” tn

WheelsÉric Descarries [email protected]


Steel or alloy Wheels

Winter Can Be Rough on your WheelsNo matter where you live in Canada, winter will be rough on wheels. If it’s not the snow and ice, it will be

the salt and potholes that might damage your customers’ wheels. What to do in such a case? This is what

we asked Dan Beaton of Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists in Ottawa, Ontario, an area that is usually hit pretty

hard by winter.

A lloy Wheel Repair Specialists deal with a lot of wheel repairs, mostly

slightly bent alloy wheels for high end cars and light trucks. It also deals with refurbishing alloy wheels. A quick look at its website—www.alloywheelrepair.ca—will show you more about this Ottawa business, as it includes refurbishing, straightening, providing, and caring for wheels.

Winter is a season that brings a lot of business to Alloy Wheel Repair. Most of the time, the damage is caused by an accident or a road hazard. According to Dan, people don’t always drive carefully in the rain or snow, and they hit potholes and curbs. Also, Nature alone may cause cosmetic damage to wheels.

What to choose—steel or alloy?The first question we asked Dan was concerning the choice of winter wheels. Should a customer go for a generic black steel wheel, or a fancier but more vul-nerable alloy wheel? “Steel wheels are definitely less expensive,” he answered. “But other than looking bland—and in some cases, ugly—they also add extra unsprung weight to the vehicle. It is not surprising that people who own automobiles such as BMWs, Mercedes, Cadillacs, and other similar products will rather go for better-looking wheels.”

And if your customer intends to keep his vehicle for a while, Dan considers that buying an extra set of wheels, even if they are alloys, is a good investment,

as changing tires twice a year will surely damage the original wheel. “And original wheels might not be as expensive as first thought,” he said. “Some import car wheels are even less expensive than many domestic car wheels if we are looking at some luxury cars. What’s more, they are good quality wheels—sometimes a lot better than some re-production wheels.” In this case, a set of refurbished OE wheels would be a great buy. And a simple design with less web-bing would be easier to clean.

Many motorists think that a nice looking aftermarket wheel will do the job, espe-cially since it will be cheaper than an ori-ginal equipment wheel. Dan has a warning concerning wheels that are not always at par with original wheels, mostly their finish and durability. “Aftermarket wheels can be of a very good quality, but good wheels are not cheap and cheap wheels are not necessarily all good,” he added.

What to avoidNot all aftermarket wheels are well protected. Dan pointed out that some aftermarket wheels look good with their polished finish and clear coating. But, according to him, they do not fit our climate. Most of his customers discover that the clear coating has peeled off after winter. The same goes ph

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A wheel thus damaged can be considered non-repairable.


with chrome finish on aftermarket alloy wheels. Alloy wheels are flexible and their chrome coating has a tendency to peel. The damage might not be vis-ible at first, but a deep inspection will show the beginning of cracking and damage. And once the chrome goes, that’s it. They cannot be rechromed or repaired.

There are some steel-chromed wheels on the market that will survive some winters, but they do not fit all needs. As a matter of fact, the company he represents does not recommend chrome wheels for winter, regardless of whether they are aftermarket or not. Machine finished surfaces might not be very durable either. These are very popular, mostly on Japanese cars. But as their rough finish on the spokes will sustain winter attacks, the flat machined section will not stand up to salt. Once again, this type of wheel is not suggested by our expert. According to Dan, fully painted alloy wheels remain the better choice. These usually have at least three layers of protective coating.

Repairing alloy wheelsA quick visit to Alloy Wheel Repairs will teach you a lot about the kinds of dam-age that can be fixed by the Ottawa business. As Dan explained to us, slight-ly bent alloy wheels can be repaired, often at a reasonable cost; a wheel with a missing part can also sometimes be repaired but, once again, a refurbished OE wheel will be better.

Any damage that crosses over the bead is considered unrepairable. And as far as steel wheels are concerned, the com-pany Dan represents very rarely repairs them because it is much less expensive to get a new wheel from the dealer. If it’s only slight surface rust or scaled paint, a do-it-yourself job is a lot better. In any case, when buying aftermarket wheels, Dan suggests buying five wheels instead of four because many models can be discontinued after two years.

