A Supplement to Fleet Maintenance magazine

Best Practices for Maintenance Management

Tire Technology Supplement

Getting the Most out of Your Tires and Fuel Tank

Tire Technology Supplement

Features

A TRUCK TIRE THAT REPAIRS ITSELF.

Tires face some of the toughest working conditions in America. Thats why theres Goodyear tires featuring DuraSeal Technology a rubber compound in the tire casing seals up to -inch punctures in * allowing the tire to maintain air the tread, pressure and remain in service until a retread is needed. This reduces vehicle downtime and costly repairs, while improving productivity and tire life. Too bad that DuraSeal Technology only xes tires.
*Seals up to 1/4-inch tread punctures only. Does not seal sidewall punctures.

4  Lowering Operational Costs

Fuel Max Technology Tires Roll Out

9  Lowering Rolling Resistance

Less Force, Less Fuel

10 Low Cost of Ownership

Fuel Max Technology Results in Lowering Life Cycle Costs

11 The Art of Recycling

UniCircle Leads Retread Growth

12  Fleets Renewed Focus

Tire Strategies for Enhancing Fuel Efficiency

14  Data Drives Decision Making

Goodyears TVTRACK Tire-Tracking Software

16 By the Numbers
A Michigan Fleet Learns Buying on Price Doesnt Translate to Lower Costs

18 Hit the Nail on the head

DuraSeal Technology Helps Ward Off Flats

11

18

20  Those Who Deliver Service

Spotlight on Tire Dealers

22 Tire Myths
What Should You Believe?

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www.goodyear.com/truck
2006 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. All rights reserved.

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Tire Technology Supplement

When Fuel Efficiency Counts

Fuel Max Technology Tires Roll Out

uel is a necessary ingredient that helps you make money, but its unfortunately at a cost which you cant control. For most operations, its at the top of the list of expenses of doing business. As a result, savvy operators do everything they can to squeeze the most revenue out of every gallon they buy. Goodyear officials say they understand the challenges in running a successful operation. Thats why the company constantly seeks ways to build truck tires that deliver longer miles and casings that drive down cost-per-mile. With high fuel prices expected for the long term, the tire maker has introduced a new tire technology, Fuel Max, and three fuel-efficient line-haul tires that help deliver enhanced fuel economy. Born out of innovative research, Fuel Max Technology employs technology research and uses the most effective compounds. In a controlled test environment using TMC/Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Type II testing standards, Fuel Max tiresused as a system measured an eight percent

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TMC/SAE Type II fuel economy testing has verified the fuel-saving performance of Goodyear Fuel Max long-haul tires.

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improvement in fuel economy compared with standard Goodyear over-the-road tires. Translated into real-world results, customers can expect to get up to four percent enhanced fuel efficiency when variable driving conditions, such as roads, temperature, load and terrain are taken into account. For a truck that normally gets six miles per gallon, the increase to 6.24 mpg with Fuel Max

TMC/SAE Fuel Test results

8 6 4 2 0 % Fuel Savings

Standard Production Tire Combination

Fuel Max Tire Combination

Technology would produce a savings of up to $2,100 in fuel per year (assuming the truck is driven 120,000 miles annually and fuel cost is $2.85 a gallon). From a return-on-investment perspective, the tire payback in switching to Fuel Max Technology tires from our standard linehaul tires is virtually immediate, says Steve McClellan, vice president, Goodyear commercial tire systems. Conserving fuel is on everyones mind. Weve enhanced fuel economy in our industry-leading platform of line-haul tires. With Fuel Max Technology, we have blended fuel

efficiency with long tread life and excellent performance. According to McClellan, while the potential of achieving enhanced fuel economy is an important benefit, its not the only reason to select tires featuring Fuel Max Technology. Fuel Max tires also will help operators reduce their operating costs. Tires are a major expense for over-theroad trucking companies and owner-operators. We are able to enhance fuel economy while maintaining a low cost-per-mile for our customers by using innovative tread designs and blends of tire compounds, McClellan says. You have the potential of getting better mileage, which helps reduce your cost of doing business. A key element of Fuel Max Technology is reduced tire rolling resistance. Scientists and engineers discovered that tread design, depth and compound accounted for more than half of a truck tires rolling resistance, according to McClellan. Our analysis focused on increasing resiliency in our treads, says Jon Bellissimo, Goodyears director of technology for commercial tires. Casing construction and tire manufacturing were also optimized to reduce fuel consumption. The net result was a significant enhancement in fuel economy. The three fuel-efficient tires featuring Fuel Max Technology are the Unisteel G395 LHS steer tire, the Unisteel G305 LHD drive tire and the Unisteel G316 LHT trailer tire in standard (11R22.5) and low-profile (295/75R22.5 and 285/75R24.5) sizes. The company is also offering UniCircle and precure retreads with Fuel Max Technology.

