Tyres Archives

Michelin launches new Pilot Sport 5 in Asia and Australia

Building on the successful Pilot Sport 4 tyre, Michelin today launched the new Pilot Sport 5 in Asia and Australia today. For markets in Asia, the fifth generation of the popular high-performance tyres will be offered in up to 43 sizes for 17-inch to 21-inch wheels. The Malaysian market will have 26 sizes from 17 to 19 inches, with 21 more sizes from 17 to 21 inches to be made available by the end of this year. The recommended retail prices of the new tyres range from RM700 to RM1,900.

Sophisticated features
Targets at sportscar and high-performance sedan drivers, the new Pilot Sport 5 has a range of sophisticated features and is, of course, improved in performance over its predecessor. The key features include Dual Sport Tread Design technology, Groove Clear, Dynamic Response technology, MaxTouch Construction, and Premium Touch Sidewall Design.

Dual Sport Tread Design technology is like having two tyres in one as there is a two-sided functionalized tread design inspired by Michelin’s motorsport experience. On the inner side of the tyre is a tread pattern with large grooves and high void ratio for enhanced wet road traction, while the outer has rigid blocks for better grip on dry roads. Groove Clear is the association of large longitudinal grooves that guide water under the tyre into wide transversal channels from which the water is ejected to keep the contact patch as dry as possible.

Shorter stopping distances
Independent testing showed that on a wet road, the Pilot Sport 5 stopped 1.4 metres (new tyres) and 4 metres (worn tyres) shorter than other premium brands. On a dry road, the stopping distance was 1.3 metres shorter. Other testing also showed that the Pilot Sport 5 lasted 33.5% longer than tyres from other premium brands. This longevity is due to the MaxTouch Construction that maximizes the tyre’s contact with the road and evenly distributes the forces of acceleration, braking, and cornering without sacrificing performance.

Lasting performance
Michelin also makes sure that its tyres provide lasting performance throughout the lifespan. This is made possible by Dynamic Response technology that uses a high-density aramid and nylon hybrid belt which promotes driving precision for optimum transmission of steering instructions onto the road. This belt, which is located just below the tread, is both very resistant and light. Thus, at equivalent weight, the associated nylon and aramid are 5 times more resistant than steel.

The tread pattern usually gives character to a tyre but for the Pilot Sport 5, the sidewall too has been given sporty and appealing aesthetics. Michelin’s patented velvet sidewall branding, called Premium Touch Design has a matte-black velvet-like micro texture which gives a premium look and feel.

Drivers who care for their tyres and for safety will regularly check on the tread wear (besides the pressures). To make it easier, Michelin has added Wear2Check, an easy-to-find and easy-to-read tread wear indicator (TWI) on each tyre. This is visible by three tiny holes on certain tread blocks, indicating the area where the TWI is running across.

“With the Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Michelin further strengthens our complete and best overall high-performance Pilot Sport range, with ‘Performance Made to Last’ being our key differentiator. Inspired by motorsports, the tyre is perfect for drivers who demand sporty driving performance and expect nothing but the best. What’s more, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 goes one step further in aesthetics, as evidenced by its 2021 Contemporary Good Design Award – one of the world’s most prestigious international design awards,” said Michelin Malaysia’s Managing Director, Oliver Biggart.

Michelin Malaysia introduces BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A tyre for SUVs and pick-up trucks

Michelin Malaysia introduces BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A tyre for SUVs and pick-up trucks

With the explosive growth in SUVs for many years now, demand for replacement tyres for such vehicles has obviously been growing. So besides offering passenger car tyres, companies have now to also offer SUV tyres which have to be a bit more robust and handle heavier loads, and be off-road capable.

There are many brands on the market nowadays which offer SUV tyres but it’s always better to buy tyres from a reputable and known brand. BFGoodrich is a brand in the Michelin group, so it is obviously a trusted brand and Michelin Malaysia has brought in a new tyre from the brand for SUVs.

