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9 Easy Steps to Install a Gooseneck Trailer Ball
Road Services
9 Easy Steps to Install a Gooseneck Trailer Ball
September 13, 2022
Highlights of the 2014 Chicago Auto Show
Auto Shop
Highlights of the 2014 Chicago Auto Show
September 13, 2022
The New Pinterest Analytics Tool!
tire business
The New Pinterest Analytics Tool!
September 13, 2022
Recognizing Your Employees!
Auto Shop
Recognizing Your Employees!
September 13, 2022
How to Protect your Tires and Wheels from Theft
Auto Shop
How to Protect your Tires and Wheels from Theft
September 13, 2022
Emergency Road Services - All You Need to Know
Uncategorized
Emergency Road Services – All You Need to Know
September 13, 2022

Emergency Road Services – All You Need to Know

Posted on September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 By right-e261f6
Emergency Road Services – All You Need to Know
Uncategorized

Have you ever thought about what you’d do if you found yourself in a technical dilemma while driving? When you leave your home, make sure you have contact with a trusted emergency road service that can quickly assist you at your side in the event that it is you require it.

There have been occasions that we required a stop because of a car issue or malfunction. There have been instances of smoke coming from the hood, or a shortage of gas, or even minor issues. Some of us have also suffered minor accidents. If you find yourself in such a situation you need to understand what the requirement is, so that when you contact for assistance, you are able to give specific instructions to the person who is providing assistance. This will enable them to send the necessary assistance without delay.

If you’ve got a ruptured tire, a failing engine, dead battery in such instances, it is best to contact a towing company. They are required to immediately arrive at the location so that your vehicle is removed from the path of the traffic. Based on the nature of the repair, they’ll depart if the car is repaired at the spot itself, or transport the vehicle (and your vehicle) to the nearest garage for repairs. This is referred to as vehicle recovery.

If your car is stuck in the middle of the highway because of a tire burst or engine failure or battery failure, or any other reason, it is best to contact towing services. Towing companies immediately respond and resolve traffic congestion by first dragging your vehicle off the road. If your car is able to be repaired at the moment and they can move it out. If, however, the vehicle needs to be transported to the repair facility, the mechanic will be able to move the car there easily. This is referred to as the recovery of a vehicle. By clicking here to read about 9 Easy Steps to Install a Gooseneck Trailer Ball.

If there is a problem with the mechanism of the vehicle it is important to dispatch a certified mechanic to the location so that the issue is able to be resolved effectively. A majority of technicians carry basic spare parts on hand when they understand the cause and the steps needed to correct it. For instance, if your battery has failed it will be equipped with cables and the mechanisms to restart it for a short period of time.

If you’re taking an extended journey you are bound to find you’ll run out of gas. If this happens most of the time it can be difficult to find a gas station easily. You don’t want to leave your vehicle on the highway. Inform the driver of the details you require. Try to provide as exact details about your location as you can. This will allow them to get there quickly. They will also know the nearest station nearby and, if there isn’t, they could transport the fuel to fix the problem. You could also ask them to do this.

Long drives often leave the driver without fuel, and often without a gasoline station visible for miles. If one reports the situation to the emergency services for cars they will determine the distance from your location to the closest station. If it’s feasible to tow the vehicle in the first place, they will dispatch the tow vehicle. If the vehicle is far away they will be able to offer mobile refueling and refueling services. Other car emergency solutions include the delivery of water. Water to help burnt-out carburetors as well as for drinking needs can be taken advantage of. Another option that the majority of emergency service providers provide does not have anything to do with the malfunction of the vehicle. They also offer assistance in the event of a lockout that is not correct as well as alternative transportation options in the event that the vehicle cannot be opened with duplicate keys.

Medical assistance emergency assistance, injury on the spot, and ambulance services can be accessed if needed. The majority of emergency road services provide credit facilities as well as accept credit card payments. It is crucial to choose reliable road emergency services that provide top-quality and human-centered assistance.