Fuel Max Lineup

G395 LHS Steer Tire
Steer tire position is crucial, and engineers made a great tire by adding Fuel Max Technology to the best-selling Unisteel G395 LHS steer tire. The Unisteel G395 LHS earned its premier

of energy generated within the tread. Reduced rolling resistance means less fuel consumed, if other variables remain constant. The new Unisteel G395 LHS with Fuel Max Technology also retains the steer tires tough four-belt package casing, according to Bellissimo. The package of three inner steel belts is topped by a belt of polyamide, which helps protect against moisture and reduces tread squirm in the tire footprint during cornering. The new steer tire also inherits the original G395 LHS five-rib tread design that helps provide an optimal footprint for long-life tread wear. That aides exceptional performance through each stage of wear, Bellissimo says. Another retained feature is the original steer tires pressure distribution groove. Located on the outer shoulder rib, the pressure distribution groove bottom has a larger radius that helps reduce pressure buildup. Shoulder wear is enhanced, and irregular wear and cupping are minimized, according to Bellissimo. The result is enhanced traction and handling over the tires life, he says. Adds Kramer, When you look at the overall package, the new Unisteel G395 LHS retains all of the essential attributes of the original steer tire and enhances it with Fuel Max Technology to save on fuel.

steer tire title in the industry thanks to a long and uniform mileage performance and a robust casing, says Donn Kramer, Goodyear director of commercial tire marketing. By using dual-compound Fuel Max Technology, the new G395 LHS is taking steer tire performance to a whole new level in fuel efficiency and lower cost of operation. By emphasizing the cool-running, dual composition feature of the G395 LHS, the tire company delivers a steer tire that helps minimize rolling resistance by helping reduce the amount

G305 LHD Drive Tire

In the drive position, the Unisteel G305 LHD featuring Fuel Max Technology offers a balance between higher miles-per-gallon and lower cost-per-mile in both new tires and retreads. The tires fuelefficient tread design, compound
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blend and casing construction help enhance fuel economy. In addition, Goodyears fourbelt package aids in long tire life in linehaul applications. Like the Unisteel G395 LHS steer tire, the Unisteel G305 LHD features a cool-running, dual-compound construction that helps reduce the amount of energy generated within the tread for reduced rolling resistance. Drive tires hauling single trailers represent nearly half of a vehicles tire rolling resistance, Kramer says. The new drive tire is offered in a 26/32-inch tread depth, and its large, stable blocks help minimize tread squirm on the roadway for enhanced fuel economy, confident handling and even wear. Drivers will appreciate the sure handling and the long tire life, Kramer says. Two circumferential and extended lateral grooves, coupled with a non-evolving tread design, help provide superb traction in all weather conditions. A closed shoulder further helps promote even tread wear. These are features that make this a superb tire for operating in all kinds of weather, Bellissimo says. The company also offers Fuel Max Technology for drive tire retreads as the G305 UniCircle with 24/32-inch tread depth. In addition, the G305 precure retread is available in 22/32inch tread depth.

fuel efficiency and good mileage. According to Goodyear, the trailer position accounts for approximately 41 percent of a tractor-trailers rolling resistance. That figure climbs to 62 percent for rigs hauling double trailers. G316 LHTs contribution to a trucks fuel economy gains is undeniable, Kramer says. The new tire uses a cool-running, triplecompound construction that helps reduce energy generated within the tread. The casing features an all-steel four-belt package for a solid foundation for multiple retreads. A solid shoulder rib and innovative pressure distribution grooveborrowed from the G395 LHS steer tirehelp resist shoulder wear. Two circumferential grooves and lateral grooves help provide steady performance in all types of driving conditions. Similar to the popular G314 LHT trailer tire, the G316 LHT tire and matching UniCircle and precure retreads are offered at 12/32-inch deep tread for many miles to removal.

Its All About Lowering Rolling Resistance

G316 LHT Trailer Tire

Trailer tires, which often receive less attention than other wheel positions, should be seen in a new light when it comes to fuel economy. Testing shows they play a critical role in increasing MPG. The new Unisteel G316 LHT featuring Fuel Max Technology addresses that by delivering

ow much of a difference can Fuel Max Technology make in your fleets cost of operation? That depends on the kind of miles your trucks cover, as well as variables like temperature, weather and terrain. TMC/SAE Type II fuel economy tests conducted under ideal conditions showed an eight percent improvement with Fuel Max Technology tires as compared to standard Goodyear tires (See chart on page S6). Allowing for driving condition variables, Goodyear expects fleets to gain up to four percent in enhanced fuel economy when using Fuel Max tires in all wheel positions. Working together, Fuel Max tires help achieve major reductions in fuel-wasting rolling resistance. Simply put, rolling resistance is a measure of the force required to turn a tire under load. The energy to turn the tire comes from fuel, therefore a heavier load will require more fuel than a lighter load. Yet the proper tire with the most efficient tread will help reduce the impact of rolling resistance. Fuel Max Technology tires should make a difference from first mounting to removal. As the tire tread wears, fuel efficiency naturally increases. As long as tires are kept within recommended depth parameters, and properly maintained, fleets and owner-operators may realize enhanced fuel economy and maintain traction and handling. To get the maximum benefit, Goodyear recommends outfitting trucks with Fuel Max Technology tires in all wheel positions. Just as we recommend that truck operators mount like-branded tires in all positions to help achieve the lowest cost-per-mile, we suggest the same strategy in using Fuel Max Technology tires, says Steve McClellan, vice president, commercial tire systems. The result will be excellent mileage,

more retreads per casing, cost savings and enhanced fuel economy. Thats a winning combination.

