Susan Docherty, GMs Vice President of Sales, Service and Marketing, met with bloggers for an informal roundtable discussion this week at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. Check out what she had to say about attracting new customers and what kinds of vehicles she drives.

By Uniroyal - You should check each tire’s air pressure (including your spare) at least once each month and always before a long trip.  Always check when they’re “cold” (that is, at least three hours after the vehicle has been stopped, or before it has been driven one mile).  You can find the correct air pressure in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Load-carrying limits molded into the tire’s sidewall should never be exceeded.  Consult a trained tire professional to verify limits for the tire that you’ve chosen.

If for some reason you cannot safely avoid a road hazard and you run over glass, rocks, curbs, or other foreign material, check the tire for external damage.  If you suspect damage but can’t see it, have the tire demounted and checked for internal damage.

If you get stuck in mud or snow, don’t spin your tires to get out.  Spinning, even for a few seconds, can build up heat and damage your tires.

Properly balanced tires and wheels turn with all their weight distributed equally.  Unbalanced tires can result in a vehicle’s “shimmying” (shaking from side to side) and “tramping” (hopping up and down).

Cleaning tires removes foreign substances that can degrade the tires from the tire surface.  We recommend soap and water.  Avoid using products with petro-chemicals.

If any tire sustains a puncture, have the tire inspected internally by any Uniroyal tire retailer for possible change that may have occurred.  A punctured tire should be removed from the wheel and inspected for damage prior to being repaired.

Check your tires at least once a month for uneven wear and foreign objects wedged in the tread.  A tire that continually needs more air should be taken off the vehicle and the wheel and checked thoroughly.

Tires for all makes & models … We are your tire store … Roy Foss Chevrolet!

By Uniroyal -

Size - Buy the right size tire.  The appropriate tire size for your car can be found in the vehicle owner’s manual or on a placard located somewhere in your vehicle.  Also, consider the car’s original equipment size when purchasing a replacement tire.

UTQG - Consider factors such as the load-carrying capacity of the tire, as well as traction, treadwear and temperature grades, also known as the Uniform Tire Quality Grade System or UTQG.  Each manufacturer is responsible for designating the rating of each of its tires.  LT (light truck) tires do not have UTQG markings.  UTQG offers three key pieces of information about the tire:

Treadwear grades - typically range from 60 to 800 in 20-point increments.  The higher the grade, the longer the tread life.

Traction grades - indicate a tire’s braking performance.  A grade from “AA” to “C” is assigned with “AA” signifying the best traction.

Temperature grades - represent a tire’s ability to withstand heat under test conditions.  Temperature grades are assigned “A” to “C” with “A” signifying the most resistance to heat.

Value - When tire shopping, keep in mind that there is a difference between the lowest price and the best value.  As a consumer, finding the highest quality tire that will fulfill your specific needs at the most competetive price should be the ultimate goal.

Tires for all makes & models … We are your tire store … Roy Foss Chevrolet!

By Continental Tire - There is a lot to learn from the sidewall of your tire.  Although at first glance you may think you stumbled across hieroglyphics, you’ve actually found molded into the tires side its own user manual.

Tire Size - example P205/55R16 91W:

P identifies your tire as a Passenger Tire.  The P stands for PMetric.  If your tire size starts with LT rather than a P then it identifies the tire as a light truck tire.

205 identifies the tire section width, which is the measurement of the tire from sidewall to sidewall in millimeters.  This measurement varies depending on the rim to which it is fitted.  (There are 25.4 millimeters per 1 inch)

55 is the two-figure aspect ratio.  This percentage compares the tire’s section height with the tire’s section width.  For example, this aspect ratio of 55 means that the tire’s section height is 55% of the tire’s section width.

R indicates the construction used within the tires casing.  R stands for radial construction.  Be means belted bias and D stands for diagonal bias construction.

