Staff Writer - TireShop IQ (Page 3)

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Understanding the Ice Grip Symbol: What It Is, Why It Matters, and Who’s Using It

Understanding the Ice Grip Symbol: What It Is, Why It Matters, and Who’s Using It

Winter driving always brings the same challenge: slippery roads, stressed drivers, and tires that either rise to the occasion… or don’t. Over the years we’ve seen the industry introduce different markings to help customers understand what a tire can actually do in winter conditions. Most people already know

Tire Ply Count & Load Ratings: What They Mean—and Why They Matter

Tire Fundamentals

Tire Ply Count & Load Ratings: What They Mean—and Why They Matter

If you’ve spent any time around truck owners, RV customers, or anyone towing, you’ve probably heard terms like ply count, Load Range E, or 10-ply tires. These phrases get thrown around all the time, but many people—consumers and even some front-counter staff—don’t fully

Tire Siping: What It Is, Why It Exists, and Whether It’s Worth Doing Today

Tire Fundamentals

Tire Siping: What It Is, Why It Exists, and Whether It’s Worth Doing Today

If you’ve spent any time around tire shops, you’ve heard the term siping thrown around—usually followed by a debate about whether it actually helps or if it voids the warranty. Siping has been around for decades, and while it once played a bigger role in traction improvement,

Are Winter Tires Still Needed?

Are Winter Tires Still Needed?

For years, winter tires were a no-brainer in cold-weather markets. But lately, I keep hearing the same question from dealers and reps in the field: “Do customers still need winter tires now that all-weather options are so good?” It’s a fair question. All-weather tires have

All-Weather vs. All-Season Tires

All-Weather vs. All-Season Tires

For decades, North American tire buyers lived in a simple world: summer tires for performance, winter tires for snow, and all-season tires for everything else. But as weather patterns shift and customer expectations evolve, all-weather tires have become one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry—and

Understanding Medium Truck Tire Applications

Tire Fundamentals

Understanding Medium Truck Tire Applications

When you sell passenger or light-truck tires, you can often get away with discussing tread life, ride comfort, or a brand preference. But in the medium truck (commercial) segment, the stakes are much higher. The wrong tire on the wrong wheel position doesn’t just cause poor wear—it

How to Manage Spiff Programs the Right Way

Managers Corner

How to Manage Spiff Programs the Right Way

Spiff programs are one of the most underutilized—and often misunderstood—tools in the tire industry. Manufacturers create them to incentivize front-counter sales teams, reward product knowledge, and move priority inventory. Yet out in the field, reactions vary wildly: * Some owners refuse to let their people participate because it

What Tire Shops Can Learn From Formula One

Managers Corner

What Tire Shops Can Learn From Formula One

If you run a tire shop, you already know this: customers judge you on speed, accuracy, and communication. They expect the job done right the first time, and they hate waiting around for unclear timelines or disorganized processes. Interestingly, some of the best lessons on operational efficiency don’t come

Turning Inspections Into Tire Sales

Managers Corner Featured

Turning Inspections Into Tire Sales

Most tire dealers perform courtesy inspections on every vehicle that comes through their bays. These inspections are supposed to build value, identify needs, and ultimately help the customer maintain their vehicle. Yet the feedback from many owners is the same: “We do inspections, but they rarely convert to tire sales.

Tire Sizing Fundamentals: What Every Salesperson Must Know

Tire Fundamentals

Tire Sizing Fundamentals: What Every Salesperson Must Know

Introduction Tire sizing is one of the most foundational—and most misunderstood—topics in our industry. Customers often show up unsure about what the numbers mean, and even experienced salespeople can stumble when switching between Metric, LT, and Flotation sizing. This post breaks down the three major sizing systems, explains

Understanding Euro-Metric Tire Sizing: What U.S. Salespeople Need to Know

Understanding Euro-Metric Tire Sizing: What U.S. Salespeople Need to Know

Learn why Euro-metric tire sizing matters in U.S. tire shops and how salespeople can use this knowledge to improve fitment accuracy, build trust, and confidently guide customers toward the right tire choice.

Profit-Sharing: The Les Schwab Model

Managers Corner

Profit-Sharing: The Les Schwab Model

If there’s one thing every shop owner is struggling with these days, it’s keeping good people. You can teach technical skills, you can coach on sales, but you can’t teach work ethic or pride in ownership — and that’s exactly what too many shops are losing in

Elevating Your Front Counter Team

Sales Training Featured

Elevating Your Front Counter Team

Your front counter is the heartbeat of your tire shop. It’s where customers form their first impression, ask the important questions, and ultimately decide whether they trust you with their vehicle — or whether they continue shopping down the street. But here’s the issue many shops face: Too many

5 Steps to a Successful Tire Sale

Sales Training Featured

5 Steps to a Successful Tire Sale

Selling tires is about more than just matching sizes or quoting prices — it’s about helping people stay safe, confident, and happy on the road. Whether you run a tire shop or work the sales counter, mastering the five steps of the tire-selling process can turn first-time visitors