Zach Gale, News Director, MotorTrend.com, April 2, 2013
For the fourth consecutive year, survey respondents in J.D. Power’s 2013 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study are reporting fewer problems with OEM tires, but that’s not the trend that’s caught our eye. J.D. Power says satisfaction with low-rolling resistance and run-flat tires is declining.
Michelin ranked highest in the luxury, passenger car, and performance sport segments, while Pirelli took the top spot in the truck/utility segment. The survey results are based on responses from about 30,800 owners of new 2011 and 2012 model-year vehicles, taken between October and December 2012.
While low-rolling resistance tires are appearing on everything from efficient hybrids to the sports-oriented Scion FR-S, J.D. Power thinks consumers could use more information about the popular tire technology. Though such tires are often just one of numerous details automakers use to hit a desired EPA-rated fuel economy number, J.D. Power suggests that many consumers don’t understand how much of a sacrifice they should expect in overall performance for improved fuel economy.
J.D. Power also finds that consumer opinion on run-flat tires is low, as well. In the luxury and performance sport vehicle segments, the company found a sizable decrease in satisfaction when comparing run-flat and standard tires. Run-flat tires must be replaced more frequently than standard tires, and often must be installed in pairs.
“Automakers are trying to reach the next level of fuel economy, and are looking to their suppliers — in this case, tire manufacturers — to help them get there,” said Brent Gruber, director, global automotive division at J.D. Power and Associates. “The challenge is doing this while finding tires that meet customers’ expectations.”
J.D. Power says overall satisfaction with OEM tires didn’t change in this year’s survey. Scores in three of four categories improved, but tire ride satisfaction dipped slightly this year.
As we reported in January, the NHTSA is proposing new tire labels potentially for implementation in 2016, evaluating rolling resistance and possibly exterior tire noise and wet traction performance as well. Read more about the future of NHTSA tire ratings here.
From dropping spare tires altogether to adopting run-flat or low-rolling resistance tires, automakers are looking for any options that can increase fuel economy.
Source: J.D. Power and Associates
Seasonal Tire Storage delivers to all Denver auto dealer service departments. We are well acquainted with; Gateway Mazda, Mike Naughton Ford, Colorado Chrysler Jeep, Stevinson Toyota Scion East, Shortline Subaru Suzuki Hyundai Kia, Tynan’s Volkswagen, Tynan’s Nissan, Suss Buick GMC, Ed Bozarth Chevrolet Company, Land Rover, Denver East, Infiniti of Denver, Len Lyall Chevrolet, Stammler Audi, Valley Chrysler Dodge, Boulder Nissan, McCaddon Cadillac Buick Pontiac GMC, Boulder Toyota-Scion, Gebhardt Automotive, Gebhardt BMW, Flatirons Acura Subaru, Fisher Honda, Porsche of Boulder, Johnson Auto Plaza, Brighton Ford, Johnson Auto Plaza, Sill-Terhar Motors, Century I Chevrolet, Go Nissan Arapahoe, Groove Ford, Groove Mazda, Go Toyota Scion Arapahoe, Kuni Honda, Courtesy Acura, Interstate Ford, Mike Shaw Chevrolet, Emich Volkswagen, Pro Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Mountain States Toyota, Go Nissan 104Th, Mile High Honda, Mile High Mitsubishi, Mile High Acura, Murray BMW of Denver, Barbee’s Freeway Ford, Rush Medium Duty Truck Center, Denver Go Chevrolet, RickenBaugh Cadillac Volvo Company, Phil Long Ford of Denver, Alpine Buick-Pontiac-GMC, Murray Motor Imports Co, Landmark Lincoln Mercury Broadway, Larry Miller Nissan, Burt Chevrolet, Groove Subaru, Groove Toyota Scion, Go Subaru Arapahoe, Centennial Chrysler Jeep, Stapp Interstate Toyota-Scion, Stevinson Lexus of Fredrick, Planet Honda, Go Chrysler Jeep West, Go Subaru West, Go Pontiac Buick GMC West, Arapahoe Mitsubishi, Transwest Buick GMC, Schomp BMW of Highlands Ranch, Land Rover Denver South, Empire Lakewood Nissan, Lakewood Fordland, Stevinson Chevrolet West, Emich Chevrolet, Stevinson Toyota West, Mazda of Lakewood, Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood, Lary H Miller Volkswagen, Prestige Imports Audi, Go Nissan Southwest, Mike Ward Infiniti, Go Chrysler Jeep South, Broadway, Stevinson Imports, Ralph Schomp Honda, McDonald Automotive Group Volvo Mazda Volkswagen Audi, Quality Mitsubishi, Kuni Lexus of Littleton, Go Chrysler Jeep Dodge Southwest, Mercedes-Benz of Littleton, Courtesy Ford Co, Go Pontiac Buick GMC Park Meadows, Don Massey Cadillac, Ed Bozarth #1 Park Meadow Chevrolet, Valley Subaru Nissan of Longmont, Hajek Chevrolet-Oldsmobile, Courtesy Mazda , King Auto Group, Prestige Chrysler Dodge, Longmont Ford, Frontier Honda Ltd, O’Meara Ford Center, Land Rover Flatirons, Mike Shaw Subaru, Lithia Volkswagen of Thornton, Grand Auto, Skyline Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz of Westminster, Go Mazda, Go Honda 104th, Medved Chevrolet. To schedule Seasonal Tire Storage visit us at tirestorage.com or call toll free 877-997- 8473 (TIRE).