Tech Update: The Keys to Success with TPMS There are many factors to consider with a low tire pressure situation, not the least of which is safety. Underinflated tires roll at higher temperatures, handle poorly and require longer vehicle stopping distances. Underinflated tires also reduce gas mileage. More

Tire Tech Feature: A Refresher Course on Slip Angles and Cornering Force Thanks to today's technology, there are many tread blocks cut at different angles and a lot of tread void to help get rid of water, snow, mud, etc. In other words, the chances of slipping off the road are less today than they were 20 years ago. More

10 Ways to Prevent & Resolve Tire & Rim Slippage Problems Wheel slippage has long been a point of concern in the tire industry, usually with high-output engines and high-torque applications, primarily on farm equipment and commercial trucks. More

Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems: The TPMS System That Knows The Road. Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are ones that do not have air pressure sensors inside the tires. Rather, they detect a low tire by comparing relative wheel speeds via the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) wheel speed sensors. When a tire loses air, its diameter decreases slightly. More

Tech Feature: Nissan Brake and Suspension Repairs At first, you may not think brake and suspension systems are closely related. But when it comes to noise and vibration complaints, you don’t want to be looking at one without considering the other. More

Tech Tip: Servicing Valve Stems and Cores While looking at the valve stem, make sure the core is free of dirt and debris, which could cause interference with the valve function. Once you've assured yourself that the core is working properly, the only other caution is not to overtighten the valve core when you re-install it. This is particularly true with metal valve stems. More

TPMS: Tire Pressure Monitoring Service for All Shops Recently, an owner of a 2008 Lincoln Navigator brought their vehicle in for a tire rotation. The tires were rotated front to rear. The customer drove away not knowing he was in great peril. A few days later, the right rear picked up a small leak. The TPMS system turned on the dashlight and indicated right front tire was below specifications. On the way home, the driver pulled in More

Tech Tip: Familiarity Doesn't Make TPMS Service Flawless As the global economy continues to affect businesses and industries, the tire industry continues to have its issues - albeit fewer of them - with tire pressure monitoring systems, especially in the service bay area. Mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, TPMS on OE passenger cars are now into their second model year of .... More

Tech Tip: Subaru Error Code Displayed in Odometer Even though 2005-2006 Legacy and Outback models are not equipped with TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), they still have the TPMS wiring harness and R211 connector. The wiring harness and connector are located on the driver's side, under the floor mat. If the connector comes in contact with moisture and corrosion forms, the BIU (Body Integrated Unit) may judge a speed pulse malfunction and, in... More

Tech Tip: Tire Valves Important for Safety and Profits The lowly tire valve operates just the way it did when it first found its way onto an automobile tire back in 1898. It’s not that complicated to understand a standard (non-TPMS) tire valve, but if a mistake occurs in mounting or demounting, or a hard hit on a curb is not inspected closely, you might want to find your lawyer's card in the Rolodex. While it's most important to approach this subject... More