Maintenance still is the keyMaintenance remains the secret to nice wheels, whether it is in summer or in winter. However, Dan mentioned the

importance of being careful with after-market cleaners. Instructions should be read very carefully, as most cleaners are corrosive. For example, some people have the tendency to let the product sit on the wheel for more than a few minutes before washing it off. If it says ‘apply-brush-wash,’ it’s important to abide by the instructions and wash off the product as soon as possible so that the corrosive action does not stick to the wheel and mar the finish.

In addition, he recommends that the black powder produced by the brake pads doesn’t stay on the alloy wheel. It too has a corrosive action and though it might be only mildly corrosive, it is best to be quickly washed off. And, if possible, install different brake pads that will not produce such black pow-der.

Remember, maintenance is the key to good-looking wheels, no matter what kind of wheel it is. tn

www.alloywheelrepair.ca

A wheel with a slightly damaged edge can be repaired. With such a fissure, it’s better to opt for a refurbished wheel.

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I n the past, many were leery of private brands—not knowing what they were

and where they came from. Indeed, over the years, private brands have begun mimicking most of the branded products and, by doing so, gained a very good reputation. To know more about the mar-ket, we spoke to a specialist: Rob Keller, president of Hercules Tires Canada, one of the country’s biggest private brand tire manufacturers.

According to Keller, private brands ac-count for about 25% of the tire industry in Canada. And, with today’s economy, he sees a growing opportunity for private brands. In his opinion, since the market is shifting, people will be looking at the better deal private brand tires will offer. What’s more, as we learned in the past few years, major tire manufacturers are slowly walking away from private brands, though a few majors still have customers in the segment.

Who are the private brand customers?Keller says that most people who buy private brand tires are typical consumers who will use them as second or third fit-ment for an older car. Other customers will choose them because they want to save money. For others still, it’s a cure to the “sticker shock” that usually comes with a new replacement tire. Hercules is trying to keep up to date with sizes. For example, if a new vehicle comes out with tires of unusual sizes, it will try to produce a replacement tire in those sizes within 18

to 24 months from the time the vehicle hits the market.

In real life, about 50% of the people who are in the market for a replacement tire know exactly what kind and what brand of tire they want. Keller calls them “pre-sold” products: customers will show up and ask for a major brand tire exactly or almost exactly the same as the original equip-ment on their vehicle. Therefore, brands like Hercules are designed for dealers, businesses that sell products to people who have a budget to respect and don’t want to pay as much as an OE tire, but still want quality. Private brands are also more affordable because there is less money spent on advertisement.

Are private brand tires as good as OEs? How good are private brand tires? Can they stand up against OEs? Hercules Tires sources its tires globally, but most of them come from American manufacturers, suppliers such as Cooper Tires, a manu-facturer that is still committed to private brands. Consequently, private brand tires

nowadays are of very good quality. Keller explained that Hercules tires run on the same carcass as the supplier’s carcasses and that the compound is no different. The only major things that differ are the moulds and the tread, and sidewall de-signs. In other words, private brand tires are produced on the same production line as other tires, using the same components and the same materials. Also, they must meet the same stringent government-mandated quality standards as branded tires. So private brand tires are just as well made and as carefully inspected as branded tires.

In case your customers are asking about Chinese-made tires, Keller recommends that you let them know that they are gain-ing in quality and that some major brands are already into China. Actually, Chinese manufacturers use the same global mate-rials used by any other tire manufacturer in the world. “And their average equip-ment is at least twice as new as the ones we have in America or Europe. So they are using the latest technology in tire mak-ing,” says Keller.

Keller has a final recommendation for dealers—never to install only two winter tires on a vehicle, even if it’s rear-wheel driven. “When installing winter tires, go for four tires, that’s all!” tn

Private Brands

What Are they?Even if many tire outlets sell private brand tires, the segment is more or less known by many people in the

industry, and not well understood by customers. So, what are private brands?


Hercules Tires is among the best-known independent brand tire manufacturers in Canada.


