Bridgestone Greatec Tyres Earn US SmartWay Certification

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) announced its Greatec wide base drive and Greatec wide base trailer radials have been added to the EPA SmartWay-certified list of commercial tyres. Besides meeting SmartWay’s fuel efficiency specifications, BFNT says that Greatec radials offer the additional advantage of allowing fleets to increase payloads.

Tyres that earn EPA SmartWay certification must achieve at least three percent better fuel economy than the average new tyre. Last summer, four Bridgestone-brand commercial truck tyres were approved for EPA-certified SmartWay tractors and trailers. The R287 steer, R280 steer, M720 drive and R195F trailer radials – and now Greatec drive and Greatec trailer radials – have earned EPA SmartWay certification.

In 2004, SmartWay was created as a long-term initiative for shippers and carriers of all sizes to improve fuel economy and reduce tailpipe emissions. The program helps fleets make the right choices when choosing for optimum fuel efficiency – including recommendations for both new and replacement tyres. Fleets participating in the SmartWay program are urged to use SmartWay-certified tyres for the life of their equipment.

Greatec wide-base radials are also ideal, says BFNT, for weight-conscious fleets, such as bulk haulers, flatbed haulers and fleets who tend to reach their vehicles’ gross weight limit while there is still cargo room left over. Because Greatec wide base tyres weigh less than the dual assemblies they replace, these fleets may be able to convert weight saved into extra revenue-producing payload.

Drive radials in the Greatec range have a 26/32-inch tread depth and a pattern that resembles the popular Bridgestone brand M726 EL drive radials. The tread incorporates solid shoulder ribs to combat side forces that can lead to irregular wear and a stiff, staggered tread block design to resist “heel-and-toe” wear. Greatec trailer radials have a 14/32-inch tread depth and a pattern similar to the R195F trailer radial. Both Greatec radials are built using Bridgestone’s patented Waved Belt design, which balances stiffness and resiliency to provide a very strong, stable casing that, in turn, produces a stable footprint shape throughout the life of the tyre. Furthermore, Greatec’s newest technology increases bead durability. Its T.I.P.TM (Turn-In Ply) design removes the ply end from harm’s way, wrapping it around the bead bundle – an innovation that promotes a stronger, more resilient bead.