Continental Tire the Americas’ HSL2 long haul steer tire is the first tire in the HSL2 family of products to be produced with the company’s Eco Plus compounding for low rolling resistance. Continental will phase out the previous generation of HSL2 products in favor of an updated line featuring Eco Plus compounding in all products.
All sizes will be changed to HSL2 Eco Plus by the end of summer 2012, said brand manager Libor Heger.
“Even wear is crucial if a fleet is looking for optimal steer tire performance. With the latest generation of low rolling resistance compounding, the new HSL2 Eco Plus offers not only SmartWay verified fuel saving performance, but also advanced wear characteristics,” Heger said.
The HSL2 Eco Plus includes the same proven technologies as the HSL2, including increased tread wear volume for longevity and engineering specifically for balanced pressure distribution and vectored forces within the tire’s footprint, the company said. Continental’s VAI, a graduated system of sipes that provide a visual indication of proper alignment, is also included from the previous generation product.
The updated tire is now made with the Eco Plus tread compounding, specially formulated for low rolling resistance, and footprint modifications to guard against irregular wear.
“Components of the Eco Plus compound were specifically selected to reduce two major concerns with steer tires: decoupler groove cracking and micro-cracking in the sipes. Both of these contribute to irregular wear and premature removal of the tire,” said Heger. “In addition, we’ve modified the footprint of this tire for maximum performance. More even pressure distribution in the footprint versus the previous generation HSL2 reduces slippage and tread ‘snap,’ which also delivers more even wear.”
Other features that ensure longer mileage and retreadability for the HSL2 Eco Plus are a premium four-ply belt package and advanced bead chafer construction for extended product life through the retreading phases, Heger said.
The HSL2 Eco Plus is available now in NAFTA markets, in sizes 11R22.5, 275/80R22.5, 11R24.5, and 285/75R24.5. These sizes offer 19/32nds tread depth and load ranges G and H.
