SEARS INTRODUCES TIRE THAT LASTS 100,000 MILES
18 July 1999
RoadHandler Voyager LX at Sears Auto Centers HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (July 11) - Sears, Roebuck and Co. has introduced the RoadHandler Voyager LX, a premium touring radial tire for passenger cars and minivans engineered to last 100,000 miles. The new tire, on sale at Sears Auto Centers beginning July 11, has a predicted treadlife that is among the longest in the industry. Sears backs 22 of the 25 tire sizes with a 100,000 mile limited treadwear warranty, while three sizes, 50 and two 55 aspect tires, carry Sears 70,000 mile limited treadwear warranty. To maintain the warranty, tires need periodic rotations and alignments to help ensure smooth tread wear. "We believe RoadHandler Voyager LX is the best all-around tire on the market today," said William C. White, president of Sears Tire Group, the nation's largest retailer of tires and batteries. "We say the Voyager LX could outlast your car and, today, when cars are designed to last many years and travel many miles, that is an impressive claim." Powerful computer modeling applications were used in the design of RoadHandler Voyager LX, which rates high for durability but also for handling and traction in snow or rain and for quiet operation. Engineers gave the newest RoadHandler a unique tread pattern with two aquachannels, deep shoulder slots and dense blading to push aside large volumes of water and snow. For better handling, the new tire has a square footprint that puts uniform pressure on the pavement side to side and end to end to promote even tread wear. Computer simulation even tuned out bothersome harmonics to reduce road noise. Four RoadHandler Voyager LX tires were installed on a Dodge Intrepid and road tested in Texas under severe wear conditions on all types of terrain. The tires were tested with various loads on city roads and highways, in level and hilly areas and in dry and wet conditions. "The tire successfully completed 100,000 actual miles with tread to spare," White said.