Fuel Max Calculator Computes Fuel Savings

To learn how much you might be able to reduce your fuel bill by using tires with Fuel Max Technology, Goodyear has created an online fuel savings calculator. The site allows the user to enter fleet information such as average annual mileage per truck, average miles-per-gallon and number of trucks in fleet, plus cost of fuel per gallon. You can also fill in current tire information, including cost per position and average removal miles. The calculator computes savings based on the information provided. To use the calculator, go to www.goodyear.com/truck/ whatsnew/fuelmax/calculator.html.

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Tire Technology Supplement

Tire Technology Supplement

Fuel Max Technology: The Latest Tool to Drive Low Cost of Ownership

A quality casing is a critical component involved in lowering a fleets cost per mile.

alculating tire cost per mile is an exercise often overlooked by maintenance managers. But keeping track of what it costs to run your trucks day in and day out will help show the true numbers of doing business. For those who know their costs and those considering keeping tabs, Goodyear is ready to help out by offering its innovative Fuel Max Technology. While its name implies a focus on fuel-saving efforts, Fuel Max is the latest tool to do what other technology does: help reduce your cost of operation. Fuel Max is another example of innovative technology that can lead the way to better fuel economy, which is a vital component in reducing our customers cost of operation, says Tim Richards, Goodyears project manager for commercial long-haul tires. Our tires will help save on fuel consumption, while continuing to deliver outstanding performance. Aiding their customers efforts to drive down cost per mile is an ongoing Goodyear goal. Richards says the company aims to do that by manufacturing tires that help provide many miles

to removal and outstanding casing performance. With Fuel Max Technology, were not sacrificing performance and low cost-per-mile, rather were maximizing it with enhanced fuel economy, he says. This adds to our goal of giving our customers the best tire value by having the industrys lowest tire cost of ownership. One of the essential elements of enhancing cost of ownership is through extended casing life. Making a quality new tire is one thing, but building a tire casing that provides a solid foundation for multiple retreads is equally important. A tough Goodyear casing means that you can retread more often, which also helps lower your overall tire cost, says Darren Long, Goodyear engineering account manager. Retreads cost less than new tires and the mileage you can get from a Goodyear retread is comparable to new tires. We also look to keep the customers applications in mind, he adds. The neat bow on the package is a consistent and precise product, according to Richards. The payoff for the customer is tires that last longer, travel many miles and contribute to a lower cost of operation. The company also recommends ongoing vigilance in practicing smart tire maintenance. Long says that closely monitoring a trucks alignment and maintaining the correct tire pressure will result in more productive miles per tire. You have a lot of money tied up in your tires, Richards says. Maintaining them and keeping your trucks in alignment will get the most out of them and help reduce your cost per mile.

The Art of Recycling

UniCircle Technology Leads Retread Growth

etreads remain one of the trucking industrys best ways to recycle. According to the Tire Retread Information Bureau, if youre using retreads youre helping reduce the nations dependence on foreign oil. It takes about 22 gallons of oil to manufacture one new truck tiremost of it resides in the casing whereas a retread uses only about seven gallons. More fleets are using retreads in their tire programs and as a result, demand is rising. Although the cost of a retread is typically 30 percent to 50 percent lower than a new tire, quality retread processes give retreads comparable wear and performance to new tires. Leading the way is Goodyears UniCircle retreading process. Since its 1996 introduction, UniCircle has quickly gained loyal converts. According to Richard Kirk, Goodyear manager of retread programs and pricing, the number of authorized retreaders producing UniCircle is expected to grow 10 percent growth in the next six months. Our UniCircle business at existing distribution centers continues to grow also, he says. We now have several authorized retreaders who produce more UniCircle retreads than retreads made with flat pre-cure tread. Kirk adds that Goodyear drive and trailer

products that use Fuel Max Technology exist. Additional UniCircle development designs are underway, and they will be introduced in the next two years to meet emerging demands. What makes a UniCircle retread special? UniCircle is the result of a unique process in which a precise amount of non-vulcanized rubber is heated to curing temperature as its forced into a mold. The vulcanized tread, molded into a single, circular piece, is stretched over the buffed casing like a giant elastic band, laser positioned, and then precision-stitched. Once its cured, the finished UniCircle retread has no splice. The patterns used for its treads are like those used on new Goodyear tires, providing similar wear and rolling resistance qualities. Its simpler to manufacture than a standard retread and its manufacturing specifications maintain a more consistently manufactured product, says Ryan Searcy, retread center training manager for Goodyear. For the user, enhanced consistency translates to longer tread life than other retreads. When youre getting better performance and lower overall tire costs, its easy to see why its becoming so popular, Searcy concludes.

