Toth says Aquatred 3 is actually more than a marketing move, since the tire's increased ability to disperse water "is needed to meet the global climatic changes that are affecting the world." While precipitations have risen about 1 per cent worldwide in the last century, he says, rainfall in North America has increased significantly. In southern Canada and in the northern United States, "precipitations figures skyrocketed by 10 to 15 per cent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, while in the United States in general, rainfall amounts increased by 5 per cent."
According to studies by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Toth says, most of North America's rainfall is concentrated in heavy downpours between September and November. Conveniently, Goodyear Canada expects to begin selling Aquatred 3 just as the rainy season begins.
Besides "battling increased puddles on the roadways," Toth points out that Aquatred 3 tire features include:
- A 10 per cent wider tread footprint on the pavement than its predecessor, providing improved wet and dry handling. Toth says the new tire uses a unique "Touring" tread compound that earns a "AA" wet-traction rating, under U.S. Uniform Tire Quality Grading standards, Goodyear's first broad market tire to do so.
- Dry traction is improved by 6 per cent, compared to Aquatred 2.
- An ability to displace 18 per cent more water than Aquatred 2.
- An 8 per cent improvement in wet braking distance. At 72 km/hrs., that is nearly 3.9 metres shorter than on Aquatred 2 tires.
- About 5 per cent improved wet handling on a controlled course.
- An improvement of about 5 per cent in steering feel/ride comfort, and less treads noise.
- Greater lateral grip in cornering, 0.71 g vs. 0.65 g.