Bridgestone Ecopia fuel efficient tires

Gear Guide — Spring Truck Show Roundup

Bridgestone Tires’ Ecopia fuel efficient tires are designed to reduce overall tire wear costs up to 29 percent by fostering retreading. Five tires in the Ecopia series will be complemented with equivalent Bandag FuelTech retreads to reduce life cycle costs.

The NanoPro-Tech polymer technology helps control particle movement by bonding the carbon black in the tread more securely at an atomic level, which reduces flexing and related energy loss. The Fuel Saver sidewall compound runs cooler, saving more energy, the company said. In addition, the IntelliShape sidewall, found in the M710 Ecopia drive radial and R197 Ecopia trailer tire, contain less bead filler volume, which lowers tire weight, improving fuel economy and conserving natural resources, the company said.

Several changes extend casing life. A new Defense Side Groove feature has been incorporated into the R283 Ecopia steer tire, which creates uniform pressure along the footprint at the shoulder and helps extend tread life. A High Rigidity Tread Pattern was added to extend wear. And, the Waved Belt design improves durability, contributing to a more retreadable casing, especially when paired with a Bandag FuelTech product, the company said. Turn-In-Ply technology enhances durability and retreadability over the life of the casing.