The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. this morning announced what it claims is the “most fuel-efficient long haul drive tire in North America,” the Fuel Max LHD G505D.
Brian Buckham, general manager-- product marketing for Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems, said the tire maker can make that claim “because the Fuel Max LHD G505D’s rolling resistance is industry-leading for drive tires.”
He noted that the new premium-level product is so fuel-efficient that the tire maker internally describes it as “not only SmartWay-verified, but a ‘super-SmartWay’ tire.”
Andrea Russell, brand manager— commercial marketing, reported that in testing by Goodyear, the Fuel Max LHD G505D showed that it can deliver up to a 15% reduction in rolling resistance as well as up to a 2.0% improvement in on-highway fuel efficiency vs. directly competitive tires from Bridgestone, Continental and Michelin
The Fuel Max LHD G505D is available now and will replace the G305 AT LHD drive tire in the company’s lineup
“Fuel is the number-one cost for trucking fleets,” said Buckham, “and Goodyear has re-written the book on fuel efficiency with the Fuel Max LHD G505D. This tire is a must-have for fleets that are serious about reducing their cost-per-mile.”
According to Russell, the new tire’s rolling-resistance performance resulted from applying Goodyear’s Fuel Max technology, which “incorporates innovative fuel-efficient compounds, tire constructions and tread designs.”
Buckham detailed these other key features of the new premium drive tire as follows:
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A highly siped center rib and lateral grooves to help enhance all-season traction
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Use of Goodyear’s Tredlock Technology, which contains interlocking micro-grooves and a wide tread, to help stabilize the tread for long life and enhanced toughness
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A steel-belt casing package for toughness, endurance and robust retreadability
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Penetration protectors to help resist stone drilling, which also enhances casing retreadability
As to how the Fuel Max LHD G505D is priced, Buckham told FleetOwner that the tire maker does not discuss pricing as it chooses “to go to market with all we do to bring value to customers.”
He also noted that Goodyear has received “very positive responses so far” from truck builders that might select the tire for original-equipment fitment.