16 The last dimension listed in the size if the diameter of the wheel rim, which is most often measured in inches.

Load Index and Speed Rating

91 The load index and speed rating, or service description, are the numbers that follow the tire size.  The load index tells you how much weight the tire can support when properly inflated.  Load indices range from 75 - 105 for passenger tires, with each numeric value corresponding to a certain carrying capacity.  The carrying capacity for each value can be found on a load index chart.  On each U.S. passenger car tire, the load limit is listed in pounds.  European tires have the load limit listed in kilograms and sometimes pounds.

W Speed ratings are represented by letters ranging from A to Z.  Each letter coincides to the maximum speed a tire can sustain under its recommended load capacity.  For instance, S is equivalent to a maximum speed of 112 mpg.  Even though a tire can perform at this speed, Continental Tire does not advocate exceeding legal speed limits.

Rating                         Maximum Speed
Q                                 100 MPG
S                                  112 MPT
T                                  118 MPH
U                                 124 MPH
H                                 130 MPH
V                                 149 MPH
W                                 168 MPH
Y                                  186 MPH
Z                                  OVER 149 MPH

DOT Serial Number

The “DOT” symbol certifies the tire manufacturer’s compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety standards.  Tires made in the United States have the DOT serial number located on the inside sidewall near the rim.

Tires for all makes & models … We are your tire store … Roy Foss Chevrolet!

What are the sidewall indentations on my tire?

The condition, sometimes referred to as sidewall undulations, is a common characteristic of radial tire construction and are purely a visual characteristic and will not affect the performance of the tire.  These indentations are more noticeable in larger/wider radial-ply tire sizes and become more visible with higher inflation pressures.  The joining of the ply material in the sidewall area may cause a slight indentation or wavy appearance on the sidewall surface of the tire when it is inflated.  However, if bulges, rather than indentations appear on the sidewall of the tire, or if there is any question concerning any sidewall indentations, please contact Roy Foss Chevrolet.

Tires for all makes & models … We are your tire store … Roy Foss Chevrolet!

From Continental Tire -

Tire Rotation: To achieve uniform wear and to maximize tread life, your tires should be regularly rotated.  Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the rotation pattern and interval.  Unless otherwise specified by the vehicle manufacturer, rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles (10,000-12,000 kilometers) or sooner if uneven tread wear begins to appear.  If tires start to show uneven tred wear, ask the service person to check and/or correct any vehicle wheel misalignment or other mechanical problem.

Full-size spare tires (not temporary spares) of the same size and construction as the ground contact tires should be included in the tire rotation.  Always check and adjust the inflation pressure of the full-size spare when incorporating it into rotation.

Adjust the tire inflation pressures according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the new wheel position (specified front and rear position tire pressures may be different).

Rotation of your tires may affect the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).  Consult your vehicle owner’s manual or a qualified service professional to make the proper adjustments or recalibration of the system.  Please note: Do not reverse the rolling direction of directional tires.

Tire Mixing - It is recommended that the tire size, load index and speed symbol are in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer’s specification for all wheel positions.  In many countries, this is a legal requirement.  Driving your vehicle with a non-recommended mix of tire sizes, constructions and speed ratings can be dangerous.  Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations and/or seek the advice from a trained tire specialist if you consider upgrading your tires with different sizes, constructions, load ratings or speed ratings.

Some vehicles may come factory equipped with different size tires fitted to the front and rear axle.  Do not change this configuration unless approved by the vehicle manufacturer.

Do not operate your vehicle with more than one temporary spare in use.  A temporary spare may only be used at the limited speeds and distances as indicated on the sidewall and/or the label attached to the tire/wheel.

On which axle should the new tires be fitted?

It is recommended to replace all ground contact tires at the same time.  If you do not replace all ground contact tires at one time, then at least, replace all the tires on one axle.

If only one axle set of tires is replaced, then it is recommended to install the newest tires on the rear axle.  This may complicate tire rotation, and caution is urged if the tires have significant differences, such as state of wear, tire size, construction, and speed ratings.  Consult a trained tire specialist for best practices.

Placing greater traction on the rear axle is recommended to prevent a possible oversteer condition and lost of vehicle stability on slippery surfaces.