Goodyears UniCircle process is spliceless and provides maintenance managers a retread that features long life and uniform wear.

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Tire Technology Supplement

Fleets Renewed Focus

Tire Strategies for Enhancing Fuel Efficiency

s fuel prices have continued to fluctuate, many fleets have placed a renewed focus on fuel efficiency. Tires are a good place to start because they are a significant contributor to vehicle rolling resistance. A unique characteristic of tires is that they get more fuel-efficient as they wear. Tests have shown fuel economy can improve one percent after the tread is approximately 30 percent worn. But at some point, running tires with a worn-out tread is neither safe nor legal. Sufficient tread is needed for traction and the more tread you start with, the longer the tire will run before it has to be replaced. Engineers are constantly developing new tire designs that provide a good match of fuel economy and tread

Keep tires properly inflated: A tire underinflated by only ten percent can cost up to one percent in fuel economy.

life. Its definitely a balancing act, says Tim Richards, project manager for linehaul tires. You need to come up with a tread compound that wears well and still provides traction and toughness. At Goodyear, we work hard to develop the right combination that brings the customer the best value.

Factors to Consider for Maximizing Fuel Efficiency:

Operating Practices - How the truck is driven has a huge influence on fuel efficiency and can also affect tire life. The higher the average speed, the faster the tread will wear. Speed also affects fuel efficiency because the truck requires increasing amounts of horsepower to travel faster. Research has shown that

Tread design and compounding play an important role in lowering rolling resistance.

every five mph increase over 55 mph reduces fuel economy by eight percent. Retreads - When retreading, you can choose to specify a more fuel-efficient tread. A well-managed casing may be retreaded three or four times. Each time, you should choose the tread that best suits your goals in the intended wheel position. Alignment and Rotation - Keeping your tires running as straight as possible down the road helps save both fuel mileage and tread life. A regular alignment program for all trucks is recommended. Another good way to fight irregular wearwhich can quickly get out of hand is in rotating tires according to specified schedules. Watching for variation in tread depth among lug tires is also important. Inflation - From a maintenance standpoint, proper inflation pressure is the most important thing you can do to improve fuel efficiency. Goodyear Tire scrubbing which takes place if any wheels are research has shown a one percent drop in fuel not properly aligned will create drag and poor tire performance. economy with every 10 psi drop in tire inflation. If fleets are concerned about their bottom line, they should be looking at all these factors few mouse clicks. and weighing their options, says Tim Miller, If you really want to get serious about rooting out Goodyears commercial tire marketing communiunnecessary costs in your tire program, TVTRACK is cations manager. one tool that can really help, says Miller. It gives the For drive axle tires, reducing new tire tread big pictureand thats important when you are trying depth is one way to lower rolling resistance. to deal with variables like fuel costs. Line-haul fleets intent on getting the best fuel mileage possible need to weigh this shallower drive tire tread depth against the cost of removing the tire earlier, Miller says. They also have to factor in the gains in fuel costs against what it costs to buy a few more tires per year, maintain higher tire inventory levels, and have their trucks in the shop a little more often. On the other hand, a vocational fleet may be running more aggressive tread than is really needed, Miller says. By going to more fuelefficient treads on certain positions, it could realize some savings in fuel costs. To fully understand the impact of these tread choices, its important to survey tires and analyze the data regularly. Software like Goodyears TVTRACK makes it easy Every five mile an hour increase in speeds over 55 mph costs eight percent in fuel economy. to compare performance and costs with a

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Fleets Utilize TVTRACK Tire-Tracking Software

Data Drives Decision Making

nowing that tires are a fleets third highest cost behind fuel and labor, fleet managers are constantly searching for tools to help reduce tire costs. This is why many are turning to Goodyears TVTRACK tire-tracking software to quantify tire costs and performance. The software analyzes data by individual tires and presents it in easy-to-

read charts and graphs. Good data on specific tire applications is extremely valuable, says Tim Miller, Goodyears marketing communications manager for commercial tires. Once you have a regular data stream, fleets can use it in many different ways to help save money on their tires. High Steel Structures, Inc. selected TVTRACK software several years ago to help track and analyze tire information for its fleet of 40 power units.

The Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based company is North Americas largest fabricator of bridge steel. Its tractors pull flatbed trailers, hauling oversize loads up to 320,000 pounds throughout the eastern United States. All are equipped with Goodyear tires, including size 11R22.5 Unisteel G395 LHS and G149 on the steer position, G362 LHD on the drive and G314 on the trailer. TVTRACK makes real-time tire information available to High Steel on demand and prepares quarterly comprehensive tire surveys. After Goodyear Commercial Account Manager Bob Splick downloads High Steel data from TVTRACK, he works with nearby Service Tire to conduct a thorough inspection of the fleets tractor tires. He checks tread depths, inflation pressures and wear patterns. The results are presented to fleet maintenance manager Mike Murry. One thing TVTRACK highlighted for us was the need to change our inflation practices, says Murry. Front tires were showing irregular wear, and we thought it was a front-end alignment issue. Instead, TVTRACK showed us that our tires were under-inflated for the weights we were carrying. As a result, we increased our tire pressures from 95 psi to 105 psi and the wear issue vanished. Murry says TVTRACK data also provides valuable feedback to his maintenance staff. Out of 300 tires that we monitor, TVTRACK shows me that less than one percent deviate from our recommended inflation, Murry says. As a department director, thats important information, telling me that our guys are doing a great job. TVTRACK data analysis also helped Murry decide to use new tires solely. The heavy loads we carry put tremendous

