Falken Eurowinter HS449 RFT
The EUROWINTER HS449 Runflat makes use of FALKEN’s patented Dimple Sidewall technology, which gives winter drivers the added benefit of being able to continue on the road for a distance of at least 80 kilometres at 80km/h in the event of a tyre blow-out. FALKEN engineers have imbued the EUROWINTER HS449 Runflat with all of the features expected of the standard HS449 – superb winter performance, comfort and safety – while providing the additional peace of mind that comes from having runflat tyres.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
- High traction and secure braking on snow and ice
- New-generation polymers deliver outstanding performance in wet conditions
- Close-set three-dimensional sipes that enhance snow traction
- Sporty, sharp handling and excellent directional stability
- Patented ‘dimples’ on the sidewalls** increase the efficiency of heat dissipation
Run-Flat* version of efficient tyre retains the excellent rolling resistance and good wet performance of Falken’s Eurowinter HS449 tyre with dimple sidewall technology to extend running distance at zero pressure. Run-Flat technology offers consumers the ability to complete a journey or to reach a safe and convenient location to replace a tyre. Our technologies, such as the dimples, protect the tyre when it is under great stress, extending its life and convenience.
* Only mount on vehicles with TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System).
** Not in all sizes available.
EU Tyre Label and Efficiency Classes
The European Union, under CE 1222/2009, has mandated that all tyres manufactured after the date of July 1 2012 for cars and commercial vehicles include standard EU Tyre Labels classifying them by three performance characteristics:fuel efficiency classified from A to G,wet grip classified from A to G, and noise emission in decibels.
Categories of tyres unaffected by this regulation include: retreaded tyres, professional off-road tyres, racing/sports car tyres, as well as certain types of tyres designed to improve traction such as studded tyres, T-type temporary spare tyres, tyres for cars built before 1990, tyres with a maximum allowed speed of 80km/h, tyres for rims with a diameter less or equal to 254 mm or greater or equal to 635 mm.
This label is intended on one hand to promote economic and ecological efficiency in traffic, as well as increase road safety, and on the other hand to help consumers select appropriate tyres by ensuring a certain degree of product transparency.
Nevertheless, the label has been criticized for only showing a very limited number of characteristics. Professionals argue that tyres have many more features that are important and relevant to road safety, including but not limited to aquaplaning properties, driving stability, service life, product properties on wet and dry roads other than wet grip, properties on snow.
Tyre manufacturers suggest that the test results from various institutions and industry magazines should remain a very important source of information for the end consumer, because they focus on and rate a wide variety of tyre properties and features.