Goodyear Launches Fuel-Efficient Truck Tire Lines

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has introduced a new fuel-efficient commercial tire technology and three new tires for long-haul trucks. The line includes new steer, drive and trailer tires and retreads for a complete "cradle-to-grave" tire system for trucking fleets and owner-operators. An 18-wheeler outfitted with tires featuring Fuel Max Technology could achieve up to 4 percent improved fuel economy, the company said. Goodyear says the technology blends fuel efficiency with long tread life and excellent performance. Actual Society of Automotive Engineers test results showed an 8 percent improvement in vehicle fuel economy compared with standard Goodyear over-the-road tires. Following SAE test procedures, the new tires were driven at highway speeds at Goodyear Proving Grounds in San Angelo, Texas, to benchmark the performance of the Fuel Max Technology line compared to conventional Goodyear commercial tires. Goodyear engineers adjusted the SAE results to 4 percent to estimate real-world conditions, such as varying driver inputs, road conditions and terrain, and truck aerodynamics. Goodyear estimates that improving a truck’s 6 miles per gallon to 6.24 mpg with Fuel Max Technology saves up to $2,100 in fuel per year (assuming the truck is driven 120,000 miles per year and fuel costs $2.85 a gallon). Goodyear tires featuring Fuel Max Technology include the Unisteel G395 LHS steer tire, Unisteel G305 LHD drive tire and Unisteel G316 LHT trail tire in standard (11R22.5) and low-profile (295/75R22.5 and 285/75R24.5) sizes. Goodyear also is offering UniCircle and precure retreading with Fuel Max Technology.