pressure on the casings. TVTRACK showed us that new tires would provide enhanced performance and life. In our business, we cant afford to take chances with tire failure. Murry says that because of the weights and dimensions of High Steels loads, permits are required for each state, as well as police escorts through each jurisdiction. He says TVTRACK helps him make sure hes following smart tire maintenance practices and making decisions that will prevent extremely costly delays. If we have a crane and a crew waiting for our piece of steel and were delayed by a tire problem, it can cost us thousands of dollars, plus the time and hassle of rescheduling police escorts, he says. Our main goal is to have no delays on the road. There are other systems out there that analyze tires, but TVTRACK provides unsurpassed detail on each tire, Murry says. The charts are black and white. TVTRACK allows us to quantify clearly which changes are necessary and why they are necessary. Tire information also plays a vital role in reducing costs for Mt. Sterling, Illinois-based Dot Foods Inc. The company selected TVTRACK software 10 years ago, deciding the fleet needed a better way to track tire information. The food re-distributor runs 507 trucks from seven locations, hauling refrigerated, frozen and dry bulk products. Shop supervisor Duane Fischer, who works at Dot Foods Williamsport, Maryland, location where 67 power units are maintained, says TVTRACK software assists fleet managers with their budgets and provides information to make decisions on tire purchases, specifications and maintenance. We use the software to track operating costs and tire wear by individual tires, Fischer says. Its used to plan tire retreading and replacement schedules and to compare tire models for length of service and fuel economy. TVTRACK over the years has taught us to make some changes in our tire specifications. Fischer says every Dot Foods truck is assigned a number, so that if a tire failure occurs

on the road, the TVTRACK system tells the tire service facility and driver which tire is affected. Whats more, since most of our drivers are assigned to a specific truck, we can see who gets the best treadwear and fuel economy, he says. TVTRACK software is simple to use. Fischer says his technicians insert data on tire wear when the trucks come in for alignments at 60,000 miles and rotation every 100,000 miles. On-screen menus give you all the information you need, Fischer explains. You simply click on each tire position on the truck chassis diagram thats shown on the screen. Its very simple to use. Miller says all fleets can benefit from TVTRACK. It doesnt matter what type of operation you runthe value of the data is there. The more you use it, the better your tire management decisions that help improve your tire cost savings.

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By the Numbers

Michigan Fleet Learns Buying on Price Doesnt Translate to Lower Costs

Deeco Transportation was running 16 different brands before standardizing with one tire brand.

p until two years ago, Deeco Transportations tire program consisted of buying the cheapest new tires available and refusing to retread. But the tire program wasnt cheap. The Lansing, Michigan-based general freight hauler has since adopted a dramatically different tire management program. The current program is simple: work closely with Goodyear, buy Goodyear tires and keep close tabs on costs. With tires representing the third highest expense item for our operation, its essential that we get the most mileage out of tires, says Mike Turner, Deeco director of maintenance. We now have a program that costs a fraction of what we spent before. Deecos fleet of 90 tractors and 195 trailers transports mostly paper products and non-perishable goods throughout the continental United States, concentrating on the Midwest and Southeast. The tractors are Freightliner Columbia, Century Class and Classics, while the trailers are 53-foot dry vans from various manufacturers. Deecos rigs average about 132,000 miles per year. Before 2004, Deeco bought whatever tires were on sale from a local tire dealer. When the tires were worn, the casings were returned for credit because company management disliked retreads. If a tire went flat on the road, the driver

was at the mercy of the nearest truck stop for a replacement tire. With no clear-cut system in place, the company was running 16 different tire brands and recording low mileage before replacement. New tires on the steer axle averaged only 102,000 miles and drive position tires averaged a little more than 116,000 miles, meaning the company was constantly replacing tires. With the assistance of Dan Manning at Scott Tire Sales, a dealer with a location in Flint, Michigan, Deeco began testing both new and retreaded tires. The company compared costs between Goodyear and other brands and discovered dramatic differences. The cost per mile for new tires was 0.12 cents, compared with almost twice that for the other brands. The cost per mile for retreads was even better at just 0.04 cents. The startling numbers convinced the owners to buy new Goodyear tires and retreads. Deeco signed as a national account customer and simultaneously became involved in the UniCircle retread program. The company recently bought 25 new trailers and outfitted them with new tires and plans to be a total Goodyear fleet soon. Deeco uses Unisteel G395 LHS for the steer position, G362 on the drive and G314 on the trailers. Turner is projecting steer tires will travel more than 217,000 miles before retreading, drive tires will get almost 224,000 miles and trailers more than 223,000 miles.* With UniCircle retreading, Turner says he projects G362 retreads will run another 186,000
*Results may vary based on road and hauling conditions