Other important considerations:

The date of manufacture and condition (e.g., signs of cracking, remaining tread depth) of the spare tire should also be checked and considered for replacement.

For 4-wheel drive and All Wheel drive vehicles, especially those equipped with electronic systems such as anti-lock brakes, traction control or stability control, consult your vehicle owner’s manual for any special tire fitment requirements.  If you do not follow these requirements it may even cause damage to your vehicle/transmission.  Winter tires should be fitted to all wheel positions, not mixed with all season or summer tires.  If only one axle set of winter tires are used, then it is recommended to install them on the rear axle.  Placing greater traction on the rear axle is recommended to prevent a possible oversteer condition and loss of vehicle stability on slippery surfaces.

Tires for all makes & models … We are your tire store … Roy Foss Chevrolet!

Five questions (and answers) about winter tires by Aaron Gold, About.com -

Q. What makes snow tires different from regular tires?

A. Snow tires (also known as winter tires) have tread patterns specifically designed to dig down and bite into snow and ice, plus they are made from softer rubber compounds that retain their flexibility in cold weather, allowing the tire to better conform to the surface of the road.  (Regular tires tend to get hard and brittle in cold temperatures.)  As a result, winter tires keep a better rip on snowy and icy surfaces than regular all-season or summer tires.  Grip is critical — not just to avoid getting stuck, but to ensure that the car can stop and steer.  Life-saving safety technologies such as antilock brakes, electronic stability control and all-wheel-drive cannot do their jobs if the tires can’t maintain their grip on the road surface.

Q. My car has all-season tires.  Aren’t those good enough?

Short answer: Not really, no

Long answer: All-season (also known as all-weather) tires are designed to cope with all sorts of conditions, including dry roads and rain, but are not optimized for any one condition.  They are generally made from harder materials that don’t conform to the road surface as well in low temperatures.  Think of all-season tires as sneakers and snow tires as heavy-duty snow boots.  It is possible to walk down a snowy, icy sidewalk wearing sneakers — but it’s a lot easier and safer to do it with proper snow boots.

Q. Can I put snow tires on just the drive wheels of my car?

A. Putting just two snow tires on your car is a bad idea.  If you have a front-wheel-drive car and put snow tires on the front only, the back wheels won’t have anywhere near as much grip as the front wheels.  This will make the car much more likely to spin out while braking or cornering.  Likewise, if you put snow tires on just the back wheels of a rear-wheel-drive car, the wheels that do the steering won’t grip as well as those that provide the power, so the car may not respond when the steering wheel is turned — it will simply plow straight ahead.  Always install snow tires as a full set of four.

Can I leave my snow tires on all year?

A. You can, but it’s not a good idea.  Snow tires tend to be noisier, plus the softer compounds from which they are made means they will wear out faster, especially in warm weather.  Wear is critical, because winter tires rely on their deep tread to dig into snow and ice.  As soon as the snow is gone for good, remove your snow tires and reinstall your regular tires.  The good news:  Since you’re savvy enough to use snow tires, you don’t need to stick with the all-season tires that came with your car for the rest of the year — you can choose a “summer” tire that will provide better handling, better traction in the rain, or a smoother, quieter ride.

Q. Unmounting one set of tires and mounting another at the beginning and end of winter is a pain.  Is there an easier way?

A. Yes!  Buy an extra set of wheels from a salvage yard and use those for your snow tires.  The wheels don’t have to be the exact same design, so long as they are the same diameter and have the same bolt pattern as your car’s original wheels.  If you’ve purchased aftermarket wheels, keep the stock wheels and use those for your snow tires.  That way, when it comes time to change from summer tires to snow tires, all you have to do is have the wheels changed — a quick and inexpensive job.

Canada Safety Council - No matter how many safety features your vehicle has, it’s the tires that enable you to handle it in the snow and ice.