9 Easy Steps to Install a Gooseneck Trailer Ball

Posted on September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 By right-e261f6
9 Easy Steps to Install a Gooseneck Trailer Ball
Road Services

The trailer balls connect gooseneck trailers to pull vehicles. The trailer balls attach directly to the bed of the vehicle to the bed, just behind the rear axle a little. The trailer ball is removed easily when not used. The vehicle’s bed can be utilized to the fullest extent. The trailer ball should be in compliance with the towing requirements of the vehicle prior to being put in place. The trailer ball is to be used on the vehicle that has been certified for towing. A gooseneck hitch purchase comes with all the necessary hardware. Get a partner to help with installation for a much more easy installation.

You will require an adjustable wrench 3-3/4-inch circular cutter, drill bits for cutting two Jacks, a drill, and drill bits that are able to go through the bed of your vehicle.

1. The circle cutter must first be connected to the drill. As per the instructions from the manufacturer, drill 3-3/4 inch holes in the car’s cargo bed following the directions provided by the maker. It is recommended that the hole be placed between the passenger’s side of the vehicle as well as the driver’s side.

2. Utilize jacks on both the rear ends of the vehicle to help jack it up. The axle shouldn’t be utilized to jack up the vehicle, but the frame is the best option. If there is a spare tire available remove it in order to provide more space to work from. The owner’s manual will give the instructions. The frame rails are located under the vehicle and slide across the crossbar in front. The crossbar holes must face toward the rear. Click here to read about Be Careful Of Emergency Road Services All Year Round.

3. The bolts must be inserted through the hole. The bolt’s threading is facing the ground. The parts list will assist you in determining the right bolts to choose from. The list of parts must be kept handy as it is required for the duration of the installation. This list will allow you to determine which hardware you should use.

4. A friend can help you put the hitch under the vehicle. Be sure that the holes are aligned with the head of the hitch. To secure the head of the hitch the rear crossbar needs to be placed on top of the frame rails. The bolts that are needed for the hitch should be put into the crossbar’s holes. Be sure that the threading of bolts is on the ground.

5. The holes for mounting the hitch head should be aligned to bolts for the crossbar. The bolts with threaded ends are to be inserted through the holes of the head. When you put the hitch in place your friend must be able to hold the head of the hitch in position. A suitable washer must be placed into each bolt’s threaded end. A suitable nut should be placed into each bolt with the adjustable wrench. The nuts must be tightened completely down.

6. The bolt of the trailer ball must be placed in the bed of the vehicle. The trailer ball should be perfectly within the hole. If it does not then two or three spacers need to be attached to the bolts that hold the trailer ball in place and adjusted until the ball is perfectly centered into the hole after the ball is placed.

7. Then follow the trailer hitch’s instructions for installation to drill holes according to the procedure-specific method in the manual. The holes should be made using pre-marked indicators that are placed at the top of the hitch. The holes should be made through the bottom of the hitch head into the bed of the truck. Be sure to drill slowly and certain because the holes are not able to be drilled twice if they are not drilled correctly during your first attempt.

8. The appropriate bolts must be placed into the holes and then the springs are then slid over the bolts. The nuts should be tightened to each bolt’s threaded end in order to anchor the bolts onto the top of the hitch.

9. Attach the proper nuts to the threaded ends of the trailer ball for the complete trailer ball. The connections should be secure and secure to your trailer ball.

These simple steps will assist you in installing the gooseneck trailer ball. The instruction manual is essential. It will ensure that you are following the manufacturer’s specifications. Different hitches come with different specifications.

Be Careful Of Emergency Road Services All Year Round

Posted on September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 By right-e261f6
Be Careful Of Emergency Road Services All Year Round
Road Services

You should be aware of emergency services on the road generally because you never be aware of what you might discover, particularly if you’re driving late at night when there are numerous activities going on. Whatever time of day or where you’re likely to head, you should be aware of your surroundings when on the road.

When you’re through the city, it might be in bumper-to-bumper traffic, which isn’t an issue if there is something happening off the shoulder. You never know when those events could be the reason for the delay in the traffic. Even if you’re among this many people it’s not good for you to become frustrated or filled with anger over how other people are dangerous drivers, and not paying attention to where they’re going. Read about Emergency Road Services – All You Need to Know to click here.

