Michelin introduced its XZA3 + Evertread steer tire June 8, incorporating a “dual-compound” tread design.
Ted Becker, director of marketing for Michelin America’s Truck Tires, said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay certified tire is designed for fuel efficiency, meeting California Air Resources Board requirements and to deliver 30 percent more mileage than competitor steer tires.
Becker said the tire employs a wear-resistant compound for the five bands of tread that contact the road and another compound, located underneath, that “keeps the casing cool.” This layer supports all the tread bands and composes the shoulder rib.
The idea behind the design is to provide a stiff compound that resists wear, including irregular wear, for the wide, flat tread, and a separate compound that can flex on the road, keeping the casing cool and optimizing fuel economy.
Other design features include a thicker, more damage-resistant inner liner, and a bead that employs Michelin’s rectangular bead bundle. The rectangular design “keeps the bead stable on the rim,” Becker said.
