Escapes, Mariners rolling off assembly line with new fuel-efficient Michelins

Ford’s 2009 Escape and Mercury Mariner sport utility vehicles are sporting new factory-installed tires specifically designed for improved fuel economy.

The two fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly SUVs boast a projected 1 mpg fuel economy improvement for both four- and six-cylinder models, thanks in part to a new set of 16-inch Michelin Latitude Tour low-rolling-resistance tires, according to the automaker.

Ford and Michelin collaborated to optimize the tires’ mold design and implement a new-generation tread stock for the new Latitude Tour tire. Low-rolling-resistance tires are part of a multifaceted Ford approach to improving fuel economy, the company says. Other initiatives include the introduction of energy-efficient, six-speed automatic transmissions and more fuel efficient engine technologies.

The P235/70R16 tires are standard for all Escape and Mariner models, including hybrids.

A five-spoke, 16-inch by-7-inch cast aluminum wheel design is offered as standard equipment on Escape XLS and XLT. Hybrid models have a unique design with a different five-spoke pattern. Higher specification models, such as Escape Limited and Escape Limited Hybrid, feature a standard bright machined aluminum wheel in a six-spoke, 16-inch by-7-inch design.

Mercury Mariner I-4 and V-6 models feature a six-spoke, 16-inch by-7-inch painted aluminum wheel, while Premier and Premier V-6 models offer a 12-spoke machined aluminum wheel design.

In addition to improved fuel economy, the new tire is quieter, and Ford engineers say it delivers more precise handling, responsive steering and helps shorten braking distances. Escape and Mariner drivers also will notice reduced road noise and tire wear as well as better performance in wet and snow conditions, according to the company

The new tire design for Escape and Mariner is the result of extensive development and testing, Ford’s engineer’s point out. By the end of the process, Ford and Michelin had developed a tire that could meet Ford’s stringent targets, including the main goal of lowering rolling resistance.
The technical partnership between Ford and Michelin highlights a mutual corporate goal: becoming more sustainable within the auto industry.

For more information, visit www.ford.com or www.michelinman.com.