马币持续贬值，轮胎售价10月调涨！

今年初因原产品价格下滑，轮胎价格下调，即使政府落实消费税，轮胎价格仍能保持不变，唯独这一波的马币贬值冲击，促使马币兑换美元而令到营运成本调高，预料10月，轮胎价格会上调5至10%。森美兰轮胎商公会会长黎日森指出，由于制造轮胎的原料价格以美元交易，然而马币不断贬值，导致轮胎成本提高，制造厂商已决定会在近期内宣布起价。
“轮胎制造厂商已向业者透露，成本较低的轮胎存货有限，他们必须调涨成本较高的轮胎价格，首当其冲的就是进口轮胎品牌，包括来自泰国、中国与印度等国家的产品。”他表示，轮胎的种类很多，涨幅相信从5至10%不等，而我国对进口轮胎的需求量相当多，包括Continental、Dunlop、Silverstone、Bridgestone与Goodyear等品牌。
“其实，轮胎价格于今年年头因原产品和石油价格下跌等因素而一度调降，实施消费税后也因10%税收统一为6%而没有降价，然而如今马币贬值难以回升，外国厂商吃不消而决定起价。”他指出，待现有的较低价轮胎存货卖完后，所有的新货就会涨价。至于本地制造的轮胎，则因仍有很多存货，相信暂时不会涨价。

Michelin Total Performance

Michelin Total Performance identifies the company's global strategy of developing tires capable of simultaneously delivering superior levels of performance in the key areas of safety, fuel efficiency, grip, longevity and durability. Through Michelin Total Performance, Michelin is maximizing tire performances by developing tires that reach for higher and more sweeping levels of innovation than previously imagined.

 Maximizing multiple tire performances requires overcoming challenges in design opposition.

 An example is the conflict that exists in increasing tread life while reducing fuel consumption. The easiest way to extend tire life is to add more rubber to the tread, but this negatively impacts fuel efficiency as more rubber means more weight and greater rolling resistance.

 Dry and wet grip performance is another example of design opposition. For dry conditions, it's optimal to have as much tread rubber in contact with the road as possible, as a slick tire does in racing. Conversely for wet conditions, it's necessary for tires to use patterned blocks and ridges to evacuate water and break up the surface film, allowing the rubber to grip the pavement to improve wet road handling and stopping distances. 

Michelin is committed to constantly improving all tire performance factors together rather than being easily satisfied with just doing well on one at a time — a challenging feat that Michelin achieves in unique ways through its innovative technologies. Resolving these conflicts with minimum sacrifice and achieving optimal tire performance exemplifies Michelin Total Performance.

Goodyear Fuel Max Technology

Goodyear Fuel Max Technology uses state-of-the art science to develop compounds and constructions that help reduce energy loss as a tire rolls. Goodyear initially incorporated Fuel Max Technology into commercial tractor/trailer tires and then expanded it into tires for family cars, vans, crossovers, SUVs and light-duty pickup trucks. 
Society of Automotive Engineer (SAE) tractor/trailer fuel consumption tests conducted in virtually ideal conditions have shown Goodyear commercial tires featuring Fuel Max Technology helps decrease fuel consumption by about 8% in comparison with standard production Goodyear tires (of course, tractor/trailers typically have 18 tires).
 Applying Fuel Max Technology to passenger car tires (Assurance Fuel Max) allowed Goodyear to retain long tread life while providing 27 percent less rolling resistance, which equates to a four percent improvement in fuel economy over the original Goodyear Assurance tire. And, applying Fuel Max Technology in crossover and sport utility vehicle tires (Assurance CS Fuel Max) provided a four percent improvement in fuel economy over Goodyear's Fortera Silent Armor. In essence, the greater fuel efficiency offered by both of these Fuel Max tire lines means drivers can save approximately 2,600 miles worth of fuel over the life of a set compared to standard tires.
 Many fuel-efficient tires depend on replacing carbon black material with silica in the tread compound to minimize rolling resistance. Fuel Max Technology introduced a proprietary fuel-saving tread compound that has been developed at the molecular level to yield improvements in rolling resistance while retaining or even enhancing tread life and traction.
 At the heart of Goodyear's new tread compound is a blend of polymers, which help improve silica dispersion and enhance the overall physical properties of the tread. The marriage of Fuel Max tire construction and this proprietary tread results in tires that help provide excellent fuel efficiency, as well as confident wet and dry traction, and long tread life.

