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Goodyear reimagines the tire for a multi-modal future
Goodyear SightLine: Tire intelligence drives innovation

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Goodyear Beyond Tires
Goodyear SightLine Brand Film

A range of photo and b-roll footage of the event, including interviews with  experts from the team.

These ripples can grow into waves and cause the kind of disruption that changes the course of history. Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO of Starbucks, describes innovation: “Innovation must be disruptive. And by disruptive, I mean disruptive. You've got to fracture and break the rules and disrupt."

Innovation is about introducing something new, creating value and growth; disruption comes from taking that new thing and running with it as far as possible, creating major change. Not only do they allow businesses to differentiate themselves and flourish, but contribute to the advancement of the industry as a whole.

Innovation is also what allows us to anticipate the needs of consumers of the future. For Goodyear, this means contributing to the evolution of the automotive industry. Far more than a tire business, it's investing in — and partnering with — the innovators to help them change the industry.

Powerful partnerships

The future of mobility is a major focus for Goodyear; all types of vehicles are set to become more accessible to more people and have a wider variety of functions than ever before. Just this year, Goodyear partnered with Dutch research organisation TNO to connect its intelligent tires with TNO's ABS system, to reduce stopping distance loss by up to 30%. The aim of this cooperation is to maximize safety for the drivers of the future.

Goodyear also announced a highly exciting collaboration with electric car rental company UFODRIVE. This will see UFODRIVE's eMobility SaaS platform combined with Goodyear's intelligent tire monitoring system to improve electric vehicle fleet performance. As part of this collaboration, they'll conduct studies aimed at maximizing energy usage, saving on tire replacement costs, and minimizing the carbon impact of fleets.

Then there's Voyomotive, a connected car technology company with which Goodyear has joined forces to pilot tire monitoring solutions to improve vehicle efficiency. The aim is to give customers the ability to proactively correct anomalies and get their tire inflation right long before the car can alert them, improving efficiency.

Investing in a new age

Investing in innovation is important to the progression of a business because it supports the creation and development of new ideas. It enables the bringing together of a diverse range of expertise for the best possible outcome. The biggest and fastest-moving companies in the world invest in innovation constantly, knowing that it's how businesses progress and thrive in the fast-moving modern world.

Alongside some vital partnerships, Goodyear is investing in visionary startups through Goodyear Ventures. These are organizations that are changing the face of the future of mobility – something Goodyear, with its long legacy of innovation, is able to elevate.

For example, Starship Technologies is creating a shift in the supply chain with autonomous robots that can carry and deliver items — something that will drastically change last-mile logistics. At a customer's request via an app, parcels and groceries can be picked up by these advanced robots and delivered anywhere within a four-mile radius. Not only do they save money and energy compared with using vehicles, but they're safe and secure, moving at pedestrian speed with the intelligence to move around obstacles.

The interest in the future and autonomy doesn't end there. Goodyear has invested in TuSimple, a company that has created a new standard in safety with self-driving technology specifically designed for heavy-duty trucks. These reliable, low-cost freight services are set to transform logistics as we know it.

Autonomous technology is far from the only area Goodyear Ventures is investing in. With Envoy, it's diversified its portfolio by investing in an organisation that is making the future of mobility a community affair. It's an electric car-sharing service and platform that provides EVs as exclusive amenities in workplaces, hotels, and apartments, with dedicated parking spaces and charging stations. With short-term car rental services already growing in popularity, mobility as a service is the inevitable evolution.

Leading by example

This is why Goodyear is far, far more than just tires. In fact, it's always had one foot in advanced innovation. From building and testing the first American-made synthetic rubber tire in 1937, to creating the first tires that landed on the moon for Apollo 14 in 1971, to inventing the Eagle radial racing tyre that enabled Al Unser Sr. to gain his fourth Indianapolis 500 victory in 1987, Goodyear has never stopped aiming as high as imaginable.

Some businesses innovate without realizing it, always improving their operations in small ways for benefit of their customers. Others make it a priority, which is the best way to optimize innovation and contribute to true disruption. Whether or not it's about writing the script for the future of mobility, the way Goodyear is doing with its partners, these powerful collaborations are what shape the future across each and every sector of business.

For more information on Goodyear Ventures, go to www.goodyearventures.com.

In addition, Goodyear's technicians conduct winter tire tests in polar regions, such as at the Arctic Test Center in Finland. They also drive on highways in and outside Europe to test the extreme conditions that transport companies face on a daily basis.

Goodyear also uses independent test companies, such as the world-renowned test company TÜV SÜD Automotive GmbH. These companies often compare tires from different manufacturers to show how well Goodyear tires and those of the company's other brands perform.

Field testing is also an important part of Goodyear's testing process. Trucks, buses and coaches often run with Goodyear tires as well as their regular tires so that performance can be compared in real-world conditions.

When Goodyear develops a new truck tire, it must meet 50 different performance criteria before it is produced. Each criterion addresses an important performance characteristic, such as:

• Wet handling
• Braking on wet roads
• Dry road handling op
• Grip in corners
• Durability
• External noise
• Wet traction
• Stability at high speeds
• rolling resistance
• Mileage
• contact pressure
• High speed

And much more ...

All specific winter truck tires are tested for specific performance factors, such as:

• Ice traction
• Braking performance on ice
• Grip on snow (acceleration test for truck tires in the snow)
• Snow traction
• Snow braking performance
• Controllability in the snow
• Climbing hills

And much more ...

It is important to remember that improving one performance can lead to a deterioration of the other. This is evident, for example, from the relationship between rolling resistance and wear. The development of a tread compound that reduces rolling resistance or improves fuel economy usually results in reduced tire life as they wear out faster. Goodyear has been able to make improvements for years without negatively impacting other areas of performance.

With a view to streamlining data collection, Goodyear has joined forces with ZF to provide a combined suite of connectivity solutions. This will maximise vehicle and trailer safety, efficiency, and uptime while optimizing fleet operations. This is an important step towards the wide-scale digitisation of the transportation industry.

Grégory Boucharlat, VP commercial Europe at Goodyear, explains the need for this in the industry, he says: “Data can provide so many opportunities to fleets but it's only useful if it's easily accessible. Goodyear has partnered with ZF to provide integrated tyre and vehicle management solutions that will support fleet managers in making decisions and improving efficiency."

The data available to fleet managers has, historically, been fragmented and difficult to access. This makes it much harder for fleet managers to take advantage of digital transformation opportunities; despite the many benefits to being able to use this data to automate processes, use machine learning, and digitise information flows. Not only can this kind of data make a fleet more operationally efficient, but it can also help obtain visibility on environmental impact and regulatory standards.

Goodyear and ZF are coming together to address these challenges and give fleet managers access to these benefits. The interoperable solutions will make it simpler to track data on both tyre and vehicle performance — all through one device. Being able to connect the dots in this way allows fleet managers to see the bigger picture and make more informed decisions.

The strategic collaboration brings together Goodyear's Total Mobility and ZF's advanced Fleet Management Solutions (FMS) capabilities. This expanded suite of harmonized services will offer transportation companies a one-stop solution to manage and understand the information available to them. Combining historical data will also allow for preventative maintenance, which helps to reduce downtime that could cause delays or present potential safety issues for drivers.

Boucharlat adds: “This collaboration will continue to evolve, incorporating innovation from both ZF and Goodyear. We'll be able to increase the value of the data and present more solutions to fleet managers to help further improve competitiveness."

The transportation industry is in the midst of a digital revolution. OEMs and fleets that are able to embrace this now will have more data to work with in the future. This can inform everything from operations to maintenance and beyond.

