updated: May 2021
Reading: Airless car tires reviews
Wouldn’t it be nice to never again have to worry about getting a flat tire and getting stuck on the side of a busy street in the greater Phoenix, AZ area? Even if you have roadside assistance, no one feels safe waiting for help to arrive while traffic is going by at 80 miles per hour. seems like there should be an answer. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have airless tires for cars? Well, airless truck and car tires do exist, but they are not the ideal solution you would expect.
are airless tires new?
airless tires, also known as non-pneumatic tires, have been around for a long time. you may have driven a vehicle that had them and didn’t even know it.
If you’ve ever mowed on a lawnmower, ridden in a golf cart, driven a military vehicle, or operated heavy equipment like a forklift, chances are you’ve experienced potholes from flat tires. . there are even non-pneumatic bicycle tires.
Not only are they not a new concept, but Michelin has been working on them since the 19th century. In 1889, a cyclist approached the Michelin brothers André and Édouard to see if they could find a better alternative to tires that easily punctured on rough roads.
Édouard, an engineer, received a patent for a removable tire in 1891. In 1895, the Michelin brothers mounted their airless tires on a vehicle for the Paris-Bordeaux-Paris race. the blow of last place was softened by the sudden interest in new tires.
why are we talking about them now?
Michelin has announced the development of airless tires for cars that will be available in 2024.
this is without ever seeing its previous prototype hit the mass market. In 2005, Michelin introduced the tweel to the world. As you may have guessed, it was named after him because of the design, a combination of tire and wheel. Are you noticing a recurring trend with Michelin and airless tires?
The center of the wheel is solid and mounts to the axle of the vehicle like a traditional wheel. Polyurethane shims wrap around the hub on the inside and have a treaded band around the outside.
See also: Artistry Review – The Dermatology Review
The combination of strong wedges and a taut tread replace the traditional tire. however, unlike the tires we’re familiar with, you can’t alter the feel of the ride by adjusting the air pressure. since there is no air, your only option is to buy another tweel with more elasticity in the polyurethane spokes.
now michelin has the next generation version in the works called uptis. this name is an acronym for unique puncture-proof tire system. Engineering issues have prevented the widespread use of automotive tweels, so presumably this new uptis has improved on prototypes. chevrolet worked with michelin and began testing uptis on chevrolet bolt evs in 2019.
Michelin touts the benefits of uptis as maintenance-free. In fact, they advertise that airless Michelin tires won’t even need to be rotated. Since they don’t go flat, you can ditch that spare tire and reclaim your trunk space, too.
so should everyone in arizona plan to run off and get four of them? according to numerous sources, it may not be a good idea.
why aren’t airless tires for cars a good idea?
Not having to worry about blowouts or punctures is definitely a plus for non-pneumatic tires. Another thing that makes environmentalists happy is the environmentally friendly production of airless tires for trucks and cars.
The use of sustainable materials and the reduction of CO2 emissions make Michelin airless tires attractive. if they’re truly low-maintenance, that also reduces your carbon footprint. there seems to be a lot to like about these new uptis tires.
It would be nice to think that, in a few years, we might have a better tire. while the potential qualities sound positive, compared to pneumatic tires, it still seems like the pros far outweigh the cons:
-
- heavy
- slow
- traps the heat
- less comfortable
- improper suspension
- can be damaged
- lacks versatility
You might think that a tire with nothing more than artificial rubber spokes would be lighter than a traditional tire. you would be wrong actually they use compressed plastics and rubber treads to give the tire functionality which in turn makes it heavy. why is that important? heavy tires equal less fuel economy.
If you can imagine running across the country without worrying about a blowout, you may need to adjust your expectations. Michelin car tweels have never been rated for anything other than low speed driving.
Part of the reason is that they trap heat. Without air, heat generated from road friction cannot be dissipated, which means a greater chance of overheating, damage, or failure.
Non-pneumatic tires have higher rolling resistance. Rolling resistance means that the greater the area of the surface that comes into contact with the road, the greater the resistance of the vehicle.
See also: Buying Guide for White Headlights
with traditional tires inflated to the correct psi, the surface area is reduced, resulting in a smoother, quieter ride. Airless tires have inadequate suspension for an enjoyable road ride, sacrificing smoothness and sound deadening capabilities, resulting in a less comfortable and much noisier ride.
The advertised lack of maintenance combined with the lack of need for a spare would tend to indicate a nearly indestructible tire. however, that is far from true. The spokes that create the main structure of Michelin airless tires can be cut or torn, and the resulting damage can render them unusable.
Since they are susceptible to overheating, there is also a risk of tread separation from the outer tread and other heat-related deterioration.
If you’re traveling across the country or even riding in your home area during the change of seasons, it’s sometimes necessary to adjust the air pressure in your tires to accommodate different driving conditions.
for example, lowering the psi is recommended for driving in icy conditions to increase tread grip on the road. with airless tires, there is no way to adapt to changing weather conditions or road surfaces.
Are we ever going to get a viable flat tire?
Technology has delivered advances in design and manufacturing in recent years that most would never have imagined. While off-roaders and adventurers alike are desperate for airless truck tires, it may still be a while.
If 2024 comes and goes without a realistic alternative to traditional tires, don’t despair. there are more companies besides michelin trying to develop a non-pneumatic tire.
If tire companies could offer us a virtually indestructible, safe, affordable, and comfortable alternative, we’d all be willing to buy them. Find a way to only use sustainably sourced and recycled materials, and you’re almost there.
build them clean, and the tire company has an all-around winner. with all the researchers working on it, it shouldn’t be too much to ask. until they can do that, they’re just not a good idea.
To find out how you can get the most comfortable and reliable ride, visit us at valley chevy in phoenix, arizona, or go online to shop, compare vehicles and more.
See also: Costco Auto Program Review: Is It the Lowest Price? | Find The Best Car Price
