Goodyear used the occasion of its annual Dealer Conference this week to launch its latest fuel-efficient medium truck radial, a new fuel-efficient precure tread, and continue the changeover in its product naming system.

New is the Goodyear Fuel Max LHS, a fuel-efficient long haul steer tire and the next in Goodyear’s Fuel Max line. Last fall, Goodyear introduced the Fuel Max LHD, a fuel-sipping long haul drive tire, and the tiremaker plans to add to the Fuel Max line later this year.

“Together, the Fuel Max LHD G505D and the Fuel Max LHS make up the most fuel-efficient long haul tire combination in North America,” said Brian Buckham, general manager of commercial tire product marketing.

Goodyear claims the “combination of the Goodyear Fuel Max LHD G505D and Fuel Max LHS saves, on average: $1,300 worth of fuel, per truck, per year, compared to the combination of the Michelin X Line Energy D and Michelin XZA3+ Evertread; $560 worth of fuel, per truck, per year, compared to the combination of the Bridgestone M710 Ecopia and Bridgestone R283 Ecopia; and $460 worth of fuel, per truck, per year, compared to the combination of the Continental EcoPlus HD3 and the Continental HSL2 Eco Plus.”

Other features of the new Fuel Max LHS include:

• Specialized, multi-layered tread compounding for even wear and long removal mileage,

• ‘Penetration protectors’ to fend off stone drilling,

• Steel belt and casing package for durability and endurance.

Goodyear’s new naming system was created to be simpler and more descriptive. The Fuel Max line will denote those SmartWay-verified tires that deliver premium fuel and mileage performance, the tiremaker said.

Later this year, Goodyear will roll out the Goodyear Fuel Max LHT for trailer positions, and the Fuel Max RSA for regional applications. All four Fuel Max tires will have matching retreads to “extend the tread life cycle” of the tires, the company said.

First out is the matching precure tread for the Goodyear Fuel Max LHD. According to Buckham, the SmartWay-verified tread stock “is more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, the Goodyear G305 AT PC, and matches the tread design of the Fuel Max LHD G505D with 21/32-inch tread depth, providing both fuel economy and long miles to removal.
“The new Fuel Max LHD G505D precure is a ‘super-fuel’ tread and our most fuel-efficient retread product to date,” he said. “But it also has been designed for long operation and optimal traction, which are other in-demand benefits.”