
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, November 25, 1994                   TAG: 9412070019
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CLAUDINE WILLIAMS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

STUDDED TIRES ABOUND; ANTIFREEZE MAY BE DEAR

The good news is that snow tires will be in abundant supply this winter. The bad news, for motorists, is that the price of antifreeze is likely to go up.

"We have stocked about 200 more snow tires," said Randy Zelenak, service manager for Merchant's Tire & Auto Centers outlet on Franklin Road in Roanoke.

Tire retailers say last year's ice storms gave them incentive to be prepared this year. "We had so many mild winters that last year we were caught off guard," said Kristie Kreklow, sales manager for the Tire Station on Williamson Road.

Customers also are getting ready. "They are calling to price the tires and they are coming in to ask about them," Kreklow said. "Some people ... don't care what the price is.''

Tires that can take studs cost about $41 for smaller sizes to about $74 for larger, high-quality styles. The Tire Station charges $15 per tire to add the studs.

By early March, Mike McCoy of M&M service station in Blacksburg had run out of all-season and snow tires. Studded tires are making a big comeback, he said.

Zelenak said he has sold about 20 studded tires this year, compared with none by this time last year.

Auto service centers are advising motorists to get antifreeze early. A shortage in ethylene glycol, the primary ingredient, is expected to drive the price up 60 percent to 80 percent. The current average price is $5 to $6 a gallon.

by CNB