PM 40014105 Avantages LRR TireLRR T ire Rack Survey TireRack
volume 6 / Number 7 / 7 Number / 6 volume www.autosphere.ca December 2009 December / $ 4,95
09canada856 TireNews-8.125x10.875 7/31/09 2:51 PM Page 1
Blizzak tires
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introducing two new tires designed exclusively for winter driving.
continuous lug center multi-z pattern enhances snow traction improves snow and ice traction 3-d sipes enhance dry and water evacuation through drainage with more performance while maintaining 3-d sipes enhance dry circumferential biting edges snow, ice and wet traction performance while maintaining grooves channel water snow, ice and wet traction to reduce hydroplaning rc polymer improves continuous lug snow and ice performance silica improves traction zigzag sipes enhances snow traction in wet conditions increase biting edges and water evacuation
improved snow & ice traction • • improved snow & ice performance • h speed rating 34 sizes from 17˝ to 20˝ • r speed rating • • 46 sizes from 15 to 22 • 5 run-flat sizes from 16˝ to 18˝ ˝ ˝
Meets the severe snow service requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC). bridgestonetire.ca 1-866-9 GO TIRE tiresafety.com Contents December 2009
14 COVER STORY 18 features 8 Unveiled at SEMA 24 Succession Planning Many New Tires Will You Be Ready When the Time Comes?
10 Tire Trends at SEMA 26 Wheel Weights Tools That Earn Their Keep Getting the Lead Out!
12 What Kind of Boss Are You? 27 Tire Balancing Did You Learn from the Boss Who Made To Balance or Not to Balance? Your Job Happy, or Horrible? 28 Kal Tire Gets the Lead Out 14 Testing LRR Tires Steel Weights Replace Lead for a Greener Low Rolling Resistance Tires Have Benefits Environment
18 Tires at SEMA 28 Our Readers Write A Brave New World 30 Diagnosis 22 Business Succession Alternators and Charging Systems How Will You “Re-Tire”?
REGULARS
4 ...... Editorial.
6, 29 ...... Industry News
29 ...... Advertisers
| www.autosphere.ca | December 2009 | Tire News | 3 editorial
Magazine said, “Some businesses, as well as some people, will emerge from this downturn stronger and more dominant than when it Publisher started. Others will weaken and fade. It all Rémy L. Rousseau depends on critical choices they make right Contributing Editors now.” Shirley Brown, Éric Descarries, Jil McIntosh, Brian Early
So where will you be at the end of 2010? Copy Editor Shirley Brown [email protected] Where will your business be? Will you count Production yourself among those who acted now to cre- Olivier Rhême [email protected] ate a better future for themselves, their fam- Valérie St-Cyr [email protected] ilies, and their businesses? Or will you look Circulation Manager Plan Now for back with regret, wondering how different life Nancy Belleville [email protected] could have been had you had the foresight to Administration Wendy Allain [email protected] act today? Marie-Hélène Côté [email protected] a Better 2010 Denise Prud’homme [email protected] Opportunities With 2009 almost behind us, let Advertising In a perfect world, I would be able to sum Nathalie Plouffe us look forward to the new year 416-925-5665 up all your opportunities and tell you exactly [email protected]
as we work together to create a what you have to do with your business in Luc Champagne order to succeed—all within the few para- 514-945-1299 better future. [email protected] graphs I share with you here. In the real world, it is up to each of us as business Réjean A . Rousseau 450-649-9007 f your head is still spinning from the eco- owners to look at our strengths, our weak- [email protected]
nomic roller coaster ride we’ve all been nesses, our industry, our market, and our po- Subscription I on since the end of 2008, you’re not tential to decide how we will make the most 1 year: $19.95 2 years: $34.95 3 years: $49.95 alone. The year 2009 is sure to go down in of our individual opportunities. Published by history as twelve months of business-changing challenges, monumental failures, unexpected The 16th century English poet, John Donne, collapses, and nausea-inducing corporate is known for his famous words, “No man is Rousseau Automotive Communication 455, rue Notre-Dame est, suite 311, restructuring. an island.” That’s why I urge you look beyond Montréal QC, H2Y 1C9 yourself and your business when planning T : 514-289-0888 / 1-877-989-0888 Personally, I was surprised to see many of the for the future, to find ways in which you can F : 514-289-5151 big names in tires missing at the 2009 SEMA harness the power of synergy by working with [email protected] show in Las Vegas. You know things aren’t your suppliers, your employees, the media, www.autosphere.ca going well when the big names are absent from and others. Together we can emerge strong- Tire News Magazine is dedicated to serving the business interests of the Canadian tire industry. It is published seven a show as significant as SEMA. er; alone, we risk failure. times a year by Rousseau Automotive Communication, a member of AIA Canada.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that Material in Tire News Magazine may not be reproduced in any form without written consent from the publisher. The the worst seems to be behind us. Within a few publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and disclaims all responsibilities for claims or statements made weeks, 2010 will be upon us and a better fis- Rémy L. Rousseau [email protected] by its advertisers or independent columnists. All facts, cal reality is sure to help us heal our financial opinions and statements appearing within this publication are those of the writers and editors themselves, and are wounds. in no way to be construed as statements, positions or endorsements by Rousseau Automotive Communication. Are you ready? Publications Mail Agreement 40014105. Return undelivrable Canadian addresses to As a business owner, your job now is to sit Rousseau Automotive Communication / Circulation down and think about how you will take ad- Please also remember to visit our auto- Department, 455, rue Notre-Dame est, suite 311, Montréal QC, H2Y 1C9 vantage of all that the year 2010 will offer. motive portal, www.autosphere.ca, for During the recent Canadian Finance & Leasing great business advice and insights into Association’s 2009 national conference, Geoff our industry. Colvin, the senior editor at large for Fortune
4 | Tire News | December 2009 | www.autosphere.ca | GO THROUGH SLEET, ICE AND SNOW WITH BLIZZAK
DM-V1 DM-Z3 LM-22 LM-25 LM-50 LM-60 MZ-03 W965 WS-60
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Atlas Tire Wholesale Inc. YOUR SOURCE FOR BRIDGESTONE TIRES
WEST EAST 6290 SHAWSON DRIVE 140 McLEVIN AVE., # 6 & 7 MISSISSAUGA, ON L5T 1H5 SCARBOROUGH, ON M1B 3V1 TEL (905) 670-9791 TEL (416) 292-8202 FAX (905) 670-0581 FAX (416) 292-8177 [email protected] www.tiredistribution.com Industry News Toxics Reduction Strategy OTS Launch a Success! The Ontario Environment Ministry is mov- Ontario Tire Stewardship officially launched ing ahead with its Toxics Reduction Strategy on September 1 and, by all accounts, was with the gazetting of regulations which set very successful. The media coverage focused out the draft requirements under this act. on the major program benefits such as free It is expected that these regulations will scrap tire disposal and the elimination of begin to come into force as early as Janu- illegal dumping and stockpiles. Very little of ary 2010. the discussion revolved around the steward- The draft regulation is proposed to be ship fees. This should not be too surprising applicable to a wide range of industries in- as most consumers know and accept environ- cluding North American Industry Classifica- mental levies as a normal course of affairs tion System (NAICS) Codes 3262 (Rubber when dealing with disposal of waste prod- Product Manufacturing) and 3252 (Resin & ucts. Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing). The draft The Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) regulation would encompass substances cur- continues to monitor the list of registered rently reported under the Federal National Stewards to ensure all tire brand owners and Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) plus first importers are registered, as this is the Acetone, which is reportable under Ontario only way to protect their members from com- Reg 127. The threshold levels are proposed panies trying to skirt their obligations—check to be parallel to those under NPRI and O out www.ontariots.ca/?q=RolesOpsStewards. Reg 127. The draft regulation proposes that You can also check the list of registered facilities that use or create specified toxic Tire Discounter Group Stewards from the same link, so you are en- substances be required to undertake toxic couraged to do so, then call RAC if you be- substance accounting, prepare a toxic sub- Awards “Play in the Dirt” lieve some companies are not registered stance reduction plan and to report to the Winner With New ATV government and the public. Much of the Who doesn’t love mixing machines and NHTSA Considers Changing draft regulation serves to set out the specif- mud? The Tire Discounter Group made the Test Pressure for Spare ics of these requirements. most of that desire by holding its “Play in the Tires If you are currently reporting under NPRI Dirt” contest, offering a 2009 Arctic Cat ATV The National Highway Traffic Safety Admin- for an Ontario facility, you should follow exclusively for Tire Discounter customers who istration recently issued a proposal to amend this regulation. The Rubber Association of purchased a set of Cooper brand tires. the tire safety standard in order to change Canada will continue to monitor and keep The lucky (and very happy) winner was Bob you informed. the test pressure for T-type (temporary spare) Bentley of Brantford, Ontario, who bought tires to 60 psi. The actual test pressure is his Cooper tires at Cainsville Tire Discounter 52 psi. Two reasons were given, the first one in July. The winner was determined by ran- being that the raise would also increase the dom selection, and Bentley’s lucky ballot was test’s stringency, and the second that the chosen from over 2,000 entries. The Arctic same raise to 60 psi would make it consist- Cat was presented to him in October by Ri- ent with international harmonization. Chemicals chard Bender, during Tire Discounter’s annual Management Fall Open House. Plan The Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) has continued a dialogue with Environment Canada (EC) on its “Chemicals Management Plan” initiative. The list of the substances Pirelli Looking at a Continental and Hoosier most likely to impact the rubber industry was sent out for review and RAC is awaiting re- $100 Million U.S. Form a “Strategic Alliance” sponses from some members. Continental Tire North America and Hoosier Investment in Brazil Racing Tire Corp. have recently agreed to On Friday, October 2, a conference call with Pirelli & Co S.p.A. announced that it is work together in the motorsport and high- EC was held and RAC is in the initial planning considering investing $100 million U.S. in performance street tires segments in order stages of face-to-face dialogue with them. RAC Brazil until 2012 to expand its production to compete in what both call “new market is tentatively setting up a steering committee capacity for agricultural and OTR tires. A segments.” No specific products have been to work with EC to provide leadership within growing demand in South America justifies announced yet. Note that back in the ear- the industry so that dialogue is meaningful this decision. Pirelli had already invested ly 1990’s, CTNA’s predecessor, Continental and productive. $200 million U.S. in the same country for General Tire, had a contract to make a Hoo- For more information on this file, con- passenger and light truck tires. Pirelli says it sier Performance street radial. The deal ex- tact the Rubber Association of Canada. sees a 25% growth in Latin America through pired in 1998 when it went to Goodyear’s www.rubberassociation.ca 2013 for these specialized tires, 37% in Bra- Kelly-Springfield Tire Co and the line was zil alone. discontinued in 2002.
6 | Tire News | December 2009 | www.autosphere.ca |
New Products Éric Descarries • [email protected]
Unveiled at SEMA Many New Tires Many manufacturers took advantage of their presence at SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) in Las Vegas last month to introduce new products.
Pirelli approved racing tire. Still, Pirelli warns The second tire Falken introduced is the Italian manufacturer Pirelli launched two drivers that it is not a tire for street racing SN211 high-mileage performance touring new products at SEMA. The first one is but a tire that will allow a performance tire, which comes with an 80,000-mile the all-new Scorpion Verde All Season, driver to get to a track, do some lapping, limited mileage warranty. It features a a green performance tire designed spe- and go back home without changing tires variable sipe depth design, four circumfer- cifically for SUVs and light trucks. Though ential grooves, and tread wear indicators. its decreased rolling resistance and 8% The SN211 will be available in a wide reduction in weight will help save fuel, the range of replacement Scorpion Verde still yields better perform- sizes for wheels from ance in wet braking, dry and wet hand- 14 to 18 inches. ling, and traction. The Scorpion Verde All Season will be available in 19 sizes for 16- to 20-inch wheels in the T, H, and V Falken introduced this speed ratings (depending on size), and has new SN211 high-mileage performance touring tire a UTQG rating of 600 AAA. during SEMA.
The third new Falken tire launched dur- The Pirelli P Zero Trofeo is a street-legal tire that can be ing SEMA was the Azenis RT615-K. This used on the track. performance tire is an enhanced version of the former RT615 but with a completely Falken revised tread compound with, as Falken Falken Tire Corp. launched not one, not puts it, “uncompromised grip.” Eligible two, but three new tires during SEMA. The in most “street tire class” by competition first is the WildPeak A/T all-season SUV sanctioning bodies, the street legal Azenis and light truck tire that will be available RT615-K will be available in 21 sizes with in more than 27 sizes by year-end 2010, a 200A/A UTQG rating. ranging from 15 to 20 inches in diameter. The new Scorpion Verde was unveiled at SEMA. The tire is easily recognizable by its sym- metric five-rib pattern and rigid block The new Falken Azenis The second Pirelli tire unveiled at SEMA design. It also includes four wide, multi- RT615-K has the same design as its predecessor was the P Zero Trofeo. The Trofeo is an angled grooves for better water, mud, and but its newer compound, asymmetrical performance tire with two snow evacuation. The biting block edges lightweight casing, and high tension carcass make it a wide central ribs, large tread blocks and also help improve traction and control. superior product. a pattern derived from asphalt rally ap- plications. The Trofeo, intended for per- The new Falken WildPeak is intended formance cars such as Ferraris, Porsches, for SUVs and Aston Martins, BMWs, Subaru Impreza light trucks. STIs, and other fast cars, is like a DOT- Photos: Éric Descarries
8 | Tire News | December 2009 | www.autosphere.ca | Corghi Introduces Its Monster Truck Tire Changer Among the many new tools introduced at SEMA, there was Corghi USA’s Monster AGTT, a tire changer designed for heavy-duty WATCH OUT FOR truck, bus, farm, and earthmover tires, featuring an automatic THESE NEW PRODUCTS and self-centering wheel clamping device with nine direct lock- able positions for 14- to 48-inch wheels. With tilt, it can go up IN 2010! to 58 inches. The operator can stand to one side of the baseless changer and work with a radio transmitter control unit
EASY-TO-USE PATENTED TECHNOLOGY.