Continental tire technology

Continental Tire EcoPlus+ Technology, EcoPlus or "E"
 Symbol 
(Continental Tire, one of Europe's largest Original Equipment tire suppliers, uses several naming conventions to identify its eco-friendly, fuel-efficient tires designed with low rolling resistance as one of their features.


EcoPlus+ Technology was introduced in North America during 2010 in conjunction with the Continental ProContact with EcoPlus+ Technology line of Standard Touring All-Season tires. EcoPlus+ Technology consists of two main ingredients: 
Tg-F Polymers: Temperature activated functional polymers that increase compound bonding thus improving treadwear and fuel efficiency.
 +Silane: +Silane additives enhance grip on slippery roads, therefore reducing stopping distances.

EcoPlus
EcoPlus branding has been used to acknowledge the lower rolling resistance of selected Continental Original Equipment tires fitted to European roadsters, coupes and sedans. EcoPlus was introduced in North America during the 1990s in conjunction with the Continental ContiTouringContact CH95 line of Grand Touring All-Season tires, and has since been expanded to include ContiTouringContact CT95, CV95 and CW95 tire lines. 

"E" Symbol
 While Continental Original Equipment tires typically feature fuel-efficient constructions and compounds to help the vehicles they are fitted to meet government CAF� and/or CO2 emission requirements, Continental's wide range of Original Equipment fitments has created a need to be able to differentiate "standard" from "optimized" rolling resistance tires. 
Therefore, where multiple versions of the same tire size, tread pattern and service description exist, additional versions that offer significant reductions in rolling resistance will be identified with an "E" symbol following the tire line name. The "E" symbol is printed on the tire label and branded on the tire sidewall. An example is the standard ContiSportContact 3 SSR tires compared to the ContiSportContact 3 E SSR tires used as Original Equipment on BMW 5 Series cars beginning with the 2011 model year. 

Note: It is not recommended to mix standard and "E"-symbol "optimized" rolling resistance tires on the same vehicle.

Tire / Rim Protectors

Photo #1 - No Protection

While curbs and debris on the road have never been considered a tire's friend, many of today's tires resist accidental damage by featuring thicker rubber molded at key locations on their sidewalls. This helps reduce damage to the tires and/or wheels when drivers accidentally rub them against curbs while parking or turning sharply out of a driveway.

 However, most standard tires don't feature rim protectors of any kind (Photo #1) because they are frequently mounted on steel wheels. While this may initially appear to be an oversight, it is really done to accommodate the reality that most steel wheels use hubcaps to provide a more desirable appearance. The absence of a rim protector allows more flexibility in hubcap styling and how hubcaps are designed and attach to the wheel.

 The tires that feature tire/rim protectors use several different designs. Many of these tires feature a raised rib adjacent to the bead area on their lower sidewalls or have a deeply recessed bead area to partially envelop the wheel flange. Other tires feature raised ribs at the tire's maximum section width (the distance between a tire's sidewalls measured at the widest part of the tire). 

Tires featuring the raised rib adjacent to the bead (Photo #2) or the deeply recessed bead area (Photo #3) are designed to help protect low-profile tires and expensive alloy wheels from accidental curb damage. While tires featuring the raised rib or molded recess design will often thwart the use of wheel covers, this typically isn't a problem since these tires are customarily used on vehicles equipped with alloy wheels.

Photo #2 - Raised

Photo #3 - Recessed

In light truck off-road applications, the rim protectors will also help shield the tire and wheel bead area from debris, as well as resist damage inflicted by rocks, tree stumps and other off-road obstacles.

Photo #4 - Scuff Guard

Storing Tires

Since heat and exposure to the elements are the important factors that influence a tire's aging process, drivers can prolong their tire's life by minimizing their impact. Here are some tips for storing tires that will not be used continuously.