The expanded suite of high performing tyres and interoperable data-driven tyre and fleet management solutions will offer transportation companies a one-stop solution enabling more efficient and sustainable operations. The customizable value proposition offered by Goodyear and ZF will further ease the digital transformation process for fleets and OEMS by connecting multiple data streams from one common telematics hardware.

“The turnkey proposition proposed by Goodyear and ZF is addressing the growing complexity linked to demanding fleet operations,” said Grégory Boucharlat, Vice President, Commercial Europe for Goodyear. “It enables operators to stay agile and make informed decisions to boost vehicle uptime, promote more economical driving, extend the service life of tyres and assets, lower emissions and improve customer service delivery management based on an integrated tyre and fleet dataset translated into actionable insights.”

“ZF’s collaboration with Goodyear harnesses the expertise and extensive capabilities of two industry-leaders behind a shared conviction to offer European fleets and trailer builders the benefits of a one-stop Fleet Management solution.“ said Peter Bal, Business Leader – Digital Customer Services, EMEA with ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Control System division. “Our ability to supply an integrated solution, with reduced hardware investment, means customers can benefit from simplified operations as they seek to gain further efficiency, as well as enhanced safety and cargo security.”

One-stop solution for smart tyre and trailer managementIn 2019, Goodyear introduced its customizable Goodyear Total Mobility value proposition, providing full tyre monitoring and management insights from mounting the right tyres per type of operations, planning proactive maintenance and retreading. The innovative offer includes the Goodyear Tyre Pressure Monitoring system with proprietary G-Predict algorithm providing real-time proactive alerts and preventing up to 90% of tyre related breakdowns.¹ 

Through an interoperable and flexible solution, based on a single telematics unit, called TX-TRAILERPULSE^TM, customers can now access the services and support of both companies including ZF’s Transics FMS solutions:

• combining TX-TRAILERPULSE^TM solution and TX-TRAILERFIT^TM insights with FleetOnlineSolutions tyre management of Goodyear will provide a full view on the performance, usage and health of both tyres and the trailer park. Fleets will benefit in terms of faster service, precise tyre mileage insights, avoiding premature tyre change and trailer maintenance. Truck and trailer rental companies can provide increased transparency linked to accurate trailer and tyre-use by the end customer.
• TX-CONNECT^TM shares real-time data on the trailer position, geofencing, traffic and enables customer’s cargo follow-up. Service providers can access the data as well to plan proactive maintenance during waiting and resting times.

The integrated tyre and fleet management offer will bring visibility and operational efficiency to a new height, in terms of:

• Flexibility - customers select a service and solution package in line with their needs
• Simplification - one common hardware and integrated dashboard providing tyre, vehicle and cargo management data access, allowing further integration of brand-agnostic systems already used in the daily operations.
• Time-savings – fact-based decision making and actionable insights to prevent downtime and plan proactive maintenance. Comprehensive set-up resulting in shorter installation time.
• Customer experience – both partners will provide expert road and fleet assistance via a strong pan-European service network.

Supporting advanced mobility and sustainable transport objectivesThe collaboration will build on its joint data-driven monitoring and predictive analytics capabilities to help EU trailer OEMS and commercial fleets smoothly transition to future regulations including the GSR5 TPMS regulations requiring HCV’s to be progressively equipped with TPMS as of July 2022. As well as the EU General Safety Regulation mandated advanced safety functions.

Supporting greener mobility, smart monitoring technology and low rolling resistance tyres are striving to contribute to positively impacting total vehicle CO2 emissions. For example, a 100-truck fleet can lower its emissions by 4% and TCO by €40,000 a year, through fuel-cost savings by using low rolling resistance tyres.²

Moving forward, the partners will continue to deliver the very latest, future-proof and customized support for large fleets and trailer manufacturersacross Europe. 

More information can be found on Goodyear Truck. 

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¹. Comparison of 50 fleets and after installation of Goodyear TPMS in 2019, based on internal field tests.

^2. Potential savings based on a Goodyear calculation model, taking into account the rolling resistance performance of new tyres. Actual savings may vary based upon vehicle condition and maintenance, traffic conditions, driver behaviour and other factors.

The choice of all-electric trucks is growing. The Mercedes-Benz eActros and Volvo FE Electric have ranges of up to 200kms, the DAF CF Electric can travel 250kms. Electric HDVs are most suited for urban use, where truck tyres can be responsible for up to 20% of CO2 emissions. For long haul usage, gas-powered HDVs offer one efficiency option, with hydrogen technology presenting another. Comparable refuelling times and driving ranges to diesel are establishing fuel cell as a possible future logistics technology.

Since 2019 – when CO2 emissions in the transport sector were the same as in 1990 – the Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool (VECTO) has calculated the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of trucks. Now mandatory for new trucks, an OEM will be fined for not meeting reduced emissions standards, down 15% by 2025 and 30% by 2030. Elements affecting HDV CO2 emissions include aerodynamics, body and trailer weight, engine type, gearbox, payload and tyres. More aerodynamic body designs and efficient engines are making HDVs less polluting, but other factors can contribute. Goodyear supports the sector's sustainability efforts by working with OEMs and hauliers.

Low-rolling resistance tyres save fuel and emissions

Choosing the most suitable vehicle for your operations is important, but there are other actions you can take to reduce your HDV carbon footprint. Low-rolling resistance (LRR) tyres directly impact vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency. Goodyear's FUELMAX range of tyres is designed to enhance fuel economy, help OEMS and fleets meet CO2 emissions targets and increase efficiency, while providing high mileage levels. A 100-truck fleet can lower its TCO up to €40,000 a year, through fuel-cost savings by using LRRs, and LRRs can reduce emissions up to 4%¹.

OEMs are embracing new technologies to hit CO2 emissions goals. A sensor-based TPMS, such as the Goodyear Tyre Monitoring System will alert operators of tyre temperature or pressure changes, preventing downtime and increasing productivity. Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption, and even 1 bar of under-inflation can add 900 litres/year in additional costs per vehicle². Monitored by telematic management systems, correct tyre pressures can increase uptime up to 90%³.

Multiple Life gives tyres an extended service life

The Goodyear Multiple Life concept of retreading and regrooving truck tyres reduces costs by as much as 30%, helping extend their service life by as much as 25%⁴. This concept is also more sustainable, and the number of tyres needing to be recycled is reduced. In addition, regular checks to ensure your fleet operates optimally can save costs and reduce your carbon footprint.

Correct tyre choice and maintenance is key to helping sustainability goals and increasing operational efficiency and excellence. Logistics fleets and their customers are demanding ever more sustainable solutions, and the sector is under increasing time and cost pressure. However, with the help of easy to implement data-based solutions and LRR tyres, operational efficiency can be increased while reducing the carbon footprint. The future is, in fact, now, and we have the power to make it a more sustainable one.

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1. Potential savings based on a Goodyear calculation model, taking into account the rolling resistance performance of new tyres. Actual savings may vary based upon vehicle condition and maintenance, traffic conditions, driver behaviour and other factors.

2. Based on following assumptions: 150.000 km/year, 35L/100 km average fuel consumption; 1 bar less inflations = 5% increased rolling resistance = 1,5% higher fuel consumption; Diesel costs 1,15 EUR/l

3. Comparison of 50 fleets before and after installation of Goodyear TPMS in 2019

4. Based on internal analysis, comparing the use of two sets of new Goodyear tyres versus the Multi-Life-Concept using one set of new Goodyear tyres, regrooving, one set of Goodyear TreadMax tyres and again regroving.

