Efforts to Make Spare Tires a Thing of the Past
One of the possible ways in which tires can contribute to the global environment is through “Resource Savings.” Thus, the Sumitomo Rubber Group is moving forward with active efforts to promote resource savings through the development of run-flat tires and other spareless technologies that will one day eliminate the need for spare tires.
Run-Flat Tires
Run-Flat Tires: Contributing to Resource Savings by Going Spareless
Run-flat tires are defined as tires that can continue running at a speed of 80km/h over a distance of 80km, even when completely flat (i.e. when internal air pressure has dropped to zero). Run-flat technology not only makes driving safer, but also contributes to resource and energy savings by eliminating the need for spare tires. The Sumitomo Rubber Group is actively engaged in the development of run-flat tires as part of our overall efforts to save resources.
Driving the Evolution of Run-Flat Technology for Over 40 Years
With the aim of improving automotive safety, Dunlop created the world’s first practical run-flat tire in 1970. Soon after, Dunlop developed run-flat tires for market utilizing the Denloc System, which would go on to become factory standard tires on the Porsche 959 and many other high-performance vehicles. Then, in 1995, we launched the first generation of modern run-flat tires, which rely on a reinforced sidewall structure, with the development of DUNLOP Self-Support Tires (DSST). We next launched the second generation in 2000 with the development of CTT Runflat Tires, which we soon followed up with our third generation. In September of 2009, we announced a major breakthrough with the unveiling of the fourth generation of run-flat tires, which overcame the major setback of previous run-flat tires (riding comfort) by achieving rigidity on par with (or even better than) normal tires. In 2014, thanks to our proprietary NEO-T01 high-precision metal core production system, we launched the next generation of high-performance run-flat tires with the release of premium run-flat tires that strike an excellent balance between safety and comfort in a lightweight package: DUNLOP SP SPORT MAXX 050 NEO (in Japan) and FALKEN AZENIS FK453 RUNFLAT (in Europe and Japan).
SP SPORT MAXX 050 NEO
AZENIS FK510 RUNFLAT
The Development of GYROBLADE – Tires That Need No Air
Because they do not need to be inflated with air, GYROBLADE tires not only never go flat, but also reduce maintenance work involved in regular pressure checks and so on.
Further, the addition of through holes to the tread surface helps to move water away from the contact patch between tire and road for improved hydroplaning performance when driving in the rain, while the placement of asymmetrical slanted spokes coupled with high tire uniformity provides riding comfort on par with inflated tires. At the same time, GYROBLADE tires also reduce rolling resistance for better environmental performance thanks to the use of a rubber compound that features high hardness and low energy loss thanks to the application of compounding techniques typically reserved for golf balls.
GYROBLADE can also serve to make tires more fashionable, offering greater design freedom when it comes to the shape and color scheme of the spokes.
Airless Tire
The Development of CORESEAL Sealant Tire Technology – Preventing Air Leaks in Case of Punctures
CORESEAL is a technology that involves applying a sealant (a specialized material with high adhesive and viscous properties) to the inside of a tire (the reverse side of the tread surface). With CORESEAL, even if the tread is pierced clear through,※ the sealant will fill and plug the resulting hole to prevent air from leaking. Maintaining tire pressure for continued normal driving even after a puncture, CORESEAL not only improves safety, but also eliminates the need for spare tires, thereby simultaneously saving resources, reducing vehicle weight and increasing vehicle design freedom.
- CORESEAL prevents air leakage from tires that have been punctured by nails, screws or other foreign objects up to a diameter of 5mm, regardless of whether foreign objects remain lodged in the tire or dislodge.
CORESEAL
The Development of IMS (Instant Mobility System) – Emergency Tire Puncture Repair Kits
The emergency tire puncture repair kits allow emergency repair of tires with minor punctures, such as those with nails or screws, so that the vehicle may be driven to the nearest automobile retailer or service garage.
Recently, many vehicles are equipped with an emergency tire puncture repair kits instead of a spare tire. This is because, unlike the spare tire that is often discarded in the end without ever being used, the kit is much smaller and much lighter, leaving much space in the trunk and contributing to better fuel efficiency. Accordingly, the kit has been getting more and more in use since around the year 2000.
And so, the Sumitomo Rubber Group developed an tire puncture repair kits --the Instant Mobility System, or “IMS*,” which was first adopted as factory standard equipment on new vehicles in 1996. “IMS” consists of a sealant made of environmentally friendly natural rubber latex and a compressor. After the tire is injected with the sealant, it is filled with air using the compressor. When the car is driven, the sealant gets solid with compression and heat, sealing the puncture. Though both utilize the same basic mechanism to repair a tire, we offer IMS in two different types: Manual Injection Type and Automatic Injection Type.
- Instant Mobility System (IMS) is a registered trademark of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
Tire Puncture Repair Mechanism
Manual Injection Type
After manually removing the valve core and injecting sealant into the tire, simply use the compressor to inflate the tire.
Automatic Injection Type
Simply attach the compressor and sealant bottle to the valve (there is no need to remove the valve core) and sealant will be injected into the tire automatically as the tire inflates.
IMS Usage & Disposal
IMS is able to repair puncture holes in a tire’s tread surface (i.e. the area of the tire that comes into direct contact with the road surface) with a diameter of up to φ4mm. However, IMS cannot be used to repair tires with sidewall damage or severe punctures that have caused wheel damage, etc.
- Please refer to the Owner’s Manual of your vehicle for more detailed usage instructions and be sure to follow these instructions when using IMS.
- Please check the label on the sealant bottle to make sure that the sealant has not expired.
- Used and expired sealant must be properly disposed of as industrial waste. Please contact your nearest dealer or retailer for details on how to dispose of sealant.