Interesting tire article
11-28-2000, 06:32 AM
#1
Interesting tire article
The Oregonian
November 27, 2000, Monday
LENGTH: 811 words
HEADLINE: Safer Tire System by Michelin Looms on the Road Ahead
BYLINE: By Jerry F. Boone
BODY:
LAS VEGAS--The fact that American consumers largely ignore their tires can be
considered a compliment to the world's manufacturers, says Don B. Shea,
president of the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
But ignoring a vehicle's only link to the pavement also can help create tire
failures with deadly consequences.
Shea talked about the tire industry recently during the annual Specialty
Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. He said most tire
makers applaud the new "tread bill" approved by Congress, because it brings the
nation's tire standards into the modern era.
He said the current standards are more than 30 years old and based on
outdated bias-ply construction, almost never seen on the road today.
The Rubber Manufacturers Association is getting ready to launch a national
campaign to get consumers more involved in taking care of their tires. At the
same time, tire manufacturers and high-tech companies are developing products to
make that job easier.
What the world's drivers -- used to ignoring their car until something breaks
-- really need is a tire that won't go flat. And a device to tell them when a
tire needs attention.
That tire and technology already exist and may be coming soon to a dealer
near you. They won't be cheap -- at least right now -- and it may be years
before they become the standard of the industry.
The tire "system," called PAX, has been developed by the French tire-maker
Michelin, which is licensing the technology with rivals Goodyear and Pirelli in
hopes of spreading the concept.
At the same time the PAX tire is heading to market, tire manufacturers and
auto parts suppliers are working to expand tire monitoring devices that will
alert drivers when a tire loses air or begins to run too hot.
The PAX tire consists of a narrow-sidewall tire, fitted to a
specially-designed rim that locks the tire bead in place to prevent it from
coming off the wheel, even if the tire is completely deflated. Inside the tire
is a hard rubber "donut" that can support the weight of the vehicle without
creating dangerous handling problems.
Michelin says the PAX system is a true "run flat" tire that will survive 125
miles at 55 mph with no air pressure. The rubber insert is strong enough to
support the weight of a sport utility vehicle when the tire is deflated.
Michelin said the advantage of the narrow-sidewall tire is that it allows
manufacturers to use larger wheels -- for example, an 18-inch wheel on a vehicle
that today would have a 15-inch rim. That will allow suspension designers to be
more creative and engineers to make room for larger brake rotors for better
stopping.
The tire will be available soon in Europe on selected Renault and Audi cars.
General Motors has agreed to offer it on its new sports coupe scheduled to hit
the market in 2002.
"We expect the manufacturers will introduce the tires," said Don Baldwin, who
is leading Michelin's American introduction of the tire. He said it may take 10
years for it to become common technology. Michelin expects consumer pressure for
the system may drive the market faster than the 10-year target.
Manufacturers envision the PAX system installed in concert with tire pressure
monitoring devices, some of which are available in the aftermarket today.
Smartire, a company from the Vancouver area of British Columbia, recently
unveiled its unit at a trade show. The company is working with Michelin and
auto-parts manufacturer TRW to expand its marketing. It uses the same technology
found on CART Champ race cars to monitor tire pressure and warn drivers of an
impending failure.
Smartire's John Bolegoh said about 10,000 units of its first generation
system are in use. An advanced version is expected to go on the market shortly.
The system uses a sensor that takes tire pressure and temperature readings
and compares them to established norms for the vehicle. If any of the sensors
detects a reading outside the norm, it sends a radio signal to a dash-mounted
display, warning the driver of the condition.
The first generation of the system has only four radio frequencies available
-- one for each tire -- so there is a slim possibility that a sensor from a
passing car could give a false alert. The new system has 4 million frequencies
available, all but eliminating the likelihood of a false alarm. It also has the
capability of reporting actual pressures, allowing drivers to see when a tire
loses pressure before it drops into the critical area.
Bolegoh said the systems are selling for about $ 300 installed today. They
are available at larger tire store chains.
"I expect the prices will go down once the market and the production volume
increases," he said.
