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.

Certified ATS is comprised of the following 15 Modules:

Module 1: Introduction Covers personal protective equipment (PPE) and general shop safety practices.
Module 2: Tires Covers tire construction, nomenclature, sizing, application and replacement guidelines.
Module 3: Wheel & Fasteners Covers wheel and rim nomenclature as well as fastener and bolt hole indentification.
Module 4: Raising the Vehicle Addresses the step-by-step procedures and safety guidelines for lifting a vehicle with an above-ground lift or floor jack and jack stands.
Module 5: Tire/Wheel Aseembly Removal Covers teh procedures for removing the assembly from the vehicle including wheel locks and wheel covers.
Module 6: Torque & Clamping Force Explains the relationship between torque and clamping force including lab tests that show the effects of lubricants.
Module 7: RIST Covers step-by-step procedures for wheel installation.
Module 8: Demounting, Mounting & Inflation Covers the step-by-step procedures for demounting, mounting and inflating tires on rims with valve stem and band-mounted sensors.
Module 9: Balance and Run-out Addresses the basic principles of balance and run-out including the use of pin-plates to secure the assembly to the balancer.
Module 10: Puncture Repair Covers the general industry guidelines for puncture repairs in passenger and light truck tires as well as the step-by-step procedures for installing one-piece and two-piece repair systems.
Module 11: Tire Conditions Analysis Uses images from the Passenger and Light Truck Tire Conditions Manual to show technicians the signs of common problems that may require removal from service.
Module 12: TPMS Identification Explains the different types of TPMS currently in use and how they can be identified.
Module 13: TPMS Service Requirements Covers the step-by-step procedures for servicing valve stem and band-mounted sensors.
Module 14: TPMS Relearn Procedures Uses the TPMS Relearn Chart to explain the relearn requirements for the most popular domestic and foreign vehicles.
Module 15: TPMS Diagnostics Covers the necessary steps to correct a malfunction with common electronic scan tools including the replacement of a sensor on popular Asian models.

ATS Instructor Certification Includes:
• TIA Automotive Tire Service (ATS) Manual
• TIA Certified ATS Instructor Certificate
• 13 TIA Certified ATS Instructor Uniform Patches

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. 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 Certified Instructor Class consists of these 16 Modules:

Module 1: Safety Includes personal protective equipment (PPE), lifting safety, and other topics like heat stroke and frostbite prevention.
Module 2: Basic Tire Info Addresses tire construction, sizing and nomenclature, inflation pressure, tread design and compound for different applications, speed rating and all special service ratings and identification.
Module 3: Rims and Wheels Outlines the difference between rims and wheels including the nomenclature for both assemblies. It also identifies and addresses the different type of hub and drum assemblies for commercial vehicles.
Module 4: OSHA Regulations The video includes the script of the OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.177 with images supporting the wording. The Manual also includes the OSHA Demount/Mount and Rim Matching Charts.
Module 5: Emergency Road Service Demonstrates how technicians can protect themselves when working on the side of the road or on a job site.
Module 6: Jacking and Lifting Outlines procedures for properly jacking, lifting and supporting trucks, tractors and trailers. It focuses on jack and jack stand identification and operation as well as the proper position of each when lifting one, two or three axles.
Module 7: Torque Defines the relationship between torque and clamping force when installing wheels and rims. This in-depth look at how tightening a fastener creates the force that holds the assemblies to the vehicles will help technicians understand the importance of the RIST procedure (Remove debris, Inspect components, Snug in a star, Torque to spec).
Module 8: Wheel End Safety Addresses wheel end fires, commercial vehicle inspection, wheel-off prevention, and wheel end maintenance.
Module 9: Hub-Pilot Wheels Puts the basic principles of the previous two modules to work with hub-pilot wheel removal as well as the inspection and installation guidelines that accompany the RIST procedures.
Module 10: Stud-Pilot Wheels Focuses on stud-pilot wheel removal as well as the inspection and installation guidelines that accompany the RIST procedures.
Module 11: Demountable Rims Addresses demountable rim removal as well as the inspection and installation guidelines that accompany the RIST procedures.
Module 12: Single-Piece Dedicated to single-piece demount, mount and inflation procedures with an increased emphasis on disc wheel inspection, valve stem installation (including torque) and concentric bead seating techniques.
Module 13: Multi-Piece Covers the basics for demounting, mounting and inflating two-piece and three-piece multi-piece assemblies.
Module 14: Balancing Addresses tire assembly balance and run-out including static/dynamic imbalance, non-concentrically seated beads, hub-pilot run-out, tire/wheel run-out, as well as, the balance and run-out limits for all types of truck tire and wheel assemblies.
Module 15: Repair Dedicated to tire repair and outlines the general puncture repair guidelines and limitations, as well as, the step-by-step procedures for installing one-piece and two-piece repairs in tubeless radial truck tires.
Module 16: Load and Inflation Covers the relationships between vehicle load and inflation pressure so technicians have a better understanding of how to use thh Tire and Rim Association tables.

 CTS Instructor Certification Includes:
• TIA Commercial Tire Service (CTS) Manual
• 2-year subscription to the Commercial Tire Service Today publication
• TIA Certified CTS Instructor Certificate
• 13 TIA Certified CTS Instructor Uniform Patches

Certification is valid for two years, at which time you will receive notification from TIA that it is time to recertify. The Recertification Exam is available online at the TIA website, allowing easy access anytime and anywhere within the window of availability.

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.