SEE IT IN ACTION, CHECK FOR “BLUELIGHT” IN THE VIDEO SECTION A single technician can work with the new Corghi Monster truck tire changer. OF OUR WEBSITE.
Other news Among the many other new tires launched at SEMA, let’s mention three new products from Vee Rubber: the Vitron all-season high performance tire which will be available in 21 sizes over the next few months for wheels ranging from 15 to 17 inches in diameter (this tire with asymmetrical design can be mounted with either side on the outside), the Winter Season III studdable snow tire now available in seven sizes featuring a square shoulder design for improved snow traction, and the Taiga Ice Axe, a studdable light truck snow tire available in six LT sizes.
At the same time, Hankook unveiled its all-season Optimo H724 passenger tire with improved handling, noise control, and ride comfort. Its new carcass construction and wear resistant tread compound are designed to improve longevity and fuel econ- Monster AGTT omy. The H724 will come in 38 sizes from 13- to 17-inch wheel diameters.
During that week in Las Vegas, Finnish tire maker Nokian an- FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT nounced the arrival of its first all-season premium tire for North THIERRY LEFEBVRE AT 416-902-5663 America, the eNTYRE. It will thus allow Nokian Tyres to enter a [email protected] market in which it previously had no product. The eNTYRE will be available in 26 sizes ranging from 185/65R15 to 225/45R17 early next year. It will be T, H, and V speed rated and will carry a UTQG tread rating of 700 with four of the larger lower profiles rated at 650. It will also be environmentally friendly with low re- Ontario sistance, lighter weight, and “earth-friendly” oils. Photos: Éric Descarries www.corghiontario.com Jil McIntosh [email protected] Tire Trends at SEMA Tools That Earn Their Keep While it’s still the biggest shindig in town, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, held November 3 to 6 in Las Vegas, definitely felt the impact of the financial meltdown in the U.S. It was cut by about a quarter of its usual size, with large empty areas curtained off in each of the four halls that spread over three buildings.
ut even in a bad year, buyers and Roadside truck tire repairs—Fleets can’t Getting consumers involved—Peace sellers still have to get together, afford downtime, and getting a truck back of mind is a huge issue for consumers, B and there were plenty of new prod- in action as soon as possible is a major and so Slime showed two new products ucts on display. The more frivolous items concern. Ochoa Roadrunner Products for more worry-free motoring. A can of usually present had been weeded out, and showed a new, made-in-USA hand-held Quick Spair sprays enough sealant and air most products were designed for hard portable tire machine under its Pneu-Tek into a flat tire to drive to a repair facility, work and good value. Tire Tools brand. Powered by a compres- without using a compressor; the product sor and impact gun, the tool allows a washes out with water during repair and So what’s new with tire tools this year? I single operator to demount anything from is TPMS-safe. Coming to market a little saw a few new trends, and the products ATV tires right up to 24.5-inch truck rims. later, the Tire Top Off compressor is about that go with them, including these: The company also makes a unique bead the size of a paperback book and con- keeper that stays put on the rim, allowing tains an integrated tire gauge. It can fill Continued focus on TPMS—It’s manda- a tech to mount a flat 15-inch tire in 14 minutes, but it’s tory on all U.S. cars, but that doesn’t make the tire with primarily meant for customers to top up it any less of a headache at times. Bartec just one tire a few pounds when a TPMS light comes showed its new Wheel Rite Tech 400 Plus, iron. 1-575- on. At an estimated retail of $15.00, it an improvement on the previous genera- 439-1561 could be a great item to promote on your tion with a heavier-duty connector. A tech counter around Christmas or Father’s Day.
can insert a blank Schrader EZ-sensor into www.slime.com Photos: Jil McIntosh the machine’s cradle, program it, and then Justin Ochoa use it to replace a faulty sensor. Bartec demonstrates the Pneu-Tek hand-held says the EZ-sensor brand emulates 90% portable tire machine. of SKUs, reducing inventory and elimin- ating lost sales due to insufficient stock. More durable products—Tire repair www.Bartecusa.com company Black Jack couldn’t stop offshore companies from counterfeiting its T-Bone Tire Repair Kit, so it upped the ante by making it better. The kit now includes stronger steel tools, an improved needle, an octagon-shaped lube bottle that can be
opened with one hand, and a lifetime war- Slime Quick Spair aersol tire repair and Tire Top Off ranty on everything, including the plastic compact compressor case. www.BlackJackTireRepair.com This article was brought to you by: Black Jack T-Bone Tire Repair Kit Bartec Wheel Rite Tech 400 Plus
10 | Tire News | December 2009 | www.autosphere.ca | PIRELLI WINTER TIRES: YOUR BEST FRIENDS IN EVERY WINTER CONDITION.
Winter Sottozero Serie II Winter Sottozero (210, 240, 270) (210, 240) Photos: Jil McIntosh
Winter 190 Winter 210 / 240 Winter Scorpion Snowcontrol Snowsport Carving / Edge Ice & Snow Atlas Tire Wholesale Inc. YOUR SOURCE FOR PIRELLI TIRES WEST EAST 6290 SHAWSON DRIVE 140 McLEVIN AVE., # 6 & 7 WEST EAST MISSISSAUGA, ON L5T 1H5 SCARBOROUGH, ON M1B 3V1 6290 SHAWSON DRIVE 140 McLEVIN AVE., # 6 & 7 MISSISSAUGA, ON L5T 1H5 SCARBOROUGH, ON M1B 3V1 TEL (416) 292-8202 TEL. (905) 670-9791 TEL. (416) 292-8202 FAX (416) 292-8177 FAX. (905) 670-0581 FAX. (416) 292-8177 TOLL FREE NUMBERS AVAILABLE
TOLL FREE NUMBERS AVAILABLE [email protected] www.tiredistribution.com
[email protected] www.tiredistribution.com Jil McIntosh [email protected]
What Kind of Boss Are You? Did You Learn from the Boss Who Made Your Job Happy, or Horrible? Did you ever have a boss who made your life miserable? I think we all did. But now that you’re in charge, do you ever wonder if your employees are telling horror stories about you?
