63 minute read
Commercially Viable
from Modern Tire Dealer - December 2022
by EndeavorBusinessMedia-VehicleRepairGroup
vehicle to warn the driver. The result of not taking preventive action can lead to downtime and the cost of a new tire.
RFID tags work much the same way. But they can generally deliver more information to a receiver outside of the vehicle. As the name indicates, RFID uses a radio frequency to communicate with a receiver to gather information about the tire.
There are two types of RFID tags — active and passive. Active RFID tags have a battery and passive tags do not. Most RFID tags are embedded in the tire. Data can be collected and analyzed for a fleet of vehicles. This can be used to gather information on air pressure, temperature of the tire and location of the tire. If air pressure drops or the tire begins heating up, an alert can be sent to warn of an impending failure. These alerts can go to a receiver in the vehicle, remote receiver and/or a cell phone.
Most tire dealers have had to deal with sensors on cars and pickups for several years now and have the equipment to reset sensors in these vehicles. Since many tire dealers have some experience dealing with sensors, it shouldn’t be too difficult, but with new technology, there will always be a learning curve.
Overall, tire sensors and RFID tags are designed to give information that can help with preventive maintenance costs and provide benefits that can help the farmer save money on fuel, downtime and tire costs.
GREG GILLAND, vice president, global agriculture,
Maxam Tire North America: The key to achieving the best value and performance of a tire is to employ the ideal air pressure based on the actual load. In the agricultural world, there is an indisputable link between the impact of ground pressure and the resulting yield of a planted crop. Tires play a key role in soil compaction and ground pressure as they are the primary tool that creates contact between the machinery and the soil.
Due to limited resources, most farmers will set their tire inflation pressures based on the heaviest implement or axle load they are required to tow or carry and subsequently, this usually never gets adjusted for other working conditions. Compressed air within a tire accounts for over 80% of the carrying capacity of that tire. Therefore, any technology or tool that improves the impact on ground pressure and overall tire functionality will inevitably result in increased crop yields — delivering a greater value to farmers and growers.
There are three types of evolving technologies that can help the ag industry continue to improve and enhance tire performance results:
• RFID technology • Tire sensor technology • On-board tire inflation systems
KEEP YOUR OPERATION ROLLING!
When your equipment is down in the field, or if weather is holding you back, get rolling again with replacement wheels or dual pacakges from Unverferth, the ag wheel specialist! Unverferth manufactures and inventories the industry’s widest variety of replacement agricultural wheels and complete dual wheel packages for fast delivery to keep you rolling in the field.
Contact your Unverferth wheel dealer or visit umequip.com today, and we’ll keep you rolling this season!
Unverferth Mfg. Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 357 Kalida, OH 45853 unverferth.com | 419.532.3121
RFID, in essence, is a chip or tag that is embedded inside a tire that allows an exchange of data with a portable or xed reader, which employs a radio frequency signal to passively read the information on the tag or chip. e bene t of this technology in the ag world is that technical information could be embedded in the selected tire’s RFID tag. is tag would identify the tire’s brand, size, original tread depth, type, wheel position and maximum load limits. It would instantly identify all the tire information needed to determine the working parameters for active tire management over time.
Tire sensor technology moves us another step towards enhancing the performance of tires. A tire sensor is either passive (responds when queried) or active (constantly sending a signal) — placed inside the tire, preferably on or adjacent to the inner liner. It can also be mounted on the valve stem of the rim or wheel that can actively communicate not only the data provided by an RFID tag, but also the actual air pressure and temperature of the tire.
of tires.’ — Greg Gilland, vice president, global agriculture, Maxam Tire North America
As there is a direct link between the machine axle load, the required air pressure to carry the load and the corresponding temperature caused by the work in progress, the data or tire pressure information can trigger a management decision by the operator. Air in ation pressure feedback provides management options that could include speeding up, slowing down, stopping the machinery or conducting a maintenance check to adjust air pressures. Sensor technology gives the ability to use air pressure data to ensure optimal in ation for the tire’s load — thus increasing tire life, reducing ground pressure and achieving the bene ts of greater crop yields. e growing use of on-board tire in ation systems moves the above technology to the next level by incorporating both passive RFID tag technology and active tire sensor technology feedback into a tire pressure adjustment mechanism that is an integral part of the ag machinery.
On-board systems would include an air pressure system supplied by the machinery that is connected to the tires — with the capability to in ate or de ate the tires as needed based on the operators’ working requirements or load needs. On-board tire in ation systems receive data from the RFID or sensor tag located by wheel position on the machinery and in real-time provide the operator with the capability to adjust tire in ation pressure on the go or as needed, without having to stop the machinery. Whether working in the eld at slow speeds or transporting the machinery from eld to eld at higher speeds, the ability to adjust air pressures as needed can ensure reduced ground compaction, improved tire wear, improved fuel economy, greater productivity and greater crop yields.
Each of the above technologies provides a tangible bene t that can deliver improved results to any farmer or grower. Maxam recommends using all the above technologies if usage parameters are aligned with the selected machinery’s tires speci cations, axle loads, load-per-tire and soil conditions.
Tire dealers and distributors will have to adapt to the technological solutions selected by each tire manufacturer. Some tire manufacturers will develop in-house tools — and perhaps all the above technologies — as part of their o erings. Some tire manufacturers may adopt o -the-shelf solutions available and o er them as part of an integrated package.
In addition, some of the original equipment manufacturers are evaluating on-board tire in ation systems as part of optional machinery package enhancements in their equipment o erings, as they recognize the value and impact of tires on the total cost of ownership of their vehicles.
In each case, tire dealers and distributors will need to understand how these tools will integrate with the tire and be ready to provide some technical support for proper system implementation or use.
DAVID GRADEN, operational market manager, agriculture,
Michelin North America Inc.: As producers become more and more educated on the bene ts of proper in ation pressures, soil preservation and an increased awareness of their overall e ciency, we will see a growing need for tire sensors and RFID tags in and on gg tires.
For ag tire dealers, RFID tags could be very useful in inventory management and tracking. As for producers, this technology could easily be used to track machinery, speeds and maintenance schedules. Tire sensors like pressure monitoring sensors, distance measuring devices inside the tire, etc., could be a huge bene t to the end user.
Technology such as this could measure the dynamic weight changes and precisely adjust air pressures, which would bene t tractive capacities, otation, fuel economy in the eld and overall machine e ciency. Furthermore, if this technology is tied to machine speed, air pressures could adjust up and signi cantly improve fuel economy and stability on the road too.
As these technologies hit the market, tire dealers need to be knowledgeable enough to maintain, install and troubleshoot them all.
Today, we understand that tire dealers are the rst stop for tire recommendations, with tire manufacturers and online research being second. is technology is coming fast and we all need to be educated and prepared to move forward quickly.
BLAINE COX, NATIONAL PRODUCT MANAGER — agriculture, golf and turf, Yokohama O -Highway Tires
America, Inc.: When it comes to how an operator can in uence tire performance and tire life, nothing even comes close to in ation pressure. Tire sensors and RFID signaling technology seem to be ramping up — rst in cars and trucks and more recently in farm equipment. ey’re powerful tools because they make it easy to keep track of in ation pressure and just as importantly, to spot a problem before it turns into a crisis. And those technologies are a perfect t for central tire in ation systems, which can automate the entire process of optimizing in ation pressure on the go.
