TireVan Introduces A New Line Of Premium Tires: Vredestein

Posted on May 7, 2012 by

Vredestein Tires

Vredestein tires are the newest addition TireVan’s already large array of brand offerings. Manufactured in Holland, Vredestein tires are a symbol of luxury and trendy lifestyle in the European tire market. Known not only for their high quality, safety and functionality, Vredestein tires are also renowned for their aesthetic appeal. These eye-pleasing designs are a result of Vredestein’s collaboration with world famous Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, who is famous for his designs of Volkswagen Golf I, BMW M1, Maserati 3200 GT and the Alfa Romeo Brera. Giugiaro was also nominated as the car designer of the century in 1999 by the world auto press. Over the past century, Vredestein tires have earned their own recognizable character and in 2008, the name Vredestein itself had officially grown to become a “Cool Brand” in the prestigious Guru Book (a must-read for all management professionals). Vredestein was acquired by Apollo Tyres in 2009 and currently operates as Apollo Vredestein B.V.
Vredestein Tire 1

Today, the company produces a range of all-season tires (Quatrac 3, Quatrac Lite,Quatrac 3), Light Truck/SUV Tires (Comtrac, Ultrac Sessanta SUV), summer tires (Hi-Trac, Sportrac 5) and winter tires (Wintrac 4 Xtreme, Snowtrac, Nordtrac Xtreme).

 

Vredestein tires 2

Given their wide range of high-performing, aesthetically appealing tire models for cars and light trucks/SUVs, Vredestein tires are an excellent choice for consumers of discerning tastes and preferences. To buy your set of Vredestein tires, please check TireVan’s online tire selector or give us a call at 877.847.3826

Posted in Tire Topics, TireVan News | Tagged | Leave a comment

PAX Tires by Michelin

Posted on April 25, 2012 by

Michelin’s PAX tires are zero-pressure tires that take an alternative approach to the whole concept of driving on tires that have lost all their air pressure.  Traditional run-flat tires rely on heavily reinforced sidewalls and a specially-designed bead, whereas PAX tires use a semi-rigid insert mounted inside the tire and an asymmetric wheel and tire design to provide the support needed to drive an extended distance on what would otherwise be a flat tire.  PAX tires offer several advantages and disadvantages over traditional run-flat technology. Even though they have been used sparingly, PAX tires deserve some consideration by consumers interested in the concept of run-flat technology.

Run-flat tires were introduced in the mid-1990s when both -  Goodyear Tires and Michelin Tires – offered zero-pressure tires. These tires were designed to run for a limited distance at a limited speed with no air.  The concept was essentially the same as a standard tire, except that the sidewalls were stiffened to support the entire weight of the vehicle, and the bead was redesigned to provide extra support for the sidewall while maintaining contact with the wheel.  The downside was that the heavier sidewalls made for a stiffer ride.

Michelin introduced PAX tires in 2000 to circumvent the ride issue related to run-flat tires.  Instead of the heavier sidewalls, PAX tires offered a more conventional sidewall. They relied on a polymer insert mounted inside the tire and against the wheel (essentially a plastic tire mounted inside the rubber tire) to support the weight of the vehicle in zero pressure conditions.  The entire wheel and tire assembly had to be redesigned to accommodate this new concept.  According to Michelin, PAX tires  return a more conventional ride to the vehicle by providing better handling through reduced tire roll and better fuel economy. Perhaps this is why they were used for vehicles like the Bugatti Veyron and Honda Odyssey.

Unlike other types of run-flat tires, PAX tires can be repaired just like a conventional tire by patching from the inside.  They are designed to travel up to 125 miles with no air, at vehicle speeds of 55 miles per hour.  This betters the alternative run-flat tire design of 50 miles at speeds up to 50 miles per hour.  A special gel coats the polymer insert to keep it lubricated when running against the inside of a flat tire.

