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.