Connected and electric public transport is playing a large role in the evolution of cities across Europe. Many cities are already running battery-electric and fuel-cell-electric buses but what's next for green mobility?

The future is autonomous

Tests are ongoing with autonomous and semi-autonomous buses to take e-mobility to the next level. Across the globe, Goodyear is involved in a range of different test projects for these vehicles. It's important to study the operation and maintenance areas that need to be addressed for these electric vehicles — including future tyre technology options, too.

In the city centre of Luxembourg, the company is outfitting three 100% electric self-driving shuttle buses with intelligent tyres to better link retail areas around municipalities. On each shuttle, the tyres are equipped with sensors to collect operational data, which Goodyear engineers and data scientists then use to map predictive maintenance and other performance benefits.

Even now, this technology is being put into place to support the move towards advanced electric transport. Within this, there are two prime considerations regarding electric buses. The first is range.

Minimising charging stops

For a city's transport system to run efficiently, the range of an electric bus needs to be predictable and the more miles a single bus can do, the more people it can serve without delay. Tyres play a large role in this because even a small drop in tyre pressure can reduce the range of a heavy vehicle such as a bus. Not only that but the rolling resistance of a tyre can also have an impact on the total range of the bus. To maximise range, Goodyear's low-rolling-resistance tyres have been tested on a variety of buses. Not only do they provide benefits to electric vehicles, but they help ICE vehicles meet VECTO targets, too.

The more power an electric vehicle has to use to turn the wheels, the more battery power it will use. Both the tyre and road surface type can positively or negatively impact rolling resistance. This might seem like an insignificant thing over a single bus journey but by reducing that resistance across a whole fleet of buses travelling across a city, the miles saved soon add up.

When a bus returns to its depot for a charge, this is a great time to check tyre pressures. This job is made simple with the award-winning technology, the Goodyear drive-over-reader, which automatically checks the pressure and condition of the tyres and feeds it back to the fleet manager. Helping to secure no bus will leave the depot with under-inflated tyres that could impact range or even worse cause delays for passengers.

Proper pressures and low rolling resistance can also improve another consideration of electric transport: noise.

Reducing noise pollution

With no noise from an internal combustion engine, the only noise produced by an electric bus is its connection to the road. Tyres with a lower rolling resistance will generate less noise than a standard bus tyre. This is not only great for passengers but also for pedestrians and residents within the city.

Tyre technology is developing quickly, too. In seeing how traditional tyres operate— sound resonates through the cavity that's filled with air — airless constructions, such as the Goodyear DURAWEB can also positively impact the city environment. Not only would these reduce road noise but, without air, they can't go flat. This improves the uptime of fleets.

Electric buses are a vital part of this evolution and forecasts from Interact Analysis state that approximately 40 percent of Europe's new city buses in 2025 will be battery-electric.We can expect our cities to become greener, cleaner and smarter in the coming years.

Cities are already becoming increasingly smart with many employing cloud-based technology to analyze and manage data to help improve the quality of life.At the moment, this takes the form of shared data that makes city living easier or solves certain problems. For example, the city of Amsterdam shares its traffic and transportation data with third-party developers who can then create mapping apps that connect to transport systems. This means that getting around the city is easy, no matter what form of transport you choose.

Copenhagen is also leading the way with its commitment to become a carbon-neutral capital by 2025. The Copenhagen Connecting plan will provide an integrated approach to data sharing that aims to improve city services. Intelligent use of wireless data from cell phones, GPS in busses, and sensors in sewers and garbage cans will assist Copenhagen politicians in achieving the city's objectives of reduced congestion, air pollution, and CO2 emissions.

In the U.S., Goodyear together with EASE Logistics and the City of Dublin, Ohio, announced collaboration in the areas of tire intelligence and cloud-based logistics within an innovation region in Ohio known as the Beta District. With the potential to share and enhance data on connected mobility, these experiments could lead to new products and solutions that will benefit cities in the future.

The connected car plays a vital role

With this kind of data sharing increasing in cities all over Europe, things will only get smarter. For this to work, however, we need to look at the connected car. Cars that are connected to the world around them will significantly improve how we move around a city. From ensuring that traffic keeps moving, to reducing congestion at peak times, to keeping roads in good condition, there's a surprising amount that a connected car can do for our cities.

Goodyear's intelligent tires are a great example of how technology is being introduced into cars that could have wide-reaching benefit in the future. At the moment, these tires enable fleets of last mile delivery trucks and car sharing companies to better manage their tire usage. The sensors in the tire report back important information such as wear, temperature and pressure, allowing fleet managers to address any issues that could result in downtime of their vehicles.

As we look to the future, and look at moving from internal combustion engines to electric motors with fewer moving parts, the tire becomes that main part that needs to be managed and replaced. Sensors help with uptime but they'll also play a large part in autonomous fleets, too.

Goodyear is working towards, for example, being able to find out the state of the road the vehicle is on. Is it wet? Is it snowy? Is it slippery? And based on that information from the tire, providing the autonomous vehicle information on stopping distances, for example, as a key to an autonomous future.

Intelligent tires aren't a far off pipe dream either, as Goodyear plans to see these tires on consumer vehicles as soon as this year.

The city of the future is more sustainable

Under-inflated tires, roads in poor condition, and congested junctions all contribute to city pollution but as our cities and vehicles become more intelligent, all these aspects will improve. Goodyear estimates that 20% of vehicles on the road are running under-inflated tires, which directly impacts their fuel economy. So even that alone can make a huge difference to city driving.

Cars communicating with traffic lights can help with congestion and minimize how many vehicles are stop-starting in residential areas, and smart street lighting can monitor traffic levels then direct in-car navigation systems appropriately. The use of electric vehicles and autonomous fleets alongside micromobility schemes would further contribute to the sustainability of a city.

We're on our way

Our cities are getting increasingly smart and the more the infrastructure is able to connect with different departments, vehicles, and pedestrians, this will only increase. As we move towards a world where ride-hailing, car sharing, and even autonomous transport, become more commonplace, there's going to be a shift in mindset to accommodate all these forms of mobility — alongside traditional public transport and car ownership.

To make city mobility as seamless as possible, it requires a smart connected eco-system that not only makes transport more accessible and safe but also improves living standards within the city by decreasing pollution.

If you're the type of driver who likes a spirited drive in a fun car, tire choice is important because the right tires will give extra grip when you're pushing around a corner. If you're more concerned with economical driving and a comfortable ride, you'll want a tire with slightly different properties.

Tires built for efficiency and comfort (often called touring tires) are a great choice for long journeys. Not only could you see a reduction in fuel consumption but the tires will also filter the effect of small bumps in the road's surface, making for a smoother ride.

Performance tires, on the other hand, feature tread patterns and rubber compounds made for grip. This means improved responsiveness and handling on the road (or the track!) but the trade-off is often increased fuel consumption.

There are some tires that offer the best of both worlds, though. Take the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2. Designed with fuel efficiency in mind, theses tires also offer great handling and braking performance in dry or wet conditions, just in case you come up against tricky conditions or just want to enjoy an exciting ride.

Get your pressures right

No matter what type of tires you have, you need to keep them properly inflated to get maximum fuel mileage. Underinflated tires can increase fuel consumption from anywhere between 0.6% and 3%*. The more underinflated your tires are, the more fuel you'll use.

To find the right pressure for your vehicle's tires, take a look at the sticker on the inside of the driver-side door (if not, check your handbook). Here, you'll find the correct pressures for your front and rear tires. Don't go by the maximum pressure reading on the side of your tire, always follow the recommendations from the manufacturer.

Time to get new tires?