BKT introduces EM 933 for excavators
Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) has introduced a new tire, the EM 933 Super, for excavators in digging and loading operations. The EM 933 Super boasts “many distinguishing features,” according to BKT of cials, including “an outstanding sidewall design with a protruding rib that enables the close contact of two tires, without the need for a special rubber ring to avoid rock penetration.” BKT offers more than 3,200 products for construction, mining, agricultural and other applications.
BALKRISHNA INDUSTRIES LTD. www.bkt-tires.com Michelin adds Agilis HD
Michelin North America Inc. has rolled out its new Agilis HD Z 19.5 tire, which replaces the Michelin XZE tire in two 19.5-inch sizes — 225/70R19.5 LRG and 245/70R19.5 LRH. Featuring a customized, ve-rib, zig-zag tread that combines “excellent water evacuation with an aggressive pattern,” the Agilis HD Z 19.5 tire has been designed to help drivers maintain con dence over the life of the tire and offers 34% more miles, better wet grip and lower rolling resistance, according to Michelin of cials.
MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA INC. www.michelin.com
GRI unveils Green XLR Earth ag tire
Global Rubber Industries Pvt. Ltd. (GRI) is unveiling the Green XLR Earth 65+, a radial ag tire with a tread design that creates a virtual rib and subscribes to GRI’s sustainable mission. The tire is made with 37.5% sustainable materials and is designed to drive performance and productivity for tractors across the globe. GRI says the virtual rib sets the Green XLR Earth 65+ apart from other 65-series radial farm tires, as it provides both enhanced driving comfort and improved steering precision at higher speeds. The tire will be available in early-2023.
GLOBAL RUBBER INDUSTRIES PVT. LTD. www.gritires.com
Caterpillar approves Maxam OTR tire
The Maxam MS302 in size 29.5R25 has been approved by Caterpillar Inc. as an original equipment tire option on Cat 740 GC articulated dump trucks. Maxam Tire North America officials say the fitment “marks a major leap forward” for Maxam in the OTR tire segment. The tire has been engineered “for the toughest applications, delivering superior traction and high resistance to wear and cut.” Maxam also supplies MS302 tires as factory options on the Cat 950M, 966M, 972M and more in certain regions.
MAXAM TIRE NORTH AMERICA INC. www.maxamtire.com Yokohama launches online management tool
Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America Inc. has created an online portal to help tire distributors and dealers manage their tire inventories. The portal includes tools and features, such as 24/7 real-time product availability by warehouse; a searchable catalog by name, SKU number or size; quick-order features for speedy reordering; a container builder/tracker; automatic freight estimates for warehouse orders; and more. The system builds on the company’s popular Warranty Wizard, a mobile app that streamlines the warranty claim process.
YOKOHAMA OFF-HIGHWAY TIRES AMERICA INC. www.yokohama-oht.com
Prinx adds sizes to Fortune truck tire
Prinx Chengshan Tire North America has added three sizes — 295/75R22.5, 11R22.5 and 11R24.5 — to its Fortune DH131 closed-shoulder super-regional drive tire. Among other benefits, the Fortune DH131 provides fleets “with high-speed performance and longer mileage” and is engineered to minimize irregular wear, according to Prinx officials. In addition, the Fortune DH131 sports a shallow tread depth, giving dealers “a lower price point option” than the Fortune DH106.
PRINX CHENGSHAN TIRE NORTH AMERICA www.prinxtire.com
Sailun ‘plants ag’ in emerging EV tire category
By Mike Manges
Sailun Tire Americas is positioning itself as a force in the emerging electric vehicle (EV) tire category with the launch of the new Sailun ERANGE EV tire, which contains the company’s EcoPoint3 liquid phase mixing technology. e rst Sailun tire to feature EcoPoint3 , the ERANGE EV, is available now in more than 30 sizes, according to Ron Dolan, president of Sailun Tire Americas.
Dolan sat down with MTD at a recent ride-and-drive event in Los Angeles, Calif., to discuss the ERANGE EV, Sailun’s EcoPoint3 technology, Dolan’s take on the burgeoning EV tire category and more.
“We really want to say to the marketplace that we’re a leader in EV tires and we’re planting our ag,” he said.
MTD: We originally reported on the new EVRANGE EV tire — including its features and bene ts and why Sailun has developed this tire speci cally for EVs — back in May 2022. As more tire manufacturers bring EV-speci c tires to market, it seems like we are seeing the emergence of a new product category...
Dolan: I think we’re de nitely seeing that. We’re on the precipice of the mass vehicle market adopting EVs, so it’s de nitely considered a new, separate category.
MTD: Why has it been important for Sailun to get in on the ground oor of EV tires?
Dolan: It started with EcoPoint3 technology. e Sailun Group, parent company of Sailun Tire Americas, invented this proprietary liquid phase technology and it dawned on us that ‘ ey’re talking about low rolling resistance, a quieter tire...’ We had an epiphany and said, ‘Wouldn’t this be fantastic for EVs if everything they are saying in their lab testing is true in the real world?’
We came up with the concept and (performance) attributes we wanted and we benchmarked to the leading brands. Our research and development center sent over tires for third-party testing. And the tires accomplished what we wanted.
Because we were so pleased with the results, we did further third-party tests beyond the initial evaluations. I then bought an EV myself to purposely understand what the consumers of these tires go through on a daily basis. I quickly realized with their instant torque how a long-wearing compound would be vital.
I’m also a father of three girls and the ability to stop quickly was critical … and also reducing range anxiety. So I knew we had to make a tire that hit those marks. We feel we have a tire that’s performing at the tier-one level, but we are selling it within the EV tire category as a value-tier product.
“We really want to say to the marketplace that we’re a leader in EV tires and we’re planting our ag,” says Ron Dolan, president of Sailun Tire Americas.
Photo: MTD there are brands you don’t know. I think at the consumer level, that’s where it is.
MTD: Where are you positioning the new ERANGE EV?
Dolan: Within EV-speci c tires — and there aren’t many of them out, by the way — we are, from the very top, 25% to 30% less than other brands today. EV-speci c, we will be positioned comparably versus conventional tires. rough our testing and how we’re positioning (the new tire) in the market we believe that we deliver the best value. We are delivering a value solution.
MTD: Some tiremakers maintain you can take an existing tire with existing technology, put in on an EV and not lose performance. Sailun is saying it’s better to run tires made speci cally for EVs...
MTD: Do you foresee a tier hierarchy developing as the EV tire category evolves?
Dolan: The generations of consumers coming in now — the Gen Zs — are more data driven. And their a nity to brands is not the same as generations before. Let’s face it — there are brands you know and Dolan: ...and for hybrid (vehicles), as well — not just fully electric. I think this tire adds a ton of value for hybrid drivers. We know with the high torque of these vehicles that conventional compounds will have extremely fast wear. With our proprietary technology, we can have a
long-wearing tire that doesn’t sacri ce rolling resistance and grip. Could that be valuable to an internal combustion engine car? Absolutely. We really want to say to the marketplace that we’re a leader in EV tires and we’re planting our ag. We want to be known as an expert in EV tires. at’s the route we want to take.
MTD: e ERANGE EV will be available soon?
Dolan: Yes. ere are tires on their way to distribution centers as we speak. Our exclusive distributor in the U.S. is TBC, with the fantastic network they have in their National Tire Wholesale and TBC Brands divisions. We also have four or ve distributors who — in addition to TBC — will distribute our product in Canada.
MTD: What’s the rationale behind distributing through TBC in the U.S. versus distributing through TBC and also going direct to dealers in the U.S.?
Dolan: We’ve had a long relationship with TBC. e two companies complement each other, with our ability to manufacture high-quality products and TBC’s second-to-none ability to distribute the product. TBC also has a long history and many deep relationships. We believe they’re the best channel to distribute our product in the U.S.