Certain drivers are too speedy on the road and they ought to be in the fastest lane as they don’t want to be hit when they’re on the right moving at the speed they can.

The right-hand lanes are reserved for slow-moving drivers. If you were to speed up you could cause an accident by speeding up and accelerating past the slow-moving drivers, swerving into and out of vehicles. This is extremely risky and is something you’d want to be careful about unless would like to be one of the ones at the side of the road, with your vehicle smashed or turned over. Due to your reckless driving, other drivers would have to keep an eye on your car.

Sometimes, an automobile has malfunctioned in the middle of the road, and they need to get a tow truck to take their vehicle into a repair shop if they aren’t able to fix it on their own. It is important to be cautious in such situations because when you’re driving on the right roadway, and the car door that connects to the tow vehicle or the vehicle’s door opens, you might smash into it, causing an accident for yourself or even for the person in front of or behind you.

Accidents occur every day, and if there is an accident could happen right in front of your eyes it is best to slow down and observe what’s happening with this accident. It’s also a great warning signal to let drivers in front of you be aware that something is going to happen, otherwise you’d have missed your brakes.

There could be instances where you notice an unplanned accident occur right in front of you, and you need to get on your brakes to prevent you’re being involved in the crash. This could be a dangerous decision as you may be struck by someone behind. Someone could be driving close to you and not be able to react. There was nothing that you could have done since you weren’t aware of an accident that was about to occur.

In such situations, it is important to be wary of emergency road service providers because most likely, they will include police vehicles, tow trucks, or any other vehicle that could help you. It is important to be safe as you might create another accident when you hit the door of a police vehicle. It is recommended that if you are able, make the move onto the next lanes, or proceed slowly when traveling by an emergency vehicle located on the shoulder.

Recognizing Your Employees!

Posted on September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 By right-e261f6
Recognizing Your Employees!
Auto Shop, Tips for Tires, tire business

I happily just celebrated my 15th anniversary with Upright Communications (Upright Tire) just this month! And as I celebrated my successes, it prompted me to think about all the ways that we can be celebrating our employees when they reach epic milestones (or even 90-day ones! Celebrating anything is fun!).

As noted by Tire Review, former U.S. Defense Secretary and Ford Motor Co. President Robert McNamara put it simply: “Brains, like hearts, go where they are appreciated.” Who can relate to that? I mean, I certainly can appreciate that sentiment. If you’re not appreciated, chances are you’re not going to put all your heart into your work. 

In the day-to-day grind of running a business, we can quickly get caught up in the ‘thanks’ or simple ‘congratulations’ for when employees reach a milestone. However, given the shortage of quality talent and life as it is, can shop owners afford to not implement an employee retention program centered on recognition? Being recognized, both monetarily and morally, can boost morale more than you may realize. (So many valuable words that start with ‘m’ in that sentence!)

A 2013 Harris Interactive online survey, on behalf of Glassdoor, reported that 81% of respondents said they’re motivated to work harder when their superior shows genuine appreciation for their work, and 53% said they’d be more inclined to stay with the company longer if they felt more appreciation from their bosses. 

So now that you know all this, what the heck do ya do!? Let’s think!

What to celebrate?!

  • Work anniversaries – 90-day, 1-year, and epic milestones like 5, 10, 15, etc. These are really big deals. Think how hard folks work for you and they CHOOSE to remain with your organization. If you appreciate them, let them know!
  • Professional certs – I’ve always wanted to shorten the word ‘certifications’! 
  • Individual or team production efforts
  • No work days missed
  • Unexpected kindness showed towards customers and co-workers
  • Personal successes like volunteering opportunities outside of work for example

As I’m learning through personal growth, the positive behavior you want to be repeated is the one you need to be celebrating! Quality shop owners know that recognition improves engagement, and it’s that personal touch that can make your day-to-day that much better.

Oh and also, when rewarding folks it’s not just about a yearly review, it can be things like giving baseball tickets to an avid baseball fan for when they sold a crap ton of tires. Or maybe you’ve had an employee work really hard for you and you know he/she has been away from their family a lot – consider thinking of them too. Your job accounts for a LARGE portion of your well-being and that includes the impact your job has on your home life. 