The PAX tire system was installed as an original equipment option on only 3 models in the US for a limited time – Honda Odyssey Touring (2005-2009), Nissan Quest SE 3.5 & SL 3.5 (2006-2007) and Acura RL (2006-2008). This system does have some disadvantages which prevented its larger adoption.  PAX tire system weighs approximately 4.7 times more than a standard wheel-tire assembly and their overall design introduces a high rotating mass and unsprung weight, which puts additional strain on suspension systems and brakes.  Although they can be repaired conventionally, the unique design and construction requires that they be repaired using special equipment. Most tire shops have decided against investing in this equipment because the cost of the equipment outweighs the potential revenue opportunity. Therefore, owners of the aforementioned models are expected to bring their vehicles to a specially-equipped service facility which may not be readily available everywhere in the country.  And although Michelin is licensing the technology, no other manufacturers have yet capitalized on that opportunity, meaning owners are still locked into Michelin as the supplier of replacement tires. PAX tire system is not expected to be installed as an OEM option on any new vehicles produced in 2012/2013. It is our recommendation that you consider the pros and cons of this technology prior to investing in a pre-owned vehicle with PAX tires.

Do you have a vehicle with PAX tires? If so, what do you think of them? Have they made your drive safer? And, more importantly, where did you take them to have your last set replaced?

Posted in Michelin, Tire Topics, TireVan News | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Mechanic Scams And How to Avoid Them

Posted on April 19, 2012 by

Here’s a video by MSN’s Travel Expert – Mark DeCarlo – on mechanic scams. This video also provides tips on how to avoid getting scammed by your automotive mechanics.

Check out this great MSN video – Avoiding Mechanic Scams

SHARE YOUR STORY

Have you ever been scammed by your mechanic? If so, we’d like to hear your story! Also, please don’t forget to share your tips yon how to avoid being scammed by an auto mechanic!

Posted in Tires 101 | Leave a comment

Tire Warranty: How Tire Manufacturer Warranties and Guarantees Work and What They Cover

Posted on April 19, 2012 by

Unlike most consumer products that offer a 3-, 6-, or 12-month warranty, tire manufacturer warranties and guarantees go well beyond the norm for consumable products, covering their product for multiple years in most instances.   These warranties typically cover tread life, workmanship, materials, and uniformity.  Manufacturers will honor their commitments as long as they are notified in a timely manner and the consumer can show that all of the manufacturer’s recommendations have been followed to keep the tires in top operating condition.  Here is an explanation of the different tire manufacturer warranties and guarantees, along with some basic requirements and restrictions of each.

Tire Tread Wear / Mileage Warranty

Tread life is the most well-known standard, and a popular way to market tires with consumers.  If the tread wears out before it reaches its stated mileage rating, a manufacturer will replace the tires at a prorated value based on the shortened life.  Tire warranty for tread life has restrictions, however.  The warranty doesn’t apply to tires sold on new vehicles, nor does it apply if the claim is past the coverage window stated by the manufacturer.  It also only applies to the original owner and vehicle. Tread wear warranties can vary significantly from tire to tire, by brand and even by position of a tire on the vehicle. For example, Michelin only covers a tire for half the miles (compared to standard warranty) if it’s installed on a vehicle with staggered wheel sizes. Run-flat tires are covered for an average of 30,000 miles and competition tires are generally excluded from any mileage warranty. Also, in order to maintain coverage on winter tires, manufacturers may require documentation of the timing of installation and removal of the tires each winter.

Workmanship and Materials

Tire manufacturer warranties cover the conditions that would require a tire to be removed from service due to defects in workmanship or faulty materials considered within the control of the manufacturer.  If a claim is made while the tire still has more than 75 percent of its original tread and is within 12 months of the date of purchase, it usually will be replaced free of charge.  Beyond that, the owner is compensated based on the prorated life. It is important to note that even though a tire may be replaced free of charge, the consumer is still responsible for the cost of mounting & balancing of the new tire(s).

Satisfaction Guarantee

Many manufacturers now offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. This guarantee allows customers to “test drive” their new tires. If unsatisfied, the consumer can exchange their new tire for another tire (of same brand) within 30-days of purchase. Like other tire guarantees, this offer usually has some limitations also. The guarantee is void if tires were damaged by a road hazard, misused, or used in any racing related activity prior to exchange.

Uniformity

Even though tight quality control exists within the tire industry, occasionally a tire will get sold that is out of balance, out of round, or causes a ride disturbance.  Tire manufacturer warranties account for this possibility, and will replace the defective tire.  Again, there are restrictions.  Because they have tight quality control, manufacturers are not inclined to believe that the non-uniformity exists on more than one tire, and will generally deny multiple-tire claims.   Also, since most problems caused by defects of this type manifest themselves early in a tire’s life, manufacturers assume that it should be identified and corrected early, usually within 1/32” to 2/32” of tread wear, or six to twelve months of service.

