Improved Goodyear Run-flat Tires Deliver Lexus Luxury

    AKRON, Ohio, May 30 New lighter-weight run-flat tires from
Goodyear deliver improved ride and handling -- and the peace of mind of never
changing a flat tire along a busy road -- on the 2002 Lexus SC 430 luxury
performance car.

    Goodyear's new Eagle F1 GS-D EMT run-flat tire, in size 245/40ZR18, is
able to run up to 100 miles at 55 mph without inflation pressure.

    Jan Racke, lead engineer for Goodyear's Asian original-equipment
passenger-tire programs, said Lexus specified that run-flat tire ride,
handling and rolling resistance must equal conventional tire performance.

    The Eagle F1 GS-D EMT run-flat tire culminated in 18 months of tire
development and "optimization of tire shape and insert and tread compounds,"
Racke said.

    "The sidewall inserts used for reinforcement employ a special rubber
compound for improved run-flat mileage performance, without increasing tire
weight or sacrificing ride performance," Racke said.

    The tire provides low rolling-resistance for improved fuel-efficiency, a
soft ride and excellent wet handling.  When equipped with these tires, the
Lexus will not carry a spare tire, Racke added.  Run-flat tires are a $400
option on the 300-horsepower SC 430.

    Lexus describes the SC 430's ride as "handling that responds as if it were
an extension of your body."  The car is equipped with double-wishbone
suspension and vehicle-speed sensing-progressive power-assisted rack-and-
pinion steering.

    Byron Meyer, marketing manager for Goodyear original-equipment consumer
tires, said the new run-flat tires are an "evolutionary improvement in ride
performance and tire weight.  Our scientists, compounders and engineers
continuously look for ways to improve run-flat tire performance.

    "We're finding that specifically tuning run-flat tire performance on new,
exciting cars, such as the Lexus SC 430, is the best way to increase run-flat
capabilities.  Look for more applications down the road," Meyer said.

    Goodyear has several run-flat tire projects on-going at its technical
centers in Akron and Luxembourg in Europe.  The company also is involved with
inflation-pressure sensor firms to develop more standardized run-flat tire
systems.