Flat Tires that Rolls!

The Goodyear Company is introducing an innovative technology for flat tires known as the Extended Mobility Tire (EMT). The EMT is mounted in standard metal rims and permits the driver to continue driving to a service station, or to its final destination (approximately 80 km at speed of 80 km/h). The major benefits associated with this technology are that the dangers of changing a tire in the border of a highway, or the incidents caused by the sudden loss of air during driving will be virtually eliminated. Sam Gibara, Goodyear’s president, said that the company "confronts the consumer needs and the preoccupation for tire performance. Changing a tire in the highway shoulder, will be something of the past". The EMT have equal performance as conventional tires in security, manageability and comfort, and will cost 15 to 20 percent more, but they can be repaired after rolling flat. The first EMT that will be launched to the market will be the Eagle F1 GS-D2 of high performance in six sizes: 235/45 R17, 235/45 R18, 255/40 Rl7, 235140 R18, 255/40 R19 y 265135 R18. The EMT will be available in the European market in this spring 1998.

Adapted from Auto Vía, November 1997