miles per retread and G314s will cover another 203,000 miles.* UniCircle uses a pre-cure section that has already been molded into one circular piece and is stretched over a buffed casing like a giant elastic band. Drive tires and trailer tires are removed with 5/32-inch of wear remaining, while the steer tires are replaced at 6/32-inch. Before Goodyear, the tires were run down to almost nothing, Turner says. By taking tires off at these tread depths, were still getting great mileage and the casings are in great shape for retreading. By using retreads, Turner says Deeco is able to enhance tire life and drive down overall tire costs. Im saving 66 percent off the price of new tires with UniCircle and the overall life of the tires is extended. We have far less downtime, happier drivers and a better bottom line. Before Goodyear, it was common to experience three tire failures per day. That problem, and more importantly, costly downtime, has gone away. Deeco aggressively monitors tire pressure. Pressure is maintained at 100 psi on steer tires and 85 psi on drive and trailer tires, a pressure recommended to achieve longer tire life for the particular applications of Deeco. Deeco maintenance people check tire pressure every time a tractor or trailer arrives at the maintenance yard. When Deeco drops trailers at some of its major Michigan customer locations, the technicians check tire pressure twice weekly. Turner gives high marks to Wingfoot commercial tire dealers in Lansing, Kalamazoo, Wayland and Benton Harbor, Michigan. He says they frequently make recommendations for extending tire life. Our Wingfoot dealers are extremely helpful, Turner says. They have a great selection of tires, the warranty program works well and they provide service that anticipates our needs.

Deeco also uses Goodyears 4-TIRESNOW emergency roadside service, which is available for all trucking operations. When one of our drivers has a tire problem out on the road, he can call the 800 number and have it handled quickly by a local dealer, Turner says. Our drivers are up and running faster, and we experience much less downtime. Plus, we pay the same prices nationally as we pay locally. Deeco also uses TVTRACK fleet management tools for tracking tire wear and performance. The company tracks cost-per-mile, mileage and tread depth. For example, Turner knows that the average steer tire is running 14,000 miles per 32nd-inch. We can break out tire performance by model number and position, Turner says. Plus, we can compare new tires with retreads. This allows us to calculate our costs and project tire mileage today and into the future, he says. We always go with the best tire value, and the switch to Goodyear is paying off tremendously. I couldnt be happier.

Mike Turner, Deecos director of maintenance, checks tread depth.

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Goodyear Hits the Nail on the Head

DuraSeal Technology Helps Ward off Flats

I
DuraSeal uses a gel-like, solvent-free compound built into the inner liner of the tire.

n the past, tire manufacturers have been reluctant to recommend aftermarket tire sealants since they may be flammable if not properly removed during the retreading process. The sealant also must be applied while the tire is rotating or the material pools at the bottom of the tire, creating balance issues. But a sealants potential benefitslonger tire life and more constant tire inflation pres-

sureskept the wheels of creativity spinning at Goodyear. Last year, the company introduced its revolutionary DuraSeal Technology for two new mixed-service tires. DuraSeal uses a gel-like, solvent-free compound built into the inner liner of the tire. It is designed to consistently and instantly seal punctures up to 1/4-inch in diameter in the repairable tread area. Since its introduction, the tire technology has earned the company numerous accolades from fleet managers and trucking media alike. This is why the tire maker is expanding the technology into numerous sizes and applications, with 11R22.5, 12R22.5, 12R22.5 and 12R24.5 sizes in the G287 MSA, G288 MSA and G177 tires. In addition, its available in 315/80R22.5 in the G287 MSA (both standard and heavy service). The story behind the development and deployment of DuraSeal Technology in commercial tires demonstrates a commitment to engineering innovation. It also offers a strong example of the companys core value of listening and responding rapidly to customers, while providing outstanding value to consumers and offering the highest standard of product quality and service. David Benko, director of Goodyears Global Materials, says developing the concept behind the sealant tire for use in commercial tires required a lot of testing and refinement. First, marketing conducted a survey in 2001 which revealed, among other things, that refuse fleets with 50 trucks typically receive 102 tire-related service calls per

DuraSeal was designed to consistently and instantly seal punctures up to 1/4 inch* in diameter in the repairable tread area.