• Don't store a vehicle with weight on its tires for extended periods of time. Long-term inactivity is more harmful to tires than weekly drives that flex the tires and help maintain oil dispersion within the rubber compounds.
• Keep the tires out of direct sunlight whenever possible. The sun's ultraviolet rays and radiant heat are detrimental to rubber. We have used a pyrometer to measure tires that were simply sitting in direct sunlight on a parked vehicle. Surprisingly those tires' temperatures measured 135° Fahrenheit on their surface.
• Before storing, use a tire brush to clean each tire with soap and water to remove brake dust, dirt and grime. If the tires are still mounted on wheels, use a wheel brush to clean the wheels with an approved cleaner as well. Dry with a towel and let any remaining moisture thoroughly evaporate.
  DO NOT APPLY ANY TIRE DRESSINGS. Tire compounds are formulated to resist ozone cracking or weather checking.
• Place each clean and dry tire in its own large, opaque, airtight plastic bag (such as lawn and garden bags) for storing. Avoid allowing any moisture to remain and remove as much air as practical (some drivers even use a vacuum cleaner to draw out as much as possible). Close the bag tightly and tape it shut. This places the tire in its own personal mini-atmosphere to help reduce oil evaporation.
• While Seasonal Tire Totes make it neater to store tires, easier to carry tires and reduce the possibility of depositing brake dust, dirt and grime in the trunk or on the back seat during transportation, Seasonal Tire Totes are not airtight nor designed to prevent exposure to the atmosphere. The recommended solution would be to place each clean tire and wheel into the airtight plastic bag and then cover the sealed bag with a Tire Tote.
• If you choose not to store white letter/white stripe tires in plastic bags, it is important they be stored or stacked white-to-white and black-to-black to prevent staining the white rubber. The black rubber used on the tires' white letter/white stripe side is compounded differently then the black rubber used on the opposite side. A layer of non-staining black rubber covers the white rubber on the tire's white side to prevent oils in the tire from migrating into the exposed white rubber and discoloring it; however the black sidewall uses standard rubber. Stacking all tires white sidewall up will allow the oils from each tire's black sidewall to migrate into the white rubber of the tire below it.
• Place the tires in a cool, dry location. It is better to store tires in a dry basement or climate-controlled workshop than in a standard garage, storage shed, hot attic or outdoors. While basement and shop surroundings tend to remain cool and dry, conditions found in typical garage, shed, attic and outdoor locations often include a wide range of hot and cold temperatures, as well as seasonal precipitation and humidity.
• Keep the tires away from sources of ozone. Electric motors that use contact brushes generate ozone. Keep your tires away from the furnace, sump pump, etc.

While tires will age somewhat regardless of what precautions are taken, these procedures will help slow the process compared to taking no precautions at all.

Air Pressure: When & How to Set

Maintenance Tips to Increase Tire Performance, Life and Durability 

Check and Adjust First Thing In The Morning. Set according to the vehicle manufacturer's cold tire pressure(s) recommended on the vehicle's tire placard or in its owner's manual. This must be done before rising ambient temperatures, the sun's radiant heat or even driving short distances temporarily warms the tires. 

Check and adjust first thing in the morning...before rising ambient temperatures, the sun's radiant heat or even driving short distances temporarily warms the tires.

Accommodating Variables

 Indoor-to-outdoor Temperature Variation. Significant differences between the conditions tire pressures are set (the warmth of an attached garage, heated garage or service shop) and in which the vehicle will be driven (winter's subfreezing temperatures) requires inflating tires 1 psi higher than recommended on the placard for every 10° F difference in temperature between interior and exterior temperatures. 

Afternoon Ambient Temperature Increase.* Set 2 psi above vehicle manufacturer's cold inflation recommendations when installing new tires or if the vehicle has been parked in the shade for a few hours. 

Tire Heat Generated While Being Driven (or at speeds of less than 45 mph).* Set 4 psi above vehicle manufacturer's cold inflation recommendations. 

Heat Generated While Being Driven Extensively (or at sustained speeds greater than 45 mph).* Set 6 psi above vehicle manufacturer's cold inflation recommendations. 