he poet Robbie Burns asked for the a certain way because it’s the best way to glad to show you how to work the paging ability to see ourselves as others see do it, or simply because no one’s going to system, or how to put paper in the printer T us. Take a look at your shop, your tell you otherwise? I worked at a shop one when it’s empty. employees and at yourself. What kind of hot, dry summer where an ice-cream truck boss are you? Are you seeing any of these stopped by 15 minutes before afternoon The Too-Secret Admirer in your leadership style? break each day. The techs wanted to buy Yes, getting paid and not getting fired can treats, but the boss was adamant: he’d set be proof that an employee is doing a good The Thermostat break time at 3:30, and so he chased the job, but a little praise costs you nothing, This boss “sets the temperature” for the truck driver away—rather violently, and in and goes a long way. You shouldn’t heap shop each day. If he’s in a good mood, front of customers, when the man argued. accolades every time a worker does some- everything will go smoothly, but if he ar- Changing the break to 3:15 wouldn’t have thing right, but acknowledging a job well rives in a foul frame of mind, then every- disrupted the shop’s schedule, and would done can really boost morale. body better tiptoe around him. Don’t have made the technicians happier and think the customers don’t notice it, too. more comfortable. The Best Friend Everybody has off days, but good bosses It’s possible to get too chummy with your don’t let their personal feelings dictate The Octopus staff. It can cause resentment toward everyone else’s mood. This boss has to have a micro-managing your “favourite,” or make it tough when hand in everything, no matter how minor. discipline is required. Don’t be too aloof, The Short Fuse I had one when I handled claim reimburse- either. Remember that boss who did such Flying off the handle only gets people ments: not a single piece of paper was a great job, and made you want to work upset, and doesn’t solve anything. If you allowed to come to my desk until he’d hard for him. That’s the kind of boss you can’t keep your temper under control, looked it over. Since he also placed similar want to be. consider taking an anger management demands on every other employee, the course. Shouting at employees doesn’t papers piled up waiting for him. When just cause problems with your staff—cus- he was fired a few months later, I was tomers often won’t return to a shop where finally able to process over $250,000 there’s a lot of conflict. in receivables that I hadn’t been able to claim, since they’d been locked in his desk The Hanging Judge waiting for him to find the time to look at I worked in a shop where the outcome of them. disputes was simple: the winner was the first employee to complain to the boss. The Luddite Decisions should only be reached after I’ve seen bosses walk by ringing phones— you’ve heard both sides of the story. not because it’s beneath them to pick up the receiver and talk to a customer, but The Rock of Gibraltar because they have no idea how a multi- Like that unwavering landmark, this boss line phone works and don’t know how doesn’t budge. Are you doing something to answer it. Just ask: someone will be
12 | Tire News | December 2009 | www.autosphere.ca |
Shirley Brown [email protected] Testing LRR Tires Low Rolling Resistance Tires Have Benefits Tire Rack, the largest independent tire tester in North America, decided to test LRR tires at its test track in South Bend, Indiana. The results told quite a tale and are shown here as they ap- peared in the U.S. report.
New tires to help fuel economy “Over the last year, a number of manufac- turers have introduced new tires all talk- ing about helping vehicles improve their fuel economy while still retaining their wet and dry traction and handling,” states John Rastetter, director of tire informa- tion, Tire Rack. “There wasn’t any informa- tion available that consumers could use to identify the influence the tires would have on their vehicle. We had questions from our customers, as well as we saw concerns expressed on some of the forms related to the hybrid vehicles, good fuel economy, from people who were enthusiastic about knowing the role the tire would play on their vehicle’s fuel economy. So we took it upon ourselves to test these tires. We do a lot of testing of performance tires, tour- ing tires and passenger tires and, in the ire Rack is a family-owned business very effective in reducing carbon emis- past, we’ve compared their ride comfort, and a consumer-direct source for sions as well as increasing fuel efficiency; noise quality, their handling in emer- T tires, wheels, and performance ac- in fact it has dubbed these tires as ‘Round gency situations on our test track. We’ve cessories, as well as being an independent and Black Becomes Lean and Green.’ taken summer tires versus all-season tires tire tester. It has more than 90 test drivers available and tests tires for every major Tire Line Test MPG* % vs. Baseline tire manufacturer. The tests are done Michelin Energy Saver A/S 53.8 +4.74% and the results posted on the company’s Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 53.5 +4.12% website (www.tirerack.com). This allows Yokohama dB Super E-Spec 52.8 +2.81% consumers to find out what they want Goodyear Assurance Fuel 51.6 +0.37% to know about any specific tire, wheel, Max or performance accessory purchase. Tire Goodyear Integrity 51.4 --- Rack also has various testing and informa- Michelin HydroEdge with tion videos available on its site. 51.1 -0.59% Green X Goodyear Assurance Tire Rack recently published a compre- 50.0 -2.64% ComforTred hensive report which analyzed the fact *Calculated based on GPS distances and ScanGage II recorded consumption that low rolling resistance (LRR) tires are (offset 6% for Prius Summer E10 regular grade fuel).
14 | Tire News | December 2009 | www.autosphere.ca | John Rastetter, director of tire information, Tire Rack
versus winter tires and compared them in the snow and the slick ice of a hockey rink. So these new tires were sort of a new sub-category coming into the marketplace that really didn’t have enough independ- ent information.”
Tire Rack published the information on its website as well as sending an email Alert to subscribers of its tire tests reports. This news spread to various automakers as well. Rastetter says they were happy to make it available to a lot of people as the company felt it was information they could use.
Tire Rack testing A Real World Road Ride Economy run was undertaken by Tire Rack in order to determine whether lower rolling resist- ance tires are effective at increasing fuel efficiency. The test, using a small fleet of Toyota Prius hybrids outfitted with the Goodyear Integrity all-season radial tires as a baseline, compared its fuel efficiency and traction to other eco-friendly and standard tire models. Each tire was driv- en over 550 miles on a 6.6-mile loop of expressways, highways, and side roads. The Prius outfitted with the baseline tire achieved 51.4 miles per gallon*.
With the Prius, the difference between
* For conversion from MPG (U.S.) to L/100 km, www.economicexpert.com/a/Fuel:efficiency.htm the lowest and highest recorded miles gives this formula: to convert “x” MPG into “y” L/100 km → 235.2146 / “x” MPG = “y” L/100 km. per gallon would result in an annual dif- ** 1 U.S. gallon = 3.78541178 litres ference of about 21 gallons** of regular
| www.autosphere.ca | December 2009 | Tire News | 15 gasoline consumed at a cost of about While the low-tech ways of achieving As Rastetter states, “while tires have al- $52.50 U.S. (based on $2.50 U.S. per lower tire rolling resistance has usu- ways played an important role for all types gallon) for drivers traveling 15,000 miles ally traded off wet traction and/or tread- of drivers, the Tire Rack test results show (24,140 km) per year. The fuel recorded wear, further controlled testing at Tire that tire manufacturers have success- for each tire and its relative position Rack’s test track has also shown that fully added some green to the traditional compared to the Integrity tire’s aver- the newest high-tech, fuel-efficient tires round and black.” age is available at www.tirerack.com/ have achieved it without compromis- mpgtest. ing traction thanks to the introduction Purchasing LRR tires of new tread compounds, tire designs When asked if these new tires were sell- Environmentally-focused and weight optimizing manufacturing ing well, Rastetter replied, “It’s a trend development processes. that is growing. Certainly last summer “Low rolling resistance tires represent with the high fuel costs, we found there the most environmentally-focused de- CAFÉ standards was more and more interest in the in- velopment in tire technology today,” says According to newly passed U.S. govern- fluence tires would have on a vehicle’s Rastetter. “Every gallon of gasoline saved mental Corporate Average Fuel Economy fuel economy. In the U.S., the state of not only reduces each driver’s personal (CAFÉ) standards, new vehicles will need California’s Tire Efficiency Information fuel costs and America’s dependence on to achieve 35.5 miles per gallon (56.8 km Program and the Department of foreign oil, but it also releases 20 fewer per litre) by 2016. As automakers reevalu- Transportation’s Tire Efficiency Program
pounds of CO2 gas into the atmosphere ate every aspect of their vehicles in order both went from simple law to implemen- from the tailpipe. Our tests proved that to increase fuel efficiency, fitting their new tation, and this brought about more vehicles equipped with these tires are able vehicles with LRR tires seems like an easy awareness that tires did play a role. We to achieve better fuel economy.” first step. at Tire Rack see this as sort of the entry point became when the tire manufactur- ers began introducing a number of re- placement tire lines that were targeted to addressing this issue.”