How to do it!?

I heard of an acronym one time that resonated with me…. It’s RISE. R – Regular. I – Immediate. S – Specific. E – Encouraging.

It basically goes like this… Regularly recognizing your employees at least once a week gets you into that routine of noting people’s successes. The sooner you can recognize that behavior, the more often they’ll repeat it. That’s your ‘immediate.’ Then, you have the specific recognition that you want to focus on! And finally, you continue to encourage and support your employees when they do an outstanding job. 

If anything, we need more excuses to celebrate with each other. Tell us how you celebrate your employees!

The New Pinterest Analytics Tool!

Posted on September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 By right-e261f6
The New Pinterest Analytics Tool!
tire business, Tire News

You may have remembered in our post Inside Scoop on Social Media Material that we mentioned Upright Tire has a Pinterest account. We shed light on how we use our Pinterest page and the main goals behind the account. Account managers use Pinterest in a different way than most businesses. We utilize Pinterest as a way to organize the account manager’s suggestions for our tire dealer’s social media postings. Each account manager has a pin board of their ‘favorites’ and when it comes time to create the postings for the month, the creator takes ideas for each pin board to compile a month’s worth of diverse postings.

Without a doubt, we are having a lot of fun! Pinterest recently launched an analytics platform that has enhanced our experience. We can now see what pins are getting the most attention and this helps us forecast what posts are going to do well or what posts we should use first.

A few notes from the Pinterest analytics platform:

  1. The analytics is for business Pinterest accounts
  2. Add website verification for enhanced data
    1. Data such as popular pins, pinned directly from your site
    2. For example, we can get data from our blog posts that are pinned directly from our site using the ‘Pin-it’ button to our ‘Blog Post’ pinboard
    3. Data includes information about the profile, audience, and activity
      1. Average daily profile impressions
      2. Average daily viewers
      3. Average monthly engaged
      4. Average daily impressions
      5. Top pins and impressions
      6. Boards with the post impressions
      7. Clicks from website to Pinterest
      8. & so much more!

Of course, being S.E.O savvy, we were very excited about the new platform. There is so much insightful information and it is nice to see what is and what is not working on Pinterest. It is a great way to measure businesses’ social media efforts and shape what to change or improve. Make sure that your Pinterest account is a business account before accessing the URL (click here for Pinterest analytics). Pinterest is intuitive and can decipher business accounts from personal.

Happy 4th of July from Upright Communications

Posted on September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 By right-e261f6
Happy 4th of July from Upright Communications
Auto Shop, Tire News

Fourth of July Plans?

The account managers at Upright Tire are excited to spend the day with their friends and family. Colleen has family visiting and plans to attend a firework show. Sarah will be attending a barbecue with friends and plans to watch fireworks from a high-rise rooftop. Jenn will be going on a road trip to Banner Elk, N.C. for a family reunion.

We hope that you have a wonderful Fourth of July with your family and friends!

Check out a few Fourth of July fun facts!

  • Iowa has more places with ‘liberty’ in its name than any other state.
  • According to AAA Automotive, more than 34 million plan to take a road trip for the Fourth of July.
  • The tune of the National Anthem was originally used by an English drinking song called To Anacreon in Heaven.
  • About 41 million Americans plan to spend the Fourth of July at someone else’s home.

Top Five Tips for Responding to Negative Reviews

Posted on September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 By right-e261f6
Top Five Tips for Responding to Negative Reviews
Tips for Tires, Tire Dealer

Negative reviews happen to the best of us. Whether a customer has a bad day, one of your employees has a bad day, service is too slow, or any other extraneous factor, these are reasons that may cause your business to receive a negative review. Don’t fret – a negative review is not the end of the world. 

In fact, many review sites display the review as an average, so the more reviews (hopefully four or five stars) your business accumulates, the less a one or two-star review will drag your overall star rating. Keep in mind that your negative reviews will still be on display, so it is important to try your best to respond to the unhappy customer and try your best to mitigate the situation or add clarity.

