News and Notes: Reader Q&A Edition
Demotivational Poster by Very Demotivational.com
One of the most fun parts of doing this job is getting email from readers, usually with questions about their own tire/wheel situations. Here's a note I received a little while ago from a reader named Tom:
"I read your article re: the new Yokohama AVID Ascend and am wondering if you could tell me how you believe they compare to the company's Envigor model. I had pretty much settled on the Envigor for my 2005 AWD Volvo XC Wagon (215/65/16), but read some things that suggested they weren't too good in light snow or on ice. Given the Ascend's gripping ability, I thought you might be able to offer some insight on how you think they'll do in ice/snow conditions relative to the Envigor. I hardly ever drive in such conditions, but if I get caught in them, I'd like to have a tire with good performance.Also, since my care came with V speed rated tires, I'm only considering V or H. Do you think that's wise or do you think T would be fine?"
The Iconic Man: Carroll Hall Shelby, 1923-2012
Photo © Shelby American
Racing and tuning legend Carroll Shelby passed away yesterday at the age of 89.
Others will eulogize Mr. Shelby and review the details of a well-lived life much better than I can. I will only say a few things from a personal perspective.
Photo © Jonathan P. Lamas
I loved Carroll Shelby's vision:
To me, above all else, Shelby had a vision of what a hardcore muscle car should look like that may never be equaled. His designs incorporated a brooding, big-shouldered, air-scooped aggressiveness that touched something deep in the souls of auto fans, as if he had reached into another dimension and come back with the Aristotelian essence of "car." Sitting next to a GT500, even the mighty Corvette Stingray ends up looking more like a delicate flower than a hot rod.
70% Of Moms Would Like Tires For Mother's Day
Photo © Sean Phillips.
Would you give your mom a set of tires for Mother's Day? Would your mother think that was a cool gift or a dud? According to Hankook Tires' Tire Gauge Index, a quarterly poll that looks at attitudes and opinions on all facets of driving, more than 33% of female respondents "would not mind" getting a set of tires for Mother's Day, and fully 38% "would love it."
This makes total sense to my wife. "Giving Mom a set of tires says: 'I want you to be safe!'" she said in response to an informal poll. "It also means that she doesn't have to go to the tire store and deal with salespeople, sizing issues, or figuring out what kind of tires to buy. You've taken care of it all for her." What Mom doesn't want a child to put some thought and effort into a gift rather than just ordering the same old flowers?
Wheel-Swapping Blues
A gentleman came into my shop last week and asked us to take a look at his wheels and tires, as he was experiencing a rather significant vibration. He was pretty sure at least one of wheels was bent, but not sure which one. Diagnosing vibration is what we do all day, so we took the wheels off and spun them on the balancer. When we brought him back to take a look, we showed him that they were all nicely round, but we had found the source of the problem. Our customer was driving a BMW 635ci with a very nice set of wheels from a BMW 540i. The person who had sold him these wheels had assured them that of course they would fit - they came off another BMW, after all!
Aftermarket Profiles: BBS
Photo © BBS Wheels, Inc.
Today I am pleased to begin a new feature here at Tires and Wheels: Aftermarket Profiles. These articles will be thumbnail profiles of some of the major aftermarket wheel manufacturers out there, highlighting the best (and worst) of the market.
I'll be looking at multiple wheel makers, and highlighting the companies' history, design and production philosophies, special technologies, and we'll take a look at the best of their inventory as well.
Today we'll be beginning with one of the most venerable and well-loved wheel maker in existence, BBS Wheels. Founded in the early 70's in Germany, BBS very soon made it's mark on racing wheel technology by introducing a new type of 3-piece wheel that swept the industry. Later, BBS branched out into the street-legal aftermarket, and has also become one of the largest makers of OEM wheels for automakers such as Audi, Mercedes, Volvo and many more.
BBS makes performance wheels that are among the best available. Enjoy the first installment, and keep watching for more Aftermarket Profiles!
Congress Investigates Wrangler "Death Wobble."
Photo © Chrysler Group, LLC.
A local news report from KGO-TV in San Francisco has apparently sparked Congressional requests for information on the semi-famous vibration issue known as the "Jeep Death Wobble." After seeing the report, aired in February, two Members of Congress, Henry Waxman and Anna Eshoo requested more information on the problem in a letter to the NHTSA.
New OEM Wheel Designs from the Boston Auto Show
All Photos © Sean Phillips
Like the wheel geek that I am, I was excited to see the Boston Auto Show when it rolled into town mainly because I like to see what the automakers have in store for us in terms of new OEM wheels. OEM wheels are Original Equipment; or wheels made by the automaker or their vendor, as opposed to aftermarket wheels made by a third party. Like aftermarkets, OEM wheels can include some wild and some classically beautiful designs, and I always look forward to seeing what the automakers will do next.
This year I was privileged to attend as a media wheel and tire expert, which turned out to mainly involve sitting in an "Ask The Expert"carnival booth and giving directions to the food court. I'm such a celebrity that I can barely even stand myself anymore...
Michelin Recalls Three Urban Bus Tires
Photo © Michelin North America, Inc.
Michelin North America, Inc. will be recalling three varieties of Michelin truck tires bus tires (D'oh!) on or about April 30, 2012:
- XZU3 LRJ in size 305/85R22.5
- XZU2 LRJ in size 12R22.5
- XM505 LRJ in size 305/85R22.5
(See also: "Down the Rabbit Hole" for further discussion of Tire Identification Numbers.)
According to NHTSA, these tires "have a casing that may experience a loss of integrity". This means that the outer structure of the tires is defective and can blow out, thus experiencing "rapid air loss", which is a Bad Thing.
Michelin will provide information to customers on how to obtain replacement tires. Owners may also contact NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit Safercar.gov.
Customers Behaving Oddly
Photo © Rim and Wheel Works, Inc.
One thing about my job as a wheel repair guy - I meet a lot of people. A pretty good cross-section of humanity has passed through my shop doors or called me on the phone looking to repair their wheels. The vast majority of people I have met are wonderful, polite and stable examples of the human race. However, inevitably there is a small minority of my customers who are apparently insane. Sometimes those are my worst customers, but quite a few have been hilarious, making for funny memories and some very good stories.
Here's a look at some of my funniest customers:
Tire Recalls
Cooper Tire & Rubber is recalling certain Discoverer H/T tires, made from February 12, 2012 (DOT Tire Identification Number 0612), through March 10, 2012 (Tire ID #1012) in size LT245/75/R16. The tires were produced with an incorrect load range, maximum pressure, and maximum load embossed on the sidewall.
Beginning April 11, 2012, Cooper will replace, mount and balance the tires free of charge. Owners may contact Cooper Tire & Rubber at 1-800-854-6288.
PT. Multistrada Arah Sarana is recalling certain Achilles Desert Hawk A/P light truck tires made between January 2010 (Tire ID #0110) and November 2011 (Tire ID #4811) in several sizes and load ratings:
- LT215/85/R16 115 or 112
- LT235/85/R16 120 or 116
- LT225/75R16 115 or 112
The tires were made with "a narrow bead design which can cause blistering on the lower sidewall."
Multistrada will also recall Radar Radial RLT-9 light truck radial tires produced from December 30, 2009 (Tire ID #5309), through January 31,2011 (Tire ID #0511). The Radar tires have "a defective sidewall design which may lead to tread separation."
PT. Multistrada Arah Sarana will notify owners, and replace the tires with a similar tire free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in April 2012. Owners may contact PT. Multistrada Arah Sarana at 1-800-944-8414.