Goodyear increases winter tire performance range

ERJ staff report (TP)

Akron − Goodyear announced on 30 October its KMAX D and FUELMAX D tires will be available as of January 2014 in most European markets.

These are part of its commercial vehicle tire range and are suitable for winter conditions. The tires are marked with the M+S symbol and meet the performance threshold requirement on snow, which qualifies for the three-peak-mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. This allows them to have a true all-season capability and meet strict winter tire requirements.

Materials Handling World Magazine said: “Currently there is no common legislation in the European Union concerning the use of winter tires, and the mandatory use of winter tires is currently determined and regulated by national laws. However, there is an official EU definition of 'winter tire'.

“According to the EU Regulation 661/2009 a snow tire (or 'winter tire') is defined as a ‘tire whose tread pattern, tread compound or structure is primarily designed to achieve in snow conditions a performance better than that of a normal tire with regard to its ability to initiate or maintain vehicle motion’.”

Cédric Pedretti, owner of Transports Pedretti, one of the fleets involved in the testing phase of the new KMAX and FUELMAX ranges said: "We experienced impressive road holding plus excellent traction behaviour, so that our trucks could operate on winter roads without having to mount snow chains. This helped us a lot in the very difficult conditions we have encountered for many years, delivering to ski resorts: that is at night with lots of ice and snow."

He added: "Both new tire ranges also showed a well-balanced performance between fuel efficiency and mileage within their respective segments. FUELMAX is the first choice when it comes to reducing fuel consumption and KMAX to run more kilometres."