On their second car since installation, this set of Cooper tires has 66,000 miles on them, and look remarkably like new. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
As you might guess, Press Pros spends a great deal of time on the road, so that time has to go by dependably, and efficiently. I’m delighted to share a story from a Press Pros sponsor and my personal experience from which you might benefit.
As you might guess, Press Pros writers and photographers spend a lot of time on the road, driving. I alone regularly log between 65 and 80 thousand miles a year crossing Ohio for high school events, and the Big Ten, covering the Buckeyes, harness racing, etc., et.al.
So I, in particular, pay attention to all the elements of time on the road in a car. In fact, I drive so much that I average changing cars as much as the next five drivers you can find, combined. It’s not unusual to for me to change about every 18 months.
That said, Mark Knupp Muffler and Tire has long been a sponsor on Press Pros, and the namesake of that company, Mark Knupp, years ago offered to work with me involving tires and maintenance in exchange for ad space on the website. And when Mark and Rosemary sold the business three years ago to one of his employees, Matt Davis (and wife April), that relationship carried forward.
So a year ago, when I had about 50,000 miles on the set of tires I was driving, I sat down with Matt and asked his suggestion for the next set of the well-known brand with the mascot made of a stack of white rubber tires. He told me, “That tire is really hard to get right now from the supplier. But have you ever driven on, or considered Coopers? They’re made right up the road in Findlay, and I sell a lot of them. People like them…a lot!
“And, I can have a set for you tomorrow,” he assured.
Cooper Tires has long been headquartered in Findlay, but were purchased by the Goodyear company back in 2021. However, they’re still made in Findlay under their own design, and yes…a lot of people drive on Cooper tires. So my story is simply this.
At Matt Davis’ suggestion he put them on my car and I liked them so well in the first six weeks that when I changed cars that June I insisted that those Cooper tires be installed on the new car. They’re still there, they’ve been rotated five times in those eighteen months, and as of this week they just turned 66,000 miles. Any by all appearances, they look like they’re good for another 15,000, at least.
Publisher Sonny Fulks writes OHSAA and Ohio State sports for Press Pros Magazine.com.
I will also add that they’ve never needed balancing since the day that Matt, himself, balanced them the first time. And that’s a rarity in my experience, because when tires begin to wear they tend to wear unevenly in some spots. Not the Coopers.
The point is…I wouldn’t have known had Matt not suggested. And his suggestion would save the average retail customer $250 dollars, probably. And, I’m going to drive on that set of tires longer than any I’ve ever owned – Goodyear, Michelin, General, Toyo, or Bridgestone.
Your experience may vary because 80% of the driving I do is on the interstate. But just the same, I thought you’d like to know about a good product, personally tested.
And a great suggestion from a long-time Press Pros relationship.
Mark Knupp Muffler and Tire proudly sponsors area sports on Press Pros Magazine.com