If you're shopping around for new tires with fuel consumption in mind, there are a few things you need to look out for. The first is rolling resistance; this is the effort needed to keep a tire rolling. A high rolling resistance tire means your engine will need to work harder to keep your wheels moving. It's important to look for tires with low rolling resistance as this is one of the main things that will help you save fuel. To lower the rolling resistance of tires, manufacturers use advanced rubber compounds formulations and innovative tread patterns.

The next things to look out for is the weight of a tire. A lighter tire is going to reduce the overall weight of your car. While this difference might seem insignificant, your car's engine isn't going to be working quite as hard without that extra weight. Over tens of thousands of miles, this can make a huge difference to your fuel economy.

Rolling resistance and weight are two prime concerns for tire manufacturers. Goodyear, for example, is working to reduce rolling resistance by 40% and tire weight by 9% by 2025 — from a 2005 baseline — across its entire consumer portfolio.

If reducing your fuel consumption is important to you, you need to drive economically. This means going easy on your inputs; brake smoothly and accelerate gently, where possible. But you should also pay attention to your tires, as they have a serious impact on how much fuel you're using.

*Source: fueleconomy.gov

An easy check is to regularly monitor tire pressures. Tires lose pressure over time, and under-inflation can cause tire damage. Many vehicles are now fitted with electronic tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), but tire pressures should still be checked manually with a pressure gauge. Pressure values are usually found in a vehicle's handbook. Tire pressures should be checked at least once a month or ahead of fully laden journeys. Markings for load and speed ratings are molded on the tire's sidewall.

Inspect tire tread

Check the tire treads visually on a similar timescale. Look at the bars in-between the treads themselves as well as the center or outside edges for obvious signs of wear and any embedded objects.

Rotate your tires

Rotating tires could be another way to ensure your tires last longer¹. Tires fitted at the front of a vehicle usually wear differently than those on the rear, but by changing their position – from front to rear and vice versa – tire life can be extended. Rotation periods vary, but if you frequently drive at high speed or undertake long or fully laden journeys, more regular rotations are recommended. Uneven tire tread wear also indicates a need for rotation.

Balance and align your tires

Uneven wear may also signal a more serious wheel alignment or tire balancing issue. Correct wheel alignment makes tires last longer, and you will need to inspect your tires if your vehicle pulls to either side, or the steering wheel is not centered when driving straight or vibrates. If not corrected, the uneven tire wear caused will jeopardize the tires' effectiveness.

Switch tires for the seasons

If you want your tires to stay in good condition for longer, consider fitting appropriate tires for the season². As they are beneficial from 7°c, a switch to winter tires in colder temperatures is useful. The different chemical make-up gives better grip and traction at lower temperatures enhancing vehicle safety. However, they will also wear out faster if they are used on hot surfaces, so swap to summer tires when temperatures rise again.

Buy tires that take you further

The correct tires with the latest technology can take you further and last longer. The new Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 tires enjoy enhanced performance but help the environment by lasting longer. The Efficient Grip Performance 2 gives at least 20% more mileage life than the next best-tested competitor³, resulting in longer life as well as reduced costs.

Improve your driving habits

Good driving habits also lessen the need for frequent purchases of new tires. A smooth and gentle driving style, avoiding road surface imperfections will benefit tire life and ensure they give their best performance. Hard acceleration and braking, or aggressive driving over speed bumps and potholes will damage your tires.

Recycle or reuse

In Europe every year, more than 3 million tons of end-of-life tires are collected to be recycled or reused. So when the need for new tires does arise, dispose of your old tires responsibly and give them the opportunity for a second life.

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[1] Rotation of tires may not be suitable for all tires or vehicle types.

[2] In some countries regulations may require fitting of winter tires.

[3] 20%/11,000km higher mileage than next-best tested competitor. Mileage (i.e. until the legal tread wear limit is reached) compared to the four latest designs from competitors in summer HP segment (Michelin Primacy 4, Continental PremiumContact 6, Bridgestone Turanza T005, Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue). Tested by TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH in November 2019 by order of Goodyear. Tire size tested: 205/55R16 91V; Test car: VW Golf Mk7; Test location: open roads in central Germany. Report number: 713171748. Full report available at: https://www.goodyear.eu/en_gb/consumer/tire-test-reports/tire-test-reports-summer.html.

Eco-friendly driving is all about going soft on your inputs. This means braking early and gently when you need to slow down or stop. The same goes for acceleration; use smooth pressure on the gas pedal to get you up to speed. This is particularly important when pulling away from lights or junctions.

Not only will this reduce the amount of CO2 your car is kicking out but it'll also help you save on fuel.

Choose the right tires

As with any manufacturing process, CO2 is produced in making tires so it makes sense to choose the tires that will last the longest. The life span of your tires should be a key consideration if you're keen to reduce your carbon footprint but another thing you need to consider is the tire rolling resistance.

Typically a concern of larger vehicles searching for efficiency, this is also something to take into consideration in your road car. Tires such as Goodyear's EfficientGrip Performance 2 is a great example of tire that lasts longer (up to 50% longer compared to its predecessor¹) with good low-rolling resistance for summer use.

Check your tires

Underinflated tires can have a big impact on the emissions your vehicle produces. Check your tire pressures regularly to make sure they're pumped up. You can find your car's optimum tire pressures in the vehicle handbook. Running on under-inflated tires can make the car difficult to drive while increasing both fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions.

Don't overload your car

The heavier your car, the more power it'll need to move around. Remove anything from your car that you don't need for a trip. Carrying around heavy items unnecessarily can increase your carbon footprint but doing so can also cause wear and tear on your vehicle.

Roof boxes cause drag that can significantly increase your carbon emissions. If you're not using a roof box, or could carry items inside your car, remove the box from the top of your car. This will help you increase the overall efficiency of your car for a journey.

Use cruise control

On long drives, you should use cruise control if you are able. Letting the car take over some of the hard work reduces severe inputs such as hard acceleration. A steady speed is much more efficient from a fuel consumption point of view than regularly changing speed.

Drive with the windows up

While it can be nice to drive on country lanes with the windows down, at higher speeds this has a huge impact on the emissions your car produces. To combat against the increased drag caused by open windows, your car will use more fuel and therefore produce more carbon.

Get your car serviced

Ensuring your car is in full working order will help it stay as efficient as possible. Small issues could turn into bigger problems that might mean your car is using more fuel than necessary.

Reducing your carbon footprint is all about being aware of what activities could produce more CO2. With a few small changes to your driving behavior and how you maintain your car, you can successfully reduce your carbon footprint while out on the road.

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[1] Internal estimates. Compared to predecessor EfficientGrip Performance. Tire size: 205/55R16 91V; Car: VW Golf 7; Location: open roads in Luxembourg and France

When the tread of an aircraft tire is worn or has reached its maximum number of landings, the tire carcass often has considerable life remaining. Instead of sending a useable carcass to the landfill, the tire is sent to a Goodyear facility where it can be retreaded up to 12 times for certain tires. This process contributes to sustainable transport in many ways.

When we look for example at retreaded truck tires, there is a 29% reduction in land use and a 19% saving in water consumption by putting less pressure on rubber crops. A retread tire also requires considerably less energy to produce, resulting in 24% fewer CO2 emissions and 21% less air pollution. ¹

Supporting the circular economy

Retread aircraft tires are already contributing to the circular economy today by extending the total service life of a usable carcass. This not only significantly reduces the number of carcasses being produced, but it lessens the reliance on natural resource production and decreases the number of carcasses being recycled.