We believe that with EcoPont3, we have a story to tell the OEMs now. Before — although we built a fantastic tire — we didn’t have a concrete story (that listed reasons) why to switch. It’s a long-term project. We know that won’t happen overnight, but we’re a patient company and have a long-term plan. With EcoPoint3, we’ll come out with other products down the road. We’re looking at areas where we believe that this technology will add value. We have the ability to create tires that are very safe. eir stopping abiity is second-to-none. We believe a high-end Brett Miller, director of marketing and advertising for West MiddleSUV tire in more premium tments could be an interesting spot to be. We are starting to sex, Pa.-based Flynn’s Tire & Auto, enter the o -road (light truck) tire market and says Sailun’s early entry into the electric vehicle (EV) tire market “is going to really pay off as the believe EcoPoint3 will add to our ability to have fantastic cut- and chip-resistant compounds. EV market grows.” We’re doing testing right now with our medium Photo: MTD truck tire line and we’re seeing tremendous results in fuel economy. is is an exciting time. We’re very optimistic about our future. But we’re very committed to o ering a value solution. We’re proud to be in that position today. We will (introduce) products that may not be our conventional position, but will be part of an agreed-upon strategy with our dealer network. We do not make decisions in a silo. Our strategy is built with our dealers.
MTD: Do you foresee selling the tire through other channels, such as big box retailers like Sam’s Club or Canadian Tire?
All New For 2022
Dolan: At this time, we’ll work with TBC in the U.S. and with TBC and our other distributors in Canada. We won’t over-distribute the product.
MTD: Do you plan to develop EV tires for other applications?
Dolan: Yes. With the Ford F-150 Lighting and other electric pickup trucks coming, we have some concept tires we’re working on right now — and de nitely for the commercial van eet. ey’re going to be highly electric. So we have plans for that segment and lots of other exciting things down the road.
MTD: How quickly do you think market acceptance of EV tires will accelerate?
Dolan: EV-speci c tires have good-wearing compounds, but still wear out faster than convention vehicle tires. We believe the replacement cycle will come faster than (with) your typical original equipment tires. I think we will have a replacement market in double digits within four to ve years.
MTD: e ERANGE EV comes in 32 sizes right out of the gate...
Dolan: ...and that’s a big commitment for us. We’re not a tier-one tire company that has OE placements today. But we’re working hard to get those relationships started.
450 Page HEV-EV Tech Book
The ACDC is now available for $350 plus S/H ACDC offers:
• Hands On Tesla Classes • HEV-EV Classes
• Webinars - Live and Recorded • Books • Safety Equipment
ACDC is your ONE-STOP resource Training needs!
(508)-826-4546
Utilizing text messaging to generate tire sales
TIRE MAN LEANS ON TECHNOLOGY TO CONNECT WITH CUSTOMERS
By Maddie Gehring
Tire Man, a two-location dealership in ousand Oaks, Calif., is leaning on text messaging to better communicate with customers as the world becomes more tech-reliant.
Carey Lutz, general sales manager at the company’s ousand Oaks location, says the use of texting to communicate with customers has impacted Tire Man’s business in a positive way.
TESTING THE WATERS
Lutz says his dealership had a unique and unexpected start with utilizing texting services for sales. It was a customer Tire Man had been serving for several years who suggested using texting.
“One day this customer, who is also a computer nerd, walked into our ousand Oaks location and asked if he could put a feature on our website to enhance communication,” says Lutz.
“We agreed to put him on a month-long contract and to see how it would go. at was about ve years ago.”
According to Lutz, the customer placed an interactive feature on Tire Man’s website.
An icon pops up on the bottom of Tire Man’s website and customers are prompted to put cellphone numbers in, along with a message. at message goes straight to a Tire Man employee. e dealership provides all employees with cell phones and covers all associated expenses.
THE BENEFITS OF TEXTING
Lutz says that many of the people on his sales team have been with Tire Man for years. He believes this helps make digital connections with customers much easier.
“Over the years, we’ve become friends with our customers and in a lot of cases, we will keep their cell phone numbers.” Some customers, he says, have come to prefer communicating “only by texting.”
Lutz says he probably does about 25% of business via texting and more than 50% of the people texting Lutz’s team have
Valentin Gomez, who works in sales at Tire Man, a dealership that’s based in Thousand Oaks, Calif., communicates with a customer via text message.
Photo: Tire Man
become repeat customers because of the speed in which they reply to inquiries.
“A lot of other tire businesses have features like this, but when I answer people back, they always are shocked by how fast we got back to them. at’s the perk of having the texting noti cation sent straight to our personal cell phones.”
He also says texting allows Tire Man’s sales team to get more work done during the day.
Normally, he adds, if a customer calls in with questions, the dealership’s salespeople must stop what they are doing to answer right away.
Using texting, if a customer contacts Lutz or another team member, they can nish what they are working on and then respond.
“We are all a bunch of old men in here and we prefer a phone call,” laughs Lutz.
“But it is nice when we are busy just to text. I can be on the phone with one customer and text another customer telling them their car is ready.”
He also says Tire Man employees will send texts to customers that contain a fair amount of information about various tires and services, so customers can go back and look at that information when needed.
And texting gives Lutz and his team the opportunity to discuss a customer’s problem before they bring their car to the store.
“Most of us are running pretty hard and pretty fast, so, it gives us a breadcrumb trail.”
ADVICE FOR OTHER DEALERS
Lutz believes texting is probably less e ective for “big corporations like Walmart.”
He understands that texting may not be for every tire dealership. “It seems like everyone who is in the tire business has been in it for a while and has found what works for them. Well, texting really works for us.”
Looking ahead, Lutz says Tire Man plans to increase its text communications in response to customer demand.
Ohio tire dealers offer mobile training for members
TRAILERS TRAVEL TO STORES FOR ON-SITE EDUCATION
By Maddie Gehring
The Ohio Tire & Automotive Association (OTAA) has partnered with DRIV Inc., which oversees Garage Gurus — a major automotive service training program — in an e ort to “upskill” its members’ technicians.
As part of the program, Garage Gurus provides two, 53-foot mobile trailers that feature a classroom area and tire service equipment. e trailers drive to OTAA members’ locations for on-site training sessions. e rst session took place this past August near Columbus, Ohio, in conjunction with the association’s annual golf outing.
AN INVESTMENT IN MEMBERS
Je Wallick, president of the OTAA, says the decision to partner with Garage Gurus was not taken lightly.
But at the end of the day, OTAA “made the decisions to invest in our members. We know that our members are — and I mean this quite literally — keeping America moving forward. So the responsibility we feel to serve them well is immense.”
Wallick believes OTAA members will see a return on the investment as their employees will become “even more pro cient at working on the latest and greatest vehicle technology.”
“If we’re going to succeed and grow as an industry, it’s incumbent upon us to make an investment through initiatives and partnerships like we have with Garage Gurus,” says Alex Boehnke, OTAA legislative director. e mobility of Garage Gurus’ training trailer was a key factor for the OTAA, he adds.
“Asking small business owners to pull out their technicians for training is a big ask. ey’re trying to do as much business as possible and they’re short on workforce.
“If we are able to develop a partnership like this that saves time and brings the training to them, it’s all the more valuable.”
“Our objective is to make it as simple and convenient as possible for our members to show up and engage with industry-leading training in a way that’s best for them,” says Wallick.
MORE THAN 40 COURSES
Garage Gurus’ trainers are professionals who have 15 to 30 years of hands-on experience and also are Automotive Service Excellence-certi ed, according to Wallick, who himself is a trainer for the program.