As you can see from the information above and the charts that have been in- cluded with this summary, Tire Rack has certainly done its homework well. Even though this information comes from the United States, we here in Canada must take notice of this as these tires will be coming into our country shortly as well. We think of it as ‘need to know’ informa- tion and valuable to the tire dealer as well as consumers.
www.tirerack.com
16 | Tire News | December 2009 | www.autosphere.ca | SIGNATURE FAMILY
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Tires at SEMA Photos: Éric Descarries Éric Descarries A Brave New World [email protected] Las Vegas, Nevada. Every year, the SEMA Show includes a pavilion dedicated to the tire indus- try. In the past, most major tire manufacturers made it a point to be at SEMA, but this year, the economic situation in the U.S. made many tire makers pull out of the event, though quite a few other ones took advantage of the situation. If Pirelli, Mickey Thompson, Cooper, Hercules, and Hankook attended the show, the spaces made empty by other manufacturers gave the op- portunity to many foreign (read: Chinese) manufacturers to go from the basement of the AAPEX show to the main floor of the TIA pavilion.
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1. The TIA building at SEMA 11. Greenball had quite an array of products to offer. 2. Nexen had an outstanding booth at SEMA. 12. This booth introduced visitors to efficient tire rack systems. 3. This could very well be the next fad in wheels—doesn’t that single branch 13. Wheels, as usual, were all over the place at SEMA. remind you of a Citroen steering wheel? 14. Hercules Tires had a great looking stand at SEMA. 4. Daewoo had an big booth at SEMA. 15. Hankook was part of the SEMA show. 5. Daewoo has many types of tires to offer. 16. How about an original name brand, Lucy’s Tires! 6. Chinese tire manufacturer Triangle finally had its stand at SEMA. 17. The TIA also had its own both and reception room at SEMA. 7. Dutch tire maker Vredestein came back to SEMA with an attractive booth. 18. The Pirelli P Zero Trofeo tire was launched at SEMA. 8. This brand new tool powered by an air gun makes truck tire dismounting easier. 19. Marco Zambianchi and Robert Thibodeau from Pirelli Canada were proud of the new Scorpion Verde launched at SEMA. 9. A totally new product, a wheel light for night illumination. 20. Pirelli had a big booth where one could see this unique 10. Chinese tire manufacturer Nankang had a remarkable booth at SEMA. P Zero Nero 315/25R23 tire.
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| www.autosphere.ca | December 2009 | Tire News | 19 22
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21. Falken introduced its new A/T SUV tire at SEMA. 26. Visitors were plentiful at the SEMA-TIA pavilion. 22. Mickey Thompson had this massive 19.5/54-20LT tire at its booth. 27. Chinese tire manufacturer Double Coin was quite visible at SEMA. 23. The Mickey Thompson booth was as colourful and interesting as ever. 28. Double Coin had the biggest tire at SEMA, a 49-inch OTR tire. 24. Kenda had a place of choice at SEMA. 25. The Konig wheel stand was simply superb.
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Jil McIntosh [email protected]
Business Succession How Will You “Re-Tire”? Planning ahead can protect you and your business.
ou know that in order for your viable plan includes discussions with key Are you in the 11%? business to be successful, you’ve people, such as partners, employees, your According to the Royal Bank of Canada Y got to have a long-term plan. You accountant and lawyer, and members of (RBC), one out of every four business know what your company will need to do your family. owners in Canada right now is considering in order to thrive into next week, next getting out of his or her company within month, next year, and probably well be- People and plans can change the next five years. The majority of them yond that. But how much thought have All of these aspects of your plan should be (34%) plan to sell the business to a third you given into what will happen when updated whenever necessary. Pull them party, while 29% will pass it to one or you’re no longer involved? out on a regular basis and look them over more people within the family. Beyond to see if anything’s changed. Again, don’t that, 15% plan to sell to their employ- There will come a day when you, or any just focus on what’s written on paper. ees or managers, 11% will sell to their partners you have, will no longer be part of People change: a son or daughter who partners, and 1% will close the company the company—preferably through retire- was eager to succeed you at the helm of entirely. ment, although health or changes in life your business five years ago might have circumstances can also play a major role. gone in another direction, or a key part- Surprisingly, a whopping 11% have no If you don’t have a succession plan that’s ner’s health or life circumstances might idea what they intend to do when the designed to move your company smoothly have changed. Your business changes, time comes. If you don’t, even if you’re not to its next step, the effect on your busi- too: it might be worth substantially more planning on “packing it in” in the next little ness could potentially be catastrophic. or less than when you last looked at your while, you should consider taking the time succession plan, and that could have a to chart your future. Mapping your future plans significant effect on what will happen in Quite simply, a succession plan maps out the future. Three basic steps to a plan the way ownership of your business will RBC suggests there are three basic be transferred. It includes legal docu- Taking the right road steps to setting up a succession plan. ments, such as wills, tax plans, and pow- It’s very helpful if you think in terms of First, you need to examine your current ers of attorney, and it names the people “mapping out” your plan. Consider what situation, including determining how who will succeed you in the business. It you do when you travel: you select a much your business is worth, how much should include the value of your business, destination, and then you look at a road income you require, your role with the which is far more than just the walls and map to see what streets you should take. business following your retirement, your inventory—there’s worth in your licenses, You don’t pick roads that will take you personal and business insurance, who employee training, customer databases, the wrong way. Likewise, if you know has a stake in your business, and how it and even customer goodwill. It can also exactly what’s going to happen with your would run if something unexpected hap- include items of a more personal nature, company when you retire, you have a des- pened to you. such as a list of your business or personal tination, and every move you make in your goals, and the timetable you may want to business should be along the “right road” Next, set out your goals. These include set for each step of your company’s suc- to get there. If your plan is to eventually how much money you want from your cession to its next owners. sell the business entirely, you’ll probably business, the lifestyle you want following take a different path than if you intend to your retirement, and any role your family Certain aspects of your succession plan step back from the day-to-day operations, will play. won’t necessarily even be on paper. A but still keep your name on the door.
22 | Tire News | December 2009 | www.autosphere.ca | Don’t break your company’s chain of operations… plan ahead!
