Conti Truck Tyres can Redress Euro 4 Weight Gains

For a truck tyre to contribute to the operating economy of a fleet, it must be maintained at the correct pressure to achieve optimum fuel consumption and ensure low casing wear for long service life. But more significantly, it must possess low rolling resistance, an area of product development in which Continental Truck Tyres Europe has placed a strong emphasis.

Conti reports that extensive in-house testing of its truck tyres against those of competitor brands show Continental products compare well in terms of low rolling resistance, a quality achieved through a combination of tread design, compound and other materials. Research conducted for Continental also shows that its tyres are typically lighter than those of its competitors – enough on an eight wheeler to make up for the inherent weight penalties of the technical changes needed to attain the Euro 4 emissions standard.

This lighter weight benefit has been achieved, according to Continental, by employing a low rolling resistance tread compound and design which enables lower running costs with no loss of durability or strength. With what Conti reports to be the lowest rolling resistance truck tyres available in the market, considerable savings can be made. The company’s 445/45 R 19.5 HTL1 trailer tyre, as an example, offers a saving of up to five per cent in fuel usage over comparable trailer tyres.

Whether using SCR or EGR technology, Euro 4 trucks (all those registered after 1 October 2006) have become heavier, meaning a typical reduction in payload of up to 100kg. But choosing the right tyres could wholly offset that, Continental claims, following an intensive comparative ‘weigh in’ of truck tyres from leading competitors conducted by the Entyrety organisation.

On behalf of Continental, Entyrety took the key tyres sizes used on both light and heavy trucks as well as trailers in regional, long distance and construction or off road applications and weighed the Conti product range along with equivalent products from its main competitors. Sizes weighed were as follows:

Light Trucks: 215/75R17.5, 235/75R17.5
Heavy Trucks: 11R22.5, 295/80R22.5, 315/70R22.5, 315/80R22.5
Trailer: 385/65R22.5, 445/45R19.5

Without exception, Continental’s tyres were found to be either of equal or less weight than its competitors across the entire range. Highlights of savings possible from Continental versus the worst-case competitor are as follows:

Construction / Off Road Applications:
up to 10kg saving per tyre on steer axles, up to 8kg saving per tyre on drive axles, up to 9kg saving per tyre on trailer axles

Local Distribution Applications:
up to 9kg saving per tyre on steer axles, up to 9kg saving per tyre on drive axles, up to 5kg saving per tyre on trailer axles

Long Haul Applications: up to 7kg saving on steer axles, up to 6kg saving on drive axles, up to 9kg saving on trailer axles

In a construction application the savings possible on an 8×4 are between 80 – 100kg per vehicle.

“This is a significant figure”, said Arthur Gregg, sales & marketing director Truck Tyres, “Truck makers spend massive investment to make this sort of weight gain but we can offer it as a given”. Mr. Gregg added that, since the results of the independent weight trials have been shared with various truck manufacturers, positive interest has been received from several, all of whom are now considering specifying Continental tyres on their multi axle rigid products.

“There may be a perception that the reduced weight of Continental tyres is due to there being less rubber on the tyre but this is not the case,” commented Mr. Gregg. “Extensive research has shown where tyres are most vulnerable and this is where Continental focuses the material so that its tyres are specific to the application. It is therefore the tyre compound and construction that delivers the savings and in terms of grip, mileage and resistance to damage Continental tyres perform equal to or better than their competitors in construction or off road applications.”