April 27, 2016
We often hear people say, "I want a safe tire." It’s not an unreasonable request; nobody wants to put themselves, their loved ones and the people around them in harm’s way, after all. But how should a safe tire be defined? What is the evaluation criteria in the safety column on our checklist? Should it be able to handle well enough to steer clear of a potential accident, or maybe stop, turn and accelerate in the wet? Our testing has shown that even the least capable tires in these categories meet minimum reasonable standards to avoid being labeled unsafe. Perhaps, then, a safe tire is one that is impervious to harm and able to resist any puncture or impact damage. While this is great in concept, the execution may prove difficult due to the constraints of reality. If an indestructible tire isn’t realistic, then maybe the next best option is a tire that will enable the driver to continue traveling even after it has sustained a complete loss of air pressure, allowing him or her to address the air loss when it is convenient and, yes, safe to do so.
This is the philosophy behind Bridgestone’s DriveGuard line of tires. Take a tire with all the characteristics of the Grand Touring All-Season category - a smooth and quiet ride, sporty handling, good looks and capability in the wet and light snow - then add the additional benefit of extended mobility for up to 50 miles at up to 50 miles per hour after complete air pressure loss. Allowing the driver to choose when and where he or she will stop to address the issue of a damaged tire provides a safety net and delivers peace of mind.
The majority of minivan and crossover vehicle (CUV) drivers list safety as one of their primary considerations when making a tire purchase, and CUVs represent the fastest-growing vehicle segment in the United States. This year, Bridgestone is expanding the DriveGuard lineup with seven new sizes commonly used on these types of automobiles. The new sizes feature modified sidewall inserts to ensure suitability for installation on high center of gravity vehicles and also an updated tread design and compound focused on improved durability and resisting uneven shoulder wear that can occur in these applications.
To demonstrate the tire’s new capabilities, Bridgestone invited select dealers and journalists to experience production-spec DriveGuard tires at the product launch event in the spring of 2016.
Our team’s first experience with the new DriveGuard was behind the wheel of a 2016 Honda Odyssey minivan equipped with 235/65R17 tires, a vehicle that previously would not have been able to use DriveGuards. The tires were inflated to factory-recommended pressures, with the exception of the front driver’s side tire, the valve core of which was located in the Bridgestone representative’s shirt pocket, and as a result was at 0 psi. Our drive route traversed local service roads with 35 mph posted speed limits and low-speed turns. Even when installed on a high center of gravity vehicle, driving with zero pressure was drama-free. A slight rumble at all speeds from the front driver’s side was the only audible indication that something was amiss. More noticeable were a moderate pull to the left that lessened in severity as the speed increased and a slight wallow through right hand turns when the vehicle’s weight shifted toward the corner equipped with the deflated tire.
It’s no secret that one of the primary complaints surrounding traditional run-flat tires concerns their relatively stiff ride. When the Bridgestone DriveGuard was released, it was somewhat revolutionary due to the fact that it offered both extended mobility after complete air loss and ride quality that was comparable to traditional touring tires. Because of this, the news of a change to the tire’s sidewall inserts may have been cause for concern among those in attendance, so the next demonstration was designed to calm those fears. Our group of testers moved to a small portion of the infield track where four 2016 Honda CR-Vs were waiting, and a clearly defined course had been set up using orange parking cones. Two of the CR-Vs had Bridgestone DriveGuard tires installed, and two featured the Michelin Latitude Tour HP, all in the factory 225/65R17 size and set to factory recommended inflation pressures. Following the prescribed route quickly forced the driver over the rumble strips carved into the track’s perimeter. Then after a sweeping right-hand turn, the vehicle encountered unevenly spaced speed bumps alternating between the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle and another section of rumble strips before returning to the start to switch vehicles and experience the comparison tire. The Michelin Latitude Tour HP is considered by most to offer a pleasurable driving experience with a comfortable and composed ride, so the fact that it was chosen as the comparison tire illustrated Bridgestone’s confidence. Both tires represented themselves well, with the DriveGuard matching the composure of the Latitude Tour HP over the rumble strips. The acute impact of the speed bumps was slightly sharper in the DriveGuard-shod CR-V, but likely would not be perceptible unless the two tires were experienced back-to-back. Overall, our initial impression indicates that during the quest for functionality on high center of gravity vehicles, the ride quality of the DriveGuard has not been sacrificed along the way.
With the addition of seven new sizes commonly used on minivans and crossovers, the DriveGuard line of tires has expanded to reach new markets and allow more drivers to continue their journey. The demonstrations arranged by Bridgestone affirm that safety-focused drivers of these vehicles have a smooth-riding, all-season touring tire option with the added benefit of up to 50 miles of driving at up to 50 miles per hour after a tire puncture has resulted in complete air loss.
Need help choosing the right products for your vehicle? Our team of highly trained experts has the knowledge and passion to help. Just pick up the phone and give us a ring. Or let's chat via email. We love solving problems and lending a hand (or an ear).
Contact Us