Eighty-five miles southwest of San Antonio, TX, at its 5,000-acre Uvalde Proving Ground, Continental Tire North America, Inc. (CTNA) recently introduced seven new truck tires. The new tires complete the company's premium tire line with the addition of products for a wide range of applications, from construction to refuse hauling, including longhaul drive and steer tires, on/off highway service tires, on/off highway drive tires and a new longhaul tire for trailers.
Continental also showcased its new, patented VAI (Visual Alignment Indicator) developed to help customers detect wear and alignment problems early, before they can compromise tire life.
The VAI is a series of small “sipes” of various depths equally positioned around the tire on both shoulder ribs.
Differences in the number of indicators on one tread shoulder rib compared to the other indicate irregular wear. The nature of the differences can also help identify the cause of the wear, according to Continental, including the existence of incorrect camber, toe or rear axle thrust or premature wear caused by factors such as side scrubbing. The VAI feature is available on select Continental and General Tire steer and trailer tires.
Besides displaying the new tires and showcasing features, the Uvalde facility enabled Continental to put the new tires through their paces, alongside tires by other manufacturers, in a series of SAE-prescribed performance tests.
While fleets conduct real-world tire tests every working day, a test track environment offers something that's tough to find on the highway or at a work site: the ability to control variables and accurately measure results.
Fleets interested in learning more about Continental's Uvalde Proving Ground tire tests and the relative performance of Continental's new tires in terms of rolling resistance, wet and dry pavement traction, fuel efficiency and wear are invited to contact Shane Hughes at CTNA: 704-583-3881 (tel); or email [email protected].
“We're proud of our premium truck tires and the German and American team that develops and produces them,” said Roger Stansbie, radial truck tire development manager. “With the introduction of these seven tires, it is time to say we have officially ‘arrived’ in the North American premium truck tire market.”
Continental's new premium truck tires
HSL Eco Plus (Heavy Steer Long-Haul): For long-haul and over-the-road steering and all-position use. Has 18/32" tread depth and a six-rib tread design intended to provide long mileage, low rolling resistance and increased resistance to irregular wear. Features include “button and ramp” stone ejection system.
HDL Eco Plus (Heavy Drive Long-haul): For long-haul, OTR drive position use. Has 28/32" tread depth and advanced tread compound developed to provide long original mileage and low rolling resistance.
HTL (Heavy Trailer Long-Haul): All-position trailer tire with a 13/32" tread depth and shoulder protection rib to prevent rapid shoulder wear.
HDC (Heavy Drive Construction): For logging, construction, waste haulers, and other on/off highway service. Has 30/32" tread depth and aggressive tread design with lateral grooves and sipes for excellent traction in all weather, increased mileage and no speed restrictions.
HDO (Heavy Drive Off-Road): Has 32/32" tread depth and aggressive, self-cleaning tread pattern designed to provide excellent traction in predominantly off-highway applications.
HSU (Heavy Steer Urban): For waste haulers, construction, and other on/off highway service. The 10,000-lb.-cap. tire has 24/32" tread depth. Cut- and tear-resistant compound developed to provide excellent wear in high-scrub and on/off road applications. Aggressive curb rib designed to further reduce damage from curbing, cuts and abrasions.
HSC (Heavy Steer Construction): An all-position service tire with 23/32" tread depth and cut- and chip-resistant tread compound designed to deliver longer tread life in on/off road applications.