More than 40 courses are available, from ride control to
Garage Gurus provides two, 53-foot mobile trailers that feature a classroom area and tire service equipment. The trailers provide on-site training at members’ stores.
Photo: OTAA
brake systems. “ e training is going back and forth between what I am going to call theory and application,” says Wallick.
It consists of “a little bit of watching videos, a little bit of discussion with the teacher and then they’re actually putting their hands to work on actual equipment to apply what they have learned.”
Garage Gurus tries to keep sessions to about 12 students. e times of the sessions can vary, depending on trainees’ availability.
Wallick says that technicians can attend one eight-hour training session or two four-hour day sessions. e “sweet spot” that OTAA found are four-hour sessions, he explains. is allows OTAA members to keep technicians working at their dealerships for as long as possible before pulling them out for training, which the OTAA pays for.
“A technician may show up for work at 7 a.m. and they’re going to get jobs done in the morning and then have time to grab lunch and head to training at 2 p.m.,” says Wallick.
“Our role at the OTAA is to facilitate that training and take care of any friction in the process.
“In this case, that means paying for the training because we really do see this as an investment in our OTAA members, their technicians and our industry,” says Wallick, who adds the association will continue to promote the program to members.
What will your ‘new normal’ look like?
SIX TRENDS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
By Randy O’Connor
Despite economic uncertainty, for the most part, it’s a great time to sell tires and service vehicles. And as the world continues to recover from the pandemic and we continue to watch markets closely, consumers seem to be more and more focused on a return to normal.
But what will that “normal” look like?
Here are some trends to follow and capitalize on:
Back in the public eye? Consumers are anxious to return to brick-and-mortal retail outlets. However, many have become accustomed to the digital shopping experience and will likely remain more comfortable with it well into the future.
Retail champions understand that it’s all about the customer experience. While it’s certainly possible to still deliver an excellent experience without much technology, many consumers have come to expect more.
Chances are — at least for most consumers — this involves the expectation that some sort of digital technology will be a part of that experience.
Personalization unlocks doors. Everywhere we turn, we see evidence that retailers are focused on creating a personalized experience for shoppers.
Personalizing your customers’ experience provides you with an excellent opportunity to present something unique. We certainly can and should do our best to meet customers’ expectations on a personal level.
Generational changes. With each passing day, Gen Xers, members of Generation Z and millennials all become a bigger part of your customer base. ese folks have grown up with more technology in their lives than previous generations. ese consumers are also more environmentally conscious and informed than their predecessors.
And many are more frugal. Shaping the customer experience for these buyers is as much about re ecting their values as it is meeting their expectations. Digital tools will help you answer that call.
A rm hold on contactless service. Even though consumers have become more comfortable around others, they have come to appreciate certain trends that the pandemic forced all of us to adopt. Contactless payments are here to stay. What was once a safety precaution is now a recognized strategy for saving consumers valuable time otherwise spent signing receipts, counting cash and having to be in a particular physical location in order to complete a transaction. e convenience of contactless payments is now an expectation — not a precaution or convenience.
Supply chain disruption rewinds the clock. We’ve all been a ected by the massive disruption in the global supply chain. Servicing your customers due to this disruption has o en been very challenging. is doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon. As a result, we’re now having to focus on more old-school ways to meet customers’ needs in a timely fashion.
It’s now, once again, about warehousing what you can, diversifying your supply chain and sourcing where you can.
Contactless payments are here to stay. What was once a safety precaution is now a recognized strategy for saving consumers valuable time.
Photo: Unsplash Employee-focused approaches. Last — but most certainly not least — of the trends that are shaping your business on the heels of the pandemic is a hyper focus on inclusivity and engagement with employees. e stress that has accompanied the past few years has provided all of us with a fresh view of what’s important, how we choose to spend our time and with whom we spend it. In addition, your team is likely younger Consumers seem to be than it was pre-pandemic. Younger people’s work expectations di er from those of more and more focused previous generations. on a return to normal. For them, it’s about employee empowerment, life/work balance and more of a focus on leveraging technology to make jobs easier. We’re now in signi cantly transformative times and we need to leverage transformative trends to our advantage. Like it or not, normal will never be normal again. e sooner you can adapt, the better o your business will be. Tire and auto industry veteran Randy O’Connor is the executive director TEN (Training and Education Network). He can be reached at roconnor@10endeavorb2b.com. For more information, see www.mtdten.com.
Recipe for success in 2023
FOCUS ON CAR COUNT AND SALES AGILITY – AND STAY DISCIPLINED
By Dennis McCarron
So 2022 actually happened! (Hard to believe!) My brain tells me it’s still late-spring, but the calendar tells me it’s time to bring on 2023 and all of its craziness.
But first, look at what we lived through during the past few years.
First, there was 2020, which brought us the pandemic, riots in cities across America and a host of other calamities. That year was difficult with lockdowns, home schooling, illnesses, deaths and enough mental health issues to last a lifetime.
Many couldn’t wait for the year to end. People even posted online “Goodbye, 2020 — hello, 2021!”
And 2021 didn’t disappoint. It started with a political punch in the face. Lockdowns continued for most states, masks were everywhere and can anyone say the word “inflation?”
Last year had its moments, as well, with continued inflation, supply chain problems as far as the eye could see and of course, the invasion of Ukraine and serious talks about what happens if a tactical nuke detonates somewhere.
It’s with the optimism of a pessimist — or is it the pessimism of an optimist — that we dive into reflecting on 2022 in the tire industry, while predicting what we can reasonably rely on for 2023.
Last year should have been a financial banner year for tire dealerships.
People were spending money fixing their cars as cash was still flowing through the country and sky-high new and used car prices were making plenty of people think about keeping their current car longer.
Add-on sales were relatively easy to negotiate with customers. And increased labor rates kept up with wage earnings.
Hopefully, you gave generous raises to those employees who deserved it, as the pipeline of fresh talent has all but dried up — making retention a major factor.
And while unit sales were down or flat, unit dollars also were high thanks to multiple — and I mean multiple — tire manufacturer price increases.
I can’t remember in my now-long career a period of 24 months during which prices increased that often and by that much.
Bottom-line profits for most of the aftermarket remained strong from 2021 and likely set records or came close.
From the data I could source, the bigger box stores didn’t fare as well — with the biggest difference seeming to be that independents didn’t do any mass lay-offs. They powered through it, whereas big box stores had sizable layoffs and haven’t quite seemed to recover headcount. But they will recover.
Going into 2023, I see three major areas to focus on — car count, sales agility and corporate discipline.
Car count is the lifeblood of a store when faced with near-certain ARO declines. While a recession isn’t baked in just yet, consumer sentiment is pulling back. At least for the first quarter — when more than 30% more Americans are expected to pay for holiday gifts with credit cards — there won’t be much left in the wallet for that traditionally unbudgeted car repair.
Workflow and processes will take on an even more important role next year as dealerships push to be even more efficient.
Sales agility is the ability of a service advisor to adjust to new conditions. That easy customer “yes” from 2020 and 2021 will go by the wayside. What worked for salespeople in those times likely won’t be effective in the first quarter.
Advisors need to dust off their presentation skills and fine-tune their empathy radar — all while holding strong on margins. Strong advisors will adapt with a new approach. Poor advisors will lament that “nobody is buying anything.”
Corporate discipline means sticking to logic — not your gut. We already see benchmark interest rates at 2008 highs. That means if you borrow money to purchase inventory or pay other bills, you likely have forgotten how painful it is to pay down that debt.
