Cooper unveils its first low rolling resistance tire

July 7, 2009

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s new Cooper CFE (Greater Fuel Efficiency) tire is now available. The GFE is Cooper's first tire to focus on lower rolling resistance, say company officials.

The T-rated tire is available in eight sizes targeted for fuel-efficient vehicles, "but also includes popular broad-line sizes."

The GFE contains Cooper's Energy Return Technology, a new tread stock that boasts a unique silica technology "married with a specialized polymer to provide very low rolling resistance while maintaining outstanding wet grip and long tread life.

"The GFE also employs unique molding technology using traction-compensating sipes," which increase in length as the tire wears. The interlocking action of the sipes enhance the tire's stability when new, and then "adds length to the biting edges throughout the life of the tire. This technology helps maintain wet and winter traction as the tread wears."

"With the recent volatility in gasoline prices, customers are looking for ways to improve their vehicle fuel economy," notes Chuck Yurkovich, Cooper's vice president of global technology. "Tire rolling resistance has a significant impact on vehicle fuel economy."

The GFE carries a 60,000-mile treadwear protection warranty. It also is covered under Cooper's standard warranty and comes with a 45-day road test.

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