Goodyear claims truck tire fuel-saving gains

AKRON (Oct. 3, 2014) — Goodyear is claiming its latest drive tire, the Fuel Max LHD G505D, is the most fuel-efficient long-haul truck drive tire in North America, offering potential savings of up to $1,444 in fuel per truck per year vs. leading competitors.

“Fuel is the No. 1 cost for trucking fleets,” said Brian Buckham, general manager, product marketing, Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems. “Goodyear has rewritten the book on fuel efficiency with the Goodyear Fuel Max LHD G505D. This tire is a must-have for fleets that are serious about reducing their cost-per-mile.”

Goodyear claims the Fuel Max LHD G505D can save, on average, $1,444 worth of fuel per truck, per year, compared with the Michelin X Line Energy D, in size 275/80R22.5 LR G.

Additionally, Goodyear said the new Fuel Max can save, on average: $896 of fuel per truck, per year, compared with the Continental EcoPlus HD3, size 295/75R22.5 LR G, and $672 of fuel per truck, per year, compared with the Bridgestone M710 Ecopia, size 295/75R22.5 LR G.

The Fuel Max is available in one size, 295/75R22.5 Load Range G, with a tread depth of 24/32nd inch. The Bridgestone M710 Ecopia and Continental EcoPlus HD3 have tread depths of 26/32nd inch while the Michelin X Line Energy D's tread depth is 23/32nd inch, according to their respective on-line data sheets.

Akron-based Goodyear said the comparisons are based on the projected fuel cost savings of a single Class 8 tractor-trailer combination truck that averages 6.5 miles per gallon and travels 120,000 miles in a year, with diesel fuel priced at $4 per gallon.

Michelin North America Inc. countered Goodyear's claim, saying Goodyear did not choose Michelin's most efficient options, the XDA Energy in a dual fitment and the X One Line Energy D wide-base-single fitment.  

Bridgestone Americas and Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. both said they were studying Goodyear's claims and considering responses.

Goodyear attributes the new tire's rolling-resistance improvement to a combination of “innovative” fuel-efficient compounds, tire constructions and tread designs, Mr. Buckham said.

The estimated fuel-consumption differences are a result of changing all eight of the tractor's drive-axle drive tires, Goodyear said.

Class 8 tractor-trailer combination truck fuel consumption was estimated using the U.S. EPA's Greenhouse Gas Emission Model and ISO 28580 rolling resistance coefficient data. Actual results may vary depending on tire size, driving and road conditions, maintenance, and operating conditions, Goodyear said.

The SmartWay-verified Goodyear Fuel Max LHD G505D improves truck fuel economy by, on average, 2 percent vs. Michelin X Line Energy D; 1.3 percent vs. the Continental EcoPlus HD3; and 0.9 percent vs. the Bridgestone M710 Ecopia, Goodyear said.

Fuel Max LHD G505D features include:

• A highly siped center rib and lateral grooves;
• Goodyear's Tredlock Technology, which contains interlocking micro-grooves and a wide tread to help stabilize the tread for long life and enhanced toughness;
• A steel-belt casing package for toughness, endurance and robust retreadability; and
• Penetration protectors to help resist stone drilling, which also enhances casing retreadability.

“Our goal is to help fleets lower their cost-per-mile,” Mr. Buckham said.

“Helping them optimize their trucks' fuel efficiency is a big part of this process. With the introduction of the Goodyear Fuel Max LHD G505D, Goodyear is staking its claim as North America's long-haul drive-tire fuel-economy leader.”