Continental rolls out new drive, steer tires

New drive and steer tires in ultra low profile sizes have been added to Continental Tire North America’s product line. The HSL2 Eco Plus (heavy steer long haul) and the HDL2 Eco Plus (heavy drive long haul) tires come in a 295/60R22.5 size. That is three inches shorter than a 275/80R22.5 size, but offers 1,215 lbs. additional carrying capacity in a single fitment for load range G, the tire maker pointed out.

The HDL2 offers an arrow-shaped directional pattern tread design to minimize typical drive tire wear in large capacity and car carrier applications. The HSL2 features a specialized tread design with wide shoulder ribs and narrow tread grooves for low noise and optimal weight distribution across the tire’s footprint. Both tread compounds are optimized for low rolling resistance.

Continental also said it recently hosted a “Beat the Best” fuel savings workshop for fleet executives at its Uvalde, TX, facility. The workshop allowed executives to see first-hand factors affecting fuel efficiency, said Clif Armstrong, director of marketing, Continental Truck Tires – The Americas.

“At the ‘Beat the Best’ workshop in Uvalde, we gave fleets a thorough understanding of the factors that affect fuel efficiency and how their truck tires are an integral part of the equation,” Armstrong said. “Our goal was to demonstrate in the workshop, and out on the track, that fuel savings is not only the most impactful strategy to lower driving costs, but that it is more easily attainable than they might think.”

Engineers also answered questions relating to aerodynamic, driving, and rolling resistance factors that work together to determine a truck’s fuel consumption.