When carcasses do reach the end of service in aviation, they are repurposed in less demanding applications on agriculture and port handling vehicles. Remaining rubber from the retreading process also gains new life by being recycled into non-tire products, such as sports fields and playground floors, or used as an energy source for cement factories.

Meeting the safety and performance needs of today's aircraft

As one of the few manufacturers that serves all four segments of global aviation — including commercial and cargo, general aviation, business jets and military — Goodyear works directly with OEMs, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to address their evolving business needs and support their efforts towards sustainable transport. This means sustainability practices can be established throughout the industry with everyone working as one.

Based on its long-standing expertise, design knowledge and forward-thinking manufacturing processes, Goodyear designs aircraft tires that meet exacting specifications and are qualified to perform safely and economically. Goodyear also strives to continually seek efficiencies in processes, use innovative materials and harness clean energies to minimize its environmental footprint.

Creating a Better Future

With more than 90 years of experience with extending the life cycle of aircraft tires, Goodyear's ongoing commitment to tire retreading is a testament to the company's long-time emphasis on sustainability.

This focus on sustainable transport remains today as part of Goodyear's Better Future corporate responsibility framework, which enhances the governance of high-priority sustainability topics. Areas of focus include four pillars: Sustainable Sourcing, Responsible Operations, Advanced Mobility and Inspiring Culture. The framework works to integrate corporate responsibility into all levels of the organization, promote communication and awareness, and drive alignment with Goodyear's corporate strategy and stakeholder priorities.

A great step forward

Tire retreading is an integral part of Goodyear's business strategy and corporate responsibility along with many other OEM and commercial airline companies seeking ways to drive sustainable business outcomes.

_________________

Sources:

¹ Ernst and Young Report: The socio-economic impact of truck tyre retreading in Europe (October 2016) - https://www.etrma.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/201611-ey_retreading_lr.pdf

For 2021, Goodyear will continue its partnership with the winning KAMAZ Master team. In 2020, the team secured first and second positions in the Dakar Rally after 12 challenging stages. This was the 17th win for the team and a fantastic addition to Goodyear's motorsport track record as the team's official tyre partner.

Before the rally moved to Saudi Arabia for 2020, it'd found a home traversing the terrain of South America. Those who attempt the rally are familiar with all manner of obstacles, but the 2020 event offered lots of new challenges including sharp rocks and sand — and lots of it. As well as ensuring the vehicles are in the right condition to tackle this tricky terrain, there's another important part of the equation; tyres. The only contact point between the sand, rocks, hazardous descents, and anything else competitors might face, it's paramount they are working hard for the team.

The perfect partnership

Goodyear's standard Offroad ORD tyres proved to be the perfect companion for the KAMAZ Master team as they tackled the world's toughest rally. The deep non-skid tread dedicated off-road compound, and improved resistance to cuts make this range perfectly suited to sandy, rocky conditions.

The Dakar Rally is also the perfect proving ground for these products. With unpredictable conditions over the 12-day journey, they need to be able to withstand whatever is thrown at them, propelling the team towards the finish line around 7500km away.

A robust product that lasts, withstands cracking, is resistant to damage, and avoids holding stones and sharp objects, is key to the team's success. The tyres also have to be able to withstand the temperature build-up as they drive through the desert — with pilots making sure that tyre pressures are always correct so the truck doesn't get stuck in the sand.

In the 2020 rally, many teams struggled on the rubber-front but not KAMAZ Master as team pilot Dmitry Sotnikov highlights:

These extreme conditions are the ultimate test bed for the products that reach commercial vehicle fleets around the world. Resistance to damage and the longevity of the tyre are just as vital to a road-going commercial vehicle as it is to team KAMAZ Master's rally-ready truck.

Looking ahead to 2021

If all goes as planned, the 2021 Dakar Rally will start in Jeddah on 3 January and will pause for its rest day in Ha'il on 9 January before completing the last half of the route and finishing back in Jeddah on 15 January. This is set to be another event full of potential surprises across the sandy, rocky terrain of the Middle East.

The event is just as much about skill as it is speed, and expert tyre management plays a vital role in the success of the teams. Once again, KAMAZ Master will run on Goodyear's Offroad ORD tyres, giving them a great chance to take home yet another Dakar win.

To find out more about the 2021 Dakar rally, which begins on 3 January, visit the Dakar

Throughout the life of a commercial vehicle, there are a number of opportunities to keep components and materials at their highest value and use.

During the manufacturing process

Many commercial vehicle manufacturers make an effort to include recycled material during the build of a vehicle. These materials can usually be found in the interior, particularly in recycled plastics and other materials that make up the dashboard.

For instance, DAF Trucks makes sure each of its plastic products is specially marked so that, when a vehicle reaches the end of its life, those plastic parts can clearly be identified and recycled along with plastics of the same type. This recycled plastic is then used in new vehicles.

Repair and reuse

Even parts and components can be repaired and reused. For example, truck and bus manufacturer MAN, takes used engines as well as other products and remanufactures them so they can be sold onto customers looking for an affordable repair option for a commercial vehicle. This has huge environmental benefits, but it also saves money. According to MAN, it cuts costs by an estimated 30% per component but also reduces energy consumption by 80%, too.

Many manufacturers now take into consideration the ability to remanufacture a part during the design process. This means that for some, such as DAF, more than 90% of a truck can be reused. This sustainable practice doesn't just benefit the environment, but it means that money can be saved on 90% of a truck's parts as they go on to be used for something else.

Even consumables are part of the circular economy

Even consumable parts such as tyres are becoming increasingly sustainable with many manufacturers offering a retreading service to increase the life of the tyre. Goodyear offers a Multiple Life concept to its commercial vehicle customers, allowing them to simply pay for the retreading, without having to buy a new tyre. This helps fleets get more miles from their tyres but it also contributes to a lower carbon footprint.

Goodyear's process of regrooving, retreading, and subsequent regrooving can extend the life of a tyre by one and a half times at approximately 75% of the cost of a new one — saving money for both the manufacturer and the owner of the vehicle. This particular manufacturer also claims the performance is similar to that of a new product, which means the truck or bus still benefits from low rolling resistance resulting in enhance fuel efficiency and lower emissions, as well as high mileage while the cost per kilometer is kept low.

This means that fewer casings are scrapped, but even those that do reach the end of their working life can be used for other purposes. These end-of-life tyres are either turned into other rubber products or they are used to produce energy in other industries.

Technology and the circular economy

Monitoring the health of a commercial vehicle is paramount to sustainability in the industry. Knowing when a component or consumable needs looking at is an important part of the process, because if one of those parts goes beyond the condition needed for remanufacture or repair, the circle gets broken.

For many fleets, this means using technology to check on the condition of the vehicle and its parts. For example, Proactive Solutions offers hi-tech drive-over-readers and hands-on fleet tracking tools. This helps fleet operators and service providers to determine the right time to change, regroove or retread a tyre to extend its life. Not too early and not too late to safeguard the carcass for retreading.

Embracing the circular economy not only makes sense from a sustainability point of view but also from a business perspective. By recycling, reusing and remanufacturing parts and materials, there's resources to be saved throughout the supply chain — alongside the clear environmental benefit.

By employing soybean oil, Goodyear's use of petroleum-based oils can be reduced by up to 22 million gallons each year. Its rubber compounds also mix more easily with the polymers used in compound formulations. This, in turn, can result in both reduced energy use and greenhouse gas emissions during tire production, which contribute to Goodyear's goal to reduce these gases by 25% by 2023. 