The new tyre is the Trail-Terrain T/A, a premium ‘on-road plus’ tyre which can perform well on highways and also handle light off-road motoring (which is what most SUV owners do). Its performance is due to having an optimized footprint design, and resistance to chipping and tearing, and a serrated shoulder design optimized for soft-soil traction without increased road noise.

The tread has Full-Depth 3D Locking Sipes that provide good tread block stability for even wear so tread life can be longer. The tyre also provides a quiet and comfortable ride on all surfaces.

The Trail-Terrain T/A is available in 41 sizes so it covers a wide range of SUV models and can also be used for pick-up trucks. However, availability of sizes will be dependent on dealer’s stock, but they should be able to order from Michelin Malaysia anyway. The tyre covered by a 6-year manufacturer’s warranty.

*The new BFGoodrich tyre is suitable for many SUVs and pick-up trucks, including the Nissan X-Trail (above) and Isuzu D-MAX (below).*

“The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A responds to the post-covid adventure mindset and the growing DIY trends that target drivers of All-Wheel-Drive crossover utility vehicles, sports utility vehicles and light trucks. These are adventure-ready vehicles offering versatility for hobbies, carrying gear, and outdoor recreational activities – perfect for the next exploration ahead,” said Michelin Malaysia’s Managing Director, Oliver Biggart.

First Mercedes-Benz Original Tyres & Rims Boutique in Malaysia

When it opened for business in 1895, Cycle & Carriage was a general store offering all kinds of products, from soap to writing paper to screwdrivers and simple machine parts. Four years later, it added bicycles, motorcycles and motorcars. Quite likely, the company would also have sold wheels and tyres during the period at the dawn of motorisation.

122 years later, Cycle & Carriage (C&C) still sells cars – Mercedes-Benz, in particular – and it still also sells Original Tyres and Rims. While all of its outlets can supply the items, it has an Original Tyres and Rims Boutique at its Autohaus in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. C&C is the first and only dealer in Malaysia to have such a boutique to broaden its aftersales service experience.

Optimized for safety and performance
The boutique has the Mercedes Original range of certified original tyres and Mercedes-Benz rims and accessories that are not only styled with good looks but also optimised for safety and performance. Customers can choose from an assortment of tyre and rim combinations with sizes that are suited for each Mercedes-Benz model.

Though made by global tyre companies, every Mercedes Original (MO) tyre is developed and manufactured to the highest quality that meets the stringent requirements of Mercedes-Benz. While the same tyre may also be available in the open market, the MO tyres are the result of a thousand hours of engineering and testing to ensure more specific matching to the cars they are recommended for. This means that the driver can enjoy the full performance levels which the engineers originally designed the car with.

Four types of tyres
The boutique offers four types of high-performance Mercedes Original tyres. Besides Mercedes Original tyres, there are Mercedes Original Extended tyres which enable temporary extended mobility in the case of a flat tyre. There are also Mercedes Original 1 tyres, a selection developed for Mercedes-AMG vehicles and high-performance needs. For customers who want more quietness, there are the Mercedes Original Silent tyres.

The boutique offers an interactive experience where customers can view, touch, and feel the differences of each of the wheels and tyres. Such interactivity allows every customer to learn about the benefits of the products’ effect on performance and driving experience.

“We are excited that our new Mercedes-Benz Original Tyre and Rims Boutique experience can help customers learn more about these high-performance products that add comfort, safety and performance to their vehicles,” said Wilfrid Foo, CEO of Cycle & Carriage. “Being able to offer the Mercedes Original range of tyres and rims at the boutique is an important part of our effort to give our customers the most exceptional journey with their Mercedes-Benz.”

Cycle & Carriage Mercedes-Benz Tyres and Rims Boutique — *C&C also has Mercedes-Benz Original Tyres and Rims showcases at its Cheras and Glenmarie (Selangor) outlets.*

Mercedes-Benz to have regional After-Sales Logistics Centre in Malaysia from 2024

Vaccination does not make you immune to COVID-19 infection. You can still get infected and although you may not show symptoms, you could spread the coronavirus to others. Do not stop taking protective measures such as wearing a facemask, washing hands frequently and social distancing.

