Goodyear introduced new truck tires
Goodyear has announced the release of the third generation of cargo tires Kmax, which is one of the most popular products of the company in this segment. The updated lineup includes tires Goodyear Kmax S Gen-3 for steering and Kmax D Gen-3 for driving axles, as well as Kmax T Gen-3 for trailers, and the manufacturer claims that compared to tires of the previous generation, the reduction in rolling resistance is up to 13%. In addition, the production of tires uses at least 40% of environmentally friendly materials (except for the trailer tire in size 445/65 R22.5, since it is designed for mixed operating conditions, which required a special rubber compound), which is indicated by the new Ecoready label on the sidewalls.
Like the Kmax Gen-2 tires, the new models are distinguished by "best-in-class" traction and increased durability, and the reduction in rolling resistance can reduce annual fuel costs when using a tractor and semi-trailer by 1236 euros (assuming fuel consumption of 27 l/100 km, fuel price of 1.6 euros per liter and average annual mileage of 100,000 km), although the difference may vary depending on various factors, such as the condition of the equipment, traffic, driving style, etc.
"Thanks to the constant improvement of rubber compounds and tread patterns, the Kmax Gen-3 tires have significantly reduced rolling resistance and at the same time the highest resource in the Kmax line, — the company notes. — Thanks to this, even more fleets will be able to switch to fuel-efficient tires that also have the necessary traction and durability.".
In the production of Goodyear Kmax Gen-3, such "green" materials as silica from rice husk ash are used, and the tires are also equipped with built-in radio frequency identification tags (RFID), and the tread of the models for the steering and driving axles is made of a rubber compound with increased silica content, which increases wear resistance and reduces heat generation, reducing rolling resistance and fuel consumption. In addition, the Kmax S Gen-3 and Kmax D Gen-3 tires have the Electric Drive Ready label, which means they have been adapted for use on both vehicles with internal combustion engines and hybrid and electric cars. The stiffness of the tread and the load-carrying capacity of the tires have been increased so that they can optimally handle the increased mass and torque of electric vehicles, while the low rolling resistance extends the distance between recharges.
Goodyear Kmax S Gen-3 have a rib-type tread pattern with an optimized arrangement of lamellas, which increases the number of biting edges and improves braking efficiency throughout the life of the tire, while bridges in the shoulder grooves help to slow down wear. The tires are available in four sizes from 315/80 R22.5 to 385/55 R22.5.
The Goodyear Kmax D Gen-3 model has a V-shaped tread pattern, which, according to the company, has improved the balance between traction and pulling force, making the tires more versatile. Two tire sizes are offered: 315/80 R22.5 and 315/70 R22.5.
In turn, the trailer tire Goodyear Kmax T Gen-3 has a design with large ribs, developed both to extend the service life and to reduce rolling resistance, while the uniform distribution of loads in the contact patch provides high strength and resource in all tire sizes. In addition, deep lamellas increase traction on slippery surfaces, the 3PMSF label indicates the effectiveness of the tires on snow, and the new rubber compound increases the resource by 10% compared to tires of the previous generation. The lineup includes four sizes from 275/70 R22.5 to 445/65 R22.5.
"The Goodyear Kmax Gen-3 tires, which help reduce customer costs, are an example of our commitment to developing premium products that meet the real needs of fleets," — said Maciej Szymanski, Director of Marketing for Truck Tires at Goodyear in EMEA, adding that "thanks to the reduced rolling resistance, the tires allow for significant fuel savings and potential reduction of CO2 emissions".