November 27, 2000, Monday
LENGTH: 811 words
HEADLINE: Safer Tire System by Michelin Looms on the Road Ahead
BYLINE: By Jerry F. Boone
BODY:
LAS VEGAS--The fact that American consumers largely ignore their tires can be
considered a compliment to the world's manufacturers, says Don B. Shea,
president of the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
But ignoring a vehicle's only link to the pavement also can help create tire
failures with deadly consequences.
Shea talked about the tire industry recently during the annual Specialty
Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. He said most tire
makers applaud the new "tread bill" approved by Congress, because it brings the
nation's tire standards into the modern era.
He said the current standards are more than 30 years old and based on
outdated bias-ply construction, almost never seen on the road today.
The Rubber Manufacturers Association is getting ready to launch a national
campaign to get consumers more involved in taking care of their tires. At the
same time, tire manufacturers and high-tech companies are developing products to
make that job easier.
What the world's drivers -- used to ignoring their car until something breaks
-- really need is a tire that won't go flat. And a device to tell them when a
tire needs attention.
That tire and technology already exist and may be coming soon to a dealer
near you. They won't be cheap -- at least right now -- and it may be years
before they become the standard of the industry.
The tire "system," called PAX, has been developed by the French tire-maker
Michelin, which is licensing the technology with rivals Goodyear and Pirelli in
hopes of spreading the concept.
At the same time the PAX tire is heading to market, tire manufacturers and
auto parts suppliers are working to expand tire monitoring devices that will
alert drivers when a tire loses air or begins to run too hot.
The PAX tire consists of a narrow-sidewall tire, fitted to a
specially-designed rim that locks the tire bead in place to prevent it from
coming off the wheel, even if the tire is completely deflated. Inside the tire
is a hard rubber "donut" that can support the weight of the vehicle without
creating dangerous handling problems.
Michelin says the PAX system is a true "run flat" tire that will survive 125
miles at 55 mph with no air pressure. The rubber insert is strong enough to
support the weight of a sport utility vehicle when the tire is deflated.
Michelin said the advantage of the narrow-sidewall tire is that it allows
manufacturers to use larger wheels -- for example, an 18-inch wheel on a vehicle
that today would have a 15-inch rim. That will allow suspension designers to be
more creative and engineers to make room for larger brake rotors for better
stopping.
The tire will be available soon in Europe on selected Renault and Audi cars.
General Motors has agreed to offer it on its new sports coupe scheduled to hit
the market in 2002.
"We expect the manufacturers will introduce the tires," said Don Baldwin, who
is leading Michelin's American introduction of the tire. He said it may take 10
years for it to become common technology. Michelin expects consumer pressure for
the system may drive the market faster than the 10-year target.
Manufacturers envision the PAX system installed in concert with tire pressure
monitoring devices, some of which are available in the aftermarket today.
Smartire, a company from the Vancouver area of British Columbia, recently
unveiled its unit at a trade show. The company is working with Michelin and
auto-parts manufacturer TRW to expand its marketing. It uses the same technology
found on CART Champ race cars to monitor tire pressure and warn drivers of an
impending failure.
Smartire's John Bolegoh said about 10,000 units of its first generation
system are in use. An advanced version is expected to go on the market shortly.
The system uses a sensor that takes tire pressure and temperature readings
and compares them to established norms for the vehicle. If any of the sensors
detects a reading outside the norm, it sends a radio signal to a dash-mounted
display, warning the driver of the condition.
The first generation of the system has only four radio frequencies available
-- one for each tire -- so there is a slim possibility that a sensor from a
passing car could give a false alert. The new system has 4 million frequencies
available, all but eliminating the likelihood of a false alarm. It also has the
capability of reporting actual pressures, allowing drivers to see when a tire
loses pressure before it drops into the critical area.
Bolegoh said the systems are selling for about $ 300 installed today. They
are available at larger tire store chains.
"I expect the prices will go down once the market and the production volume
increases," he said.
11-28-2000, 07:34 AM
#2
Speaking of tires...
