Page 22 - CTB n4 - 2013/4

WINTER TYRES
All Wrapped Up: Continental Winter Tyres for Trucks
and Buses
SCANDINAVIA HSW 2 Coach tyre for coaches represents a record in its class with a traction advantage up to 20 percent that of standard tyres. With a closed ribbed tread pattern and three-dimensional designed
microsipes, the HSW 2 Coach transfers the driving and lane keeping forces onto the road while guaranteeing traction and noise reduction. It can be used as an all- round tyre fitment on all axles.
Unlike car tyres, truck and bus tyres do not react as powerfully to temperatures below seven degrees Celsius because of their high proportion of natural rubber. However, in freezing weather conditions or during snowfall, special winter tyres clearly provide better traction and greater safety. Continental's range of winter tyres for trucks, trailers, semitrailers, and buses are positive proof that optimal traction and cost-efficient levels of fuel consumption do not have to be polar opposites. With a particularly densely designed tread geometry and a softer tread compound which increases the adhesion strength of
for tyres suitable for winter use is mostly restricted to the drive axle. Continental recommends the use of special winter tyres for commercial vehicles and has developed an integrated tyre concept for trucks from the front axle through drive wheels to trailer tyres. Axle-specific requirements, such as optimal steering and lateral guidance for the front axle, maximum traction and braking force on the drive axle, and significantly more road adherence when cornering and braking for the winter trailer tyre, optimise each tyre in a tailor-made way for its specific use. All-round winter tyre fitment cuts the braking distance at 40 km/h
Bridgestone is claiming to be in the driving seat this winter thanks to the increasing popularity of its new R- DRIVE 001 tyre, which is versatile enough to deal with some of the most challenging conditions that lie in wait.
The R-DRIVE 001, which is progressively replacing Bridgestone’s top-selling R297 and M729 – along with the R-STEER 001 – is more than suitable for use on mud and fresh or melting snow
(M+S).
It offers better
driving
performance in
such conditions
than standard tyres
and represents a
compelling option
in the
unpredictable UK
climate, in
particular.
The R-DRIVE 001
295/80R22.5 and
315/70R22.5 sizes are also suitable for severe winter conditions and are therefore marked with the alpine symbol, which identifies snow tyres for usage under severe conditions as defined in UN Regulation R117.02. An alpine symbol on size 315/80R22.5 will be added in 2014. Both the R-STEER 001 and R-DRIVE 001 truck tyres are proving to be increasingly popular with fleets since being introduced earlier this year. The tyres are designed for robustness in versatile usage, providing high- level performance and a long lifecycle in a wide range of operating conditions.
They have been developed in response to the trend towards changing fleet operating conditions from one day to another and a broader mix of usage conditions in regional applications, ranging from
highway driving to light on- and off- road usage.
This ‘regional’ segment, which represents around 42% of the total truck tyre market, also covers various types of vehicles – general cargo trucks, tankers, refrigerated trucks, coaches, and specialised areas such as timber and waste transport – adding further to the versatility of conditions.
The advanced tread patterns are
Bridgestone in the Driving Seat this Winter
the tires to the road, these special winter tyres are a distinct advantage when it comes to staying mobile and safe on the roads at winter. Continental winter tyres significantly exceed the legal requirements that apply to the M + S (Mud and Snow) symbol. They even go beyond the values of the 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) symbol, which is mandatory in the USA for car winter tyres, and whose introduction is currently under discussion in Europe for commercial vehicle tyres. Currently throughout Europe there is no standard regulation governing winter tyres for commercial vehicles, and the legal minimum requirement
on an icy surface by almost a vehicle length.
Continental has just the answer for passenger transport with the new Conti UrbanScandina-via and the HSW 2 Coach which meet the various requirements for buses in the winter. The Conti UrbanScandinavia HA3 for bus transportation stands its ground as an all-round tyre fitment on the roads in winter, with its design consisting of numerous biting edges and sipes. The Conti UrbanScandinavia HD3 is a special drive-axle winter tyre and offers the best traction in regions that see heavy snowfall. The Continental
designed with Bridgestone’s top tread technologies: Tie-bar between the tread blocks on the unidirectional R-DRIVE 001 for increased stiffness and service life; Square Shoulder design on R-STEER 001 for stable cornering and increased tyre life, together with Stone Ejectors for improved retreading potential and Dual Sipe technology for improved wet and winter handling.
“These new R-STEER 001 and R- DRIVE 001 truck tyres retain the performance strengths of their Bridgestone predecessors but give fleets more durability and wear life in versatile conditions, for a lower cost per kilometre than their predecessors” said Andy Dingley, Bridgestone north region communication manager.
TBR Winter Tyre Legislation Guidelines from Bridgestone
Most European countries have their own winter tyre regulations, which vary widely, so if you’re vehicles are running on European routes, it’s as well to check out local legislation in order to avoid financial penalties or the
immobilisation of your vehicle. Fortunately, Bridgestone have produced a comprehensive guide on European winter tyre legislation, which we have published for your convenience on the page opposite.
22 Commercial Tyre Business