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I t then breaks down in a variety of che-mical substances, such as methane, hy-

drogen, carbon black, and styrene. When they make contact with the oxygen inside the tire, these flammable vapours are set ablaze by auto-ignition when the tempe-rature gets to ± 430ºC, bringing on an explosion so powerful that debris can be blown 300 metres away.

Origin of the explosionA report based on expert examination following a fatal work injury enumerates the possible heat sources of this pheno-menon:

• Overheating brakes

• Poor tire condition or over/ under tire inflation

• Using a blow torch on a wheel or near the tire

• Welding on or near the wheel

• Automobile fire

• Contact with high-tension power line or lightning

• Presence of contaminants inside the tire

• Absorption of flammable liquids by the tire

• Installing and uninstalling tires

Explanation of the phenomenonWhen the vehicle is in motion, the tires cool down thanks to the air circulating at high speed. If an abnormal condition occurs, causing the tires to overheat, the cooling process is much less efficient when

the vehicle is at a standstill, increasing the risks of pyrolysis. The heat causes the air inside the tires to dilate and significantly increase their pressure, bringing about the degradation and softening of the rubber. If the tires are not cooled, the pyrolysis phenomenon begins and an explosion can occur at any moment within 24 hours.

Extreme cautionWhether you’re a truck driver, automotive technician, or other, if you suspect that a tire is unusually overheated, it’s better to keep a safe distance for a reasonable lapse of time until the tire has cooled. If possible, measure the tire’s temperature with an infrared temperature sensor; it must be below 250°C. As soon as the si-tuation is favourable (temperature around 70°C), you must deflate the tire to a mini-mum and carry out a careful inspection.

Good practicesThe afore-mentioned enumeration of po-tentially dangerous heat sources resulting in pyrolysis must be a guide to be memo-rized by you and your staff, and your work processes must reflect this awareness in order to avoid potential dangers.

Preventive trainingAccording to numerous reports of serious accidents involving tire pyrolysis, the dan-gers linked to a tire blowout are overloo-ked in the workplace. Truckers, suppliers, and technicians must be made aware of this phenomenon, which has caused the loss of many lives in Canada. tn

tire Pyrolysis

Overheating WarningEvery year in Canada, numerous people are seriously injured or die due to a tire explosion caused by

a pyrolysis phenomenon, which is the chemical breakdown of the tire brought on by excessive heat.

Tire pyrolysis begins when the temperature of the rubber that goes into the production of the tire attains

± 250°C.

François Charron [email protected]

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If you suspect unusual tire overheating,

it’s better to remain at a safe distance

until the tire has cooled down.

This picture illustrates the brake actuator and the threaded bar to be screwed to the end in order to compress the diaphragm spring inside, thus releasing the pressure on air brakes. Said rod is usually stored on the side of the actuator. It’s the only good way of neutralizing the pressure on brake shoes and preventing brakes from overheating.


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WE’RE PROUD OF OUR GROWING RELATIONSHIP WITH OK TIRE AND CONGRATULATE THEM ON

BEING RANKED #1 FOR CANADIAN CUSTOMER COMMITMENT BY J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES.


Special report

Measuring SuccessPutting the customer first can place your company head and shoulders above the competition while

significantly boosting your bottom line.

W hether analyzing new home pur-chases, new or used cars, service

centre performance or a variety of other goods and services, J.D. Power has long served as the litmus test of customer sa-tisfaction. The company’s annual ranking is used as a benchmark by consumers, bu-siness owners, and analysts alike to deter-mine which businesses excel in customer satisfaction, and which ones are losing or gaining market share.

Recently, J.D. Power announced that O.K. Tire ranks highest in customer satis-faction on the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Canadian Customer Commitment Index Study. O.K. Tire achieved an over-all index score of 902 on a 1,000-point

scale and performs particularly well in work quality and customer orientation—two of the most important drivers of cus-tomer satisfaction.

Petro-Canada (Certigard) follows O.K. Tire in the rankings with a score of 886, while AUTOPRO ranks third overall with 881.

The study finds that the industry as a whole has improved over the past four years, and that customer satisfaction in general has risen over the same period of time. In 2004 the industry average was 826 points, while in 2008 that num-ber rose to 850—a small increase, but an increase nonetheless.

