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17th
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Austin, TX. Imagine getting a severe puncture or hole in your tire but you don't get a flat. Seems magical, right?
Indeed, but that's the engineering mastery of run-flat tires. It's not a new concept. In fact, it has been around for more than a decade. Now there's a new type of run-flat in town and it comes in the shape of Bridgestone's DriveGuard.
Say you're driving and the unforeseen happens, you drive over something and that something happens to aggravate your tire. With DriveGuard, you can drive up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) at speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph) and still be able to function.
How it Works:
To get technical, the DriveGuard has a NanoPro-Tech sidewall, which means they're sturdy but not too heavy. The cooling fins around the tire prevent intense heat buildup in the event of a flat as you keep driving. DriveGuard also supports the vehicle weight at zero pressure so you're not driving on your rims; causing more damage.
Impressions:
A group of media tested out the capabilities the new DriveGuard. The test vehicle was a Toyota Camry SE and the front driver's side was flat. There were two parts to the test.
The first was a slower speed circuit with bends and kinks, the second, a higher speed “highway-like” driving environment. At low speeds, you obviously need to keep in mind that the tire is not performing at its best, but even when deflated, the rim of the car didn't touch the ground. Common sense would tell you to take corners slower so you do. That said, I wasn't going at a snails pace and it still performed to the task.
At higher speeds, I felt it did even better. When driving in a straight line, I took my hands off the wheel to see what direction the vehicle would pull. Surprisingly, the car kept moving in a fairly straight line. Under heavy braking was most impressive. There was no need to fight with the wheel to brake in a straight line. Furthermore, the car didn't pull to one side or another.
Overall, with a flat, the DriveGuard maintains its shape, helps you stay safe and still permits you to get to where you need to go. Granted, you'll have to change the tire eventually, but at least you can do it when it's a little more convenient.
Who It's For:
Everyone. There were, however, two groups mentioned who particularly gravitated towards the tire technology; women and college students. Knowing you don't have to be stuck at the side of the road, waiting for assistance to come along, is worth the investment, or so said a lot of the study groups. Heck, who likes getting a flat? Not me!
Warranty?
Traditionally, run-flat tires didn't come with a warranty. Luckily, these do.
It is backed with a Platinum Pact Warranty with 30-Day Buy & Try Guarantee.
There's also a Treadwear Limited Warranty for 80,000 km (W speed rating) / 96,000 km (H and V ratings) and a DriveGuard Link. This is a 24-hour live assistance 1-800 toll free number. All of this is topped off by a 1 year DriveGuard supplemental road hazard limited warranty.
Pricing:
Pricing varies from size to size so check with your local dealer. Expect them to be in a similar ballpark as the average priced Turanza Serenity Plus.
Specifications:
The Bridgestone DriveGuard sizes are aimed at many of today's popular sedans, coupes, and wagons. In the past, run-flats were somewhat limited to vehicles that came with the tires as original equipment.
There will be 32 sizes available ranging from 15” to 19” in diameter, in 35-65 series profiles and in the abovementioned speed ratings.
Availability:
The Bridgestone DriveGuard tires will be available starting at the beginning of May.
Indeed, but that's the engineering mastery of run-flat tires. It's not a new concept. In fact, it has been around for more than a decade. Now there's a new type of run-flat in town and it comes in the shape of Bridgestone's DriveGuard.
Say you're driving and the unforeseen happens, you drive over something and that something happens to aggravate your tire. With DriveGuard, you can drive up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) at speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph) and still be able to function.
How it Works:
To get technical, the DriveGuard has a NanoPro-Tech sidewall, which means they're sturdy but not too heavy. The cooling fins around the tire prevent intense heat buildup in the event of a flat as you keep driving. DriveGuard also supports the vehicle weight at zero pressure so you're not driving on your rims; causing more damage.
 |
| Photo: Alexandra Straub |
Impressions:
A group of media tested out the capabilities the new DriveGuard. The test vehicle was a Toyota Camry SE and the front driver's side was flat. There were two parts to the test.
The first was a slower speed circuit with bends and kinks, the second, a higher speed “highway-like” driving environment. At low speeds, you obviously need to keep in mind that the tire is not performing at its best, but even when deflated, the rim of the car didn't touch the ground. Common sense would tell you to take corners slower so you do. That said, I wasn't going at a snails pace and it still performed to the task.
At higher speeds, I felt it did even better. When driving in a straight line, I took my hands off the wheel to see what direction the vehicle would pull. Surprisingly, the car kept moving in a fairly straight line. Under heavy braking was most impressive. There was no need to fight with the wheel to brake in a straight line. Furthermore, the car didn't pull to one side or another.
Overall, with a flat, the DriveGuard maintains its shape, helps you stay safe and still permits you to get to where you need to go. Granted, you'll have to change the tire eventually, but at least you can do it when it's a little more convenient.
Who It's For:
Everyone. There were, however, two groups mentioned who particularly gravitated towards the tire technology; women and college students. Knowing you don't have to be stuck at the side of the road, waiting for assistance to come along, is worth the investment, or so said a lot of the study groups. Heck, who likes getting a flat? Not me!
Warranty?
Traditionally, run-flat tires didn't come with a warranty. Luckily, these do.
It is backed with a Platinum Pact Warranty with 30-Day Buy & Try Guarantee.
There's also a Treadwear Limited Warranty for 80,000 km (W speed rating) / 96,000 km (H and V ratings) and a DriveGuard Link. This is a 24-hour live assistance 1-800 toll free number. All of this is topped off by a 1 year DriveGuard supplemental road hazard limited warranty.
 |
| Photo: Alexandra Straub |
Pricing:
Pricing varies from size to size so check with your local dealer. Expect them to be in a similar ballpark as the average priced Turanza Serenity Plus.
Specifications:
The Bridgestone DriveGuard sizes are aimed at many of today's popular sedans, coupes, and wagons. In the past, run-flats were somewhat limited to vehicles that came with the tires as original equipment.
There will be 32 sizes available ranging from 15” to 19” in diameter, in 35-65 series profiles and in the abovementioned speed ratings.
Availability:
The Bridgestone DriveGuard tires will be available starting at the beginning of May.