“A part-for-part replacement results in significant improvements in processing," reports Dr. Bob Woloszynek, Goodyear's chief engineer for raw materials development and reinforcement technology. “We ran evaluations in our plants and we saw a 7 to 15% reduction in how long it takes to mix a batch. We can then leverage that reduction into energy savings or in opening up capacity." 

Key performance advantages  

Why soybean oil? Because it's a vegetable oil, it goes from a rubber-like substance to glass at a very low temperature, which makes it perfect for balancing performance in wet and winter conditions. “It's very easy to improve one attribute but normally there's a significant trade off,” Dr. Woloszynek comments. “We've significantly improved one attribute without taking the hit on the other."  

In the EMEA region, the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 tire compound employs the use of sunflower oil. “Most of the plant or vegetable oils similar to soybean oil do have their slight differences. But we've been able to take advantage of those to extend performance benefits for applicable products," says Dr. Woloszynek. 

Sustainable ways of working 

Goodyear's use of soybean oil technology echoes the gradual shift towards sustainable materials whose benefits appeal to consumers, fleet managers, and OEMs. 

Goodyear's goal of the full replacement of petroleum-derived oils by 2040 shows innovative thinking as well as dedication to more sustainable ways of working that not only have a positive impact on the environment but on performance, too. 

Dr. Woloszynek says, "Soybean oil is a co-product of something that will always be grown because we need it to feed both people and animals. If Goodyear can take advantage of its surplus and use it for performance benefits, it's a win-win for everybody." 

To capitalise on the opportunities of the digital age, there are a number of areas that need addressing; both from a time-pressure point of view as well as in terms of controlling costs. It's important that fleets are preventing downtime as much as possible and increasing winter mobility while also controlling fuel costs, reducing tire wear, and cutting the costs of maintenance and admin.

There are plenty of technological advancements that help fleet managers achieve maximum operating efficiency but on top of tyre sensors and time-saving tech, having the right support can do just as much to help fleets keep up with the demand of the modern world.

Implement time-saving technology

Taking note of ongoing repetitive tasks can help to identify areas where technology might save some time. Whether it's checking tyres, admin jobs in the office, or getting time sheets from drivers, there's a solution out there that could save both time and money.

For example, a drive-over-reader installed at fleet depots and will automatically check the condition and load per axle of all tyres as a vehicle drives over it. This is a piece of technology that drastically reduces the need to manually check tyre pressures and tread — for 50 vehicles, that brings the time spent checking from 20 hours down to just one. For Swiss bus company TPF, which has 55 city and 170 regional buses, this saves an enormous amount of time.

Control fuel costs

Most new vehicles are more efficient than their predecessors but to upgrade an entire fleet can be costly. In the interim, there are a number of ways to control fuel costs, from economic driving through to sensible tyre choices.

The correct fuel-efficient tyres have helped the fleet of Omega Pilzno to substantially reduce fuel costs.

Reduce tyre wear

Cost-management is just as important as increasing revenue when margins are becoming more and more squeezed — reducing tyre wear can play a big part in cutting costs. 

Prevent downtime

Whether its about preventing downtime of vehicles back at base or trying to minimise breakdowns and other issues out on the road, it's clear that reduced downtime leads to increased revenue. The more vehicles can be out doing their jobs, the quicker customers are served — plus no one likes having to wait when timelines are already tight.

A transport company's reputation lies in the ability to do the job they’ve promised. 

But of course, things don't always go to plan — and it is down to Jean-Pierre to ensure that trucks get moving again as soon as possible.

Looking for ways to increase efficiency is paramount to surviving these challenging times and will open up even more opportunities to excel customer excellence, reduce costs and optimize revenue. It's worth taking a step back to look at operations with a critical eye to see areas where key technologies or partnerships could improve an area of the business.

Goodyear's dedication to reducing its energy usage is a long and winding road, but it's achieving results through improved efficiency; in 2019, this culminated in its energy usage being reduced by 18% compared with the 2010 baseline. For EMEA, that reduction stood at respectable 26%. The aim is to reduce worldwide energy use by 25% come 2023, which will require a stronger focus than ever on energy reduction and renewable energy opportunities.

Goodyear reduces energy consumption by keeping a close eye on energy usage in all plants to ensure each facility is as efficient as possible. In the Fürstenwalde facility, LED lighting, mixer efficiency, and leak repair products are also used to save energy. On top of this, renewable energy plays a role in Goodyear's efforts to be more sustainable, with two photovoltaic power stations being built in Luxembourg, and a number of other plants already using solar energy and hydropower.

The most impressive thing is that Goodyear's tires keep becoming more and more complex in terms of how the production process has evolved, meaning their creation consumes more energy, yet the company has continued to actually reduce its energy usage.

Greenhouse gas and other waste

Energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions are intrinsically linked; Goodyear's efforts to reduce energy consumption has led to a 19% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions since 2010. The formula is simple – the less energy the company uses, the lower the emissions.

This means that Goodyear is well ahead of its goals when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as the worldwide goal for the company is a reduction of 25% by 2023. In the EMEA region, Goodyear's greenhouse gas emissions are already down by 24%.

In terms of other types of waste, Goodyear established a zero waste-to-landfill expectation at its tire and chemical plants back in 2006, and has improved its efforts every year since; for example, last year, it also began measuring its waste by type and disposal method.

Water

While tire production doesn't, generally, use a lot of water, Goodyear's efforts towards lessening its use of water is focused on high-stress locations where it's a more valuable resource. It tracks its water use and water withdrawal data across 43 facilities, with a goal to be as efficient as possible so as not to use a burdensome amount of water in these high-stress areas.

In 2019, global water usage was reduced by 15% from the 2010 baseline, and, currently, Goodyear is drawing up new water reduction goals for the next five years. EMEA is the leading area in reducing water use, having reduced water consumption by 33% since 2010.

Goodyear's commitment to responsible tire production, with the EMEA region making progress for the rest of the world to follow, is an ongoing, inspirational journey that will continue to evolve along with the science that enables it.

But it's not just driving in the snow and ice that can cause a problem for trucks on our roads. Even in the UK, which often sees milder winters than other parts of Europe, roads are often blocked and the wet weather increases braking distances significantly.

Some things can't be avoided but there's plenty that can be to tackle the majority of what winter can throw at it. Just a short overview of steps for commercial vehicles that can potentially avoid and reduce breakdowns or incidents.

Get ready for winter

Because winter can throw up all sorts of unpredictable weather and road conditions, it is advisable all trucks are thoroughly checked before winter arrives. This means thorough checks as of September to ensure all vehicles are ready.

Having parts in-stock can also help fleets maximise winter uptime. Waiting around for consumables such as tyres can reduce winter mobility significantly.

Winter-specific checks

At the depot, a clear routine should be in place to ensure each truck is ready to go, no matter the weather. These checks should include tyre tread and pressures, brakes, and fluids. Drivers are informed if there are any issues with the vehicle that need addressing and depots should make it easy for these issues to be identified, looked at and fixed to maximise winter mobility.

For large fleets, drive-over-readers can make checking tyres a quick job using technology that scans each vehicle as it enters the depot.

Use the correct tyres

3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake (3PMSF) tyres are the standard for winter in Europe. They decrease winter braking distances, increasing safety. From November 2012, the UNECE Regulation 117 requires that for tyres to be used in winter conditions, a minimum level of winter braking and traction needs to be achieved — tyres that pass these tests are marked as 3PMSF.

3PMSF tyres can be used all year long and they are also compliant with winter regulations across Europe. There are some countries in Europe that require 3PMSF tyres not only to be fitted to the drive and/or steer axle of commercial vehicles but also on trailers, as this increases braking power and ensures the trailer won't overtake the tractor.

