Changing tires can be a hassle for drivers, especially when they get busted or needs immediate replacement while on the road. But with the advancement of technology, it’s no longer far-fetched for most cars to use self-patching tires in the future.
The first to ride the upcoming trend of self-patching tires is the 2020 Ford Explorer, which was recently announced to start offering such tires that fix themselves. The tires ‘heal’ on their own, and drivers wouldn’t even know if they ran over a nail.
Michelin engineers developed the 20-inch tires in such a way that drivers wouldn’t notice problems while driving until they actually see the issue, or tire-pressure warnings alert them about the loss of air pressure only a few days later.
The technology works with the help of a viscous goop coating the inside of the tires, which then flows into punctures and seals them. But Michelin engineers also made sure that the sealant won’t pool at the bottom of the tire when the vehicle is parked.
“When the sealant works as designed, most drivers never know it’s working. There is no pressure loss, and odds are the driver doesn’t see the object in the tire or it’s fallen out,” said Woody Rogers, director of tire information for an online retailer.
Although the technology of self-sealing tires has been available for years, it is only recently that developers made significant changes to encourage automakers to use it.
The tires will come as standard on the 2020 Explorer Limited hybrid and Platinum models, while it will be offered as an optional add-on on the Explorer Limited. Other carmakers are also expected to start offering self-patching tires in the future.
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