The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued an airworthiness directive concerning certain Goodyear aviation tyres manufactured in Brazil. The directive takes effect 13 September 2012 and relates to Brazilian-produced size H29x9.0-15 new tyres as fitted to vehicles including (but not limited to) Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 aircraft. Retreaded tyres are not covered by the directive.
According to Pirelli, the new Scorpion Winter tyre, designed for high-performance SUVs and crossover vehicles, features improved safety under braking and cornering while offering “the same standards of comfort, reliability and handling that was previously only available on sports cars.”
To kick off the Annual Tyre Safety Week, the Northern Ireland region of the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) is promising a dramatic demonstration of the importance of fitting the right tyre when the weather turns wintry.
Nankang has added to its winter tyre line-up with the release of the Winter Activa SV-55. The new SUV-specific tyre is available in 11 sizes for 16 to 20-inch rim diameters and in H, V and W speed ratings. The Taiwanese tyre maker says the asymmetrical tread pattern used on the SV-55 provides high drainage performance, while the large blocks on the outer edge are said to provide comfortable cornering maneuverability.
Merseyside’s Ellisons Travel specialises on providing chauffeured travel to some of the top names in professional sport, supplying Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea as well as the England Rugby Union team. Following a recent test, the company says that it will switch its luxury car fleet to Michelin tyres, having experienced improved performance and up to 30 per cent extra mileage. Ellisons’ fleet of 42 Mercedes S and E class cars will be put onto the policy first, with the company’s policy on a further three Mercedes Sprinters and 23 luxury coaches under review.
Yesterday the Mars Curiosity rover successfully went into action on the surface of the red planet, and the vehicle’s tyre tracks have gained a measure of notoriety. It turns out that Curiosity is ‘tagging’ the surface of Mars as it drives about.
Cooper Tires has added its new A/T3 tyre to its Discoverer range of 4×4 tyres. The tyre’s modern six-rib all-terrain design is engineered to provide performance both for on-road and off road driving. The A/T3 tread pattern includes a broken centre and dual draft angles on the tread to aid soft surface traction. Strategically-placed lateral groove protectors on the tread help motorists avoid stone retention and ‘drilling’. It provides solid all-terrain handling, superior all-weather traction, stability and reliable tread wear.
On 27 July Metzeler chose London as the host city for an ‘opening ceremony’ of its own, the global debut of its Feelgreen tyre. The new range, which from 2014 onwards will be supplied as original equipment on BMW’s electric C evolution scooter (120/70 R15 on the front and 160/60 R15 on the rear), is designed with an emphasis on minimising rolling resistance.
Two-wheel tyre specialist Metzeler has launched a new scooter product at the Olympic Games. The Feelgreen is being used by some journalists as they move around the London venues; the tyre has been chosen as original equipment by BMW for its electric C evolution scooter, which was introduced at an international press conference on the opening day of the Games. The new scooter will be fitted with the Metzeler Feelgreen in size 120/70 R15 on the front and 160/60 R15 on the rear, and will be sold from 2014 as exclusive original equipment on the BMW electric scooter, as well as in the replacement market.
The Maxxis Bighorn MT762 radial tyre is designed to delivers a smooth ride on the road alongside superior off-road grip, especially in muddy conditions. One characteristic you don’t necessarily expect from mud tyres is longevity, but a driver in Australia predicts he has recorded a total 100,000km out of a set of Bighorn tyres. The feat isn’t “half bad”, according to electrician and refrigeration mechanic Bob Stokes, whose modifications to a 76 Series Toyota Landcruiser have been chronicled by Australian motoring magazine 4WD Action.
Bridgestone Commercial Solutions has announced the North American launch of the M853, a new on/off highway all-position radial for regional hauls. Bridgestone says the M853 combines wear resistance with extra load capacity for longer service.
Marangoni has adopted a new naming system for its retreaded truck tyres marketed under the Marix brand. According to the company, the new codes used to identify these products give operators immediate information on the application and type of tyre. Company representatives report that this is not a new policy, but rather represents the completion of a process that has already been underway for some time.
Half a year after its public unveiling at Intermat 2012, Michelin’s all-new XADN+ articulated dump truck tyre has been launched. The tyre is initially available in the popular size 29.5R25 and is suitable for groundwork, infrastructure construction, quarry and mine applications. The XADN+ range will replace the current XADN line-up, which was launched in 1996.
The UK is wet and it doesn’t look like drying any time soon; the country is suffering its wettest second quarter since records began in 1910. TyreSafe has reacted to the weather by publicising the necessity of adequate tyre tread to stay safe on wet roads. “Spring felt more like autumn this year with its unusually high rainfall, yet what it does show is that tyre tread depth should be checked regularly, whatever time of year, to make sure they can cope properly with wet roads,” said Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.
Dunlop has released its latest van tyre, the EconoDrive. The company says it designed the new tyre specifically to lower the cost of ownership for van owners and drivers, and claims to have employed 12 engineering upgrades and new technologies to achieve this goal.
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