F1 tyres to go from 13 inches to 18 inches in 2022 (w/VIDEO)

The 2022 Formula 1 World Championship will see the biggest changes in technical rules in some 4 decades. Among those changes – which are expected to contribute to close racing with more overtaking – are the switch 18-inch wheel rims from the current 13 inches. This means installing new low-profile tyres from Pirelli, which continues to be the tyre-supplier for F1.

13 inches since 1960s
Tyres in 13-inch size have raced for nearly the entire history of the championship to date, from the 1960s. Nonetheless, at the time – and into the subsequent decade – there was still a lot of regulatory freedom around wheel size. In the 1980s, 13 inches finally became the definitive size.

Pirelli first ran a 13-inch tyre in Formula 1 at the 1981 San Marino Grand Prix with the Toleman. Then, in the same season (Michelin and Goodyear supplied tyres then) and subsequent ones, other teams adopted the Italian tyres for their cars. Since 2011, Pirelli has been the sole tyre-supplier for the sport.

The first win for Pirelli’s 13-inch tyres came at the 1985 French Grand Prix, fitted on Nelson Piquet’s Brabham-BMW. Pirelli brought in a new generation of 13-inch tyres from 1989 (two years after the P Zero name was born) which were used until 1991. As Global Tyre Partner from 2011, Sebastian Vettel was the first to claim a championship for a Pirelli 13-inch tyre with Red Bull.

Wider tyres, faster lap times
In 2017, Pirelli innovated by introducing tyres that were 25% wider than they had been previously, providing a bigger footprint and more grip, which in turn resulted in lap records being lowered all over the world.

Since becoming sole supplier, more than 400,000 13-inch tyres have been produced from the Pirelli factories at Izmit in Turkey and Slatina in Romania.

Testing since 2014

The 18-inch tyres have been tested on F1 cars since 2014 when Pirelli first ran such tyres at a test at Silverstone with Lotus reserve driver Charles Pic. Initially, it was the intention to adopt 18-inch tyres from 2021 as part of a package of new technical regulations, but this was deferred to 2022 due to the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the meantime, Pirelli successfully ran 18-inch tyres in Formula 2 since the 2020 season and completed 36 days of 18-inch testing with Formula 1 cars that were modified to accommodate the new size. It’s actually the size of the rim that changes, adding 5 inches (127 mm) to the diameter that has been a constant in GP racing since the 1960s. This has been characterized by compact, very wide tyres featuring a ‘pot-bellied’ sidewall seen on four corners of the racing cars.

With a bigger emphasis on technological proximity to the road car as well as aesthetics, the brand new P Zero F1 tyre has the same tread width as before (305 mm at the front and 405 mm at the rear) but a slightly bigger overall diameter, which grows from 660 mm to 720 mm. The most significant change is a reduction in the sidewall, which now resembles that of the low-profile Pirelli tyres that, for years, have been seen on many performance road cars.

Less turbulence, closer racing
This new profile will change the behaviour of the racing cars, making them more precise when changing direction. From the tests carried out so far – in both dry and wet conditions – the drivers’ feedback has been positive, and the new tyres will contribute to even more competitive races, with cars that are less sensitive to aerodynamic turbulence while following behind one another (so racing can be closer). The lower sidewall also means that the tyre will flex less, meaning that it will have less impact on the overall aerodynamics of the car.

The compounds for the 18-inch tyres will also be completely new, to ensure maximum consistency and less overheating. Five compound grades will be available for the 2022 championship, three of which will be chosen for each race weekend (as has been the case this year).

*Pirelli tyres were on the racing cars during the first years of Formula 1 in the 1950s,*

By going from 13-inch to 18-inch, Pirelli is the only tyre manufacturer that has competed in Formula 1 with all the wheel sizes that have been part of the World Championship’s history. It’s a story that began in 1950, with its first wins and titles with Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati. Those were front-engined racing cars that ran on tall and narrow tyres.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina over the weekend was the last race in F1 history where the cars ran on 13-inch tyres. To celebrate the ‘changing of the guard’, all the 13-inch slick tyres used in the race had a special logo on the sidewall: ‘Next year I turn 18’.

