Goodyear Fuel Max Commercial Tire Technology is 'Nifty Fifty'

AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 19  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Goodyear's fuel-efficient commercial tire technology, which is helping truck fleets save on their operating costs, has earned a "Nifty Fifty Award" for best new products in 2007.

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Newport's Heavy Duty Trucking magazine selected Fuel Max Technology for its "Nifty Fifty Award", one of 50 new products selected on its "usefulness to the truck operator in terms of innovation, serviceability and performance."

Steve McClellan, vice president of Goodyear commercial tire systems, said the company's fuel-wise innovation is focused on truck drivers as well as lowering a trucking fleet's overall cost of operations.

"It's exciting that truck manufacturers and fleets understand the value in Fuel Max Technology. We have seen that ever-rising fuel costs are driving everyone to find ways to enhance a linehaul truck's fuel economy," McClellan said.

The technology utilizes innovative treads, along with advanced compounds and manufacturing technologies, to help optimize fuel economy while maintaining a low cost-per-mile for fleets and owner-operators, he said.

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.

In analyzing rolling resistance factors, Goodyear scientists and engineers found that the tread (pattern, groove depth and compound) accounted for more than half of a truck tire's rolling resistance, he said. Therefore, tread enhancements figure heavily into the new technology.

Actual Society of Automotive Engineers test results show an 8 percent improvement in fuel economy compared with standard Goodyear over-the-road tires. However, since no one drives at constant speed on flat terrain for a 10-hour shift, 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 commercial tire systems offer complete products and services to the trucking industry, including a full range of original equipment and replacement tires.  In addition, the company's cradle-to-grave tire and service network includes retreading, tire management tools and business solutions for tomorrow's trucking fleets.

For more information on Goodyear's fuel-efficient commercial tire efforts, go to http://www.goodyear.com/truck. 

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DATASOURCE: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company



CONTACT:  Dave Wilkins of Goodyear, [phone],





Web site:  http://www.goodyear.com/

http://www.goodyear.com/truck 

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