“A one percentage point

increase in share of service

visits for either aftermarket or

new-car dealers can potentially

lead to a $110 million increase

in annual revenue.”

– Adrian Chung, manager of

automotive syndicated research at

J.D. Power and Associates.

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Congratulations on being # 1 O.K. Tire!Congratulations on being # 1 O.K. Tire!

The study also finds that independent shops are collectively doing better than any franchised car dealers. The indepen-dents weighed in with 884 points, while the franchised dealers with the highest score were Saturn/Saab and Toyota/Lexus (tied at 871).

When you compare 2008 results with those from 2007, new-car dealers lost market share. The most noteworthy drop in share for new-car dealers was among owners of 2- to 3-year-old vehicles, declin-ing from 75 percent in 2007 to 73 per-cent in 2008.

The study finds that the cost per service visit has increased by 7 percent since 2004 with the most significant increases taking place among quick lubes (up 19 percent),

tire specialists (up 14 percent), and ser-vice stations (up 13 percent).

J.D. Power’s findings spell out why it’s important to take good care of your cus-tomers: Among consumers who report being highly committed to their ser-vice centre, nearly 94 percent say they would return to the shop for service and 84 percent say they would definitely rec-ommend the shop. On the other hand, only 17 percent of customers with low commitment said they would return for service, and less than 12 percent said they would give a recommendation.

How much business can a shop expect to get from word-of-mouth advertising if a customer is happy? According to the study, highly committed customers will

recommend the shop to nearly six indi-viduals, either family or friends.

MethodologyJ.D. Power measures the service satisfac-tion and loyalty of owners of 2- to 12-year-old vehicles. Key factors analyzed by the study include appointment/check-in, ser-vice advisor, work quality, after-service and customer orientation.

The 2008 study is based on responses from a significant sampling of the over-all market—17,114 owners, surveyed be-tween December 2007 and May 2008.

According to the study, nearly 70 per-cent of all vehicles in Canada in 2008 fall into the 2- to 12-year-old category. Furthermore, owners of these vehicles

Jack Kazmierski [email protected]

u


spend an average of $860 annually on service and repairs. This means that even a small increase in market share can make a huge impact on the bottom line of any service provider.

“With more than 13 million 2- to 12-year-old vehicles on the road in Canada and ve-

hicle owners spending an average of $860 per year, a one percentage point increase in share of service visits for either after-market or new-car dealers can potentially lead to a $110 million increase in annual revenue,” says Adrian Chung, manager of automotive syndicated research at J.D. Power and Associates.

With customer satisfaction playing such a significant role in the overall success of a business, it certainly makes sense for shop owners to pay extra attention to the way customers are treated. u

Special report Measuring Success tn

Tires - Engineered in Germany.

Europe s Tire Market

Leader Salutes Everyone

at O.K. Tire for Being #1

in their Field.

‘

J.D. Power and Associates recently ranked O.K. Tire Stores high-est in customer satisfaction on the 2008 Canadian Customer

Commitment Index Study. Although O.K. Tire is thrilled to be num-ber one, the truth of the matter is that the company wasn’t even trying to outrank its competitors. In fact, the entire organization is so busy improving the quality of their service that they almost forgot about the annual J.D. Power Index Study.

“We were so busy that we didn’t even realize it was the time of the year for the results of the J.D. Power Study to come out,” says Greg Sims, president and CEO of O.K. Tire Stores. “I was travelling at the time and was thrilled to find out we were number one. Everybody I talked to is just thrilled—the dealers, the board of directors—and for the same reasons: This is an outside third party, totally impar-tial, totally neutral confirming that our company is moving in the right direction. When you get someone as well recognized and well respected as J.D. Power putting you in first place, it tells us that we’re doing the right things.”

The “right things” Sims is referring to have to do with an ambitious overhaul and improvement strategy O.K. Tire began more than two years ago. “We set our sights on building the quality of our stores,” Sims says. “We have no targets about growing the number of stores. Everything we are doing as an organization is qualitative.”