We want to make sure that you have the tools and resources to address these negative reviews respectfully and conductively. Here are a few tips you can use when addressing any negative (and even positive) reviews you receive:

  • Respond in a timely manner. When you’re aware of a negative review, please address it as soon as possible. Set aside five to ten minutes to formulate a response that you’re happy with. You may have to do additional research on a specific service case that may require a bit more time.
  • Always respond. It sounds easier to respond to positive reviews, but the negative reviews’ responses will likely be sought out by prospective customers. Your response will allow the prospect to gauge, given both perspectives, whether the circumstances of the negative review are valid enough to not choose your business. Both sides of the story are key to this process.
  • Don’t be defensive. Being defensive can cause you to say things you don’t necessarily mean or may just reflect poorly on your business. Keep a level head and try to formulate your response with empathy and understanding. 
  • Offer a discount or refund for the inconvenience. Depending on the weight of the negative review, and if you feel that it was more on your business’ end, you could offer a discount or refund for the inconvenience. This is a sign of goodwill that speaks volumes to an unhappy customer. 
  • Take the conversation offline. Whether you direct them to email you personally or reach out to your customer support, this may be a good option for unhappy customers that need more follow-up. By showing this customer that you’re trying to fix the situation, they may be more willing to revise their previous review with a more positive one.

Here’s hoping you don’t get too many negative reviews in the near future, but it’s always good to be knowledgeable about how to respond appropriately. We hope these tips help you manage your tire shop’s online listings. Please contact Upright Tire if you want assistance in managing your reputation management.

New Year, New Gear with Upright Tire

Posted on September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 By right-e261f6
New Year, New Gear with Upright Tire
Auto Shop, Tire Dealer

Part of my New Year’s Eve this year consisted of a heated debate on how to pronounce our new, upcoming year. Is it “two thousand and fourteen?” “Twenty-fourteen?” Or we could go a whole other route and old-school it with 2K14, my personal favorite. While the debate was an interesting and silly topic among friends, it really started to get my thoughts going.

Businesses across the board last year were like an amusement park ride. Ups, downs, new tools, platforms, roles, and channels were everywhere, giving new opportunities to businesses to delight their customer.

Where will we in the SEO, marketing, tire business, and business world, in general, be going in 2014?

Let’s start with Google, which made some huge changes last year including the largest update to its algorithm in about a decade. Companies who look to impress Google will be reviewing their content and ensuring it is quality and not necessarily quantity. If your company is a little more forward-thinking they will also dive head first into all of Google’s extensions which means, gulp, social media, and Google+.

Yahoo and Bing also seem to be “upping the ante” with new features on both of their search engines as well as algorithm changes. The most prominent one that has been announced is their advanced updates for mobile search. If you do not have a mobile version for your site yet, you are 2000-and-late.

The automotive industry has also been making leaps and bounds with ties to “the godfather Google,” as I like to reference them. 2013 saw advances in driverless cars, and new designs in tires, such as the honeycomb design which is airless and bulletproof, if that is your thing. ( http://www.airless-tire.com/resilient-technologies-the-honeycomb-tire/)

A new electric race car has been unveiled with a Formula E Championship. It has already been unveiled in Las Vegas, of course, to rave reviews. Toyota is not far behind in innovation with its new Hydrogen car to only emits water vapor!

What are your personal goals in 2014? Tweet us @UprightTire with the hashtag #Goalsfor14 and tell us what your business would like to achieve!

Highlights of the 2014 Chicago Auto Show

Posted on September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 By right-e261f6
Highlights of the 2014 Chicago Auto Show
Auto Shop, tire business

Highlights of the 2014 Chicago Auto Show

Growing up in Chicago, going to the Chicago Auto Show (CAS) at McCormick Place was an event akin to something you would see in the movie, “A Christmas Story.” Mom bundled us up, piled us in the car and we all drove into “the city” to go see the latest and greatest the automotive industry had to offer. As a kid, it was the promise of getting out of the house in a “Chiberia” winter and sitting in polished cars with the hopes of getting Mrs. Fields cookies in the end. For Dad, it was a chance to check out what was on the horizon for him to buy in the next few years…and a Mrs. Fields cookie.