Last year at this same time, I advised you to get out of debt. I hope you did and I hope you continue to stay out. There are going to be plenty of “deals” out there to end this year and start the next. If you have the money on-hand and the hole in your inventory, by all means, snatch that deal up!
But if you don’t have the cash and your inventory is full due to a flat year in unit sales, stick to your guns and pass on the deal. There will be others.
I wish every reader a happy and rewarding holiday season. Congratulations on a tough and well-fought out year and I wish you all the best in the new year.
Dennis McCarron is a partner at Cardinal Brokers, one of the leading brokers in the tire and automotive industry (www.cardinalbrokers.com). To contact McCarron, email him at dennis@cardinalbrokers.com.
Taking better care of yourself
HEALTH AND STRESS REDUCTION TIPS FOR TIRE DEALERS
By Michael McGregor
My friend Joe Tomarchio of Monro Inc. always says that “none of us are getting out of this world alive.” When you’re young, he says, you just want to make as much money as you can to cover your basic needs, wants and then desires. But as you become older, time becomes more important than money. And as you become even older still, health is number one, while time and money fall to second and third.
Running a tire dealership can be stressful in the best of times — and even more so as the year winds down. In this column, I’m going to depart from what I usually write about to share some health tips that will hopefully help reduce your stress level as you gear up for a busy and successful 2023. (I try to pass these along to every tire dealer I meet.)
Saunas will increase your lifespan. I’ve always loved saunas. I’ve joined gyms mostly because they had saunas and would work out for like 30 minutes and then sauna for 30 minutes. When my wife and I remodeled our house, we added a dry heat sauna in our master bathroom. A dry heat sauna is the one with stones in it. (A steam room is different.) At first, I only used our sauna on weekends to decompress, but I increased to daily use after researching the long-term benefits of this.
In research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 2,300 men in Finland between the ages of 42 and 60 were studied for their sauna use or lack of sauna use for over 20 years.
The results show that people who sauna four to seven times per week — for at least 20 minutes at a time, with an average sauna temperature above 174 degrees — experience 60% fewer deaths related to Alzheimer’s, 55% fewer heart disease-related deaths and 40% fewer “all-cause mortality” deaths.
Saunas aren’t incredibly expensive, either. A kit on the SaunaFin website for a five-foot by seven-foot by seven-foot sauna room — the same size as mine — will run you $3,650. You can also join a gym that has already has a sauna.
Transcendental Meditation (TM) reduces stress. This falls under the umbrella of “don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it.” I discovered TM at the end of a stressful 2021.
For the last year, I’ve meditated twice daily and I feel less stressed, less anxious and overall better for it. (Hey, if it was good enough for the Beatles, it’s good enough for me!) TM is not a religion or philosophy of any sort. It’s just a relaxation technique. For more, check out www.tm.org.
Intermittent fasting — combined with good nutrition — will help keep you at a healthy weight. I started intermittent fasting at the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show five years ago. Knowing I had lunch and dinner meetings scheduled, I skipped breakfast, grabbed a coffee and headed to the show. I did the same thing the next day. I found I could last until noon or so without eating. (My mom used to say that breakfast was the most important meal of the day and it still is for me. I just chose to ‘break my fast” at noon.)
You can do the same. Google “intermittent fasting” and you will find different plans.
I do the “16:8” version and eat within an eight-hour window — usually between 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. I like that I now have only two potentially bad decisions about what I’m going to eat! I also try to make better choices, like cutting out the bad carbs, avoiding processed foods, cooking from scratch and eating more fruits, vegetables and lean protein. Check out “Food Rules” by Michael Pollan for an easy read on nutrition.
Exercise will reduce your stress level and make you look and feel better. I belong to Orange Theory Fitness, which offers high-intensity interval training, done in a group or personal training setting.
Every workout is designed by experts and is led by experienced coaches. You wear a heart rate monitor to track your heart rate on a screen and watch calories burn in real time.
As we age, we lose muscle mass, so we need to lift weights to counter this and make our bones stronger. So I also strength train at a gym. You can hire a personal trainer, but there are lots of personal trainers on YouTube for free. My favorite is www.athlean-x.com. Jeff Cavalier at Athlean-X. com knows a lot about nutrition and is a licensed physical therapist and trainer.
He’s well-regarded by people like Sylvester Stallone and professional athletes. He’s also very funny and down-to-earth, like many tire dealers I know.
Michael McGregor is a partner at Focus Investment Banking LLC (focusbankers.com/ automotive/tire-and-service). He advises and assists multi-location tire dealers on merges and acquisitions. For more information, contact him at michael.mcgregor@focusbankers.com.
Tune up your listening skills
AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO HOLD EV CUSTOMERS’ HANDS
By Craig Van Batenburg
When did you rst encounter a hybrid owner asking about tires? It could have been the year 2000.
If it was, you had a Honda Insight gas/ electric hybrid (HEV) in your parking lot and a customer that most likely knew a lot more about the rst hybrid sold in America than your service writer did.
It may have been a car you did not even know existed!
A few years later in 2004, a Prius owner might have stopped by your store, in need a tire rotation. No big deal, right? What if your service advisor discovered that the Prius’ owner had parked in front of your dealership’s garage door and did not know how to start the car? en it was probably “ask-the-car-owner” time, which can be a bit embarrassing. e good news is that was a long time ago. Now hybrids are mainstream and electric vehicle (EV) sales are surging. e owners of these vehicles have money as many EVs aren’t cheap. ey love their cars, need tires and expect great service.
Second-hand EV buyers are another type of customer. ey typically have less money and are not as savvy about EV technology. It’s now up to you to help them. And that requires some hand-holding.
Professional hand-holders are clergy, lawyers, therapists and others. Other than ministers, rabbis and other religious leaders, most typically get paid for their time.
When I owned and operated Van Batenburg’s Garage in my hometown of Worcester, Mass., on my business card — a er my name — were the acronyms CMAT, L1, L3, AMAM and DMM. e last one displayed a bit of my humor as it stood for “doctor of moving metal”. You see, the shop — which is now my HEV/ EV training center — was two blocks away from a large hospital and over 50% of my customers were in the medical world.
And it became clear to me as I gained experience growing my business that I needed to learn better listening skills. e more I listened to my customers, the more they trusted me.
If I asked questions a er listening, the better the outcome of the sale.
Who is responsible for the success of any communication — the listener or the speaker? What do you think? Stop reading for a moment and ponder that question. Pose the question I just asked to the people you work with. Many will say, “Both.” (We will get back to that at the end of this column. By the way, if you ever notice something that can wait to be discussed later, make a note of it. Become a note taker!)
I also urge you to have a culture of open meetings at your dealership. At my old company, we were able to have meetings
a er lunch without interruptions. (We were closed for one hour at lunchtime.)
We took this hour-long break to talk with one another and learn. It was amazing to see the growth in sales and e ciency in the shop. You can also use your shop’s downtime time to learn about EVs and the EV owners’ views.
But back to the subject of hand-holding.
Each new technology comes with a learning curve. Owners of second-hand HEV and EVs will need help understanding why certain tires are made speci cally for a 2011 Nissan Leaf or a 2014 BMW i3.
EVs have been here for over 10 years and hybrid cars well over 20 years. How do you get paid for that extra hand-holding time? Can that time spent be included in the nal bill somewhere?
In most stores, customer service people may not know very much about EVs or much worse, they make stu up as they go along.
Maybe their response to a new customer is a negative comment about the idea of banning fossil-fuel vehicles? Will that culture at your store be helpful in the long run?