When shopping for winter tires, look for the peaked mountain with snowflake symbol.  Tires marked with this symbol meet specific snow traction performance requirements and have been designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions.  The Transport Canada web site contains a list of tires that display the symbol. Read the rest of this entry »

About.com by Jim Walczak - Here are some little-know facts about tires, specifically pertaining to general highway tires for your daily driver:

1. Underinflated tires cause the engine to work harder.  It’s like riding a bike with low tires.  It’s harder to pedal because of the increased rolling resistance.
2. Should you rotate side to side or front to back?  Radial tires can be crossed from side to side in the rotation pattern.  Bias ply tires should never be rotated from side to side, only front to back.
3. Not all SUV’s come with “P” (passenger) rates tires.  Some have the “LT” (light truck) designation
4. Underinflated tires wear faster, and they affect the steering and handling of your vehicle
5. If tire pressure is too low, then too much of the tire’s surface area touches the ground, which increases friction between the road and the tire.  Thus, your tires wear out earlier, and they could also overheat
6. One sign of low tire pressure is if your tires squeal when cornering
7. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat
8. Underinflation is the leading cause of tire failure.  It results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents
9. Tire manufacturers test tires and assign their own grades for treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.  However, there is no prescribed formula for converting the manufacturers’ test results into universal grades, so be aware of the fact that numbes from tire to tire are not objective
10. Tires lose air at a rate of about a pound a month, which means if they weren’t checked since the last time you had the vehicle serviced (say 4 months ago), they could be several pounds low
11. Underinflation, by as little as 6 psi, can cut gas mileage by 3%
12. Cold temperatures affect the air pressure in your tires.  There is a loss of one pound for each ten degrees of temperature drop
13. Warning: Never buy a tire with a lower load index or speed rating than your vehicle’s original tire
14. In North America, regulations require tire manufacturers to grade passenger car tires based on: treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.  Treadwear is based on the wear rate of the tire.  A wear rating of 300 to 400 is considered good; 500 to 700 is very good.  Further, a tire graded 200 would wear twice as long as one graded 100.  Traction grades (from highest to lowest: AA, A, B, and C) represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement.  Temperature grades (from highest to lowest: A, B, and C) represent the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat.
15. Gas mileage decreases 1% for each 10 lbs of underinflation
16. If you’re only buying one or two tires at a time, always put the new tires on the rear axle.  It’s a myth that putting the new tires on your drive-wheel position will give you the most protection; instead, doing so will make your vehicle more susceptible to oversteer (fishtailing or swinging out during fast cornering).
17. Under-inflated tires wear more on the outside edges.  Over-inflated tires wear excessively in the center of the tread
18. Use a penny to determine if the tread on your tires is too low.  Take a penny and put the head into one of the grooves of the tread.  If part of the head is covered by the tread, you’re ok.  If you can see all of the head, it’s time to replace the tire.  When the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, tires much be replaced
19. Most manufacturers put “P” (passenger car) rated tires on 4WD trucks as well.  Some put “LT” (light truck) tires on SUVs and four-wheel drive trucks, but most do not
20. The “T” on your tire’s sidewall does not stand for Truck, it stands for “temporary” spare
21. The “recommended” tire pressure is almost always lower than the “maximum” tire pressure printed on the tire’s sidewall.  Check your owner’s manual to find out where to look on your vehicle for the recommended amount of air (usually on the driver’s door, the glove compartment, or the gas filler door).
22. Since tires can harden and crack with age, you should steer clear of old tires and buy the freshest ones available.  Most punctures, nail holes or cuts up to 1/4 inch and confined to the tread may be satisfactorily repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved methods
23. For the most accurate reading, tire pressure must be checked when tires are cold.  You can check tire pressure any time of the day, as long as the tires have been sitting for a few hours or haven’t been driven for more than a few miles
24. Under normal loads, you should inflate tires according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, NOT the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall.

Please plan to join Tim Lee, group vice president of global manufacturing and labor relations, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 26, to discuss what GM is doing to focus on the customer where it all begins — the plant floor. From assembly to powertrain to stamping, Tim champions the product and customer-driven culture for the people who make GM’s great cars and trucks.

Looking forward to hearing from you. – Sherrie Childers Arb, Communications Director, Manufacturing and Labor Relations