March 31, 2009 – Scania, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks and buses, is the first manufacturer to approve a new steer axle truck tyre from Goodyear, which offers valuable customer benefits. The Goodyear Marathon LHS II 375/50R22.5 steer tyre, which is a size unique to Goodyear, is a Max Technology product. It allows an 8 tonne front axle capacity with low ride height, causes less road damage and gives improved fuel consumption in comparison with other steer tyres.
After testing, Scania approved the tyre and becomes the first manufacturer to offer it. This tyre features the Goodyear Max Technology AirMax concept, which is to increase the air volume inside a tyre without increasing its diameter. This provides a wide range of benefits including increased load capacity, lower operating costs and less road damage.
Scania is in the forefront when it comes to offering tyres that provide customer benefits which further enhance the company's vehicles. Scania also approves the Goodyear Marathon LHS II 355/50R22.5 tyre, which again was an industry first when it was launched. This is another product featuring the AirMax concept and provides similar benefits to the new 375/50R22.5. Also in the size 355/50R22.5, Scania has further previously approved the Goodyear Ultragrip WTS steer axle tyre for operating in winter conditions. Original Equipment manufacturer acceptance of new sizes is always a reflection of the need and benefits that such new innovations offer the transport industry.
The 375/50R22.5 Marathon LHS II offers the unique combination of an 8 tonne axle load capacity, full low-chassis compatibility and high mileage performance, thereby extending considerably the transport flexibility of the truck. In addition to this the tyre has Goodyear FuelMax Technology. FuelMax Technology is for long haul tyres and is a combination of dedicated design and material features. These improve fuel consumption and therefore reduce emissions, while providing enhanced mileage and wet braking performance.
The tyre, which is the first in this size offered by the industry, was launched by Goodyear. It is the second tyre size with this Max Technology, complementing the very successful Marathon LHS II 355/50R22.5. A considerable number of trucks of all makes have been converted to 375/50R22.5 Marathon LHS II tyres by operators. The interest in and acceptance of simple solutions to upgrade overall vehicle performance and flexibility is very high among cost conscious haulers.
A further benefit from these tyres is that they can be regrooved and subsequently retreaded as a trailer tyre. This means that the cost effectiveness is increased and the environmental impact reduced during the total tyre life cycle.
Scania trucks with 375/50R22.5 Goodyear Marathon LHS II tyres will become available during spring 2009. The tyre option will be offered on all non-driven axles.
