Whether it's a brand-new make and model fresh off the lot or one that’s been passed down through the family for years, no vehicle is complete without the perfect set of tires. Finding the ones your vehicle needs for a smooth ride, however, can be a journey all on its own, especially for those not sure where to start.
This is where Levin Tire & Service Center steps in to help. With a team of trusted service advisors across its five Northwest Indiana locations, Levin Tire makes it possible for your vehicle to hit the ground rolling all year long.
The team at Levin Tire takes many different factors into consideration when working with each customer. There’s no “one size fits all” approach when it comes to tires, so each vehicle is observed in a case-by-case situation to find the best fit for them.
“The first step is to verify the type of vehicle and the tire size and ply rating or load rating that is necessary for that vehicle and also the speed rating, especially if it's an import, a sports car, or a luxury car,” said Dave Skrenes, assistant manager at Levin Tire’s Highland location and soon-to-be store manager for the new Crown Point location opening in 2024.
How and when a vehicle will be used is another important factor for finding the right tires. Different tires work better in certain weather conditions or on certain terrain, so knowing the vehicle’s purpose can be extremely beneficial in the process.
“We try to assess what kind of driving that customer is going to be doing,” Skrenes said. “Is this a car that they only drive in the summertime? Are they looking for tires that are better in the winter and need winter traction because they do a lot of winter driving? Is that something that they barely drive at all, maybe just once in a while for a trip or to take it around town? Then from there, we can identify what style of tire would fit their needs.”
As a crucial part of any vehicle, Levin Tire understands that buying such a necessity shouldn’t cost anyone an arm and a leg. It should also be a quick and simple purchase to help get your vehicle right back on the road.
“Obviously the budget is important to everybody these days, especially now, so we always assess the customer's budget and what they're trying to find for the best deal that we have to offer,” Skrenes said. “If we don't have something in stock, we can always order something, and typically we can get those tires within a day, maybe two tops for most fitments most times.”
As predominantly a Goodyear tire dealer, Levin Tire is a part of the Goodyear Tire and Service Network. This allows each of its service advisors to undergo specific training courses that prepare them to assist customers with almost any tire need.
The courses are divided between different levels, including beginning tire advisor and tire expert. They begin online, where they touch on an overview of different tire types, such as summer, winter, all-terrain, performance, etc. As training progresses, service advisors dive more into specifics, learning about topics such as load and speed ratings, longevity, and the different types of rubber compounds that are used. Specific training is then completed for Goodyear tires, Michelin tires, and Cooper tires.
Northwest Indiana also has a unique set of weather patterns that differ vastly from other parts of the country. With that in mind, Levin Tire likes to cater its training to best serve its clientele so its vehicles are always prepped for any circumstance mother nature may throw in their direction.
“You can base upon what your clientele's predominant concerns are for the most part, but obviously every customer is an individual. Everybody has their own specific needs and wants, but that way you can be prepared for more of the common circumstances,“ Skrenes said. “I say most people around here have to drive in the winter; a lot of people have to commute to Chicago so they're on the interstate, so you want to get them into a tire that has great winter traction but at the same time is going to be comfortable and in their price range.”
Levin Tire has been servicing the Region for over 100 years. Founded in 1918, the company takes great pride in providing Northwest Indiana residents with dealership-quality tires at aftermarket prices and quality customer service. In addition to tires, Levin Tire also offers most other mechanical services including minor bodywork, two-year, 24,000-mile warranties on service work, as well as tire insurance programs for free flat repairs, and budget-friendly replacement for tires that are not repairable.
“We stand behind our jobs and behind our work,” Skrenes said. “I think that the combination of a job done right with friendly service and in a timely fashion is what Levin Tire’s really all about.”
For more information, visit levintirecenter.com.