Finally, set up the “advisory team” that delivery, a steady flow of customers, and a provides tax-free supplemental income will help you make the transition. This can recognized brand name on the door, your through tax-exempt life insurance; and a include family members, lawyers, account- business will obviously have more value Retirement Compensation Arrangement, ants, a business broker, financial advisor, on the market. which is similar to an IPP, and is used for your company’s management team, and a the retirement of key employees. Each business valuator. It’s also possible that you’ve set too high plan has advantages and disadvantages, a price on your business, in which case and you should weigh them carefully be- That last person on the list could be the a valuator will bring you “back down to fore making any decisions. key element in your transition. Many earth.” This can be an opportunity to see owners don’t know exactly what their what you can do to enhance its value. Of course, you can’t forget the person business is worth, because they haven’t who’s always an essential part of your considered everything that adds value. As Business retirement plans company from the first day you opened I mentioned earlier, your company is more A financial advisor can help you get the it: the taxman. Setting up your succession than just stock and sales. Factors that most out of your company for your per- plan well in advance can help to minimize affect your company’s worth include your sonal retirement. RBC says there are his share, especially if unexpected circum- company’s reputation, trademarks, con- several retirement plans available to busi- stances force a change ahead of schedule. tracts, future earnings potential, location, ness owners, above and beyond the trad- customer relations, supplier relationships, itional plans. These include an Individual By starting early, planning well into the and the reliability of your supply chain. If Pension Plan (IPP), which typically has the future, and knowing where you’re going, a buyer could just pick up from where you company making contributions into your your retirement can easily be as successful left off, with a guarantee of timely product plan; an Insured Retirement Plan, which as your business is.
| www.autosphere.ca | December 2009 | Tire News | 23 Jil McIntosh [email protected]
Succession Planning Will You Be Ready When the Time Comes? Who will take on your company when you’re finally ready to retire? No matter how far in the future it may be, there will come a day when you’re ready to leave your business. If all goes well, it will be on your terms, but you should also have a plan in place if something happens to you, your family, or your business partners. It’s never too early to start thinking about your last day of work—whenever it arrives.
What if your family wants your business? What if you’re going to sell? According to RBC, the majority of business owners sell to a Most owners sell to a third party, but that doesn’t mean it’s a third party, but close behind are those who pass the company simple process. It can take a year or more to sell your company, along to family members. If you are planning on passing or sell- so be prepared—and be cautious. Putting your business on the ing it to family members, there can be many questions you’ll market can present several challenges; be aware of them, and need to ask yourself, including these: consider how you will deal with them:
• Does my successor really want to run the business, or is • Your day-to-day operations can be interrupted by potential he taking it on just to “keep it in the family?” If so, does he buyers coming through to examine your store. really have the know-how to keep it healthy? Can he afford to buy the business? • Knowing the company’s for sale can make employees con- cerned about their future with the business, while custom- • What’s the best way to handle the succession, so taxes are ers may be cautious about buying expensive products if minimized? they don’t know how warranties and other plans may be handled by the new owners. • If only one of my children want to take it on, what will I do for the rest of them? If one or more of my children • Get legal advice about what you’re required to provide to want to stay actively involved, are they capable of working potential buyers. If the deal doesn’t close, they can have together? “inside information” on your company that they could use to their advantage as a competitor. • Have I sat down with them and told them my intentions? Do I know as much about their future plans as I do about my own?
• If my children take on the business but later change their minds, what’s the next step for my company?
24 | Tire News | December 2009 | www.autosphere.ca | What’s your business worth? What about your employees? Many shop owners grossly underestimate the value of their If you’re not selling to your children, give some consideration to businesses, because they don’t realize how much their intan- your employees or partners. There are benefits to selling your gibles are worth. Your company is much more than just a build- business to the people already helping you to run it, including ing and the inventory you carry. When you’re evaluating your these: company, don’t forget the monetary value in these: • Minimal disruption to your business—you won’t have to • The level of training your employees have received. advertise your company or try to find a buyer, and you How much would it cost someone starting from scratch to won’t have strangers touring your premise and upsetting teach his employees what yours already know? Do all the your store’s daily routine. best techs and counter staff in the area already work for you, making it difficult for a new shop to hire employees to • Because your buyers are already part of the store’s oper- meet your store’s level of expertise? ations, the transition will probably be seamless to your customers. • The relationship you have with your suppliers, and the reliability of your supplier chain. What’s it worth to your • It may take far less time to complete the operation than if customers to know that if you don’t have a part in stock, it you sold to an outside party. will arrive at your store within a few hours, whereas they might wait a week somewhere else? • If you’re not planning to retire for several years, you and your buyers could set up an ownership plan that could let • Your company’s name and reputation. Do your custom- them gradually buy into the business. ers recommend you to their friends? Of course, where there are benefits, there are also disadvanta- • Your location, and the “face” your company shows to ges, so consider these as well before you make your decision: the street. Is your store on a busy street, and is it easy for customers to get in from any direction? Does your • You will have to identify the employees/managers/partners store have appeal that would make a potential customer who will be best able to carry the business forward. This stop in? If so, your company will be more valuable than could mean excluding employees who are eager to be one on a lonely side street, cut off from customers by high- “part of it,” but who aren’t suited for the job of running the ways or difficult access, or hidden by other businesses. company.
• Future plans for your neighbourhood. Will that new • If you finance all or part of the transition, will the new planned subdivision provide you with new customers? owners be able to keep the company’s momentum and pay Will the train stop or subway line going in nearby give you back your investment? the chance to woo customers who can drop off their cars before commuting to work? If your company’s in a rapidly- • Will elevating certain employees cause friction with other changing neighbourhood, it could be worth more than one workers? Will everyone in the shop be able to function in an established area where the number of potential new under the new ownership? customers is smaller.
| www.autosphere.ca | December 2009 | Tire News | 25 Wheel Weights Getting the Lead Out! There’s a very strong chance of lead-free legislation of some kind happening and this will im- pact on the businesses of the wheel and tire dealers. This will happen in the United States first, and Canada won’t be far behind.