Do Not Release Hot Tire Pressure if any of these variables could be the cause of measured tire pressure exceeding the maximum psi branded on the tire's sidewall by the 2, 4 or 6 psi indicated above for the various conditions. This temporary pressure increase is expected and designed into the tire's capabilities. 

Note: Tires on a parked vehicle exposed to direct sunlight will appear overinflated due to the heat absorbed from the radiant energy of the sun. Pressures cannot be accurately set on these tires until all have stabilized in the shade.

Spare Tire Use

If you ever visit an auto museum, you'll see most antique cars were equipped with two or more spare tires. Fortunately today's roads and improved tire durability have reduced that necessity, allowing our vehicles to be equipped with a single spare or none at all!

While some of today's vehicles are equipped with spares that match the other tires and wheels on the vehicle, they are in the minority. Now most vehicles are originally equipped with a "temporary-use" spare tire and wheel that probably differs in size and construction from the other tires and wheels on the vehicle. And some vehicles are even delivered without a spare tire and wheel thanks to the extended mobility provided by modern run-flat tires or temporary repair and inflation systems, like the ContiComfortKit.

Full-Size Matching Spare Tires and Wheels

While full-size matching spare tires and wheels require the greatest amount of storage space, they are the most versatile. Full-size matching spare tires and wheels should be integrated into the vehicle's tire rotation pattern from the beginning. This will essentially create a set of five tires that will last longer than just four, as well as will "wear out" the spare tire before it "ages out." If the vehicle has all-wheel or four-wheel drive, the spare tire will remain at a similar tread depth to the other tires on the vehicle, reducing driveline stress when called into service. Additionally, when it is time to replace the vehicle's tires, they can be replaced as a set of five allowing you to benefit from using the latest tire technology or select a more desirable tire size that fits the original wheels.

Many of today's spare tires are temporary spare designs intended to get the vehicle to a trained tire service person to repair or replace the tire that's been punctured or damaged.

Full-Size Temporary Spares

Full-size temporary spare tires and wheels match the vehicle's original tire dimensions, but typically feature lighter-weight construction and a shallower tread depth to reduce vehicle weight to improve fuel economy and make the spare easier to install. While most of today's vehicles are originally equipped with alloy wheels, full-size temporary spares are typically mounted on steel wheels and should be used only as spares.

Temporary/Compact Spares

Temporary/Compact Spare tires are physically shorter and narrower than the vehicle's standard tires and wheels. Their smaller dimensions require they operate at higher inflation pressures (typically 60 psi) than standard tires. Temporary/Compact Spares also feature lighter-weight construction and a shallower tread depth than standard tires to reduce vehicle weight, as well as allow more trunk space to be dedicated to luggage. The compact temporary spare tire and wheel that comes with a vehicle is designed to fit that vehicle only. Never attempt to use a Temporary/Compact Spare Tire and wheel on another vehicle unless it is the exact same make and model.

Folding Temporary Spares

While folding temporary spare tires have been installed in vehicles previously, they have extremely limited application today. Folding spares provide the greatest space savings but are more complex to use because they must be inflated with an air pump or a canister of pressurized air prior to use.

The Following Tips Can Help Make Sure That Your Spare Is Used Correctly and Safely

Learn how to install the spare on your vehicle before you have to. Learn how to access the spare tire, jack, lug wrench and wheel lock key (if equipped). Confirm where the jack is to contact the vehicle and practice changing a tire. This will make it a lot easier on that cold, dark rainy night when your vehicle has a real flat.

All temporary spare tires are designed for short-term use only; they are not designed with the same capabilities in terms of load capacity, speed capability, or all-weather traction.

Always check your vehicle's owner's manual and the temporary spare's sidewall for instructions on proper use. It is also important to recognize that controlling a vehicle may be more difficult when using a temporary spare, and temporary spare tires are usually accompanied with warnings that advise against towing a trailer, or traveling over 50 miles per hour for further than 50 miles.

Check the spare tire's air pressure with a tire pressure gauge on a monthly basis, when you check all other tires on the vehicle. There's nothing more aggravating than a flat spare when you have a flat tire.

Always confirm the inflation pressure before use and ensure that your spare has the manufacturer recommended inflation. It's important to check and adjust the temporary spare's inflation to the recommended pressure before driving away.