The appearance of the Yokohama Advan Sport ZPS summer passenger car tire can rightfully be called a historic event for this Japanese tire manufacturer. After all, this model became the first in the history of the company, where the Run-Flat technology was applied, which in this case is called ZPS - Zero Pressure System. The practical benefit of its application lies in the ability to continue driving in the event of a complete loss of pressure at a speed of up to 50mi / h for a distance of up to 50 mi.
“The driver will not be delayed by a flat tire,” says Mr. Denlane, director of sales for Yokohama's Consumer Tire Division.
ADVAN sport zpsThe ADVAN ZPS tire has reinforced sidewalls that allow supporting the weight of the car in case of loss of pressure. It is made of a special rubber compound that is resistant to heat. A special filler cord provides comfort under normal operating conditions and additional rigidity when the tire loses pressure. A thick filler cord, wound at 6 different angles, makes it easy to mount the tire to the rim and reduces the risk of tire toe off the rim in the event of a loss of pressure.
In addition, it should be noted that this model belongs to the Advan line. This means an uncompromising approach to handling and the highest level of safety.
Strength from within
Since when the pressure inside the tire drops, the entire load falls on its sidewalls, the Japanese tire manufacturers have taken several measures to strengthen it. One of them was a special rubber compound. Thanks to this, it was possible to significantly reduce heat generation, which favorably affected the durability of this part of the tire.
Another design feature of the sidewalls is the presence of an "intelligent" side filler. Its peculiarity lies in the ability to change elasticity depending on the pressure inside the tire. When it falls completely, it becomes very tough.
Recent developments in nanotechnology applied to rubber compounding provide additional enhanced traction properties. The highest quality refined silica increases the flexibility, durability, and contact zone of the tire by approximately 10% - and thus the quality of grip on dry and wet surfaces over a wide range of temperatures. Different depth grooves with different depth cuts at different angles prevent one-sided tire wear. Four wide longitudinal channels quickly manage water drainage and wet grip stays high, groove-in-groove pattern improves handling and ensures even wear.
In addition, the sidewall of this model has been significantly reinforced with an additional steel cord, which is located in the rim area. This made it possible to protect it from destruction due to the loss of pressure inside the tire.
Excellent grip in all conditions
As mentioned earlier, the Yokohama Advan Sport ZPS tire belongs to the so-called "high performance" Advan range, which offers excellent grip regardless of the driving mode and the characteristics of the road surface. Most of the grip was provided by a rubber compound created using newfangled nanotechnology. With their help, it was possible to create a stable molecular bond between silicon-containing components and synthetic polymers. As a result, the tread, while becoming very durable, has acquired the ability to maintain optimal elasticity over a very wide temperature range.
Another feature of the asymmetric directional tread pattern is the original semicircular drainage grooves located on the inner side of the tread. This configuration, combined with the various sizes, reduces the risk of uneven wear while providing maximum wet grip.
In addition, the drainage system contains four wide longitudinal channels that avoid the risk of aquaplaning, even at very high speeds. Moreover, their walls contain many small vertical grooves. Their main functional purpose is to improve the clarity and speed of the tire's response to steering turns, as well as to resist uneven wear.
Main features of the Yokohama Advan Sport ZPS tire
- the first tire from Yokohama, created using Run-Flat technology, which allows you to travel at speeds up to 50mi / h for a distance of up to 50 mi;
- the sidewalls are made of a special rubber compound with increased strength and heat dissipation;
- "intelligent" side filler, the rigidity of which changes depending on the pressure level inside the tire;
- steel cord in the area of the rim protects this part of the tire from the aggressive impact of the heavy weight of the car;
- the tread is made of a rubber compound created using nanotechnology, thanks to which it has acquired increased strength, as well as the ability to maintain optimal elasticity in a wide temperature range;
- semicircular drainage grooves increase the performance of the drainage system while providing higher resistance to uneven wear;
- excellent resistance to aquaplaning due to four longitudinal drainage grooves, the rib walls of which make the control more precise and sharpened.