If the manufacturer deems that a defect is related to improper maintenance, vandalism, road hazards, or an accident, the claim will be denied.   Even if none of those are shown to be the case, making a claim related to tire manufacturer warranties requires that the vehicle owner be able to prove that all necessary steps were taken to maintain the tires in proper operating condition.  This includes proof of regular tire rotation, proper inflation records, and documentation of routine inspections of the tread surfaces for early signs of defects or unusual wear.  Any claim made without this proof will likely cause it to be denied, so keeping good records and performing proper maintenance on tires is a must.

We hope that this article has provided you with an idea of how tire manufacturer warranties work. We would also like to share an article by cars.com’s Kelsey Mays as an additional resource for all types of auto warranties. For specific questions about your tire situation, TireVan recommends that you consult your tire warranty booklet or contact your tire dealer directly.

SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US -

What has your experience been with tire warranties?

Posted in Tire FAQs, Tire Maintenance, Tires 101 | Tagged | Leave a comment

Top Five Reasons to Buy Tires Online Instead of a Tire Store

Posted on April 4, 2012 by

If you’re in the market for a new set of tires, there are some distinct advantages if you buy tires online vs. purchasing them at a brick and mortar store.   In addition to potential cost savings, online sites provide a plethora of information, comparison data, and helpful tips on tire ownership and upkeep.  Finding the right tires can be as simple as entering the year and model of your vehicle and then doing some comparison shopping to find the one that fits your budget and driving needs.  When you buy tires online, they can even be shipped directly to an installer for convenience.  Here are five of the top reasons to buy tires online:

  1. Price – This is probably the number one reason to buy tires online.  In almost every case, consumers can save money over buying their tires from a local retailer, even after factoring in shipping costs.  The online sellers are able to offer a lower price because they have a cost advantage. They can service an entire country or even the world from a single or a few warehouse facilities, which are normally located in low-cost industrial parks. Brick-and-mortar tire retailers have a considerably higher operating cost because they tend to have multiple locations peppered throughout their operating area. These stores are generally located in prime locations, which means expensive leases, higher labor cost, etc.
  2. Comparison Shopping – As most of you know, comparing prices at local retail stores can be tedious, frustrating and time consuming. This is especially true for tire shopping because tire availability varies considerably from retailer to retailer and even by location. So, it is very tough to get an apples-to-apples comparison. Shopping for tires on the internet affords the opportunity for extensive research and an apples-to-apples price comparison over multiple sites. More importantly, you don’t have to rely on the knowledge of the so-called local “expert” whose primary motivation might be maximizing profits, rather than recommending the best tire for a driver’s needs.
     
  3. No-pressure buying – When you buy tires online, you avoid the aggressive sales & “add-on” tactics used by some dealers to sell you a more expensive tire or additional services you may not want or need, like a brake job, wheel alignment or new shocks.  While some consumers enjoy the face-to-face interaction of the sales process, many do not, and buying online takes this pressure out of the mix. It also allows you to work at your own pace and schedule.
     
  4. Data and reviews – Many of the online tire sites have readily available data about each tire that is difficult to find in a brick-and-mortar store, such as tire performance, extended warranties and even consumer reviews of the product.  Such information can be extremely helpful when trying to narrow your search for tires.
  5. Selection – Local tire dealers usually limit their inventory to major brands and popular tire sizes at each location because it is cost prohibitive for them to carry over 10,000 available tire makes and models.  Online sites generally don’t have this restriction because each of their locations fills a much larger volume of orders. This allows them to carry a wider variety  of styles that are almost impossible to find locally—including exotic, high-performance, and specialty tires.

Although buying tires online has many benefits, it would be unfair of us not to also highlight some potential negatives. When you buy tires online, you don’t get the benefit of touching and feeling the product before the purchase.  Also, purchasing tires online still leaves you seeking a reputable tire installer in most cases. However, this potential issue is being eliminated by new services like TireVan which not only sell you tires online but also come will install them at your work or home. Perhaps the biggest drawback of purchasing tires online is the amount of time (usually 2-3 days) before they arrive to your doorstep or your preferred installer. This is why buying tires online may not be the best option in cases of emergency.  But all in all, there is money to be saved, and buying tires online can take a lot of the hassle out of the process.

Posted in Tire Topics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment