Technology and Innovation

Goodyear Hero Tyre Thread

We keep innovating

We’ve been coming up with new ideas since the day we were founded in 1898.

We never rest on our laurels. Because new discoveries lead to new technologies and new products, which then lead to better driving experiences for you.

In fact, our passion for creativity and excellence has made us one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world with 69,000 employees and 52 manufacturing facilities in 22 countries.


What is it?
A tire technology that cuts interior vehicle noise levels by up to 50%*

How does it work?
Sound Comfort Technology works by attaching a foam ring to the inner surface of the tire.

What are the benefits?
Up to 50% less interior vehicle noise
No compromise on performance capabilities

Click the below icons to hear the benefit of SoundComfort technology:

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*Depending on the type of vehicle, its speed and road surface. Based on internal vehicle road measurements, tested February 2018, January 2018, November 2017 and October 2011 by Goodyear engineers in Luxembourg. Tire size: 225/55R17 on VW Passat Alltrack and Ford Kuga and 255/45R18 on Audi A7.


What is it?

SealTech automatically seals punctures of up to 5mm in diameter in the tire tread area.

What are the benefits?

  • Punctures in the tread area of up to 5mm in diameter are automatically sealed (even after object gets dislodged from the tire)
  • No need to immediately stop or change tire right away after puncture*
  • No noticeable difference in performance between SealTech tires compared to standard Goodyear tires
  • Practical alternative to the spare tire

* Once puncture has been identified, it is recommended to have the tire checked and repaired by an expert.


‘Tall and Narrow’

Goodyear has designed and developed the ‘Tall and Narrow’ specifically for the new Renault Scenic.

‘Tall’ relates to the rim diameter. A larger diameter implies less tire deformation and thus less heat generated within the tire, with lower rolling resistance and lower fuel consumption as a result. A taller tire has more wearable rubber volume due to its larger circumference which enhances mileage.

‘Narrow’ indicates a narrower section width, providing better aerodynamics (=lower fuel consumption), less noise and better aquaplaning resistance*.

The Tall and Narrow tire will be available in the following patterns:

• Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance: 195/55R20 95H XL
• Vector 4Seasons Gen-2: 195/55R20 95H XL
• UltraGrip Performance Gen-1: 195/55R20 95H XL

 

*Testing undertaken between September 2013 and April 2016 at Goodyear Proving Ground Mireval and Renault’s Proving Ground in Aubevoye.


Our history of achievement

Our scientists have over 100 years of expertise in discovery, design and manufacturing.

Goodyear History

We’re proud of our achievements over that time. We don’t like to boast, but:

  • In 1898 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is founded
  • In 1904 we make the world’s first detachable tire
  • In 1908 we make the tires for the world’s first mass-produced car, the Model T Ford
  • In 1909 we make the first-ever pneumatic tire for aeroplanes
  • In 1921 we launch Rut-proof, the first off-road tires
  • In 1934 we launch Lifeguard – the first tire to provide extra stability in the event of a blowout
  • In 1965 the first vehicle to break the 600mph land-speed record did so on Goodyear tires.
  • In 1971 we put the first tires on the moon
  • In 1985 we supply the first radial tires for commercial aircraft
  • In 1993 we introduce Aquatred, the first tire specifically designed for wet conditions
  • In 1997 our tires were the first to win 350 Formula 1 races
  • In 2012 we play a leading role in the development of the EU tire labelling system

Tyre Innovation

We're at the cutting edge

Our engineers and scientists are still at the cutting edge of innovation today, not only in rubber and polymer science but also in diverse fields including computing, physics and mathematics.

But there’s more to us than tires. Our inventions and breakthroughs are also used in areas like adhesives, food packaging and even artificial hearts.


We make driving better

We’ve never lost sight of what we do best – developing brilliant new tire technologies for today’s drivers.

From tires for tough conditions, to tires that last longer, we want to do more for the people who buy and use what we make.

Our Goodyear Innovative Technologies include:

  • RunOnFlat tires that keep you on the road even after a blowout.
  • ActiveCornerGrip and ActiveBraking technologies that make handling better under hard braking and cornering.
  • SmartWear technology that give great performance through a tire’s life by revealing new grooves and compound over time.
  • EfficientGrip tires that reduce fuel consumption without reducing safety performance.
  • EfficientGrip Performance tires with A-rated wet grip performance. These have recently won 11 awards in magazine tire tests, including five first places.
  • Patented 3D-BIS 
    (Three-dimensional Block Interlocking System) technology that improves tire stiffness and stability.
  • WearControl Technology that gives you shorter wet braking distances and reduced fuel consumption.
  • SoundComfort Technology that reduces a vehicle’s interior noise by using  sound-absorbing foam.
  • Silent Armor Technology that gives advanced puncture and cut resistance for drivers on rough roads.
  • SmartTred technology features specific tread zones that adjust to road conditions.
  • TOPIndicator Technology that monitors tread wear in winter conditions.

Goodyear Genencor

We look to the future

The environment

We’ll always focus on making high-performance tires. But in a world of dwindling resources, we also need to consider how to produce them responsibly.

  • BioTRED. We invented this environmentally-friendly, corn-based compound for tires in 2001.
  • BioIsoprene™ concept tire. We unveiled a tire made of renewable biomass at the 2012 Climate Conference in Copenhagen.
  • Soybean oil research. Our Innovation Centre tested soybean oil in tires and found it could potentially increase tread life by 10% and reduce our use of petroleum-based oil by up to seven million gallons a year.
  • Converting rice husk waste. We are now using rice husk ash, otherwise dumped in landfill or burned, as an alternative way to make silica for tires.
  • The SUV tire concept adds a large central groove to an SUV tire. This reduces contact with the road, which could offer better fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.
  • Chip in tire technology aims to improve a car’s performance by embedding a chip into the tire that links to the on-board computer.
  • The electricity-generating concept tire can transform tire deformation into electrical energy that can supply the batteries of a hybrid car. It was unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

 

Consumer choice

We’ve worked closely with the European Union on developing the EU tire regulation label, which allows drivers to make an informed choice when buying new tires.

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