Going back to what I asked earlier — just who is responsible for the success of any communication? e listener or the speaker? My belief is that it’s the listener 100% of the time. Listening is hard work.
Many times, when you start to listen to something you do not agree with, you stop listening or you prepare to engage in an argument. is is not helpful. at is one reason why listening is hard. ere is a phrase — “Always already listening” — that I learned when I attended a class in the early-1990s. is EV thing is going to challenge all of us in some way. We must learn and move into this new age or fall behind and lose our way. You have worked too hard to let your sales slide.
Craig Van Batenburg is the CEO of Van Batenburg’s Garage Inc., dba Automotive Career Development Center (ACDC), which is based in Worcester, Mass. A 50-year automotive service industry veteran, Van Batenburg provides training for facilities that service — or want to service — electric and hybrid vehicles. For more information, see www.fixhybrid. com or email him at craig@fixhybrid.com
SRNA rounds out Falken Azenis line
The new ultra-high performance all-season Falken Azenis FK460 rounds out Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc.’s (SRNA) Falken Azenis high performance tire lineup. Available in a total of 85 sizes — ranging from 17 inches to 22 inches in diameter with a Y speed rating — the Falken Azenis FK460 is available for “the Audi S5 to BMW M4, Ford Mustang GT, Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, Mercedes-Benz AMG, Polestar 2, Porsche 911, Subaru WRX STI, Tesla Models 3 and Y and Toyota GR Supra,” say SRNA of cials.
SUMITOMO RUBBER NORTH AMERICA INC. www.falkentire.com
Pirelli launches allweather series
The WeatherActive is the rst allweather series from Pirelli Tire North America Inc. (PTNA) and is available in two versions — the Cinturato WeatherActive, which targets sedans and comes in 16 sizes, and the Scorpion WeatherActive, which comes in 23 sizes and has been designed for light truck and SUV applications. PTNA of cials say the tires have earned 3-Peak Mountain Snow ake certi cation for performance in severe snow conditions. Both come with a 60,000-mile limited treadwear warranty.
PIRELLI TIRE NORTH AMERICA INC. www.pirelli.com Continental rolls out ExtremeContact Sport02
Continental Tire the Americas LLC has updated its summer, ultra-high performance tire lineup with the ExtremeContact Sport02, a tire the company says outperforms its predecessor in speed, braking and responsiveness. The ExtremeContact Sportt02 is available in sizes that t wheel diameters ranging from 15 inches to 21 inches. The tire, designed for both the street and the track, comes with Continental’s SportPlus Technology, which provides responsive handling, better grip on wet roads and extended tread life.
CONTINENTAL TIRE THE AMERICAS INC. www.continentaltire.com
ATD adds Hercules Roadtour Connect
American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) has rolled out its Hercules Roadtour Connect PCV all-season touring tire. The tire provides “newer technology, more balanced tire performance” and other bene ts, “delivering 70,000 miles across all sizes and speed ratings,” according to ATD of cials. It will be available in 39 sizes, tting wheels ranging from 15 inches to 20 inches in diameter. Features include a nylon over-wrap to improve the tire’s durability and wear, added silica to enhance the tire’s wet and snow performance, a wide-circumference center and more.
AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS INC. www.herculestire.com Yokohama expands Advan UHP line
Yokohama Tire Corp.’s new Advan Neova AD09 ultra-high performance tire is available in 52 sizes, for wheels ranging from 15 inches to 20 inches in diameter. The Advan Neova AD09, which replaces the Advan Neova AD08R, features “extreme grip for faster lap times, razor-sharp handling, superior wet performance and constant performance on the street and track,” according to Yokohama of cials. The tire boasts a new tread pattern, all-new casing construction, a high-silica compound, chamfered grooves for enhanced wear resistance and more.
YOKOHAMA TIRE CORP. www.yokohamatire.com
Atturo rolls out two UTV tires
Atturo Tire Corp. is entering the powersports market, bringing two patterns inspired by its light truck tire lineup into the sport and recreational UTV categories. The Trail Blade X/T SxS and the Trail Blade Boss XsX are speci cally designed for the demands of modern side-by-side owners and their vehicles, according to Atturo of cials. Both tires feature steel-belted radial construction. The Trail Blade X/T SxS is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2022, with the Trail Blade Boss SxS following in the rst quarter of 2023.
ATTURO TIRE CORP. www.atturo.com
Toyota CH-R 2018-20
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
When a tire pressure sensor is replaced or tires are rotated, the sensor ID must be memorized by the TPMS control unit. See TPMS RESET PROCEDURES.
DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM
a. The tire pressure warning system warns the driver when the tire pressure has decreased in order to decrease CO2 emissions and enhance safety. b. The tire pressure warning system illuminates the tire pressure warning light to warn the driver when the following condition is met:
Due to the operation of the steering pad switch assembly, the tire pressure drops to approximately 75% or less of the tire pressure set during system initialization. The tire pressure warning pressure (the pressure at which the warning light is illuminated) cannot be set to approximately 75% or less of a specified tire pressure value. c. When the tire pressure warning system detects that the tire pressure of a tire is lower than the threshold, it will inform the driver using a warning light. d.The tire pressure warning ECU and receiver receives the transmitter ID, temperature and tire pressure information from the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters. This information is used to determine when the pressure in one of the tires has dropped.
DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRATION
a. When tires and wheels are replaced, always ensure that each transmitter ID is correctly registered. b. When one or more of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters or the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver is replaced, the transmitter IDs for all of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters must be re-registered. Before registering the transmitter ID of the new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter, check the Data List and record all of the transmitter IDs that are already registered.
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING RESET SWITCH
a. By operating the steering pad switch assembly, the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver can be set to issue a warning at an inflation pressure that corresponds to the type of tires fitted to the vehicle. Therefore, the warning threshold must be set to the proper value in order to comply with local regulations. b. After the inflation pressures of all tires (except the compact spare tire) have been adjusted to the appropriate tire pressures, operate the steering pad switch assembly and perform initialization.
DESCRIPTION OF INITIALIZATION
a. During initialization, the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters measure the inflation pressure of the tires,
and register the signals that are transmitted into the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver at a frequency of about once per minute. The initialization process is completed when signals from all tires (except the compact spare tire) have been received. b. Perform initialization in these cases: 1. Before delivery of a new vehicle; 2. After replacement of the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver; 3. After replacement of a tire pressure warning valve and transmitter; 4. When the specified tire pressure changes due to the use of a different size or type of tire; 5. When the specified tire pressure changes due to a change in the vehicle load, the speed range that the vehicle will be used in, etc.; 6. When a tire rotation is performed and the specified tire pressures are different for the front and rear of the vehicle. Perform initialization after the transmitter ID registration is completed.
FUNCTION OF MAIN COMPONENTS
• Tire Pressure Warning Valve and Transmitter: These components detect the pressure and internal temperature of the tire and transmit the measured values and the ID code to the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver. • Tire Pressure Warning ECU and Receiver: These components receive data from each tire pressure warning valve and transmitter and monitor tire pressures. When the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver detect a drop in the tire pressure, a system malfunction or initialization mode, they output the respective signal to the combination meter assembly. When the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver detect a problem with the vehicle speed signal, they use changes in the signal strength from the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter as a judgment standard. If the ECU detects any changes in the signal strength from the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter, it determines that the vehicle is being driven. • Steering Pad Switch Assembly: This is the switch that operates the multi-information display. “ENTER” switch.