A look at the Formula 1 racing car of 2022

Run-flat tyres – an example of technology transfer from motorsports

Run-flat tyres, though seemingly a recent development, have been around since the 1930s although they were not as commercialized like today. From the 1980s onwards, most of the major manufacturers developed tyres that could continue to be used even when the air pressure was lost due to a puncture. This capability was initially required for military vehicles as well as vehicles carrying important people that might be attacked.

Eventually, run-flat tyres entered the market and appealed to carmakers because they not only provided extra safety and convenience but also gave the possibility of leaving out the spare tyre and saving some weight. Of course, due to the technology they have, they are more expensive than normal tyres but are an acceptable extra cost for premium luxury models.

Keeping rallycars running
At Pirelli, development of run-flat tyres began in the 1990s, mainly to provide tyres for rally drivers to continue even with a puncture, rather than being stranded by the side of the road. New technology was tried and tested in rallies by teams associated with the tiremaker. These had a reinforced structure that mad the tyres stronger and able to still run for several minutes after air was lost. In competition, those few minutes made a big difference.

As another example of technology from competition being transferred to road-going cars, Pirelli was able to use the same technology from its first run-flat tyres to offer motorists in 2001. However, as comfort was not a priority when the tyres were used on rallycars, the early run-flat tyres were hard and ride comfort was not so good initially.

*Providing tyres that could keep rallycars running even with punctures helped Pirelli to develop run-flat technology.*

Improvement in comfort for road use
Nevertheless, Pirelli carried out R&D into new materials and processes to improve comfort and also other aspects such as grip and handling. Thanks to new technology in the tyre’s structure as well as advances in the materials used, the way that the tyres absorb bumps in the road has been refined over time, to the point that they can now offer the same levels of comfort as standard tyres. To use run-flat tyres, engineers have to tune the suspension of the cars accordingly.

The key advantage of having a run-flat tyre is that the driver does not have to stop and change to the spare tyre when a puncture occurs. It is possible to continue for some distance, at least to a tyre shop where the puncture can be fixed or the tyre replaced. However, there are speed limitations (around 80 km/h) and the tyre is intended for emergency use and not long-term use.

Pirelli’s Self Supporting system (blue areas) is incorporated in the sidewalls for specific reinforcement which allows a deflated tyre to support lateral and transverse loads of the vehicle even in the absence of air pressure.

Original fitment by many carmakers
Over the last 20 years, Pirelli’s engineers have developed more than 1,000 different types of tyre featuring run-flat technology of different sizes and seasonal applications. To date, the company has supplied more than 70 million run-flat tyres, mostly as original fitment on models by BMW, Mini, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, Audi and others.

Good for EVs
Run-flat tyres are also of interest to manufacturers of electric vehicles, which still need tyres to run on. Being able to leave out the spare tyre or even not have to carry a repair kit can mean less weight on board and that can help in adding to the cruising range. Additionally, the space that is usually allocated for a spare tyre can be utilized for the battery pack.

2021 Mercedes-Benz EQA — *Run-flat tyres are also good for electrically-powered cars which need to be as light as possible, so not having the weight of a spare wheel helps.*

Run-Flat technology will therefore also play an important role in electric vehicles as well as autonomous vehicles, the latter by helping the vehicle remain under control even in an emergency situation.

Some of the Pirelli run-flat tyres include Pirelli Elect and PNCS noise-cancelling technology. The former is dedicated to electric vehicles and is focussed on low rolling resistance, reduced tyre noise, immediate grip, and a structure that can support the weight of a battery-powered vehicle. PNCS is focussed on reducing perceived tyre noise inside the cabin, thanks to the use of special sound-deadening material on the inside of the tyre.

