Épisodes

  • How the HawkEye Elite X Helps Tire Dealers Prepare for ADAS Growth

    How the HawkEye Elite X Helps Tire Dealers Prepare for ADAS Growth
    Jan 20 2026
    Today, we take you inside Hunter Engineering’s St. Louis headquarters for an in-depth look at the Hunter HawkEye Elite X, the company’s latest expandable alignment system designed to future-proof shops as ADAS work becomes unavoidable. Hunter’s Wheel Alignment Product Engineer, Alan Hagerty, joins Tire Review’s David Sickels to break down what the “X” really means for tire dealers: more storage, more capability, and a built-in upgrade path that lets a shop buy top-tier alignment technology today and add static ADAS calibration when they’re ready.

    Alan walks through how the system retains Hunter’s quick-grip, time-tested alignment tech while bringing new flexibility to the bay. The Elite X ships with Hunter’s ADASLink scan tool, allowing shops to perform mechanical alignments, steering resets, and dynamic ADAS calibrations without changing bays. That combination gives dealers a way to handle the majority of forward-facing calibration needs while building confidence before stepping into full static calibration setups.

    For shops worried about space, Alan explains why most dealers start with dynamic calibrations and how the mobile, wheeled design of the Elite X helps them reconfigure the bay as needed – even rolling the unit aside for static calibrations when the time comes. Alan also outlines who the system serves. He explains the ROI considerations behind adding ADAS capability. He shows how Hunter’s team supports the upgrade process from start to finish.

    Whether you’re already doing high volumes of alignments or evaluating ADAS as a new revenue stream, this episode breaks down how the Hunter HawkEye Elite X helps tire dealers grow by easily adding ADAS calibration to an existing alignment system.

    Tire Review: www.tirereview.com
    Hunter Engineering: www.hunter.com
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    9 min
  • Testing Three Hankook Dynapro Tires Through the Great Smoky Mountains

    Testing Three Hankook Dynapro Tires Through the Great Smoky Mountains
    Jan 6 2026
    What can real trail time in the Great Smoky Mountains reveal about where today’s light-truck tires truly fit?

    In this episode of What’s Treading, Tire Review heads to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for a hands-on ride and drive featuring three Hankook Tire Dynapro tires: the Dynapro AT2 Xtreme, Dynapro MT2, and Dynapro XT.

    We got the opportunity to test and compare how each tire handled on-road driving and off-road terrain. See the testing conditions, compare performance differences, and hear Robert Nasca, product and sales training manager, and K.C. Jensen, VP of U.S. PC/LT sales, explain how each tire fits drivers who split time between pavement, dirt, and rocky terrain.
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    7 min
  • Seven Conversations That Will Shape How Tire Dealers Win in 2026

    Seven Conversations That Will Shape How Tire Dealers Win in 2026
    Dec 23 2025
    This year’s What’s Treading conversations gave tire dealers a direct line to some of the industry’s most influential voices – Bridgestone, Continental, Nokian Tyres, Double Coin, Atturo, Global Air Cylinder Wheels, and Schrader – and today's show brings together the strongest tire dealer insights from those interviews.

    Tire Review: www.tirereview.com
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    21 min
  • The Most Talked About SEMA New Tires and Shop Upgrades

    The Most Talked About SEMA New Tires and Shop Upgrades
    Dec 9 2025
    The SEMA Show always offers a first look at the tools, tires, and technologies shaping the next year in the industry, and this year’s trip to Las Vegas delivered big for independent tire dealers. In this special What’s Treading episode, we walk the show floor to spotlight the products and innovations that matter most.

    Tire Review: www.tirereview.com
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    6 min
  • Hunter’s Road Force WalkAway Cuts Tire Bay Time by 44%

    Hunter’s Road Force WalkAway Cuts Tire Bay Time by 44%
    Nov 25 2025
    Shops want faster workflows, fewer bottlenecks, and equipment that keeps technicians moving. On this episode of What's Treading, we set out to learn how well the new Road Force WalkAway tire balancer supports those goals during a visit to Hunter Engineering’s headquarters. We wanted to see how much time a modern balancer can actually save and what that means for daily productivity inside a busy tire bay.

    Hunter’s David Henry kicked things off by showing the biggest change: automatic inflation built directly into the balancer. Technicians can clamp the wheel, hook on the hose, and drop the hood, and the machine handles the rest. Henry explained that this feature frees up 45 to 90 seconds, which technicians can use to mount the next tire, prep weights, grab a tire from the rack, or keep another bay moving.

    The WalkAway still performs full Road Force diagnostics, measures spring rate, identifies stiff spots, and uses camera-based wheel measurement. But the team redesigned the hood and roller assembly to shrink the footprint by 4.5 inches to reclaim some space.

    Engineering Manager Nate Brower explained how the machine calculates time savings through pressure readings, volume calculations, and flow rate. It gives technicians a countdown that shows how long they have to complete other tasks. In testing, he said, pairing the Road Force WalkAway with Hunter’s automated tire changers cut a four-tire job from 34 minutes to 19, which delivered a 44% time savings.

