Tyre Technology

The cynical can be forgiven for thinking that the ever increasing number of eco tyres coming to the market is simply to generate more income. However the amount evidence on reduced rolling resistance tyres and their improved fuel economy is growing all the time. So how do rolling resistance tyres help?

So-called Low Rolling Resistance tyres are made by adding silica to the tread compound of a tyre. This affects the amount of energy a tyre can absorb while it is turning or ‘rolling’. The less resistance during rolling, the less fuel your car requires to move. However, reducing resistance came at the expense of grip in wet conditions, which is not something many of us would accept.  Eco-tyres solve that issue by using silica in the tyre, which means manufacturers can improve wet grip and reduce rolling resistance. What’s the end result for the motorist? Well according to Michelin, eco tyres can save the average motorist £65.00 a year.
What other tyre technology is there?
Filling your tyres with nitrogen may seem odd but that’s exactly what motor sport and aviation professionals have been doing for years. Nitrogen is completely safe, and by using it in a mixture with oxygen to inflate your tyres the theory is that it’s possible to negate the issue of slow deflation, which is caused by oxygen slowly infusing through the tyre wall from the atmosphere.
Having a tyre that does not deflate means you will improve fuel consumption and will probably improve safety standards too. While not yet widely available this is a technology that just might become common place.