Michelin takes on the run-flat

A new Michelin tyre technology that is claimed to better resist punctures than run-flats without any of the negative side effects is expected on sale in Australia by mid-2016.

Dubbed Selfseal, it is a viscous rubber inner liner that seals punctures and allows the tyre to continue to be used without further attention. It will launch globally in Europe in 2015.

Run-flat tyres rely on stiff sidewalls to still be useable for a limited distance after springing a leak. But that stiff sidewall also impacts on ride comfort, adds weight and therefore fuel consumption.

Michelin claims Selfseal, which adds about 500g to the weight of a conventional car tyre, saves about 0.4L/100km of fuel compared to a run-flat.

It is also claimed to add only fractionally to the cost of tyre production and therefore the retail price, unlike run-flat technology, which is significantly more expensive and therefore reserved for premium rubber.

Selfseal repairs holes up to 6mm in diameter in the tread — or the size of a nail or screw. Michelin says its research shows the vast majority of punctures are this size or smaller.

It expects the technology will eventually apply across its tyre range for both cars and trucks and be worldwide in its application.

It sees a particular appeal for the technology in Asia, where punctures occur on average every 9500km, compared to 55,000km in the USA and 80,000km in Europe.

“We see a great application here in Asia in all the countries for different reasons, but at the end of the day this is an initiative that will be launched first in western countries but will soon arrive in Asia,” Michelin’s south-east Asia and south Pacific managing director Lionel Dantiacq told motoring.com.au.

“So in the coming 18 months we should have interesting things happening in Asia. It might start in Thailand or Australia first. It might start in other countries first, but we have a roll-out plan and the opportunity for us is very clear. This is basically a worldwide need and the unique needs here in Asia and the requirements from the consumers are pretty clear.

“It is an opportunity for us and after all the technologies that have been used for good and for bad, in the last 25 years… I think Selfseal will be the right one and it will be implemented worldwide for Michelin.”

Asked if he saw Selfseal replacing run-flat tyres, Dantiacq’s reply was brief: “We hope so.”

Run-flats have been commercially available since the 1990s and Michelin is one of a number of tyre brands which manufactures them.

motoring.com.au sampled a production-ready example of the Selfseal technology at the recent Michelin Challenge Bibendum in China, a think-tank, seminar and motor show devoted to future transport technologies and sustainable mobility.

After driving over a set of nails, the Selfseal tyre completed a 3km driving loop without noticeable pressure loss or impact on driving behaviour.

Michelin displayed two different self-sealing passenger car tyres at the Challenge — Selfseal Primacy 3 and Selfseal Pilot Sport 3 — and a light truck tyre.

Michelin expects Selfseal to appeal to car manufacturers because of their constant quest for lower weight and costs. Volkswagen has already committed to using the tyre as original equipment, although on which models is unclear.