By operating this switch, a tire pressure warning threshold based on the current tire pressure is memorized as the set tire pressure in the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver. • Combination Meter Assembly: This transmits the vehicle speed signal to the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver. • Tire Pressure Warning Light: This illuminates after blinking for one minute to warn the driver in accordance with the signal from the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver.
Displays two-digit Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). • Main Body ECU (Multiplex Network Body ECU): The main body ECU (multiplex network body ECU) and tire pressure warning ECU and receiver are connected using two direct lines that they use to communicate with each other. The main body ECU (multiplex network body
ECU) is connected to the combination meter assembly via CAN bus.
This vehicle diagram shows the locations of (A) with a full size spare tire; (1) Tire Pressure Warning ECU and Receiver; (2) Tire Pressure Warning Valve and Transmitter; (3) Combination Meter Assembly - Tire Pressure Warning Light; (4) Main Body ECU (Multiplex Network Body ECU); (5) Steering Pad Switch Assembly and the (a) front of the vehicle.
Photo: Mitchell 1
TROUBLESHOOTING TIRE PRESSURE WARNING ECU AND RECEIVER EXPRESSIONS
The type of tire pressure warning ECU and receiver used on this model differs according to the specifications of the vehicle. For vehicles with Smart Key System, the part name used here is tire pressure warning ECU and receiver. (The actual part name is the electrical key and tire pressure monitoring system receiver assembly.) For vehicles without a Smart Key System, the actual part name is the door control and tire pressure monitoring system receiver assembly.
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM PRECAUTION
a. Tire pressure decreases naturally over time, which also occurs in vehicle models without a tire pressure warning system.
Tire pressure decreases by approximately 5 kPa (0.05 kgf/ cm2 , 0.7 psi) to 10 kPa (0.1 kgf/cm2 , 1.5 psi) per month. b. Tire pressures may need to be adjusted periodically. c. In winter, tire pressure may decrease due to low ambient temperatures (tire pressure decreases by approximately 10 kPa (0.1 kgf/cm2 , 1.5 psi) for every 10°C (18°F) drop in the ambient temperature). Therefore, the tire pressure warning system is more likely to indicate a warning if the tire pressures are not adjusted appropriately. If the daily temperature variation is large, increase the pressure of the tires so that the tire pressures are suitable under cold conditions. As a result, unnecessary tire pressure warning operations should decrease. d.Always use a new grommet and valve core when installing a tire pressure warning valve and transmitter to ensure the sealing performance. e. When one or more of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters or the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver is replaced, the transmitter IDs for all of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters must be re-registered. Before registering the transmitter ID of the new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter, check the Data List and record all of the transmitter IDs that are already registered.
f. Use only a specified cap. If an unspecified cap is used, it may seize to the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. g. Depending on the tire type, the system may not function properly even if the specified wheels are used. h. To prevent damage to the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter, make sure that the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter does not interfere with the tire bead when installing or removing a tire. i. To prevent damage to the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter before disengaging the tire bead or removing the tire from the wheel, drop the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter into the wheel.
NECESSARY PROCEDURES WHEN REPLACING PARTS
a. ID Registration: When replacing the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter and tire pressure warning ECU and receiver, perform ID registration for the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. b. Initialization: After performing ID registration for the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter, make sure to initialize the tire pressure warning system.
TPMS RESET PROCEDURES REGISTRATION 1. BEFORE REGISTRATION
The transmitter ID is written on the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. It is not possible to read the transmitter ID after installing the tire onto the wheel. Therefore, make a note of the transmitter ID before installing the tire. In case of tire pressure warning ECU and receiver replacement, read the registered transmitter IDs that are stored in the old ECU using the Techstream and write them down. If the reading the stored transmitter IDs is impossible due to malfunctions of components such as the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver, remove the tires from the wheels and check the IDs located on the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters. In case of tire pressure warning valve and transmitter replacement, take a note of the seven-digit number (transmitter ID) written on the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter.
2. REGISTER TRANSMITTER ID (USING Techstream) HINT: The previously registered IDs will be cleared from memory when the registration is completed. If the ID registration step is not completed within 300 seconds, ID registration will be canceled. Follow these steps:
a. Set the tire pressure to the specified value; b. Turn the ignition switch off; c. Connect the Techstream to the DLC3; d. Turn the ignition switch to ON and the Techstream on; e. Enter the following menus: Chassis / Tire Pressure Monitor / Utility / ID Registration. Chassis > Tire Pressure Monitor > Utility; Tester Display: ID Registration f. Perform the procedure displayed on the Techstream. It may take a few minutes until the values are displayed.
If the transmitter IDs have not been registered, DTC C2171/71 is stored in the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver after three minutes or more.
This diagram shows the (*1) Tire Pressure Warning Valve and Transmitter and (*a) Transmitter ID (seven-digit number).
Photo: Mitchell 1
If normal pressure values are displayed, the transmitter IDs have been registered correctly.
If the tire pressure values are not displayed after a few minutes, the transmitter IDs may be incorrect or the system may have a malfunction.
After all transmitter IDs are registered, DTC C2126/26 is stored in the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver and the tire pressure warning light blinks for one minute and then illuminates. When the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver successfully receives signals from all the transmitters whose IDs are stored in the ECU, DTC C2126/26 is cleared and the tire pressure warning light goes off.
3. CONFIRMATION OF TRANSMITTER ID REGISTRATION
a. Enter the following menus: Chassis / Tire Pressure Monitor / Data List. Chassis > Tire Pressure Monitor > Data List
Tester Display: ID 1 Tire Inflation Pressure, ID 2 Tire Inflation Pressure, ID 3 Tire Inflation Pressure, ID 4 Tire Inflation Pressure, ID 5 Tire Inflation Pressure. b. Reduce the tire inflation pressure of each tire 40 kPa (0.4 kgf/cm2 , 5.8 psi) or more and check that the “ID Tire
Inflation Pressure” data is updated and that the actual tire inflation pressures are displayed. c. A er con rming that all of the tire in ation pressure values (except the compact spare tire) have been updated, adjust the tire in ation pressure to the speci ed value, operate the steering pad switch assembly and perform initialization.
INITIALIZATION
Note that initialization can be confirmed through the tire pressure warning light.
If the ignition switch off during initialization, the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver memorizes that initialization was being performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the initialization procedure again after turning the ignition switch to ON.
The order in which the data is received is random.
If the signals from all the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters are received, initialization is completed.
Initialization is completed when the Data List “ID Tire Inflation Pressure” display shows the correct pressures.
Initialization is normally completed within a few minutes. However, it may take 10 minutes or more until the tire pressure of the tire inflation pressure display function is shown.
It may take a few minutes until the values are displayed.
If initialization has not been completed successfully, DTC C2177/77 is stored after a vehicle speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) or more is detected for 20 minutes or more.
During test mode (sensor check mode), the system will not change to initialization mode even if the tire pressure warning reset switch is pushed.
Initialization can be terminated by connecting terminals 13 (TC) and 4 (CG) of the DLC3.
1. BEFORE INITIALIZATION: Set the tire pressure to the specified value. The procedure for adjusting the tire pressures differs depending on the temperature of the tires. 2. INITIALIZATION PROCEDURE: The tire pressure warning system illuminates the tire pressure warning light to warn the driver when the following condition is met. Note that due to the operation of the steering pad switch assembly, the tire pressure drops to approximately 75% or less of the tire pressure set during system initialization:
a. Turn the ignition switch to ON; b. Operate the steering pad switch assembly, select “TPMS” on the multi-information display and press and hold the
“ENTER” switch (steering pad switch assembly) until the tire pressure warning light blinks three times: *1 Tire Pressure Warning Light *2 “ENTER” Switch (Steering Pad Switch Assembly) *a Tire Pressure Warning Light Output Pattern *b 1 sec. *c ON *d OFF
The valve components include the: (1) tire pressure warning valve and transmitter; (2) non-reusable grommet; (3) washer; (4) nut; (5) non-reusable valve core; and (6) tire valve cap.