The strategyWhen Sims took over as president and CEO two-and-a-half years ago he organized town hall meetings with his dealers. “We inter-viewed the staff to find out what issues they’re dealing with and what’s happening in our organization that’s holding us back,” he says. “After getting that feedback we took the company through a full strategic review and developed a vision for the company.”

The newly defined vision focuses the entire organization and de-fines the type of company O.K. Tire wants to become. No stone was left unturned, and absolutely everything that could be overhauled and improved, was.

The organization has been working on building the O.K. Tire brand, attracting more consumers to their stores, and on improving the

Special report

Rising to the topRanked as first by J.D. Power justifies all

the changes and improvements O.K. Tire has

made to their organization over the past

couple of years.

Jack Kazmierski [email protected] tn

u


Engineered for the real world.

At TOYO Tires, we design our tires to handle Canada’s worst driving conditions. We also know you need tires that will perform in one particularly demanding area: the real world. So whether your customer is taking the kids to the ball game, or they are on the way to a meeting TOYO has the perfect tire to match their driving needs. Contact a TOYO Regional manager for details on how you can get involved in an upcoming TOYO campaign or to become a TOYO Tire dealer.

Congratulations to OK Tire from Toyo Tires on this prestigious recognition!

quality of the staff and the service. “We have a group of staff called dealer development managers who work with our stores to help them become better businesses,” Sims says, “because it’s not enough to be a good tire and mechanical service provider. You have to be a good business person as well.”

The organization also strives to understand the consumer, con-ducting research on a national level and introducing tools that help each store better understand what’s happening in their par-ticular area. “If you don’t understand the consumers, you won’t know what they’re looking for, and you won’t know what services to provide,” Sims says.

There’s also a strategy in place that is helping the organization become as efficient as possible, with a focus on improving supply chain management. “We need to make sure that when a consumer is looking for something, we can get it to that store and to that consumer in a timely fashion,” Sims says.

Independent thinkingAn organizational shift of this magnitude is difficult enough when all the stores are company owned. But when you have an organ-ization like O.K. Tire where each store is independently owned and operated, it can be difficult to get all owner/operators to buy into the new vision.

“The uptake is uneven because they are independent business people,” Sims says, while pointing out that this can also be an advantage. “If you look at the winners of the J.D. Power Study in the last three years, they’ve all been organizations that have a large degree of independent ownership. You had Fountain Tire two years ago, last year it was Tirecraft, and this year it’s O.K. Tire. So when a consumer is dealing with one of our stores, they’re not dealing with the manager—they’re dealing with the owner. And it seems that the owner has a more vested interest in making sure that the customer is satisfied.”

The upgrades the more than 265 O.K. Tire locations have been asked to accept are major. For starters, the organization is rec-

Special report rising to the top

oktire.com

Whether it’s advice on winter tires or getting your car ready for cold weather driving, you’re in good hands. Among auto service providers, OK Tire ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction” on the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Canadian Customer Commitment Study. See why we’re different – for the location near you, visit oktire.com.

™The OK Tire mark is a trademark of O.K. Tire Stores Inc.

OK Tire Stores received the highest numercial score among service providers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Canadian Commitment StudySM. Study based on responses from 17,114 consumers measuring 38 providers and measures opinions of consumers who had their vehicle serviced at the dealership or after-market facilities. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of

consumers surveyed December 2007 and May 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com


ommending significant change in the IT (Information Technology) structure. “We have a recommended POS system that we suggest our stores should have,” Sims says. “Because they’re independents, they make the final decision, but we feel that in order to be successful and in order to be able to manage your time and really be able to fol-low the complexity of the transactions, you need to have a modern POS system.”

O.K. Tire is in the process of switching over to a new enterprise system. The recom-mended POS system is from COSTAR, as is the enterprise system, “because this will allow us to drive efficiency and time sav-ings to the stores,” Sims says. “That means if our stores are not wasting time finding tires and parts then they’ll have more time to spend with customers. They can follow up better and do better with customer re-lationship management.”

The company also offers an online training program, dubbed e-University, with online courses available 24/7. This will give store staff the knowledge they need to provide top-notch service and increase customer satisfaction.

“It’s all driven by the market,” Sims says. “If you’re going to be successful you need to understand your customers, understand their needs and how to satisfy them.”