So long as motor vehicles run on wheels, tyres will be needed and run-flat technology will remain an important element. Pirelli continues to improve its run-flat tyre range as new technologies become available and affordable, with a view of future requirements by the industry and motorists.

The Pirelli tyres to be used for the 2021 F1 season-opener in Bahrain

The 2021 Formula 1 World Championship starts off this weekend in Bahrain, instead of Australia where the first round has traditionally been. So instead of preparing for the circuit in Melbourne, tyre-suppliers Pirelli have had to change plans and select tyres for the circuit in the desert which has some of the most abrasive asphalt of the season.

At the 3-day pre-season test on the circuit, the teams had the entire P Zero range at their disposal, but many chose to concentrate on the three compounds nominated by Pirelli engineers. With the track having been used just 4 months ago, little about it will have changed since the teams were last there: giving them a stable basis to work from.

Windy testing conditions
The testing was influenced by the local conditions and the first day was consistently windy with gusts that reached 47 km/h, affecting the aerodynamics on the cars. As a result of the wind, there was plenty of sand on the track that compromised grip. Temperatures were also particularly high, so the combination of these factors led to some surface overheating and increased tyre degradation.

On the second day, the wind still remained but temperatures were lower, which reduced the overheating. As a result, the teams had a better balance with their cars, with plenty of set-up work carried out over generally short runs, as was the case on the opening day.

The third and final day was run in better track conditions with moderate winds and a cool breeze but track temperatures similar to the first day. Many teams carried out long runs using the compound tyres nominated.

The three compounds
The three compounds are C2 as the P Zero White hard, C3 as the P Zero Yellow medium, and C4 as the P Zero Red soft. This is the same nomination as last year’s Bahrain GP but there is a new tyre construction this year for the latest cars. The 2021 cars, in fact, have reduced downforce compared to last year, under the most recent technical rules.

The new tyres for 2021 have been designed to improve strength and durability, allowing them to run at lower pressures, while the actual compounds are the same as last year. During testing of the 2021 tyres last November in Bahrain, rear tyre pressure was reduced by 0.5 psi and front tyre pressure by 1.5 psi. Then, following telemetry analysis and the reduction of rear downforce in particular, rear tyre pressure was further reduced by 1.5 psi at recent test in Bahrain. This is now confirmed for the race.

The number of sets allowed per weekend is the same as last year (13) despite the there being an hour less of running, with Friday’s free practice sessions now cut to one hour each. As was the case last year, there’s a standard allocation for every car in 2021.

Racing after sunset
The Bahrain race is run at night and gets underway in the evening at 6 pm. After sunset, track temperatures that can fall quite rapidly once the race gets underway and this in turn affects tyre behaviour and therefore strategy.

The asphalt (with high granite content) in Bahrain is well-known for being abrasive, increasing tyre wear and degradation. Last year’s race – which featured a red flag and multiple safety car periods – was won by Mercedes-AMG driver Lewis Hamilton with a 2-stop strategy. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who finished second, was one of just two drivers to change tyres 4 times.

Condensed testing session
Commenting on the tyres, Mario Isola, Head of F1 and Car Racing at Pirelli, said: ”Just 4 months after having two races in Bahrain, and two weeks after 3 days of pre-season testing, we’re back there for the first race of the 2021 season. During the test, we saw many teams concentrated on the compounds nominated for the race, but the conditions we experienced in testing might not be entirely representative of the race.”

“The teams also ran a very wide variety of different programmes during just the one condensed session, whereas in the past, with two test sessions, the second session was usually more focussed on tyres. So it’s hard to draw many firm conclusions. With new specifications of cars and tyres, as well as the shortest pre-season in recent memory, the competition is wide open: especially given that the track characteristics of Bahrain have often resulted in interesting strategic battles, with a number of different tactics used,” he added.

The third 2022 18-inch tyre test of the year (the second one with slicks) will take place for 3 days in Bahrain after the race. Ferrari will run on the first day, with Alpine running on the final two days.

