Michelin Fans

[JasonA]

MICHELIN SWEEPS 2005 J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AWARDS

Consumer Awards Sweep Matches Success in Formula One; World Rally Championship; MotoGP and Le Mans

GREENVILLE, S.C. (September 12, 2005) – Today's news that Michelin has ranked highest in all four categories of the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Awards for original equipment tire customer satisfaction is "extremely gratifying," said Tom Chubb, vice president of Marketing, Michelin Automotive Industry Division.

Michelin topped the rankings in the luxury/sport tire; mass-market/non-luxury tire; pickup/full-size van tire and SUV tire ratings in the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction StudySM released today.

"We are delighted that consumers continue to voice their appreciation and support for the technology, quality, performance and value of our Michelin product lines. It is also a tribute to our OE customers who select Michelin products for application on their vehicles," said Chubb. "We are also pleased to see the strong support for our BFGoodrich Tires which placed second only to Michelin in the SUV and pick-up tire categories."

The latest awards bring Michelin's total to 45 for J.D. Power and Associates Original Equipment and Replacement Tire Awards in the United States, more than doubling the combined total of all other competitors.

The world's largest tire company, Michelin is the technology partner of choice for many of the world's premier vehicle manufacturers.

In addition to the J.D. Power and Associates Awards, Michelin is enjoying considerable success in 2005 motorsports competition. The Formula One World Championship Driver and Constructor championships are heading Michelin's way as Fernando Alonso/Renault and Kimi Räikkönen/McLaren Mercedes have eliminated all other contenders for the respective titles.

Michelin riders, led by Valentino Rossi, have won all eleven races to date in the 2005 MotoGP competition and currently hold the top seven spots in the championship.

Sébastien Loeb and Citroën lead the respective World Rally Championship driver and Manufacturer championships with eight victories in the first eleven races.

In June, Michelin teams, led by Champion Audi, claimed their eighth consecutive victory in the fabled 24 Hours of Le Mans, taking the top six places and victories in three classes.

"Competition in the marketplace and on the track demands innovative technology, continuous improvement and focus on the end user," said Chubb. "These awards and the race wins are a confirmation of that focus. We would like to thank our OE partners and the consumers for their continued trust and support."

The world's largest tire maker, Michelin (www.michelin.com) manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs over 23,000 and operates 20 plants in 16 locations.

http://www.michelinman.com/difference/rele...a.html?source=2

[Scotty]

Yesterday I noticed that my RF Michelin Symmetry GNX had a bubble or bulge on the sidewall.. After I got over the fact that I was just doing 80 MPH, I decided to take it in for a roadhazard fix. The tire is less than a year old.

I bought it at Costco, new tread depth is 10/32, I had 7/32 and the new tire cost me $42, they allowed me about $65. While I was at it and had the others balanced and rotated and they filled them with nitrogen.

I recall about a month ago hitting a really bad pothole. I am sure that my bad struts did not protect the tire too good and contributed to the damaged tire. The moral of the story for me, is that I have to get my butt into the garage and do the struts

This bulge did not cause any driveability issues. I picked up on this bulge totally by accident, I was visiting a friend and after I rang the bell I turned and noticed that something looked odd. The tire was in the perfect position for me to see the bulge otherwise I would never have seen it. I would never have seen it in my driveway. Every once in a while, it makes sense to take a look at the sidewalls on your tires for cuts, bulges, etc, I am making it a habit to look them over at each oil change, but especially after a bad pothole. I probably could have blown that tire....If I recall correctly the maintenance schedule includes inspecting the tires as a service item. Now I know why. Mike

She's a nice & smooth now....from the balancing.

[Bill K]

Thats one of the things you notice when you hand wash your car each week. Along with door dings that make you say "Where the hell did that happen?"

Last time I bought tires they asked if I wanted the raod hazzard protection for $5. per tire. I said sure but I only want it on one tire. He was quick to inform me that it was all or nothing.

Never know unless you ask....

Lucky you found the bulge before the tire found another pothole.

[Scotty]

Thats one of the things you notice when you hand wash your car each week. Along with door dings that make you say "Where the hell did that happen?"

Last time I bought tires they asked if I wanted the raod hazzard protection for $5. per tire. I said sure but I only want it on one tire. He was quick to inform me that it was all or nothing.

Never know unless you ask....

Lucky you found the bulge before the tire found another pothole.

Its funny you say that. Today I had the car washed and I always wax it with Maguires NXT afterward and I said, where did those dings come from.... If you have not tried that wax, its pretty amazing stuff..

[JohnnyG]

So what's up with the nitrogen? Is there any real benefit to this? I assume HYDROGEN would reduce unsprung weight, but I'd hate to be the tire guy with a smoke hanging from his lip!

[Scotty]

I found this article:

Nitrogen in tires aids fuel economy

By MECHELE COOPER, Blethen Maine News Service

Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

Bob Greene had his front tires inflated with nitrogen three months ago.

It cost about $5 a tire, but when Greene replaced the air in his tires with nitrogen, he got better gas mileage.

Nitrogen molecules are bigger than air molecules, so nitrogen leaks out of tires more slowly. Inflating tires with pure nitrogen allows them to retain correct pressure longer.

Underinflated tires can reduce a vehicle's fuel economy significantly. The U.S. Department of Energy has said that low tire pressure wastes 2 million gallons of gas every day.

Greene, a retired machinist from Litchfield, said his Chevrolet Impala also handles better with nitrogen in its tires.

"We're getting two more on the back today because it rode really good and handled around the corners real well," he said.

Fuel savings alone may be a compelling reason to switch to nitrogen, but the colorless, odorless gas has long been used by race cars, commercial and military aircraft, off-road construction equipment and even the space shuttle.

The Ingersoll-Rand Co., which makes nitrogen inflation systems, said the benefits of using nitrogen include more stable, consistent tire pressure; cooler running tires; improved fuel economy; longer tread life; less oxidation of tire components and reduced rim and wheel corrosion.

Tire Warehouse locations throughout New England have offered free nitrogen dispensing to all law enforcement agencies and ambulance services.

Derek McBreairty, who manages Tire Warehouse in Waterville, said the city's police department took him up on the offer.

Sgt. Jeffrey Bearce of the Waterville Police Department said along with fuel economy, the patrol cars are performing better on the highway.

"We're not having any fluctuation (of pressure) in hot and cold weather. The vehicles ride quieter and handle better," Bearce said. "I've had it done to my personal vehicle - I have an SUV - and I'm very happy with it."

McBreairty said Tire Warehouse in Waterville has offered nitrogen to its customers since last October. Business started out slow, but more and more of his customers are having the air in their tires replaced.

"With gas prices as high as they've been, business has picked up," McBreairty said. "Stable, consistent air pressure gives you a better fuel economy."

He said anytime a tire loses 5 pounds of pressure, the vehicle burns 10 percent more fuel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says most drivers can improve gas mileage by nearly 3 percent by keeping their tires inflated within the recommended pressure range.