Vredestein tires are the newest addition TireVan’s already large array of brand offerings. Manufactured in Holland, Vredestein tires are a symbol of luxury and trendy lifestyle in the European tire market. Known not only for their high quality, safety and functionality, Vredestein tires are also renowned for their aesthetic appeal. These eye-pleasing designs are a result of Vredestein’s collaboration with world famous Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, who is famous for his designs of Volkswagen Golf I, BMW M1, Maserati 3200 GT and the Alfa Romeo Brera. Giugiaro was also nominated as the car designer of the century in 1999 by the world auto press. Over the past century, Vredestein tires have earned their own recognizable character and in 2008, the name Vredestein itself had officially grown to become a “Cool Brand” in the prestigious Guru Book (a must-read for all management professionals). Vredestein was acquired by Apollo Tyres in 2009 and currently operates as Apollo Vredestein B.V.

Today, the company produces a range of all-season tires (Quatrac 3, Quatrac Lite,Quatrac 3), Light Truck/SUV Tires (Comtrac, Ultrac Sessanta SUV), summer tires (Hi-Trac, Sportrac 5) and winter tires (Wintrac 4 Xtreme, Snowtrac, Nordtrac Xtreme).

Given their wide range of high-performing, aesthetically appealing tire models for cars and light trucks/SUVs, Vredestein tires are an excellent choice for consumers of discerning tastes and preferences. To buy your set of Vredestein tires, please check TireVan’s online tire selector or give us a call at 877.847.3826

Run-flat tires were introduced in the mid-1990s when both -  Goodyear Tires and Michelin Tires – offered zero-pressure tires. These tires were designed to run for a limited distance at a limited speed with no air.  The concept was essentially the same as a standard tire, except that the sidewalls were stiffened to support the entire weight of the vehicle, and the bead was redesigned to provide extra support for the sidewall while maintaining contact with the wheel.  The downside was that the heavier sidewalls made for a stiffer ride.

Michelin introduced PAX tires in 2000 to circumvent the ride issue related to run-flat tires.  Instead of the heavier sidewalls, PAX tires offered a more conventional sidewall. They relied on a polymer insert mounted inside the tire and against the wheel (essentially a plastic tire mounted inside the rubber tire) to support the weight of the vehicle in zero pressure conditions.  The entire wheel and tire assembly had to be redesigned to accommodate this new concept.  According to Michelin, PAX tires  return a more conventional ride to the vehicle by providing better handling through reduced tire roll and better fuel economy. Perhaps this is why they were used for vehicles like the Bugatti Veyron and Honda Odyssey.

Unlike other types of run-flat tires, PAX tires can be repaired just like a conventional tire by patching from the inside.  They are designed to travel up to 125 miles with no air, at vehicle speeds of 55 miles per hour.  This betters the alternative run-flat tire design of 50 miles at speeds up to 50 miles per hour.  A special gel coats the polymer insert to keep it lubricated when running against the inside of a flat tire.

The PAX tire system was installed as an original equipment option on only 3 models in the US for a limited time – Honda Odyssey Touring (2005-2009), Nissan Quest SE 3.5 & SL 3.5 (2006-2007) and Acura RL (2006-2008). This system does have some disadvantages which prevented its larger adoption.  PAX tire system weighs approximately 4.7 times more than a standard wheel-tire assembly and their overall design introduces a high rotating mass and unsprung weight, which puts additional strain on suspension systems and brakes.  Although they can be repaired conventionally, the unique design and construction requires that they be repaired using special equipment. Most tire shops have decided against investing in this equipment because the cost of the equipment outweighs the potential revenue opportunity. Therefore, owners of the aforementioned models are expected to bring their vehicles to a specially-equipped service facility which may not be readily available everywhere in the country.  And although Michelin is licensing the technology, no other manufacturers have yet capitalized on that opportunity, meaning owners are still locked into Michelin as the supplier of replacement tires. PAX tire system is not expected to be installed as an OEM option on any new vehicles produced in 2012/2013. It is our recommendation that you consider the pros and cons of this technology prior to investing in a pre-owned vehicle with PAX tires.

Do you have a vehicle with PAX tires? If so, what do you think of them? Have they made your drive safer? And, more importantly, where did you take them to have your last set replaced?

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