A marketing survey found a high number of tire puncture-related service calls among refuse fleets. DuraSeal offers a sealant solution to reduce flats and lower repair costs.

month. It found that 69 percent of those calls can be attributed to tire punctures and each call cost the fleets $170, or more than $143,000 per year. The survey clearly demonstrated the need for a sealant tire among commercial users like waste haulers, Benko says. But engineers faced several challenges in developing one. A typical truck tire has 25 different components, each for a specific application, Benko says. And about 50 different raw materials go into a truck tire. The compound making up each component has to be optimized for the purpose that component serves. For example, fuel efficiency is determined mostly by tread compound characteristics. The inner liner compound is formulated to hold air. Belt and body ply compounds give the tire its strength. We had to make sure the compound we came up with for the DuraSeal component didnt interfere with the performances of the other components within the tire. The curing process also proved to be a challenge, he adds. Most tire compounds, like rubber, stiffen when heated. Heating up the DuraSeal compound softens it to a gum-like
* Seals up to 1/4 inch tread punctures only. Does not seal sidewall punctures.

consistency. For months, engineers worked on getting the formula just right. The results? In Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Avery Construction trucks haul steel from incoming Great Lakes ships through an area of the Algoma Steel grounds littered with countless tire-piercing steel slivers. Constant flats and tire repair costs of $4,000 to $5,000 per shipload routinely plagued the company before it started using tires with DuraSeal. After six months, Avery trucks hadnt experienced a single flat due to treadarea punctures. Company co-owner Jeff Avery says repair costs are a tenth of what they used to be, and hes able to run one less truck. Since Goodyear introduced DuraSeal Technology last year, the company has earned high praise from construction and trucking industry publications through several prestigious awards. Its very satisfying, especially being able to take it from an initial concept and carry it all the way through into the marketplace and then get that kind of reception. Its gratifying, Benko says.

David Benko.

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Tire Technology Supplement

Spotlight on Tire Dealers

Look for Those Who Deliver Service

Goodyears TVTRACK program is a powerful tool to track tire costs.

ust-in-time. Cost-per-mile. Cradle-to-grave. Three catchphrases that put the black in a fleets bottom line. While most fleets today run JIT and track operational costs to determine CPM, todays educated fleets rely on their truck tire dealers to help put together an efficient tire program. According to Donn Kramer, Goodyears director of commercial tire marketing, fleets are looking for tire solutions, not just round rubber. Quality tire dealers have evolved past just selling new tires and retreads, he says. To compete, they must provide value-added services and support. That encompasses working with fleets to help meet daily tire challengeshandling road calls if a tire problem occurs, retreading tires, refurbishing wheels and aligning suspensions, helping to track tire costs and, if need be, checking tire inflations. Kramer says the Truckwise program, available at more than 500 Goodyear dealerships throughout North America, is the companys commitment to cradle-to-grave service. The Truckwise logo is a symbol of quality; it reflects a commitment to handle a customers entire

tire needs. Fleets want to work with tire dealers who they can trust with their tire programs, says Jeff Lecklider, president of Gem City Tire, a five-location Truckwise dealership in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; Indianapolis and Columbus, Indiana; and Somerset, Kentucky. Tire sales once were driven by tire deals. What was pricedriven is now value-driven. We can show a customer their cost-per-mile with our TVTRACK program, and how Fuel Max Technology will save them money in fuel costs. And we, along with other Goodyear retreaders, can track our customers casings through the retreading process using G TRACS software. Customers who bought on price now buy on informationon the total cost of that tire from cradle-to-grave. We work with customers and ask them what part of their tire program is giving them the most issues, Lecklider continues. We then get to work solving that issue. It might be finding qualified people in-house to perform tire maintenance. So, we may help them monitor inflation pressures. Or we might set up a mounted tire program in which we deliver inspected tires already mounted and exchange them for tires that need to be retreaded and wheels that need to be refurbished. Paul Long, region manager for Purcell Tire of Fenton, Missouri, says Truckwise standards are stringent. They have to be. Its all about exceeding customer expectations, he says. It starts with stocking tires for all applications so that national account and commercial customers never hear the words, Were out of stock. It continues with support of customers 24/7 through our emergency roadside service, and it

More than 500 Goodyear Truckwise locations exist to service customers. Despite being an independent tire dealer, Gem City Tire in Cincinatti is exclusive to Goodyear.

doesnt end until the final retread on a casing has been scrapped. We support Goodyear tires and our customers from cradle-to-grave and in the process, we reduce their cost-per-mile. Thats truly what our business ishelping our customers be more profitable by improving their tire programs, Long says. According to Gem City Tires Lecklider, reducing a fleets CPM is the result of quality tires and the diligence of tracking performance and tire pressure. Ive been selling tires for 20 years and the quality and performance of Goodyears tires is the best Ive ever seen, Lecklider says. Were an independent tire dealer and have the opportunity to sell any brand, but we only buy Goodyear. We feel theyre the best in the market with the broadest line of tires. They continue to introduce new innovative products, such as DuraSeal Technology. When the company introduced its Unisteel G395 LHS, it really changed how the industry looked at steer tires. Its the premier steer on the marketit sells itself with proven performance.

In addition, Lecklider says, retreading now is just as advanced as new tires. When customers tour our UniCircle retread plant, theyre shocked and surprised by all the technology. Our tires are barcoded, casings are buffed by a computer-aided machine and UniCircle is an amazing piece of equipment. The quality is easily seen, and the UniCircle tread matches new Goodyear tire tread. All told, the network of Truckwise dealers are ready to help customers with industry-leading tires and programs. Truckwise has given us the tools with tires, retreading systems and tracking software, concludes Purcell Tires Long. As a Truckwise dealer we put it all to use for customers, working with them to improve performance while lowering their costs.

