Goodyear’s New Super-Single Tire Offers Long Mileage for Mixed-Service Customers

AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 2, 2010 — Goodyear announced a new super-single mixed-service tire that enhances performance and helps lower cost-per-mile for truckers and fleet operators.

Unveiled at the Goodyear Dealer Conference in Orlando, Fla., the G296 MSA features an optimized footprint for enhanced traction in steer and drive positions, more wearable rubber on the tread for enhanced mileage, and helps reduce cuts, chipping and tears through special compounding. The tire also is available with Goodyear’s DuraSeal Technology (in a 425/65R22.5 size), which seals up to 1/4-inch diameter punctures in the repairable area of the tread. It does not seal sidewall punctures.

“The G296 MSA was developed to be a leader in the super-single segment by featuring long miles to removal and toughness,” said Donn Kramer, Goodyear’s director of commercial tire marketing. “It’s the only super-single to offer built-in puncture sealing — a huge benefit to those running in applications where flats are prevalent.”

Developed for heavy on- and off-road applications — such as mixers, dump trucks, pumpers, and other specialty heavy trucks — the G296 MSA is available in three sizes — 385/65R22.5 (load range J), 425/65R22.5 (load range L), and 445/65R22.5 (load range L). The tires offer 23/32-inch tread depth, which is up to 4/32-inch more tread depth than previous Goodyear super-single mixed-service models. “With up to 23 percent more wearable rubber on the tread than our previous generation tire, the G296 MSA has the potential to really lower the cost per mile for our customers,” said Kramer.

The new G296 MSA is actually lighter than Goodyear’s previous model. “Depending upon the tire size specified, there is up to a 7 percent weight savings with the new tire,” said Kramer.

For those in applications where nails, screws and other construction debris cause problems with flats, Goodyear’s DuraSeal Technology provides puncture sealing to help keep downtime to a minimum. DuraSeal Technology uses a gel-like, solvent-free compound built into the inner liner of the tire. It can seal punctures in the tread up to 1/4-inch without the need to repair the tire until it is retreaded. It does not seal sidewall punctures.

“This allows drivers to continue operating after a tire is punctured,” said Kramer. “DuraSeal Technology is a feature to help avoid flats — downtime and road repairs can really add up for those in tough applications.”

Thanks to an all-steel, four-belt package, the G296 MSA offers toughness and outstanding performance. “The key to achieving lower cost-per-mile performance is as much in the casing as it is in tread design and tread depth,” said Kramer. “We take great pride in the construction of our casings, which can handle multiple retreads.”

According to Kramer, Goodyear will begin offering matching G296 MSA retreads in the first half of the year to help ensure performance similar to the original tread. “It’s a full roll-out to maximize cradle-to-grave performance,” he said. “It provides great value to our customers.”

Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems offer a complete portfolio of products and services to the trucking and construction industries, including a full range of original equipment and replacement tires and retreads. In addition, the company offers fleetHQ business solutions to fleets of all sizes. This includes a nationwide network of servicing dealers, the 24/7 fleetHQ Solution Center, national programs, tire management tools, on-line information access and business problem-solving for tomorrow’s trucking fleets. For more information, visit the Goodyear Commercial Tire Web site.