Yuki Tsunoda to drive for Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda in 2021 F1 championship

Michelin to introduce Pilot Sport EV for electric sportscars next month

*Visit www.bhpetrol.com.my for more information.*

As electric vehicles move into the mainstream, tyremakers are slowly focussing R&D on developing tyres which are more specifically engineered to meet the specific handling and range requirements. This will be especially so with the new generation of electrically-powered sportscars like the Porsche Taycan. Issues like weight and rolling resistance will have a great priority.

Specifically for electric sportscars
Michelin’s Pilot Sport EV is the first tyre from the French company which is designed to address the specific demands made by electric sportscars. It is the result of the unique experience acquired by Michelin’s involvement in the all-electric single-seater Formula E racing series.

*Michelin, as the tyre supplier for the all-electric single-seater Formula E championship, has developed tyres specifically for the racing cars.*

Technological experience from Formula E
A founding partner of Formula E, Michelin proposed a specific solution for the championship’s racing cars that is similar in its concept to a road tyre. The Michelin Formula E tyre is capable of racing in any weather conditions, while its size – 18 inches – is consistent with current road-car norms.

One example of how the Pilot Sport EV benefits directly from the progress Michelin has achieved over 6 seasons in Formula E is the ElectricGrip Compound technology. This features a hard compound for the centre of the tread to provide the grip required to handle high torque characteristics of electric sports cars. The sidewalls carry over the same pattern and velvet-finish markings of Michelin’s Formula E tyre.

Additionally, MaxTouch Construction maximizes the tyre’s contact with the road and evenly distribute the forces of acceleration, braking and cornering – delivering longer tread life without sacrificing performance.

Quieter and further
Electric cars run quietly so the tyres will also have to be as quiet as possible. To achieve this, Michelin engineers have cut out 20% of road noise using the company’s Acoustic technology which takes the form of a custom-developed polyurethane foam that reduces cabin noise.

There is the promise of optimal grip on dry and wet road – irrespective of the tyre’s level of wear – taking into account the higher weight and weight-distribution characteristics associated with electric sportscars. Resistance to wear is also tailored in response to the high torque and acceleration forces generated by electric powertrains.

The tyre’s low rolling resistance is claimed to extend operating range by up to 60 kms. This has been calculated in a Rolling Resistance internal study comparing a 255/45 R19 Pilot Sport EV (6.7 kg/t) with the same-sized Pilot Sport 4 SUV (8.8 kg/t). In the case of an electric vehicle weighing 2,151 kgs with a range of 540 km, the difference (2.1 kg/t) equates to more than 60 kms of additional range, or more than 10% of the original range.

Carbon-neutral throughout
The new tyre is also an eco-responsible product and will be CO₂-neutral at the point of sale. Michelin has cut CO₂ emissions from its industrial sites by 25% since 2010 and aims at their carbon neutrality by 2050.

In order to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the life of its tyre and address the demands of electric sportscar owners, Michelin has pledged to neutralize the CO₂ emissions associated with the tyre’s production and transport to its point of sale. This process includes the financing of projects aimed at offsetting and absorbing the residual CO₂emissions associated with tyre production through the Livelihoods carbon fund until the day comes when it will be possible to eliminate them entirely.

The Pilot Sport EV will go on sale from April 2021, starting with the China market, followed by Europe and North America from the third quarter of this year. By 2024, Michelin plans to increase its sales in the high-growth markets by a factor of eight.

Click here for other news and articles about Michelin.

US President Trump urges party supporters not to buy Goodyear tyres

Generally, companies avoid being involved in politics and prefer to remain neutral, minding their own business. Of course, in a democracy, each citizen has the right to choose which political party they want to support but that’s personal and the company they work for would not influence them one way or another. At the same time, to keep things neutral within the company, actions associated with any political parties would be forbidden in the workplace and in policies.

That’s what someone in Goodyear probably wanted to remind people at a training event recently and it came to the attention of Donald Trump, the US President. He had learnt that a presentation slide at the event in one of the tyremaker’s factories was about company policy which does not permit political attire in the workplace, giving the red caps that carry the ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) slogan of Trump’s Republican party as an example.