s a dealer, you will need precision wheel balancing that to plan ahead and do naturally improves ride com- A your homework. You are fort and stability, you get more advised to ease into this transi- fuel efficiency and tire wear is tion and to do this as soon as reduced. The results are an all- possible. You need to be as en- in-one, cut-to-fit precision wheel vironmentally responsible with balancing system. Needless to lead wheel weights as you are say, this system is far better for now with used oil and scrap the environment than lead— tires. Lead has already been fewer parts are required for in- taken out of many products i.e. ventory and therefore takes up children’s toys and paint and less floor space. In addition, coatings, so it’s just a matter of installation is easy. This type of time as to the removal of lead system has many benefits for wheel weights in order to help the industry. protect the environment. Legislation is coming “Lead” statistics In the U.S., the legislation is As we saw in statistics from the wheel weights, and a polymer composite. moving across the land as it is across the Environmental Protection Agency, 50 mil- These weights are being attached to the globe, so the wheel and tire industry will lion pounds of lead are used annually to wheel with 3M Automotive Attachment have to answer to legislative changes. produce wheel weights across the world. Tape, a company that has been producing Lead wheel weights have been banned In the U.S., 1.6 million pounds of lead this type of product for thirty years to the by the European Union since 2005; they wheel weights are lost annually while driv- automotive industry. The coated steel were phased out in Japan and Korea also ing and many of these weights are washed and coated zinc weights are supplied as by 2005, and the EPA’s National Lead- into storm sewers and so end up in water- individual parts—just like the current lead Free Wheel Weights Initiative came out in ways or landfills… which is very bad for weights. 2008 and say members will transition to the environment! lead-free alternative by 2011. So, as you You already know about steel and zinc, so can see, this won’t be an immediate “hap- Alternatives to lead we can tell you that the lead-free polymer pening,” but experts expect legislation Let’s look at the non-lead alternatives in composite is made of a unique construc- to come about maybe in a few months the OEM wheel balancing market and tion that is corrosion-free for the life of the but more likely within a couple of years. dealer service markets. At this time, the product and keeps your clients’ wheels So you have time to prepare and as sug- OEMs are being very realistic about elim- looking better longer. Of course, if the gested, ease into non-lead alternative inating lead wheel weights—and each coating is damaged somehow, corrosion wheel weights. automaker is at a different stage of that could occur. With the 3M lead-free wheel process. Currently they are turning to weight system, which you can find avail- Our thanks to 3M for the information. coated steel alternatives, coated zinc able at www.solutions.3M.com, you have
26 | Tire News | December 2009 | www.autosphere.ca | Shirley Brown [email protected] Tire Balancing To Balance or Not to Balance? It seems that not balancing axle end assemblies is costing the trucking industry billions of dol- lars. Auburn University in the U.S. and a firm called Counteract Balancing Beads conducted a study on the Counteract product to see if it would be efficient in improving truck fuel economy by reducing rolling resistance. When the results were in, the phones started ringing!
ut let’s go back to the beginning, assembly (axle end). In ten million appli- effects that are ideally representative of when a Technical Service Bulletin cations however, there have not been any actual long-haul travel conditions. B released by Counteract Balancing disadvantages in using Balancing Beads. Beads stated that “Some companies in the The Auburn University test confirmed the trucking industry are sacrificing drivers’ Back to the test first-hand evidence users had reported for health in a misguided attempt to follow So, getting back to the test—both Michelin the past ten years that axle end balancing the advice of their tire suppliers who claim and Bridgestone had run the same test and shows fuel economy improvements. The test that it is not necessary to balance tire and found no such fuel improvement, whereas also confirmed that the laws of physics still wheel assemblies.” Counteract also found the test by Auburn and Counteract resulted apply to the real world of trucking: a round that some large truck fleets’ drivers in the in a 2.2% improvement in fuel economy; balanced object has less rolling resistance U.S. were paying out of their own pocket so a controversial issue ensued. A careful than an out-of-round, out-of-balance object. to have their steering tire balanced with comparison of the experimental methods Both these test results are available at www. their product because they had heard that by Auburn revealed much dissimilarity be- counteractbalancing.com. it improved the ride of the truck and re- tween the two tests. moved vibration from the steering wheel Get it in writing as well as extending tire life by about A Bridgestone Firestone fuel economy Goodyear is the only major tire company 75,000 miles (120,675 km). test that was conducted recently by bal- suggesting in writing, in their service ancing only half of the axle end complete manual, that all wheel assemblies should Two balancing methods wheel assembly (just the tire and the be balanced. Benefits include maximized The first method of balancing truck tires is rim) showed no substantial fuel improve- tire life expectancy, improved fuel econ- axle end balancing, which is when a com- ment. They also used conventional lead omy, and reduced vibrations for the driv- plete wheel assembly consisting of one weights in the experiment, not balancing ers and trucks. Other benefits include or two tires and rims on a hub and brake beads. At the Auburn University test, the less carbon emissions and a reduction in drum, including nuts and bearings, is bal- complete axle end wheel assemblies were vibration to the infrastructure. anced as one piece on the truck. balanced as one piece and showed a 2.2% fuel improvement. Balancing will not affect the tire manufac- The second method—tire balancing— turer’s warranty nor the integrity of the entails placing a mounted and inflated Comparison casing. If you’ve been told so, then get it tire-and-rim onto a balancing machine In fairness to this comparison, it must be in writing. If it cannot be put in writing, it and balancing it by adding wheel weights added that the Bridgestone Firestone test is not worth listening to. to counteract the heavy side of the tire (run at only 55 mph on a virtually flat and rim assembly. test oval) was also conducted at a much This article was lower average speed in comparison to the brought to you by The tech bulletin of July 22, 2009 from average speed of the Auburn University Counteract says that because the second test (run on a carefully selected section of method was machine balanced on an un- variable grade open interstate at approxi- balanced brake drum and hub, it will still mately 65 mph). Higher speeds are known produce an unbalanced complete wheel to produce more influential dynamic
| www.autosphere.ca | December 2009 | Tire News | 27 Jil McIntosh Kal Tire Gets the Lead Out [email protected] Steel Weights Replace Lead for a Greener Environment Environmental issues have become very important with many consumers—part of the reason why Kal Tire has moved to steel weights in place of lead.
“ e moved to steel weights in June voluntary initiative. Experts estimate that make sure the customers understand 2009,” said Michael Kinghorn, about 3% of the 65,000 tons of lead what they’re getting, and why, so they W advertising coordinator for Kal weights used in the U.S. each year fall off know they’re getting a lead-free product Tire. “I would suspect that we were one of and abrade down to harmful lead dust. because it’s better for them and for the the first. We try very hard at Kal Tire not environment.” to be reactionary; we wanted to set the Cost is not a factor standards.” “We feel that in Canada, the amount of Steel weights are just part of Kal Tire’s en- lead that gets into the environment from vironmental initiative, which includes recyc- Banned in Europe wheel weights may not be significant, but ling oil, batteries, and rubber. “If a customer Lead weights have been banned in the we think it’s a big factor, and our custom- comes in with a load of tires he’d found on European Union since 2005; they’ll ers want this,” Kinghorn said. “The cost his property, we’ll take them,” Kinghorn said. be gone in California next year, and in isn’t that much, and I think that if some- “We have to provide the service. Canada is Washington State in 2011. The U.S. EPA body is interested in ‘green,’ they realize an environmentally-conscious country, and hasn’t banned lead, but does have a there’s a price to pay. Our counter people we’re going to lead the charge.”
Our Readers Write Following our article on studded tires (Tire News, Oct, 09, p. 26), a few of our readers had very interesting reactions and more information. Thanks, guys, for the latest information. (É.D.)
Hi Eric,
I’ve enjoyed reading your articles regarding winter tires in Tire News magazine.
Our company is the largest importer of tire studs in North America. You have provided your readers with good advice with regards to choosing the proper winter tire solution.
There were a couple of points you should be aware of: 1) Rather than decreasing in usage, we have seen a steady increase in tire stud sales in the past 10 years. In fact, we are currently importing more than double the number of studs into Canada than we were in 1999.