For areas with heavy snow conditions, a dedicated winter range such as the ULTRA GRIP MAX is recommended. These 3PMSF tyres are designed for areas such as Scandinavia or the Alps where roads are frequently covered in snow and ice.

Timely replace tyres and regroove to refresh traction

Almost all of us who drive regularly have been in a situation where the road has been blocked by a jack-knifing lorry. In the best-case scenario this causes delays but in the worst case, it can be downright dangerous. This is caused by lack of traction and thanks to the weight carried by commercial vehicles, even the smallest skid can cause a large slide.

Consumers might be used to wearing their tyres down to the legal limit before changing them but this is poor practice. With a heavy truck, keeping an eye on tyre tread and condition is vital. Muller says: “We advise looking at the tyre wear and early regrooving can refresh traction at the start of winter and will make them last longer. This allows fleets to keep good level of mobility during winter. Below five millimetres of remaining rubber the tyre will offer less traction."

Safety is important to the commercial vehicle industry and fleets are very proactive when it comes to preparing and maintaining their vehicles for winter use. Winter mobility isn't just important for the haulage and transport sectors either, increased winter mobility also positively affects car drivers as it minimises delays on the road.

According to the United Nations, more than 700 million tons of rice is harvested worldwide each year.

During the milling process, the protective outer shell, or husk, is separated from the rice grain and discarded. To reduce the amount of waste shipped to landfills, the rice husks are often burned to generate electricity, leaving behind a silica-rich byproduct known as rice husk ash (RHA).

Goodyear started exploring the use of RHA silica in 2013 with positive results.

“When we consider substitute material sources, we look for the impacts on product performance,” said Dr. Bob Woloszynek, Goodyear's chief engineer for raw materials development and reinforcement technology. "We were pleased to find that compared to conventional sand-based silica, the RHA-grade material was an equivalent replacement in performance.”

RHA silica is now firmly entrenched in Goodyear's materials portfolio and used across several of its global manufacturing facilities.

Silica’s positive effect on tire performance

The addition of silica enhances a tire tread's flexibility and elasticity at lower temperatures, which gives better traction and grip. Goodyear has also found that silica improves tires’ rolling resistance when compared to carbon black. The resulting lower rolling resistance also allows for enhanced vehicle fuel economy and wet weather tire performance.

The company is now working closely with its suppliers to further expand the use of RHA silica and has set a goal to double its use by 2021.

“We are really pleased to continue developing this technology from something that would have been sent to landfill, and include it in our premium products," said Dr. Woloszynek.

The creation of smart and connected tires for fleets, electric, and autonomous vehicles helps make our roads safer for all users. These tires have the power to flag issues such as under-inflation and tire wear, and can reduce stopping distance lost between a new and worn tire by 30%. Goodyear aims to ensure consumer adoption of intelligent tires by 2021.

• Decent work and economic growth

Goodyear audits all of the company's natural rubber suppliers every two years to ensure its operations are not supporting child or forced labor. In 2018 and 2019, Goodyear conducted onsite audits at 98% of its supply in line with its supplier code of conduct. The company will follow up with onsite audits for the remaining 2% when travel restrictions from COVID-19 are lifted.

• Reduced inequalities

Goodyear is dedicated to creating a professional and respectful workplace and has a zero tolerance policy to protect associates from discrimination, harassment, retaliation and workplace violence.

• Sustainable cities and communities

Services such as Proactive Solutions help lower operating costs for fleets, and help them operate more efficiently. Goodyear is also collaborating with all major OEMs on electric and hybrid mobility to help usher in a better future. Half of the company's original equipment tire developments in Europe are for EVs and hybrids.

• Responsible consumption and production

Goodyear established, and continues to uphold, a zero waste-to-landfill expectation at its tire and chemical plants back in 2006. In 2019, the company reduced its global energy usage by 18% and GHG emissions by 19% versus 2010 baseline.

• Climate action

Goodyear can help influence fuel efficiency through its tires’ rolling resistance and weight. A tire with low rolling resistance and a vehicle with less weight consume less fuel and emit fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2005, Goodyear reduced rolling resistance by 29% across the company's consumer tire portfolio, worldwide.

• Life on land

Goodyear is a founding member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber, which was created to recognize and promote human rights within the natural rubber value chain and avoid ecosystem conversion and deforestation, among principles. In addition, Goodyear strengthened its own natural rubber policy to further promote an environmentally and socially-responsible supply chain.

So where to next?

Despite the challenges faced in 2020, the company continues to qualify and further quantify its impact on these SDGs. But Goodyear isn't on this journey alone. Each of the company's goals require collaboration, and its positive moves are supported by the automotive industry at large, its supply chain and its workforce. This teamwork ensures that Goodyear — and its customers — understand the impact of what is being done, and to see the benefits of Goodyear's goals. The journey is ongoing, and the future looks brighter than ever.

Watch your speed

Wet and icy roads reduce traction, making it much harder to control your car if you're going too fast. Because rain, ice, and snow can increase braking distances, it's important to slow down and increase your distance so you can more easily come to a stop.

Being gentle on the brakes can also help you to slow down but don't forget to use your gears too — moving down through the gears can help you slow down more safely with less risk of locking your wheels and sliding.

Check your tires

It's important to check that your tread depth is within the legal limit. If you regularly drive in wintry conditions, winter tires will reduce your stopping distances, too. In fact, even if you're not driving in snow and ice, winter tires are recommended for this time of year. Keep an eye on the average outside temperature as Goodyear recommends switching to winter tires as soon as the weather starts to turn. The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ tires provide exemplary handling in all weather conditions.

Know how to get unstuck

Winter brings with it the chance that you'll get stuck in mud or snow. If this happens, it's important to know what to do. Giving your vehicle a lot of gas to try and pull away is counter-intuitive and will only get you more bogged down as your wheels spin.

Instead, put your vehicle in a higher gear and try to pull away slowly. The lower torque will help you get more grip without the wheel spin.

Watch out for ice

Bridges are more prone to ice than other parts of the road so approach with caution, slow down, and drive smoothly. This will help you if you do hit a patch of ice.

Be prepared

If you're going to be doing a long journey and the weather is set to get bad, it might be worth packing your car with some essentials in case you get stuck or need to wait for a recovery vehicle. You might consider including some of the following items:

• Warm clothing and blankets
• Snacks and water
• Warning triangle
• Hi-vis jackets or vests
• Torch
• In-car charger
• Fire extinguisher
• First-aid kit

Some of these items will be required by law — such as a hi-vis vest, warning triangle and first aid kit — depending on the country you are driving in so check local laws to ensure you're carrying at least the minimum. All these items will help you if you break down or get stranded but the best thing you can do is make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey.

Get your car checked over

Any vehicle with an underlying issue is more likely to break down when cold weather hits. It's important you get your car checked over — beyond the tires — especially if you're going to be doing a lot of miles over winter. Make sure to check:

• Your battery is charged
• All lights are in full working order
• You have good quality windscreen wipers that aren't damaged or cracked
• Your windscreen washers are topped up with fluid suitable for freezing temperatures

A car that's in full working order is going to be a much better winter companion than one that's been struggling with any kind of issue, no matter how small it seems.

Avoid distractions

More than anything, winter driving requires you to be alert and aware. Poor visibility and, often, treacherous conditions require all your attention to make sure you get to your destination safely.

Getting your vehicle ready for winter doesn't have to be difficult. The time you spend preparing your vehicle will help you stay safe on the roads and in bad weather.

