Impact of Rolling Resistance on Fleet Operator’s Bottom Line

As fuel prices continue to increase, resourceful fleet operators are seeking ways to offset their rising costs. One answer is to make more efficient use of fuel to lower the cost per kilometre driven, which is where tyre design has a significant influence. Although on paper tyres only appear to constitute a nominal proportion (3 per cent) of the operating costs of a 40-tonne truck in Europe, the choice of tyre directly influences both fuel costs (17 per cent) and maintenance/repair costs (9 per cent) – so ‘tyre-dependent’ operating costs in fact total 29 per cent.

For a truck tyre to contribute to the operating economy of a fleet, it must of course be maintained at the correct pressure to achieve optimum fuel consumption and ensure low casing wear for long service life. More significantly, it must possess low rolling resistance. An it is this area that has received renewed attention Continental Truck Tyres product development teams.

According to the company, extensive in-house testing of its truck tyres against those of competitor brands show that Continental is leader in terms of low rolling resistance. Continental reports that regional traffic tyres offer a 6 per cent improvement in rolling resistance over the nearest competitor tyre, and its long distance tyres improve on that figure by another 3 per cent.

Expressed in cash terms for long-distance transport (on the steer axle), each percentage point improvement in rolling resistance represents 0.04 cents per kilometre, or a saving of 80 euros over a typical annual mileage of 200,000 km. For the drive axle, the savings are even greater at 0.1 cents per km, or a saving of 200 euros per percentage point over the same distance.

Long distance products and applications

In the coach market the influence of tyres on travelling comfort is an important factor that is frequently underestimated, yet quiet running and low noise levels contribute substantially towards the satisfaction of passengers.

Continental’s HSL1 steer tyre provides maximum comfort on long journeys, but is also said to be Continental’s answer to first class comfort on the road that has a dual effect of reducing the operating costs of both coach and truck fleets.

The tyre’s wide ground contact patch and the circumferential tread ribs are designed to ensure an even wear pattern, resulting in high mileage. Low fuel consumption is the result of the shoulder groove and a specially adapted rubber compound. Cool running is vital for low fuel consumption and this is achieved on this tyre through the so-called base of the two-component tread, which reduces the temperature in the tread area. A further financial benefit is that the high-grade Continental casings can be sold at the end of their useful life.

The tread pattern on Continental’s HDL1 drive tyre for the drive axle is unusual, in that it is directionally-orientated. This has benefits in terms of even wear, which in turn helps to achieve maximum mileage. The sipes in the circumferential lugged ribs change shape during acceleration and braking. As they open, they produce gripping edges that interlock efficiently with the road surface. This creates perfect traction in the wet and in snow. The open tyre shoulder provides further traction – and thus safety – during braking. The sipes are, however, designed to ensure excellent self-cleaning.

The HDL1 and HSL1 tyres offer a particularly economical solution for long distance traffic from fuel savings and high durability. Both tyres are available in the following sizes: 315/70 R 22.5, 295/80 R 22.5, 315/80 R 22.5

Continental offers its wide-base long distance tyre for the growing Megatrailer market. Designated 445/45 R 19.5 HTL1, the tyre offers fleet operators the benefits of fuel-saving, higher mileage and maximising load-carrying volume.

In addition to higher tyre mileage, economy is assured by the low rolling resistance of the 445/45 R 19.5 HTL1. According to research and development carried out in-house, Continental truck tyres set the benchmark for rolling resistance in the market: tests indicate a saving of up to 5 per cent in fuel usage over comparable trailer tyres.

The 445/45 R 19.5 HTL1, which has a load carrying capacity of nine tonnes, is a complementary product to the Continental 385/55 R 19.5 HTL1 (load carrying capacity of eight tonnes) and to the 385/55 R 22.5 for MidiLiner, contributing to flexible transportation solutions for fleets

Retreads

Retreads represent nearly half of the UK tyre replacement market which is why Continental is committed to investing in new retread products. It recently introduced a new ContiRe premium retread trailer tyre, available in 385/65R22.5 size, which is a full bead to bead retread giving it the appearance of a new tyre. Its tread depth of 18mm enables it to deliver exceptional mileage performance and reliability. Other sizes available in the ContiRe range are 295/80R22.5, 385/65R22.5, 11R22.5, 12R22.5 and 215/75R17.5. Continental will shortly be adding to this range with the introduction of a new 315/80R22.5 drive tyre in a regional pattern.

Continental also offers an extensive range of cold cure retreads under the ContiTread brand. ContiTread retreads continue to be supplied by appointed Bandag franchised dealers.