Truckwise dealers often help customers monitor their tire programs, including documenting tread depths.

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Tire Technology Supplement

Tire Technology Supplement

Tire Myths
What Should you Believe?
Myth #1: Over-inflating tires will allow you to carry heavier loads without reducing speed.
Not so. Tire inflation pressure is based on loads. Over-inflation reduces the tires footprint and places more weigh on the centerline of the tire. Not only will this reduce tire life, but it also affects ride quality, stability, safety and traction because good traction is maximized when you use the tires full footprint. the tire-wheel assembly. However, there are many aftermarket additives that fleets and drivers claim also work. We do not specifically endorse any product. That said, please review the materials so that they do not contain chemicals that react with the tire inner liner.

Search has begun for Truck-Driving Heroes

Myth #5: Retreads wear faster than original tire treads.

Most major brands view the tires they make and the retreads they offer as a system. At Goodyear, for example, the system begins with making a casing that is rugged, long-lasting and capable of multiple retreads. The next steps include tread design and compounding. Goodyear retread wear rate is comparable to that of its new tires. You can expect similar treadwear per 32nd on a retread as youd get on a new tread.

Myth #2: Deeper tread depth guarantees better treadwear. (i.e., more is better)
The reality is that too much tread depth will cause the tread lugs to compress and squirm, which can lead to premature removal because of fast and uneven wear. For every truck, application, and load bearing requirement, there is a specific tread design and depth that will provide optimum tire life and the lowest possible cost-per-mile. More is not always better.

Myth #6: Gators all that rubber on the roads comes from retreads.
Perception is reality when you see tire debris on the road. Motorists see strips of tread and conclude that glue must have come undone to throw a retread. It was this perception that led to many state studies, hoping to curtail the use of retreads on the nations highways. But what they found was startling. A 1999 study showed that a significant amount of tread on the highways came from passenger tires, even though passenger tire retreads are non-existent. After examining truck tires, the study concluded that new tires fail at the same rateor lessthan retreaded tires under similar conditions. What causes alligators? Improper attention to inflation. If you overload your tires or run under-inflated (20 percent underinflated is considered a run-flat by tire manufacturers), then your vehicle is a perfect candidate to throw a tread. An under-inflated tire stresses the sidewall and generates heata tires worst enemy. Mismatched tires on duals also lead to issue.

Myth #3: Inflating a tire with nitrogen is better than using air.
Nitrogen is an inert gas with large molecules and, in theory, it would have less osmosis through the tire casing when compared to air. Our tests, however, show no significant advantage in using nitrogen in commercial radial truck tires.

Myth #4: Golf balls in tires help improve balancing.

Any unbalanced condition in a steer tire assembly (tire plus wheel) can lead to vibration that the driver feels in the steering wheel. Many drivers believe that using balance material inside a tire will help reduce tire/wheel vibration. Golf balls? Thats a stretch. Golf balls tend to compress into a cube pattern that can damage the tire inner liner. We recommend using lead weights to balance

North American search is on for unsung heroes of the highway truck drivers who keep the nations economy moving with daily commerce and who come to the rescue of fellow motorists. Nominations for Goodyears 24th annual North America Highway Hero program will be accepted through Nov. 30, 2006. Those who ply their skills and abilities behind the wheel are Americas unsung heroes. Too many times we hear about the negative aspects of trucking, such as a driver shortage. Too little is written about drivers whose ability makes our highways safer and keeps our commerce moving, said Steve McClellan, Goodyears vice president, commercial tire systems. The Highway Hero program is for those who selflessly risk life and limb to come to the aid of fellow motorists. We believe honor should always be met with honor, McClellan added. McClellan appealed to the trucking industry to nominate a deserving driver. With the final deadline fast approaching, we dont want to leave any driver out of consideration. To be considered for this years award, the following criteria must be met:  Nominee must be a full-time truck driver;  Nominee must be a resident of the United

States or Canada;  Incident recognized must have occurred in the United States or Canada;  Nominee must have been on the job or on the way to or from work, and in his or her rig at the time of the incident;  Nominees truck at the time of the incident must have 14 wheels or more;  Incident must have taken place between Nov. 16, 2005, and Nov. 15, 2006, to qualify. Nomination forms and program details may be obtained by calling the Goodyear Highway Hero Hotline at 330-796-8183. The nomination form also is available on the programs web site at http://www.goodyear. com/truck/whatsnew/heroes.html.

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Runs Great. Less Fueling.

Goodyear tires and retreads featuring Fuel Max Technology are a great solution for eets. They offer all the advantages of fuel efciency, while promoting many miles to removal and a low cost per mile. Get the whole story from your Sales Representative by registering at www.goodyear.com/truck/eet.

2006 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. All rights reserved.