Caps with the company’s brand name or logo would obviously be permitted but Goodyear does not permit its employees to wear caps with political slogans like the red ones used by Trump’s party supporters (inset).

Under normal circumstances, the controversial President would probably just be angry but with his re-election campaign underway, he is even more furious about such ‘discrimination’. For Trump, not showing support for his policies and his administration are already bad enough, so forbidding people from wearing his party’s caps is deemed ‘unfair’. More so when the company is okay with issues relating to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ and LGBT movements, and allows its employees to wear apparel relating to these issues.

This led to him sending out a message to his supporters on Twitter to boycott Goodyear and not buy its tyres. “Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES – They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS. Get better tires for far less! (This is what the Radical Left Democrats do. Two can play the same game, and we have to start playing it now!),” he urged.

Goodyear was quick to respond with a statement (via Twitter as well) that clarified that the training slide ‘was not created or distributed by Goodyear corporate’. The statement, however, reminded employees to ‘refrain from workplace expressions in support of political campaigning for any candidate or political party, as well as similar forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of racial justice and equity issues’.

Goodyear is not the only company that has received such an attack by Trump. He has also called for a boycott of Harley-Davidson because it wanted to move its production out of America. Other companies and products that he has targeted include Apple, CNN, a scotch whisky company – and even Oreos (yes, those biscuits)! And with his war against China, Huawei and TikTok have also come under attack by Trump, who has been President since January 2017.

*Goodyear joins a long list of companies and products that Trump dislikes because they do things against his policies or don’t show support for his administration.*

*The US President’s limousine, nicknamed ‘The Beast’, runs on tyres that Goodyear specially developed.*

Whether Trump’s call to boycott Goodyear will have any noticeable effect on its tyre sales remains to be seen (he does have many supporters) but on his part, he might even ask for the tyres on ‘The Beast’ – the nickname for his huge limousine – to be made by someone else. The tyres were specially developed by Goodyear for the official car which is made by General Motors.

‘Talking’ tyres for future vehicles will improve motoring safety

The world is extensively connected today and wherever you are on the planet, you can almost easily connect to someone else in another location. In recent years, there’s also been another type of connectivity taking place in cars where development is underway for cars to be able to ‘talk’ to each other.

This is not only useful for improving driving safety today but also tomorrow when autonomous vehicles are moving around. By communicating their position, other vehicles can avoid them if they are not visible or have been immobilised due to an accident.

Now Goodyear is also working on connected tyres which can communicate with the vehicle. With sensors embedded in the tyres, the tyre and road condition can be relayed to the vehicle’s ‘brain’. initial studies have shown that such connected tyres can reduce stopping distance lost between a new and worn tyre by 30%.

With the evolution to electric and autonomous vehicles, connected tyres and the impact they can have on stopping distance, communication with the vehicle will only increase in importance. The connected and intelligent tyre system continuously measures and records tyre-derived information, which is paired with other vehicle data and connected to Goodyear’s cloud-based proprietary algorithms.

Goodyear has been conducting road tests and field trials and its test fleet has covered 4.8 million kilometres, collecting valuable data to refine and improve the concept. The intelligent tyres can measure tyre wear, load, inflation and temperature, along with road surface conditions, in real time, allowing the vehicle to adjust and respond to these measurements and optimise vehicle performance.

“Consider someone driving on a slick, curvy road in wet conditions. The driver adjusts his movements by slowing down, tapping the brakes or avoiding sudden steering,” said Chris Helsel, Goodyear’s Chief Technology Officer. “But what happens when nobody is behind the wheel? The tyre is the only part of the vehicle that touches the ground and it can communicate vital information to the vehicle, enhancing safety and performance.”

There’s no time-frame for the introduction of connected tyres but Goodyear is continuously testing them extensively with automakers, start-ups and other groups.

Goodyear reCharge tyre creates its own treads when needed (w/VIDEO)

You can’t see pollution from tyres but it is frighteningly high!

