Dunlop

Fuel Saving Silica Delivers Best of Both Worlds in Goodyear and Dunlop Tyres

WHAT DO WINDOWPANES, FINE WINES, TOOTHPASTE AND THE LATEST CAR TYRES FROM GOODYEAR AND DUNLOP HAVE IN COMMON – SILICA. THE MOST ABUNDANT MINERAL IN THE EARTH’S CRUST, SILICA IS FOUND IN QUARTZ AND SAND, AND THIS INNOCUOUS NATURALLY OCCURRING SUBSTANCE HAS HAD A DRAMATIC EFFECT ON TYRE TECHNOLOGY.

“The only thing allowing a vehicle to accelerate and change direction is the grip of its rubber tyres,” said Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres NZ Product Development Manager, Bill Prebble.

“The downside of rubber’s hold on the road is the resistance it causes when compressed, even when a vehicle travels in a straight line. This rolling resistance can contribute to 20% of a vehicle’s fuel usage.

“Silica will reduce the necessary compromise between fuel-sucking rolling resistance and wet road grip. It does this by reducing the compression, while still providing excellent grip on wet roads,” he said.

The use of silica started in Europe, where higher fuel prices and high grip level targets were a motivator, but demands from governments as well as consumers around the world for lower emissions are leading to increasing use.

A 20% drop in rolling resistance delivers around 4% fuel savings and better fuel economy equals lower emissions. One of the leading proponents for lower emissions, the US state of California, has demanded a 40% improvement in new car fuel economy by 2020. Nationwide, it’s been estimated that adding silica to tyre treads could reduce the US’ annual CO2 emissions by up to 45 million tonnes.

Mr Prebble explains what makes silica so effective; “The rolling resistance / wet grip compromise in carbon-based tyres is caused by the need for the tyre to operate on the roads without deformation at the point of contact and the converse ability to maintain contact and absorb imperfections in the uneven road surface.

“The use of silica allows better control in the bonding of polymer and carbon black, improving rebound properties and minimising these traditional compromises.”

“The advantages gained by silica in reducing fuel consumption are frequently accompanied with other performance improvements, either tread life or wet grip improvement, substantially improving braking distance and occupant safety,” he said.

Most new tyres offered by both Goodyear and Dunlop in Australia as Original Equipment fitments or replacement options contain silica technology, including leading products such as Goodyear’s Assurance ArmorGrip, Assurance Fuel Max, Eagle EfficientGrip, Eagle F1 GS-D3, Eagle F1 Asymmetric, and Dunlop’s LeMans LM701, SP Sport 300E, SP Sport FastResponse and the entire SP Sport Maxx range.

Tags: SILICA