...Forget MK1/2 and spoiler, to me the real vulnerability/coverup of the TT is the fact that the car is delievered with summer tires, and I am guessing that most drivers won't realize this until they hit their first bad patch of winter driving. Hopefully, they'll survive it long enough to call Tirerack.
I'm figuring that the vast majority of TT owners don't visit this board, and if they took delivery from a dealer like mine, no one ever mentioned winter tires. I, for one, heard the word 'Quattro' and didn't ask any further, figuring they just HAD to put something decent on the wheels. I predict at least a couple of sorry TT sightings because of tire ignorance.
I'm figuring that the vast majority of TT owners don't visit this board, and if they took delivery from a dealer like mine, no one ever mentioned winter tires. I, for one, heard the word 'Quattro' and didn't ask any further, figuring they just HAD to put something decent on the wheels. I predict at least a couple of sorry TT sightings because of tire ignorance.
11-28-2000, 07:50 AM
#3
True, the dealer doesn't say anything, but I do remember reading somewhere, maybe manual, that
the OEM tires were not really suited for winter driving. I'll check that out when I get home tonight. But remember when I read it, oh good, that means....mo' money.
11-28-2000, 08:26 AM
#7
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My delaer said the tires would be fine for winter driving...
as long as I drove "normally," whatever that means. After discussions with people that have driven with the stock tires in ice and snow, I realize it is imperative to get a good set of winter tires (yes, Larry - I will buy your tires this week - lol). Just makes me a little angry that I wouldn't have realized this until I ended up in a ditch or against a highway divider.
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11-28-2000, 08:41 AM
#9
Perhaps it's in the manual or elsewhere, but I'm sure you don't see it till the deal is done.
...so it might be handy to know up-front that you're looking at another $1k on top of purchase price, especially if you're buying the car in the fall.
- OR -
You become a tire expert in your spare time so that you can recognize bad tires when shopping for a car. Now, and thanks to you guys here at the forum, I are a tire expert. And this is all much to my chagrin, because I've always aspired to mediocrity about things like speed ratings and rubber compounds.
- OR -
You become a tire expert in your spare time so that you can recognize bad tires when shopping for a car. Now, and thanks to you guys here at the forum, I are a tire expert. And this is all much to my chagrin, because I've always aspired to mediocrity about things like speed ratings and rubber compounds.
11-28-2000, 08:54 AM
#10
But let me clarify, it's not really about the cost...
If the dealer doesn't say anything about snows, sure he's trying to spare you the realization that you're not done opening your wallet, but that misses my point.
My point is that I know many people, I was one of them, that couldn't care less what tires they are running. They get in, they put the car in gear and step on the gas. To not make these people aware of the fact that their "Quattro, all-wheel, great in snow" vehicle falls well short of the mark is downright dangerous, forget about the money. In this case I think Audi is selling a false sense of security, and the difference between perception and reality in this case far exceeds the issues we might have had with the suspension and spoiler - there will be many more people caught by surprise by a defensive maneuver on a 50mph patch of crud than a loose rear end while curving at 130mph.
Put another way, were it not for this board, I would go out in the snow with my 040s, spin around for a while and then go "boy, quattro really sucks - give me my old fwd". Then maybe I'd look into the tires, realize the problem and fix it. If I were lucky, I wouldn't hit a telephone pole in the meantime.
imho.
My point is that I know many people, I was one of them, that couldn't care less what tires they are running. They get in, they put the car in gear and step on the gas. To not make these people aware of the fact that their "Quattro, all-wheel, great in snow" vehicle falls well short of the mark is downright dangerous, forget about the money. In this case I think Audi is selling a false sense of security, and the difference between perception and reality in this case far exceeds the issues we might have had with the suspension and spoiler - there will be many more people caught by surprise by a defensive maneuver on a 50mph patch of crud than a loose rear end while curving at 130mph.
Put another way, were it not for this board, I would go out in the snow with my 040s, spin around for a while and then go "boy, quattro really sucks - give me my old fwd". Then maybe I'd look into the tires, realize the problem and fix it. If I were lucky, I wouldn't hit a telephone pole in the meantime.
imho.