400 Level - Instructor Series
Instructor Training & Certification

TIA's latest Training and Certification Program represents the ultimate hands-on education for the passenger and light truck tire service industry. By using a "train-the-trainer" approach similar to the successful Commercial Tire Service Program, Certified Automotive Tire Service (ATS) takes technician training to another level.

Certified ATS is primarily a hands-on certification designed to ensure that both technicians and instructors can demonstrate the necessary skills to properly service passenger and light truck tire and wheel assemblies. TIA's classes includes all of the tools, equipment and vehicles to teach students the correct methods for: jacking and lifting; demounting, mounting and inflating; removing and installing; fastener torque procedures; tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS); tire and wheel assembly balancing; nail hole repair procedures/ guidelines; and diagnosing tire problems.

With a majority of this class being conducted in the shop, students can expect a true"hands-on" experience. Each student must demonstrate the ability to use a rim-clamp tire changing machine, a center-post tire changing machine, a computer balancer, and other tools like impact wrenches, torque wrenches, buffers and various types of vehicle lifting equipment. In order to receive the"Certified ATS Instructor" designation, proficiency in all areas must be demonstrated.

The ATS Instructor Program is divided into 3-day and 4-day classes. Both begin on Tuesday morning with the 3-day students leaving on Thursday afternoon and the 4-day students staying until Friday. Students that successfully complete the 3-day class will become Certified ATS Instructors, giving them the credentials to certify ATS Technicians. Students that successfully complete the 4-day program will become Certified ATS Advanced Instructors, giving them the credentials to certify ATS Instructors and Technicians.

Since 1997, TIA has been the leader in training and certification programs for the truck tire and wheel service industry. The foundation of the Commercial Tire Service (CTS) Program is the network of more than 1500 Certified CTS Instructors.

By combining classroom instruction with hands-on training in the, TIA is able to offer the most advanced truck tire and wheel service instruction in the industry. Topics include: Tire Construction; OSHA Regulations; OSHA Rim Matching and Demount/Mount Charts; Zipper Ruptures; Jacking/Lifting; Road Service Procedures; Hub/Stud-Piloted Wheel Service Procedures; Demountable Rim Service Procedures; Demounting, Mounting and Inflating Single/Multi-Piece Assemblies; General Repair Guidelines; Two/One-Piece Tire Repair Procedures; Tube-Type Repair Procedures; Load/Inflation Tables; and Tire Dimension Charts.

Commercial tire dealers can educate the next generation of technicians using an up-to-date and comprehensive training and certification program by utilizing the talents and experience of key personnel. The "train-the-trainer" approach has proven to be an effective method for dispelling myths and changing bad habits. With a continued focus on OSHA Regulations, manufacturer guidelines and industry recommended practices, TIA's Certified CTS Instructor Program enables companies to exceed federal training requirements and provide important liability protection in the event of an accident.

The CTS Instructor Program is divided into 4-day and 3-day classes. The 4-day students arrive on Tuesday and participate in one full day of hands-on training. Each student physically demounts, mounts, installs, removes and repairs a typical tubeless truck tire using tools and equipment commonly found in the field. This class is designed for individuals with less than two years of hands-on commercial truck tire experience. On Wednesday, the 3-day students join the group for the remaining classroom instruction, hands-on demonstrations and Certification Exam.