Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Segment financial information
Net sales	$ 1,058,482	$ 918,739	$ 2,042,740	$ 1,820,532
Segment profit (loss):
Operating profit	95,414	24,253	143,124	56,436
Interest expense	8,383	9,229	16,858	18,650
Interest income	721	901	1,372	1,570
Other income	183	143	648	5,648
Income before income taxes	87,935	16,068	128,286	45,004
North American Tire [Member]
Segment financial information
Revenues from North American Tire
External Customers	746,651	636,001	1,416,681	1,254,273
Intercompany	24,148	27,347	51,625	52,850
Net sales	770,799	663,348	1,468,306	1,307,123
Segment profit (loss):
Operating profit	65,047	3,675	87,887	25,204
International Tire [Member]
Segment financial information
Revenues from International Tire
External Customers	311,830	282,738	626,059	566,259
Intercompany	106,805	112,882	197,038	192,783
Net sales	418,635	395,620	823,097	759,042
Segment profit (loss):
Operating profit	43,235	23,300	75,875	43,372
Eliminations [Member]
Segment financial information
Net sales	(130,953)	(140,229)	(248,663)	(245,633)
Segment profit (loss):
Operating profit	(3,322)	(990)	(3,846)	(2,733)
Unallocated corporate charges [Member]
Segment profit (loss):
Operating profit	$ (9,546)	$ (1,732)	$ (16,792)	$ (9,407)