Motor vehicles are blamed for pollution, the exhaust gases from the internal combustion process sending toxic elements into the air. Since the 1970s, carmakers have been addressing this, pushed by government regulations that became more stringent to protect the environment. The shift to electric cars is partly due to the regulations being too tough for the internal combustion engine to meet, although today’s engines are certainly much cleaner than those of 20 years ago.

Then there’s noise pollution. Studies in 2012 found that 50,000 deaths and approaching a quarter of a million cases of cardiovascular disease every year in Europe were linked to traffic noise. This type of ‘invisible’ pollution is one of the most widespread environmental problems in the European Union and there are regulations that limit noise levels.

And then there is, believe it or not, pollution from tyre wear which can be 1,000 times worse than what comes out of a car’s exhaust, according to Emissions Analytics, an independent global testing and data specialist for the scientific measurement of real-world emissions.

Harmful particle matter from tyres – and also the brakes – is a very serious and growing environmental problem, one that is worsened by the increasing number of larger, heavier vehicles such as SUVs. Electric vehicles (EVs) may have lighter bodies but they carry heavy battery packs, which also contributes to the problem.

*SUVs can generate more particles from tyre wear due to their greater weight.*

So far, perhaps because legislators have not realised it, vehicle tyre wear pollution is completely unregulated. However, there is growing concern around ‘non-exhaust emissions’ (NEE) which are particles released into the air from brake wear, tyre wear, road surface wear and resuspension of road dust during on-road vehicle usage.

NEEs are currently believed to constitute the majority of primary particulate matter from road transport, 60% of PM2.5 and 73% of PM10. In its 2019 report – Non-Exhaust Emissions from Road Traffic – by the UK Government’s Air Quality Expert Group, it recommended that NEEs are immediately recognised as a source of ambient concentrations of airborne particulate matter, even for vehicles with zero exhaust emissions of particles – such as EVs.

To understand the scale of the problem, Emissions Analytics performed some initial tyre wear testing. Using a popular family hatchback running on brand new, correctly inflated tyres, it was found that the car emitted particles amounting to 5.8 gms per km.

Traffic jam — *Test have found that a car can emit 5.8 gms of particles from its tyres for every km it travels – imagine the amount of pollution from millions of vehicles daily!*

Compared with regulated exhaust emission limits of 4.5 milligrams per km, the completely unregulated tyre wear emission is higher by a factor of over 1,000! Emissions Analytics notes that this could be even higher if the vehicle had tyres were under-inflated, or the road surfaces used for the test were rougher, or the tyres used were from a budget range – all very recognisable scenarios in real-world motoring.

“The challenge to the industry and regulators is an almost complete ‘black hole’ of consumer information, undone by frankly out-of-date regulations still preoccupied with exhaust emissions. In the short term, fitting higher quality tyres is one way to reduce these NEEs and to always have tyres inflated to the correct level,” suggests Nick Molden, CEO of Emissions Analytics.

“Ultimately, though, the car industry may have to find ways to reduce vehicle weight too. What is without doubt on the horizon is much-needed regulation to combat this problem. Whether that leads to specific types of low emission, harder wearing tyres is not for us to say – but change has to come,” he urged.

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You can’t see pollution from tyres but it is frighteningly high!

Michelin launches new Pilot Sport 5 in Asia and Australia

Michelin Malaysia introduces BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A tyre for SUVs and pick-up trucks

First Mercedes-Benz Original Tyres & Rims Boutique in Malaysia

F1 tyres to go from 13 inches to 18 inches in 2022 (w/VIDEO)

Run-flat tyres – an example of technology transfer from motorsports

The Pirelli tyres to be used for the 2021 F1 season-opener in Bahrain

Michelin to introduce Pilot Sport EV for electric sportscars next month

US President Trump urges party supporters not to buy Goodyear tyres

‘Talking’ tyres for future vehicles will improve motoring safety

You can’t see pollution from tyres but it is frighteningly high!

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