Bridgestone/Firestone to Launch Firehawk SH30 RFT Run-Flat Tire.DETROIT, Mich.--(AUTOMOTIVE WIRE)--May 7, 1998-- Bridgestone/Firestone, which introduced its first run-flat tire A run-flat tire is a pneumatic vehicle tire that is designed to resist the effects of deflation and to enable the vehicle to continue to be driven, although depending on the type of tire, at reduced speeds (i.e. 80 km/h or 50 mph) and for limited distances. in the U.S. in 1992, announced today that this summer it will launch the Firehawk SH30 RFT See DCA. RFT - Request For Technology , a tire designed to travel with no air pressure for up to 50 miles at 55 mph using conventional wheels. The H speed-rated Firehawk SH30 RFT includes Bridgestone/Firestone's exclusive UNI-T(R) technology and will initially be available in three sizes designed to fit a wide variety of today's vehicles. The product will be sold through Bridgestone/Firestone certified run-flat retailers beginning August 1. Bridgestone/Firestone's previous run-flat tire, the Expedia S-01 Run-Flat, required a special wheel. One challenge in engineering a run-flat tire for conventional wheels is rim roll-off (when the tire's bead becomes unattached from the wheel). Therefore, the Firehawk SH30 RFT uses a specially designed Rim Guard, which helps support the sidewall side·wall n. 1. A wall that forms the side of something. 2. A side surface of an automobile tire, between the edge of the tread and the wheel rim. Noun 1. of the run-flat tire and holds it on the rim in a no- or low-pressure situation. In addition to Rim Guard, the Firehawk SH30 RFT features a uniquely engineered bead cable and bead shape which help hold the tire on the rim with little or no air pressure. The Firehawk SH30 RFT will be installed with SmarTire(TM) sensors that will alert the driver of a vehicle when a tire has low air pressure. Testing has shown that the Firehawk SH30 RFT equals its conventional counterpart, the Firehawk SH30, in mountability, treadwear and handling. The Firestone run-flat tire's ride comfort characteristics are only slightly reduced from the current Firehawk SH30. In conjunction with the launch of the new tire, Bridgestone/Firestone retailers who are selected to sell the Firehawk SH30 RFT will undergo an extensive training course. A retail location must be certified before it can order a run-flat tire from the company. Bridgestone/Firestone expects to have initial retailers approved by July. "We believe that there are a number of consumers who are interested in run-flat tires," said Bridgestone/Firestone Vice President of Consumer Tire Marketing Shu Ishibashi, speaking at an Automotive Press Association (APA (All Points Addressable) Refers to an array (bitmapped screen, matrix, etc.) in which all bits or cells can be individually manipulated. APA - Application Portability Architecture ) luncheon/press conference today in Detroit. "Therefore, we are happy to be able to offer those customers run-flat technology, combined with UNI-T(R) technology." The Firestone Firehawk SH30 RFT features Bridgestone/Firestone's core UNI-T(R) technology -- CO-CS(R), O-Bead(R) and L.L. Carbon(R), as well as Rim Guard. CO-CS(R) is a Computer Optimized Component System that uses a super computer to determine the ideal combination of tread design, casing shape, materials and construction for specific consumer benefits. O-Bead(R) eliminates overlapped joints in the bead assembly, affecting the way a tire interacts with a rim by providing a rounder assembly for improved driving on straight-aways and handling stability. L.L. Carbon(R), or Long Link Carbon, is an advanced form of carbon black that absorbs and spreads road stress over a larger area, producing a stronger tire better able to resist cracking, chipping, tearing and excessive wear. The Firestone Firehawk SH30 RFT will be available in sizes P195/60R15, P205/60R15 and P225/60R16. Possible fitments for the tire include the Toyota Camry The Toyota Camry is a mid-size sedan assembled by Toyota in Georgetown, Kentucky; Altona, Victoria, Guangzhou, China and the original factory in Toyota City, Japan. In some markets, the top range Camry models are seen as executive cars. , Honda Accord The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. , Ford Contour The Ford Contour is a North American variant of the European Ford Mondeo sedan previously sold by Ford Motor Company. It was sold in North America from 1994 (as a 1995 model) through 2000. , Saturn, Mazda 626, BMW BMW in full Bayerische Motoren Werke AG German automaker. Founded as an aircraft engine manufacturer in 1916, the company assumed the name Bayerische Motoren Werke and became known for its high-speed motorcycles in the 1920s. 328i, Lincoln Continental The Lincoln Continental, an automobile produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company, began for the 1939 model year. Over the next 63 years, despite these cars sharing under-pinnings with less expensive Ford automobiles, Continental was usually a distinguishly-styled, , Acura TL, Nissan Altima, Dodge Intrepid, Pontiac Bonneville SSE (1) An earlier full-screen editor in OS/2. (2) (Streaming SIMD Extensions) A series of additional instructions built into Pentium CPU chips for improved multimedia performance by performing mathematical operations on multiple sets of data at the and Cadillac Seville STS (Synchronous Transport Signal) The electrical equivalent of the SONET optical signal. In SDH, the European counterpart of SONET, STS is known as STM (Synchronous Transport Module). . Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone is the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone Corp. of Japan, the world's largest tire and rubber company. Bridgestone/Firestone develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, associate and private brand tires. The company also produces Firestone air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles. CONTACT: Bridgestone/Firestone, Nashville John Taylor, 615/872-1417, or 800/851-7000 or Melissa Dykstra, 615/872-1412, or 800/851-7000 http://www.bridgestone-firestone.com |
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