    The WalkAway also integrates with HunterNet, which lets multi-store operations track usage, roller drops, inflation habits, and technician performance.
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    18 min
  • Why Schrader Thinks Retrofit TPMS Could Be the Next Big Shop Upgrade

    Why Schrader Thinks Retrofit TPMS Could Be the Next Big Shop Upgrade
    Nov 11 2025
    A growing number of vehicles on the road still lack tire pressure monitoring systems, and Schrader is hoping to change that with its new Aircheck BLE retrofit kit. In this episode of What’s Treading, David Sickels talks with Kelly Sadler, vice president and general manager for Sonata’s aftermarket business, about how the product works and what it means for both drivers and service shops.

    The Aircheck BLE is designed to fit nearly any light-duty vehicle and deliver tire pressure, temperature, and sensor battery life information directly to the dashboard through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Sadler explains that the system uses Bluetooth Low Energy and a range extender to ensure reliable communication even over long distances, such as when towing a trailer.

    For installers, Schrader kept setup simple. The sensors mount internally to protect against tampering and provide more accurate readings, while an app-based configuration removes the need for hard-wiring and specialized tools. Sadler says installation typically takes less than five minutes and that the company has produced full training materials and videos to help technicians get up to speed.

    With roughly 250 million vehicles still operating without TPMS, the retrofit market represents a sizable opportunity for tire dealers looking to expand their services. Sadler notes that the Aircheck BLE’s single-SKU design helps streamline inventory and reduce complexity in the bay, giving shops a way to add value for customers who want better tire health monitoring without replacing their vehicle.

    Tire Review: www.tirereview.com
    Hunter Engineering: www.hunter.com
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    10 min
  • Let's Review Sailun's Atrezzo SVA2, Terramax AT2, and Terramax RT Tires

    Let's Review Sailun's Atrezzo SVA2, Terramax AT2, and Terramax RT Tires
    Oct 28 2025
    Three tires, one incredible day at the track. At the scenic Burt Brothers Motorpark in Salt Lake City, we spent the day doing a good, old-fashioned Sailun tire test, putting three of Sailun Tire Americas’ newest products – the Atrezzo SVA2 ultra-high-performance all-season tire, the Terramax AT2 all-terrain tire, and Terramax RT rugged-terrain tire – through their paces across asphalt, gravel, and rock, respectively. Each tire showed off its unique performance and character.

    We started with the Atrezzo SVA2, developed by the Chattanooga-based R&D team for North American roads. It features an asymmetrical tread design and Quiet Ride Technology for confident handling and a calm, composed feel.

    Next up was the Terramax AT2, designed for drivers who divide their time between the highway and off-road. The AT2 features a new casing, enhanced compound, and protective sidewall biters for traction and cut resistance. It’s 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and backed by a 50,000-mile warranty.

    We wrapped up this Sailun tire test with the Terramax RT, the company’s first rugged-terrain tire. Positioned between an A/T and M/T, it provides aggressive grip without the excessive noise or harshness often found in mud-terrains. Its squared profile and staggered shoulder lugs with stone ejectors are designed to give it confident traction and a stable, on-road feel.

    Which of these three would perform best in your market? Let us know, and stay tuned for more from What’s Treading.
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    12 min
  • Gripit-XT-Cosmo-Tires-Audio

    Gripit-XT-Cosmo-Tires-Audio
    Oct 14 2025
    Cosmo Tires wanted to prove its newest extreme all-terrain tire, the Gripit XT, in a place that could push it to its limits. That’s how I ended up in Peru (home to one of the driest deserts in the world) with about 100 dealers, distributors, and Cosmo Tires team members. If you want to see what a tire can do on dunes as tall as mountains, there aren’t many better options.

    Loose sand and steep slopes are some of the toughest conditions for any tire to thrive in. If the Gripit XT could climb the dunes of Ica, it could likely handle just about anywhere drivers might take it.

    “There is no substitute for having hands-on experience,” CEO Tony Gonzalez said. “The tire performs beyond expectation… and you can see them doing their job right here in the middle of the desert.”

    Tires like the Gripit XT are personal for Tony. He literally hand-drew its tread pattern before working with engineers to turn that sketch into reality.

    Out on the sand, the scalloped shoulder lugs dug deep for traction, while Bead Claw reinforcements kept the tire locked on the rim. Cosmo’s Quiet Kat technology (using geometric isolation grooves to break up airflow) kept road noise low. Many sizes feature a 3-ply sidewall and up to 12 plies of under-tread reinforcement for heat control, puncture resistance, and stability. The tire also features Cosmo’s Directed Super Silica compound for cut resistance, wet grip, and lower rolling resistance.

    Cosmo also backs the tire with a 50,000-mile warranty and its Hassle-Free Warranty Suite.

    Tire Review: www.tirereview.com
    Hunter Engineering: www.hunter.com
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    9 min