Tires are rapidly evolving through innovations in technology and materials. Smart tires send data to your car about how well the tire is performing. Tire manufacturers are developing new materials to increase traction and durability on the road. Art combines with engineering to design new tread patterns to optimize performance in all types of weather. In a nutshell, tires are becoming smarter, more reliable, and sustainable. Since many of these technologies are still evolving, understanding basic tire science can help you make better decisions about tires and tire retreading to save money on tires for your fleet.
What Is Rolling Resistance?
Rolling resistance is the amount of force it takes for a tire to roll on the road. The lower the rolling resistance, the less energy, or fuel, expended. It’s estimated that it takes about 30% of a truck’s fuel budget to overcome rolling resistance, so if you can reduce it, your fleet will save money. Low rolling resistance (LRR) tires are designed to use less energy on the road. Commercial trucks can use new LRR tires for any position on a truck, while LRR retread tires can only be used in drive and trailer positions.
How is the Design of LRR Tires Different?
LRR tires and retreads have a few key elements that reduce rolling resistance and allow your vehicle to use fuel more efficiently.
- Tread materials – LRR tires are manufactured with unique compounds to make a harder tread, keeping the tire cooler, which means it uses less energy.
- Tread patterns – A continuous tread pattern instead of an individual design requires less energy to move the vehicle.
- Sidewall construction – As a tire rolls along the surface of the road, it uses more energy when the sidewalls flex or squish. LRR tires are designed to have less deformation on the road, thereby delivering greater fuel efficiency.
Rolling resistance immediately decreases once a tire is put into service, whether new or retread. As the tread wears, it takes more energy to move the vehicle. LRR tires deliver better results than standard tires because the tread won’t wear as quickly. Tire retreading for lower rolling resistance can be part of your tire asset management program.
Tire Maintenance is Important, Even for LRR Tires!
LRR tires can make a big difference on how much fuel your fleet uses, but this doesn’t mean you can ignore tire maintenance. Checking tire inflation regularly is important to lowering rolling resistance. When tires are improperly inflated, either under or over, it raises rolling resistance. Trucks need more energy to overcome the effects of improper tire inflation. Rotating tires to reduce tread wear will also help tires last longer.
Make the Switch to LRR Tires
LRR tires offer lower emissions, a smoother ride, and an estimated 5% to 7% savings in fuel economy. Buy new LRR tires with the goal of reusing the casings in retread tires to get a lower cost-per-mile out of your fleet’s tires. STTC can help you find commercial tires that suit your fleet’s needs.
Give us a call now at 610-954-8473 or contact us online to discuss tire retreading. Our team can show you our facility and walk you through the process to help you understand the safety and quality measures to be assured that retreads fit into your tire maintenance program.
