State-of-the Art Science Helps Deliver Fuel-Efficiency, All-Season Traction and 65,000-Mile Tread Life Limited Warranty in Cost Effective Tire Choice.

"Goodyear has an unparalleled track record of developing leading edge tire technologies such as AquaChannel Technology, RunFlat Technology, Carbon Fiber Technology and TripleTred Techonology, and is always working to develop new and innovative products and relevant technologies for consumers," said Gary Medalis, Goodyear general manager, passenger tires, "Goodyear achieved a breakthrough in proprietary technology that has enabled us to expand performance attributes."

With the new Assurance Fuel Max, Goodyear has introduced a tire tread compound that has been developed at the molecular level to yield improvements in rolling resistance while retaining or even enhancing tread life and traction over the original Goodyear Assurance tire. This technology allows Goodyear to retain a 65,000-mile tread wear limited warranty while providing 27 percent less rolling resistance, which equates to a 4 percent improvement in highway fuel economy. In essence, this greater fuel efficiency means drivers can save 2,600 miles worth of gas over the life of a set of 4 tires.

Many fuel-efficient tires today depend on replacing carbon black material with silica in the tread compound, either in part or in total, to minimize rolling resistance.

At the heart of Goodyear's new tread is a blend of polymers, which increase their selective reactivity with the silica filler, to help improve silica dispersion and to enhance the overall physical properties of the tread. The marriage of the Assurance Fuel Max tire construction and this proprietary tread, resutls in tires that help provide excellent fuel-efficiency, as well as confident wet and dry traction, and long tread life.

The tire structure and tread design, including two unique tread zones, contribute to the Assurance Fuel Max's confident traction, braking and tread life performance. The Dry Zone, with strong shoulder blocks, helps enhance handling and grip for confident maneuvering on dry pavement.

The Wet Tread Zone in the center features Dual Aqua Channel Grooves to help evacuate water from the tread face for great wet traction. Plus, Zig-Zagging Micro Grooves and Center Tread Notches help grip the road in rain or light snow.

The Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max is available in 27 sizes - to fit about 80 percent of the auto tire segment. This incluces automobiles such as the Pontiac Grand Prix and Chevrolet Impala, minivans such as the Chrysler Town & Country, and even hybrids such as the Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Malibu. On Febuary 10, General Motors announced that the 2011 Chevy Volt will be equiped with Assurance Fuel Max tires.