New tire design by Michelin

Just one question, do they do bent spokes in red?

 

lame. if they come out they will just end up being a statis symbol, like dubs

 

THAT right there is the point! Marketing these days is all about creating the IMPRESSION of a crisis. Little League ball players have to wear a full face mask these days because one kid got beaned in the face and died--out of a few million. Automatic garage doors have those optic sensors across the bottom because someone got squashed. Out of tens of millions. A lot of them also have carbon monoxide sensors that automatically open the door because one person came home drunk, fell asleep in the garage with the car running and died.
Today, it's all about marketing the crisis that COULD happen, and making sure it doesn't happen to you...regardless of what the real chances or odds are. Every day, the TV news has some big SPECIAL REPORT on pick-a-topic, and it sucks you in by saying THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU! HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF!!! Truth is, you've got a better chance of being struck by lightning. But lessen your odds by not talking on the phone during a lightning storm, because lightning could hit your house, travel up the phone line and fry your brain. Even though it's a cordless phone.
I think these tires will eventually hit the market, and all the sheep will want them.
-Brad

 

Brad,

You missed the most important point about run-flat technology, especially for passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs.

If it was possible, the major auto manufacturers would be delighted to eliminate the spare tire as standard equipment on ALL cars and trucks being produced. #1) cost savings, no rim/tire or jack. #2) eliminates design problems of where to package the spare #3) overall vehicle weight savings which will improve fuel economy and raise CAFE rating. #4) eliminate any associated spare tire warranty issues.

But unfortunately, current run-flat technology is primarily limited to low aspect ratio tires.

Foam and other internal tire devices (ridgid support systems, some currently used by the military) have not been successful in the passcar/light truck segment. I tested versions as far back as 15-20 years ago.

Right now the best technology going is on-board low pressure monitoring systems to prevent flat tires. Prices have reduced significantly as production numbers increase.

I can't remember the exact percentages, but the number of tire failures caused by low inflation (lack of maintenance or slow leaks) vs immediate pressure loss punctures is like 25 to 1.

Visually, the normal driver can't identify a radial tire low pressure condition until it's below 13-14 psi. The lower the aspect ratio, the lower the number.

While driving, the normal driver, can not sense (feel) a radial tire low pressure condition until tire pressure is 10 psi or less.

Also, about 75-80% of tire punctures are on the rear axle. Why? Think about it (maybe over another cup of coffee).

 

Excellent points. I'd never even thought of the spare tire issue with the OEs, but makes perfect sense. (Need proof, just look at space-saver spares).

I agree with the visuals for low inflation, too. Hell, I had two low inflation tires blow on my Dodge Dakota last year--both on the passenger side rear. I never look at them when walking to the vehicle. And I didn't feel that they were low, either. Sidewalls disintegrated at about 55mph on the way in to work. Both damn times! (I seriously think the kids across the street were messing with my truck...the valve stem was missing on one, and I know damn well it was there originally.)

I didn't realize you worked for/with tire companies. We never really got into the meat and potatoes of what you did.

And now I'm curious--why are most punctures on the rear axle?
-Brad

 

i think the last time i had a flat was the last time i went to the landfill. got a couple of slow leakers right now that should be taken care of...

MY point is if attitudes like yours prevailed towards new technologies, we'd all still be riding in horse drawn carriages.

i can think of one real good application for these tweels that hasn't been mentioned, street friendly drag tires.

 

Funny you should bring that up. I was standing next to my desk (which is metal,) on the phone during a lightning storm once and lightning actually passed through me, and gapped between my elbow and the desk. The tissue in my elbow was burned for a few weeks. It was crazy...

 

I think for the wheelchair thing, they would be awesome... imagine getting in a personal vehicle that could climb the stairs, and go down to the beach... that's friggin great!

As far as their "looks", and whether they will be all we have to choose from in the future... get a life kids. Oh, and if I remember right, "old school" was wooden spokes and solid rubber tires... we've accepted other things haven't we?

 

Probably due to people trying to avoid running over something they saw in the road and didn't.

 

very cool: sure as hell will keep the down time from flat tires at minimum...(industrial applications mostly)

 

Maybe if one were real skinny and could hold the weight of my car, I would consider it as a spare. It looks pretty light weight. If it were about as cheap as the can of tire fix I keep in the car for trips across the Mohave to VLV...

Never mind, I would rather carry the can of tire fix. I can get a lot of other stuff in (like tools) if I leave this funky spare out of the car.

Now back to our regular progamming.

 

Surely you jest..............

 

Please don't let Boyd Foose see those.

 

Although I generally dont agree with Boyds styling Ideas, and one or two of Chips, I dont think that either of them would put those tires on one of their cars. These would be great in military operations, heavy industrial, whatever, but I doubt you will see these on everyday cars. Not only would they likely have a lot of tire noise, but what are the police going to do with their spike strips? Use those electronic disabling guns? Good luck finding a computer that will shut my car down.

 

But I doubt you'd run 'em on your car. lol

 

I dont know, its hard to make a 59 galaxie look any uglier. No, I dont mind their looks so much, and hopefully itll be looking a lot better soon. Something about emerald green and white? In truth? I would never run them on a street car. I wonder if we'll all be sitting around 20 years from now talking about how dangerous it is to run radials.

 

Let's see how they would hold up to a good old Hamb Drags style burnout!
When they start putting 'em on Top Fuel dragsters, then I'll think about running 'em.... my $.02

 

What I'm gonna' tell ya' doesn't apply to police nail strips and BIG stuff ya' can normally see and avoid.

The potential puncture making object is laying in the road. You strike it with the front tire and nothing happens because ya' just roll over it. But the impact kicks it up at an angle, the rear tire comes along strikes the object, if it doesn't bend or get deflected it's now embedded in the rear tire. Now we have a puncture. Depending upon the object size, it may not cause a total or immediate pressure loss condition. But it'll probably be one that will require repair if you're observant enough to discover the problem before you destroy the tire by running it for a significant time in a low pressure condition.

This is one reason why low pressure monitoring systems are so important. To discover the problem before you're left stranded on the side of the road.

You'd be amazed at the stuff we collected that caused flat tires. I wish I kept some of it. One I remember was a tooth brush! Figure that one out. Another was a Bic style ball point pen. The "stuff" (flat tire makers) that's on the shoulders of a well traveled road are incredible.

Avoid using the emergency lane on the interstate. If ya' do, do it as slowly as possible. For the reasons I mentioned, try not to build up speed there before you merge with traffic.

 

modified says it like it is

 

I think they might look just right on the 2008 AMBR.............there was just something missing on that thing..........and I think it was these!