Michelin debuts latest North American truck tyres

Michelin North America is using this week’s Mid-America Trucking Show to debut the new Michelin X Multi Energy D drive tyre for regional and emerging super regional applications. The SmartWay-verified tyre delivers enhanced fuel efficiency, optimised traction and long tread life to provide significant value and performance, the tyre maker said.

“Michelin continues to push the boundaries of balancing traditional performance characteristics, and the new X Multi Energy D is no exception,” said Ted Becker, vice-president of marketing for MNA truck tire unit. “This tyre strongly addresses the mileage, fuel, traction and scrub concerns of the regional trucking application, as well as what we see as an emerging super regional application – trucks that operate approximately 100,000 miles per year, often within a 500-mile radius.”

The tyre features Michelin’s ‘Dual Energy Compound Tread’, in which the top layer of tread rubber is said to be precisely balanced to deliver exceptional fuel efficiency while exhibiting the needed wear properties to resist tread scrub. The bottom layer of tread rubber maintains cool casing temperatures for low rolling resistance and extended casing life.

The X Multi Energy D also offers “Matrix Siping Technology”; Michelin says this provides interlocking tread action for excellent traction and even wear, water and snow evacuation, and traction throughout the life of the tyre’s tread. The tyre’s “SipeSaver Technology,” a teardrop-shaped groove at the base of the shoulder sipes, relieves stresses on the tread and prevents tearing. The wide footprint and wider working belts improve stability, while the optimised footprint reduces the need for additional tread depth, allowing for significant mileage from the 24/32nds of original tread, said Michelin.

Also at its MATS booth, Michelin is introducing the X One XDN2 Pre-Mould retread, which is aimed at fleets and owner-operators who want the fuel and weight savings of a wide single with the traction of a lug-style tread.

“X One wide single tyres continue to offer huge benefits to the trucking industry,” said Becker. “The Michelin X One XDN2 retread combined with the weight and fuel savings of the Michelin X One casing offers even better grip and fuel efficiency.”

According to Michelin, the all-weather drive tread design delivers superior traction and optimised mileage. The 375mm retread is available with 27/32nds of tread depth. The tread’s “Infini-Coil Technology” ensures zero casing growth and better crown endurance, while its winged tread design provides maximum shoulder adhesion in high scrub applications, the tyre maker said.

The X One XDN2 Pre-Mold is only available for retreading on Michelin X One casings and qualifies for the ‘Michelin on Michelin Guarantee,’ which pledges 30 per cent more mileage than competitor retreads and guarantees a second X One trailer retread on a Michelin casing.