Photo: Mitchell 1
c. Turn the ignition switch off; d.Connect the Techstream to the DLC3; e. Turn the ignition switch to ON and turn the Techstream on. f. Enter the following menus: Chassis / Tire Pressure Monitor / Data List. Chassis > Tire Pressure Monitor > Data List
It may take a few minutes until the values are displayed; g. Check that initialization has been completed; h.Confirm that the tire pressure data of all tires is displayed on the Techstream screen.
REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES
CAUTION: The tire should be demounted from the wheel using the tire changer manufacturer’s instructions. Use the following information to avoid damage during the demounting/mounting procedures.
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING VALVE REMOVAL
The necessary procedures (adjustment, calibration, initialization or registration) that must be performed after parts are removed and installed, or replaced during tire pressure warning valve and transmitter removal/installation are shown below:
• Replacement part or procedure • Replacement of tire pressure • Warning valve and transmitter • Necessary procedures • Register transmitter ID • Initialize tire pressure warning system • Effects/inoperative when not performed • When DTC detection conditions of “transmitter ID not received” DTC are met, TPWS indicator blinks for one minute, and then illuminates. • Tire pressure warning function When replacing the tire pressure warning ECU and receiver,
read the transmitter IDs stored in the old ECU using the Techstream and write them down before removal.
PROCEDURE
1. Remove wheel assembly’ 2. Remove tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. Keep the removed tire valve cap; a. Remove the tire valve cap. Make sure that a sufficient amount of air has been released; b. Remove the valve core to release the air from the tire; c. Using an 11 mm deep socket wrench, remove the nut and washer; d.Drop the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter with grommet into the tire. The grommet may remain attached to the wheel. Be careful not to damage the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter due to interference between the valve and the tire bead. Set the tire remover shoe as shown in the illustration; e. Using a tire remover, remove the tire from the disc wheel; f. Take out the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter with grommet from the tire; g. Remove the grommet from the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter.
INSTALLATION
Always use a new grommet and valve core when installing the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. • Check that the washer and nut are not damaged, and replace them if necessary; • Make sure not to damage the urethane covered backside of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter (the surface opposite to the side with the ID code) with anything sharp; • Write down the ID number before installation; • Check that there is no oil, water or lubricant around the rim hole, tire pressure warning valve and transmitter, washer and nut. Failing to do so may result in improper installation; • Use only a specified tire valve cap. If an unspecified tire valve cap is used, it may seize to the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter.
PROCEDURE
1. Install tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. A new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter comes with a grommet installed. Make sure not to install an extra grommet. b. Install a new grommet to the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter: c. Write down the seven-digit transmitter ID number. Make sure that the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is installed so that the printed surface can be seen. If the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is installed upside down, it may be damaged or fail to transmit signals when driving at high speeds:
d.
• Check that there is no deformation or damage to the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. • Check that there is no foreign matter on the grommet. e. Insert the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter
with grommet from the inside of the wheel. No further tightening is required once the nut is tightened to the specified torque. Check that there is no foreign matter on the grommet, washer and nut; f. Install the washer to the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter from the outside of the wheel, and using an 11 mm deep socket wrench, tighten the nut. Torque: 4.0 N*m (41 kgf*cm, 35 in.*lbf); g. Set the tire and disc wheel onto the mounting machine.
Do not apply soapy water or equivalent directly to the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter; h.Apply a sufficient coat of soapy water or equivalent to the tire bead and rim. Make sure that the tire bead and mount tool do not interfere with the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. Make sure that the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter are not clamped by the bead and rim; i. Using a mounting machine, install the tire to the disc wheel; j. Install a new valve core; k. Inflate the tire to the specified tire inflation pressure. (Note:
No further tightening is required once the nut is tightened to the specified torque); l. After the tire is inflated, the nut may be loose. Using an 11 mm deep socket wrench, retighten the nut to the specified torque: 4.0 N*m (41 kgf*cm, 35 in.*lbf) Check the surroundings of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter for air leaks with soapy water or equivalent; m. If air is leaking from the valve core, press the valve core several times to remove foreign matter. Replace the valve core as necessary. If air is leaking from around the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter, check if the grommet, washer and nut are not deformed, damaged or contaminated with foreign matter. Replace the grommet, washer or nut as necessary. Then follow these steps: 1. Install the tire valve cap; 2. Install wheel assembly; 3. Inspect tires; 4. Register transmitter ID; 5. Inspect tire pressure warning system; 6. Perform initialization.
Information for this column comes from the tire pressure monitoring systems data in ProDemandR, Mitchell 1’s auto repair information software for domestic and import vehicles. Headquartered in San Diego, Mitchell 1 has provided quality repair information solutions to the automotive industry since 1918. For more information, visit www.mitchell1.com
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Component Wheel nut INCH Lbs. (N.m) Ft.-lbs. (N.m)
76 (103)
Tire Pressure Sensor Nut* 35 (4) *Do not use air or electric impact tools to tighten a valve stem nut. Tightening the nut beyond the speci ed torque can damage the nut. Make sure that there is no space between the sensor and the wheel.
WHEN YOU CONTACT ONE OF OUR ADVERTISERS PLEASE BE SURE TO MENTION YOU SAW THEIR AD IN MODERN TIRE DEALER
ADVERTISER
1-800EveryRim OEM Wheels
ACDC
Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Inc.
Apollo Vredestein Tires Inc.
Apollo Vredestein Tires Inc.
Aston Technologies
Autel
BendPak Inc.
BKT USA Inc.
BKT USA Inc.
Blackburn OEM Wheel Solutions
Continental Tire
EasyPay Finance
Falken Tires
GT Radial
Hunter Engineering Company
K&M Tire Inc.
Ken-Tool
Kenda Tires USA
Linglong Americas Inc.
Maxxis Tires
Milton Industries
Nexen Tire America Inc.
Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc.
Sentury Tire USA
Tire Industry Association
Transamerica Tire Company Ltd.
Tyres International
Unverferth Mfg. Company Inc.
WheelerShip LLC
Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America Inc.
PAGE
29
63
39
9
47
37
23
65
11
31-34
25
21
43
41
27
45
67
53
IBC
7
5
75
19
OBC
17
49
IFC
55
59
13
15
WEBSITE
www.everyrim.com/MTD
www. xhybrid.com
www.myplace4parts.com
www.vredestein.com
www.apollotrucktires.com
www.astontechnologies.com
www.autel.com
www.bendpak.com/ergochair
www.bkt-tires.com
www.bkt-tires.com
www.blackburnwheel nder.com
www.continentaltire.com
enrollment.easypay nance.com/MTD-dec-2022
www.falkentire.com
www.gtradial.com
www.hunter.com/hd
www.kmtire.com/mrtire
www.kentool.com
www.kendatractionrewards.com
www.linglongtire.com
www.maxxis.com
www.miltonindustries.com
www.nexentireusa.com
www.nittotire.com
www.delintedtires.com
www.tireindustry.org
www.venompowertires.com
www.tyresinternational.com
www.unverferth.com
wholesale.wheelership.com
www.yokohama-oht.com
