Getting Your Tire Shop Ready for Every Season

For tire shop owners, every season brings a new set of customer needs, inventory demands, and operational challenges. Here's how to stay ahead of all of them.

Spring Tire Shop Prep: Potholes, Sidewall Damage & AC Service

In many areas, spring means leaves returning to trees, flowers springing into bloom, and potholes appearing on roadways. Beyond just creating a bumpy ride, potholes can cause severe damage.

First of all, the impact can knock suspension and steering components out of alignment. This has a negative effect on ride and handling, and over time causes uneven tire wear. Potholes can also crack or bend wheels. Because bent rims don’t roll smoothly, this can lead to further suspension problems over time. The most immediate and potentially dangerous risk of potholes, however, is tire sidewall punctures. The sudden shift of air inside a worn tire can lead to a slow leak or a sudden blowout.

Aside from pothole-related tire and suspension issues, spring can also bring a surge of drivers looking to have their vehicle air conditioning systems recharged before the sweltering temperatures of summer set in.

• Make sure your staff is well-trained and ready to educate customers about what kinds of tire damage are repairable and what kinds are not. Review our safety guide on zipper ruptures.

• Check tire service and lifting equipment is up to date and any maintenance is complete.

• Stock up on tire service tools like bead breakers, tire bars, impact guns and make sure AC equipment is ready to go.

• With increased moisture in the air, it’s also important to make sure water separators and filters are functional. We carry a variety of filters including the EXPEL30 filter from Rema that removes 99.99% fo liquid, oil, water and other contaminents.

Summer Tire Shop Prep: Heat, Blowouts & Peak Travel Season

Summer is peak travel season. More people are on the roads, driving longer distances for road trips and family vacations. This combines with extreme heat to expose tire weaknesses.

Changes in temperature cause the air inside tires to quickly expand and contract. Higher wear exposes previously hidden damage. Any prior damage from poor road conditions like cracks or bulges in the sidewall are more likely to become points of failure under the greater stress of summer driving.  And if tires are already unable to carry the vehicle’s weight properly because they’re underinflated, they can overheat, which combines with high ambient temperatures to increase the risk of a blowout.

• Increase your stock of tire repair materials, and check your inflation hoses for signs of wear and consider options like cordless tire inflators for extra convenience and speed. 

• Review your team’s training on tire repair procedures or ask your Rubber Inc. account manager to schedule in-house training for your team.

• Keep AC replacement filters on hand so you are never left with an inoperable AC machine due to a full filter. 

• If your state allows tire studs, late summer is the time we see many shops starting to stock up on these. Unsure? We've broken down restrictions by state here.

Fall Tire Shop Prep: Winter Tires & Shop Lighting

Autumn brings a rush of business to many shops as people bring their vehicles in to get ready for winter weather. The thought of snow and ice-covered roads makes people more likely to finally buy the new tire purchase they’ve been putting off, as many drivers put an undue amount of faith in the ability of 'all-season' tires to handle winter road. In areas with harsh winters, late fall is the time to switch to winter tires.

And don't forget that the working conditions in your shop may be changing. Days get shorter, and by mid-autumn the sun may have set while there is still work to do. Additional lighting might be necessary, and there are plenty of high-powered LED, rechargeable and battery options available. 

• Consider whether your shop’s lighting is sufficient for working late with diminishing daylight.

• Stock up on consumables and check the condition of your tools; is it time for any to be replaced?

• Have your staff trained to educate customers about the advantages of replacing tires before the winter hits

• Refresh your staff on the RIST procedure for wheel installation. 

• If you're a farmer, now is the time to put ballast (calcium choloride) in your tractor tires. Now is a good time to stock up on air water stems and make sure your calcium chloride pump is serviced and ready for use.

Winter Tire Shop Prep: TPMS Surges, Slow Leaks & Cold-Weather Tools

Winter typically brings with it a major uptick in customers reporting that their TPMS warning lights have come on. There are two main reasons for this. The first is that cold air means lower air pressure. Tires which were inflated to the manufacturer-specified PSI in warm weather could lose enough pressure to set off the TPMS if temperatures drop drastically. The second reason is that rubber becomes stiffer as it gets colder, making seal points less flexible and making the effects of an existing slow leak more apparent.

If your company offers roadside assistance, there’s a good chance you’ll see your number of calls peak during the winter as drivers spin off the road on icy patches or get stuck in snow.

Cold temperatures can also cause a major hit to your shop’s productivity because of how they affect the pneumatic tools you probably rely on.

• Check your stock of patches, plugs, sealants, valve cores, and stems.

• Keep extra lubricants like Kilfrost on hand to keep your air tools working efficiently. Keeping air lines clear of moisture and using lubricants designed for cold weather will help maintain tool performance during your busiest service days.

• Stock up on TPMS tools, parts kits, and valves.

• Make sure you have the most essential tools for roadside service calls if your shop has expanded into the roadside assistance business.

FAQ

How do I prepare my tire shop for spring pothole season?

Spring pothole damage typically shows up as tire sidewall punctures, bent rims, and suspension misalignment, and it tends to hit all at once as road conditions worsen. Make sure your inventory is stocked with tools like bead breakers and necessary supplies for tire repairs like patches and sealants. It's equally important to train your staff to confidently assess what damage is repairable and what isn't, particularly when it comes to sidewall injuries like zipper ruptures, which are never safe to repair. 

What tools does a tire shop need for summer tire repairs?

Summer's combination of heat and high travel volume can put an increase of stressed and damaged tires through your bays. At a minimum, your shop should be well-stocked with tire repair materials including patches, plugs, and other supplies like sealants and repair tools, along with reliable inflation equipment. Don't forget to inspect your inflation hoses for wear and consider adding cordless tire inflators for speed and flexibility during busy periods. Because heat accelerates the visibility of pre-existing damage like sidewall cracks and bulges, your team also need to be sharp on inspection and repair procedures. 

How should tire shop owners prepare for the fall rush?

Fall is one of the busiest seasons for tire shops as customers start thinking about winter weather and finally make the tire purchases they've been putting off. The real opportunity for your shop is being operationally ready before the rush hits. Check your consumables so you're not caught short, and consider whether your shop lighting is adequate as the days get shorter and work extends into darker evening hours. It's also a good time to refresh your staff on the RIST procedure for wheel installation and train them to speak confidently about the differences in your tire offerings.

What should a tire shop stock up on before winter hits?

Winter brings a predictable spike in specific service needs, starting with TPMS-related issues as cold air causes tire pressure to drop, which triggers warning lights and sends a wave of customers through your door looking for answers. Make sure you're well-stocked on patches, plugs, sealants, valve cores, stems, and TPMS tools, parts kits, and valves before that wave arrives. You'll also want cold-weather lubricants like Kilfrost on hand to keep your pneumatic tools running efficiently, because the last thing you need during your busiest season is equipment slowing your bays down.

Keep Your Shop Ready for Anything with Help from Rubber-Inc

From wheel weighs to shop lighting to AC service equipment, Rubber-Inc has all the tools, supplies, and equipment you need to stay ahead of seasonal business trends and handle any job that rolls in. Not sure what to stock heading into the next season? Contact your Rubber Inc account manager today for a seasonal inventory checklist tailored to your shop.