As an adult, the excitement that the show brings to the city hasn’t changed since it started in 1901. My social media feeds were filled with an abundance of friends sitting in new models and makes they would someday like to own. This year the CAS featured new entries from Kia, Subaru, and BMW. Here are the highlights:

2015 Subaru Legacy debuted in Chicago

The 25-year-old model gets a new exterior style that can be attributed to last year’s concept Legacy from the Los Angeles Auto Show. The engine has a few more horses added and the overall look has an added sleekness to it.

2015 Kia Soul EV

This is Kia’s first all-electric small car equipped with state-of-the-art batteries and is expected to have a range of 80-100 miles. With its one-of-a-kind grill that incorporates charging posts, this unique design will be on sale in California, Washington, and Oregon later this year.

Volkswagen Beetle GRC

Could it be? A four-wheel drive Beetle with 560 horsepower? It’s true, folks! This which has been driven by Tanner Foust and Scott Speed will be a part of the Global Rallycross series later in 2014.

2014 BMW 7-Series 740Ld xDrive

BMW answered Audi’s A8 diesel power trained call with its own diesel-powered 7 series. This engine produces 255 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, zipping it from 0-60 in just around 6.1 seconds. It will retail this spring for $83,425. For that price might as well get one in every color, right?

One large trend that was prevalent was the abundance of electric vehicles as well as phone charging stations. Many of the automakers provided cell charging stations that proved to be some of the most popular places on the floor. What are you looking forward to seeing in a future vehicle?

Vehicle Repairs to Pay Attention to

Posted on September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 By right-e261f6
Vehicle Repairs to Pay Attention to
tire business, Tire News

My oil change light popped up as I was driving this weekend and I thought to myself, “Already?” So I called my friend in the automotive repair industry to try and ease my woes by complaining about how much maintenance a car requires.  Karen made an interesting comparison between changing my oil and changing my nephew’s diaper asking if I wouldn’t change his diaper if he needed it.

We take care of ourselves with hair appointments, doctor appointments, going to the gym, and having self and rest time but tend to ignore the mode of transportation we use almost daily. Did you know that Americans drive about 37 miles a day on average? Why wouldn’t we take care of our vehicle?

Here are the 10 most common automotive repairs you should be paying attention to:

Brake Work

Wear and tear on brake pads will most likely happen more than once over the lifespan of a vehicle and is a moderately priced repair. If your brake system diagnosis is a disc, drum, or rotor repair then you may see a higher bill due to more extensive work.

Oil Changes

It is recommended that you always follow your owner’s manual regarding oil change service but most oil changes are routine. By maintaining a regular oil change schedule you can lengthen the life of your engine and even has been shown to help improve fuel efficiency.

Coolant System

The radiator and cooling system both fall into this category and have a wide range of prices depending on the service.

Tires

Tire patches or complete replacement is a fairly common service and these problems can occur for a number of reasons. Tire repair will be on the lower end of cost while full replacement can be more costly due to materials and work.

Ignition System

This includes the battery, starter, and ignition and has a wide range of pricing depending on if the part needs to be replaced or repaired. Battery prices can also vary based on brand and type.

Electrical System

Electrical systems problems car can vary from blown fuses to lamp bulbs but when it comes to a more serious issue it is best to let a trained professional diagnose and repair it.

Fuel System

Vehicles consistently running with ¼ a tank or lower on a regular basis may lead to a clogged fuel pump. Fuel filters should be replaced on a regular basis and should be done by a professional.

Transmission

Transmission repairs can be complicated and generally need a specialist or professional to perform repairs.

Exhaust

Again, these repairs can be complicated and costly due to the complexity so seek a professional diagnosis and quote.

Air Conditioning System

Air conditioning systems can tend to gain problems over time and should also be repaired by a professional.

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Good Read

  • Emergency Road Services – All You Need to Know
  • 9 Easy Steps to Install a Gooseneck Trailer Ball
  • Be Careful Of Emergency Road Services All Year Round
  • Recognizing Your Employees!
  • The New Pinterest Analytics Tool!

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