In logistics, this means balancing the growing demand for transport of goods while working towards a more sustainable operating model. This type of business is under a great deal of time pressure, with every minute and every euro counting; optimising uptime, mileage and fuel efficiency are key, while legislation encourages them further towards reduced emissions.

2019 saw the implementation of VECTO, a simulation tool which is used for determining the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of trucks, and its use is now mandatory for specific categories of new trucks. If an OEM is not meeting these standards for emissions – namely, a reduction of 15% by 2025 and 30% by 2030 – the manufacturer will face severe financial penalties.  carbon-neutral future.

Large logistics businesses are putting increasingly green buying criteria in place. They're focused on how responsible selected suppliers run their operations, such as the use of renewable materials and energy, lowering CO2, and seeking for products for which the full life cycle is as sustainable as possible.

Supporting customers' needs

Goodyear's strategy is to work directly with OEMs and hauliers to address their evolving business needs and support their efforts towards sustainable transport. Often overlooked by the external world but a key focus area for the company is the role of low-rolling-resistance (LRR) tyres and their direct impact on reducing emission levels of trucks and buses as well as the total cost of ownership (TCO) for the fleet. 

A genuine win-win, however, an enormous amount of development goes into creating a tyre that ticks all the boxes on the operational side and is in line with current regulations and these that kick in this decade – and beyond. Sustainability is vital to Goodyear and is addressed with the four pillars of its Better Future framework – sustainable sourcing, responsible operations, advanced mobility, and inspiring culture.

The power of low-rolling resistance

It's truly incredible what difference a tyre can make. For a transportation fleet, the cost of the tyre is, on average, 3% of the TCO – but in reality, it can influence up to 40%. By keeping the rolling resistance as low as possible, the emissions levels and fuel efficiency of the vehicle are directly impacted.

The design of this type of tyre is a complex process, as a variety of elements can impact rolling resistance. The company looks at the design of the tread profile and ways of optimising the deformation levels of the tyre caused by load and motion forces, as well as the use of advanced raw materials. Goodyear is also at the cutting edge of developing smart algorithms that prevent tyre-related breakdowns, further optimising the product lifespan and, by extension, saving the user money. Many customers have stated that real-time tyre monitoring and the ability to plan tyre maintenance proactively have had a positive impact on the carbon footprint plus the TCO of their vehicles.

Advanced solutions such as the Goodyear Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, will not only report the pressure in real-time but will also prevent tyre-related issues before they even happen. The in-house developed algorithm, called G-predict, will send an alert to the driver and the operational manager whenever the pressure is not correct and indicate the gravity of the issue with straightforward colour code so the correct action can be taken. This might be that the tyre needs to be replaced right away, checked by a professional after the next delivery, or at the next service appointment. 

The company continues to further enhance its offering in line with emerging expectations, by working on new technologies, intelligent designs, and innovative materials to support its customers in their efforts to reduce emissions.

Fundamentally, LRR tyres are nothing new for Goodyear – however, innovation is accelerating at a rapid pace, opening the door to new solutions and the use of renewable materials such as soybean and dandelion or even rice husk ashes. On top of this, the tyres themselves are long-lasting as a result of the Goodyear Multiple Life concept. This concept includes the retreading and regrooving of truck tyres and helps to extend their service lifetime meaning far fewer tyres need to be recycled — plus they’ll deliver up to 25% more mileage while lowering the tyre costs by up to 30%.² The production of a retreaded tyre uses significantly less oil, chemicals and other materials than a new tyre and its production involves fewer emissions. All this delivers a more sustainable model of production and contributes to the EU’s objectives for a circular economy. 

Low rolling resistance and excellent mileage

Low rolling resistance isn't the beginning or the end of sustainability, but it is a vital cog, supporting sustainable transport objectives.

With the aim of rendering Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, the European Commission is rolling out the Green Deal strategy with the rationale that economic growth, environmental protection and societal prosperity go hand in hand instead of being in trade-offs. 

Goodyear is firmly dedicated to continuously tailoring its value proposition, Goodyear Total Mobility, cradle-to-cradle. Goodyear's integrated product, data solutions, and service network roadmap firmly prioritise growing customer demands and emerging green goals of all industry stakeholders to ensure a sustainable, profitable, and carbon-neutral future.

_______________________

¹ Potential savings based on a Goodyear calculation model, taking into account the rolling resistance performance of new tyres. Actual savings may vary based upon vehicle condition and maintenance, traffic conditions, driver behaviour and other factors.

² Based on internal analysis by the Goodyear Innovation Centre Luxembourg (GIC*L) comparing the use of two sets of new Goodyear tyres versus the Multi-Life-Concept using one set of new Goodyear tyres, regrooving, one set of Goodyear TreadMax tyres and again regrooving.

The Role Tyres Play in a Championship

As official tyre supplier of the FIA European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC), Goodyear's tyres are put through their paces during a race weekend as 15 race-prepared trucks — based on road-going 4x2 tractor units — roar around Europe's race tracks. These trucks boast massive 1,500-bhp engines with average torque of 5,500 Nm, which can power the trucks from 0-100 kph in five seconds and 30-160 kph in just six seconds.

Without the right tyres, these trucks would never be able to perform in this way. With heavy loads under braking and 0-100 kph times to rival a sports car — but in a full-size truck!— the tyres need to withstand a lot of stress.

The same goes for endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. High-quality tyres contribute to the complex strategy of 24-hour race. Teams need to balance performance alongside fuel saving, meaning the tyres need to find the perfect balance between these two elements.

Formula One strategy is very similar. During its time in Formula One, Goodyear picked up 368 victories — still an unbeaten record today — and contributed to some clever strategy decisions. Again, the balance needs to be found between durability and performance to ensure drivers are able to get as much as possible from their cars while reducing the amount of time spent in the pits.

It's important that the tyres are fit for the job. Not only do they have to withstand the harsh conditions of the racetrack — high-speed kerbstone impacts, high temperatures, heavy braking, and quick acceleration — but they need to both perform and be efficient at the same time. These race tyres also need to work just as well in the wet as they do in the dry, as the ETRC uses the same tyres for both dry and wet conditions.

Continuing Innovation

These challenging race conditions make the perfect test bed for the innovation of new tyre technologies. Not just in terms of how to last longer, go faster, find more grip or save more fuel, but in terms of how to find the best balance and durability for road-going tyres.

Motorsport is exciting but it also provides an important element for the next level of tyres for both commercial and passenger vehicles.

Since 2004, Goodyear has been running a truck racing development programme, in which the specially designed Goodyear Truck Race Tyre became a reality. Since then, these tyres have evolved quite considerately including the introduction of RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) chips in 2011 to support the FIA officials in monitoring teams' tyre use to ensure fair play.

After intensive testing in truck racing, this connected tyre technology was brought into Goodyear's current on-road and mixed-service tyres. The chip in the tyre helps optimise daily fleet operations and tyre maintenance. The chip also provides a unique identification code, enabling tracking and monitoring of the tyre during its entire lifetime through production, regrooving, retreading and recycling.

From Race to Road

With this innovation, the technology that goes into Goodyear's truck racing tyres means that on-road tyres are getting more and more sophisticated and stronger — offering more mileage through extended lifetime. For commercial vehicles, the focus, of course, isn't on short-term performance. What Goodyear learns from its race truck tyres, it implements on the road to create more sustainable and efficient tyres with a low-rolling resistance to improve fuel consumption and wear.

Goodyear's range of tyres for commercial vehicles focus on these core areas:

• Fuel efficiency and sustainability
• Performance and versatility
• All-weather capabilities
• Durability and efficiency

Stay tuned for more news on the 2020 FIA European Truck Racing Championship season.