FaceliftO.K. Tire is also working on improving the look and feel of each store. “The woman that brings her car into an O.K. Tire store may have just come from a very modern grocery store or a clothing store, or any number of retail experiences,” Sims says. “And she’s looking for a retail experience that’s more on that level vs. the old trad-itional automotive experience.”

To improve the retail experience, the com-pany is working with their stores to en-hance ambiance with new guidelines on signs, on store identification, and a focus on store interiors.


u

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WarehousingThe customer-focused vision of excellence also includes an over-haul of O.K. Tire’s warehousing system. “We have sold our distri-bution centre in Langley and are building a new and larger dis-tribution centre, which will also serve as our head office in South Surrey,” Sims says. “That’s a definite part of our supply chain improvements. We’re going from a 40,000 sq. ft. warehouse to a 100,000 sq. ft. distribution centre with room to expand another 40,000 sq. ft. if we need to.”

The new distribution centre will be used as a hub/mixing ware-house for Western Canada, with a 100,000 sq. ft. facility in Mississauga servicing Eastern Canada. “The containers we bring in from Asia, for example, will come into Vancouver, we’ll be able to mix the product, and ship it directly to other Western Canada distribution centres,” Sims says. “That means we should be able to reduce the amount of inventory, make the inventory more shallow, and increase the breadth of our inventory because we can refresh it whenever we need out of Vancouver rather than out of Asia be-cause that part of the supply chain takes three to four months.”

Encouraged by the number one ranking from J.D. Power, O.K. Tire has set their sights even higher, and everyone is eager to stay on top. “We’re two years into a trip that will never end,” Sims says. “We have a focus now, we know what we’re doing and we will con-stantly be working to improve ourselves.” tn


PIrellI WarMlY SaluteS

FOr tHeIr

J.D. POWer aWarD

FOr eXCePtIONal

CuStOMer SerVICe.

Atlas Tire Wholesale Inc.

WEST6290 SHAWSON DRIVEMISSISSAUGA, ON L5T 1H5

TELFAX

(905) 670-9791(905) 670-0581

EAST140 McLEVIN AVE., # 6 & 7

SCARBOROUGH, ON M1B 3V1

TELFAX

(416) 292-8202(416) 292-8177

[email protected]

www.tiredistribution.com

IDEAL FITMENT FOR:

Acura

Honda Nissan

ToyotaMazda

P 1 8 5 /6 5 R 1 5 8 6 H

P 1 9 5 /6 5 R 1 5 8 9 H

P 2 0 5 /6 5 R 1 5 9 2 H

P 1 9 5 /6 0 R 1 5 8 7 H

P 2 0 5 /6 0 R 1 5 9 0 H

P 2 0 5 /6 0 R 1 6 9 1 H

P 2 0 5 /6 0 R 1 6 9 1 V

P 2 1 5 /6 0 R 1 6 9 4 V

2 0 5 /5 5 R 1 6 9 1 H

2 1 5 /5 5 R 1 7 9 4 V

2 0 5 /5 0 R 1 7 8 9 V

2 1 5 /5 0 R 1 7 X L 9 5 V

2 2 5 /5 0 R 1 7 9 4 V

2 0 5 /4 5 R 1 7 8 4 V

2 1 5 /4 5 R 1 7 X L 9 1 H

2 2 5 /4 5 R 1 7 9 1 H

2 3 5 /4 5 R 1 7 9 4 H

S A M P L E S I Z E S

� Silica to boost wet grip

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� 80,000 Kilometer Treadwear Limited Warranty

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Purchase via your Car Manufacturer / Bridgestone National Account Programs

TIRE DEALERS:

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ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT & RUN-FLAT TIRES:

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Summer tires43 m

Measurement at a speed of 50 km/h on snow.The stopping distance data and comparison between summer and winter tires shown here were obtained using standard vehicles. The displayed image is for illustrative purpose only. The stopping distance of any individual vehicle depends on the vehicle type, the brakes, the tires, the load, the temperature and the road surface. (Source: Continental AG)

Winter tires35 m

Tires - Engineered in Germany.

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