2) Your chart shows that Manitoba uses ceramic core studs. We have not ever sold a ceramic core stud in North America in 25 years. Manitoba uses studs with a tungsten carbide pin just like everywhere else in the world.
3) All U.S. states that currently prohibit studs, as well as Ontario, allow visitors to use studs on their vehicles in the winter season.
4) The only difference in the law for studs in Northern Ontario is that the stud body be made of aluminum. This makes the stud lighter and causes very little damage to the roads. These studs are similar to the studs used in Scandinavia.
Thanks again for making drivers aware of their winter tire options. Look forward to more of your articles. In fact, I’m renewing my subscription right now.
Regards, Jeff Smith, Bruno Wessel Ltd.
Eric,
I want to thank you for the very interesting article about studs in Tire News. I just want to help you clarify that the line of demarcation in Ontario is the French River. Great article! I love to see that Tire News is printing more common interest articles.
Alex Moore, National Sales Manager, Myers Tire Supply
28 | Tire News | December 2009 | www.autosphere.ca | Industry News Succession Award to South Korean Daewoo Launches Marie-Josée Rousseau Its Own Tire Brand In the Lux 2009 contest, Marie-Josée Rousseau was presented South Korean trading company Daewoo International has developed with the Succession Award, Published Work for a photo of a tire a line of Chinese-made, Daewoo-branded tires, which will be sold recovery centre (using internationally. Daewoo was at SEMA in early November to introduce a Nikon D-200 cam- the product to North America. This line includes passenger, light era). Said photo was truck, and medium truck radial made by the Triangle Group. Daewoo part of a series on the will first be focusing on medium truck and OTR tires. environment and the automotive industry, published in a special edition on the environ- ment in 2009 by Rous- seau Automotive Com- munication. The artistic approach of Marie-Josée, who recently received a Diploma in Art History – Photographic Con- centration, and who for the last several years has been contributing to the various activities Daewoo introduced its new line of tires at SEMA. of the aforementioned (photo Éric Descarries) firm, is geared toward Quebec’s industrial landscape. The contest, where ADVERTISERS close to 2,000 entries were submitted by 84 photographers and illustrators, was presided over by Frédéric Metz Atlas Tire Wholesale www.atlastire.com 5, 11, and Lino. The magazine Grafika dedicated a special edition to the 17, 31 contest organized by Éditions Infopresse, in cooperation with L.L. Lozeau. La Capic and AIIQ also participated in the event. www. infopresse.com/prixlux/resultats/2009 Bridgestone www.bridgestonetire.ca 2 The Audi S6 Gets a New Toyo Tire as OE Audi A.G. chose the new Toyo Proxes T1-AO tire for its latest S6 model. Indeed, the 5.2-litre V10 powered all-wheel drive S6 will Continental Tire www.continentaltire.ca 7 come from the factory with the new 265/35ZR19 98Y Proxes T1- AO tire that was developed in a record time by Japanese tire maker Toyo, who assures us that its high-performance product includes improved wet and dry handling, better braking and cornering, and Duret & Landry www.duretlandry.com 9 what it calls “incredibly precise” steering characteristics.
Earth Day Canada www.earthday.ca/scholarship 13
Kumho Tires www.kumhotire.ca 32
PBL Insurance www.pblinsurance.com 20
Prema Canada www.premacanada.ca 21 The new Audi S6 gets a new high-performance Toyo tire.
| www.autosphere.ca | December 2009 | Tire News | 29 Brian Early [email protected]
This 1999 Taurus uses an internally regulated alternator. This externally regulated alternator is on a 2000 Neon. Internally regulated alternator on a 2004 Chevy Silverado. Diagnosis Alternators and Charging Systems Prior to the advent of alternators (a 1960’s innovation that can be attributed to Chrysler), most vehicle charging systems utilized a DC generator. Looking much like belt-driven starter motors, DC generators had weak low-rpm performance, and required fussy and unreliable mechanical voltage and current regulators to control their meagre output.
lternators are actually AC gener- that newer alternators will often have fi elding”) should cause the alternator to ators, and their primary benefits additional wires that allow the engine charge as proof of function, but do not do A are much greater output—particu- computer to alter charging rates to im- it for long, as excessive system voltages— larly at low rpm—higher overall effi ciency, prove fuel efficiency. Consult a wiring and possibly damage—will result. (It is and more compact construction. schematic to be certain. also possible to do this test with some internally regulated alternators.) Two primary types Thinking outside the box While there are different internal wiring Externally regulated alternators are less My experience with Chrysler charging sys- designs out there, alternators can be common these days—unless you’re under tems suggests that the computer seldom generally categorized as one of two major the hood of a Chrysler product. Many fails—engine and chassis ground issues types—internally regulated and externally Fords, up until regulated. Familiarity with both types will the mid-nineties, Familiarity with both types will greatly aid your diag- greatly aid your diagnostics, as testing and virtually all nostics, as testing procedures differ between them. procedures differ between them. Chryslers (exclud- ing rebadged Mitsubishi models) use are the most common electrical faults Internal affairs externally regulated alternators. when the alternator itself checks out OK. Since the 1970’s, most Asian imports, and nearly all General Motors vehicles, have Eighties and nineties Chryslers often in- Shared faults used internally regulated alternators. corporated the regulator into their fender- Both styles of alternator have common Particularly in older applications, these mounted “SMEC” units, while other failures—mechanical, such as bearings alternators have needed only battery volt- automakers (like Ford) used stand-alone or loose/damaged/corroded connections age and key-switched power connections external regulators. Virtually all newer (watch for loose belts, too); and internal to operate (ground is generally provided Chryslers have the regulator built into electrical, like open or shorted windings, through the housing), simplifying both wir- their engine computers. worn brushes, and failed diodes (required ing and testing. If power is present at both to convert the AC current produced into the main “B+” terminal and the “IGN” Straightforward testing useable DC). trigger terminal, key on, yet the alternator In Chryslers, diagnosis at the alternator isn’t charging, the fault likely lies in the is relatively straightforward; power at the Charge lamps on while running (where alternator. B+, key or ASD relay-switched 12 volts at the lamp’s circuit is actually the trigger one of the two fi eld terminals, and pulse- source), unusual noises or noise levels, Be aware, however, that many alterna- width modulated ground at the other fi eld or excessive AC ripple—measured by set- tors require 12V power at a second “B+ terminal (other manufacturers may modu- ting your multimetre to “AC Volts” (less Sense” terminal in order to function, that late the positive side, but the principle is than 0.5 VAC, measured across the bat- the IGN feed circuit may not go through the same). tery terminals, is generally considered the charging indicator in the dash (just acceptable)—are also indicators of faulty because the light comes on, don’t assume Briefly grounding the negative field alternators, and should result in their that the IGN terminal is powered), and terminal with the engine running (“full replacement.
This article was originally published in the May 2009 issue of CASP Magazine. 30 | Tire News | December 2009 | www.autosphere.ca |
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