Continental future-proofs tyre solutions through global test tracks
Continental tests its tyres 365 days a year on internal test tracks. All tyres are driven extensively there under different conditions before they are approved for external, independent tyre tests.
The largest European test site is the Contidrom in Jeversen, near Hanover. The company also has other test tracks in the USA and Scandinavia. The test track in Arvidsjaur, in Sweden, focuses on winter tyre tests.
“Depending on the weather, we have different test conditions here every day,” explains Joachim Blass, who has been working internationally as a test engineer for Continental for 20 years.
He emphasises that during the test drives in Sweden, the snow and ice handling performance, snow traction and rut sensitivity of the tyres are particularly scrutinised. The results of these tests are incorporated into the continuous development and optimisation of the tyres.
Sustainable development impetus through diverse test structures
The requirements for commercial vehicle tyres are becoming ever more stringent and diverse. The main reasons for this are increasing cost pressure, strict requirements for CO2 reduction, and the use of alternative drive systems.
Added to this are the individual tyre requirements of countries around the world. “Overall, criteria such as low rolling resistance and the lowest possible noise emissions have become considerably more important in recent years,” adds Blass. “This will continue as a result of the growing use of electromobility.”
In outdoor tyre tests, such as at the test site in Sweden, Continental engineers use extreme winter conditions to investigate and further develop tyre criteria. “Depending on the atmospheric and surface temperature, precipitation, wind, solar radiation and humidity, we often find very different test conditions,” explains Blass.
Tyre criteria for vehicles
Depending on the weather conditions, new products and tyre optimisations are tested and compound formulations and tread designs are compared. “Together with an industry partner, we are currently investigating which changes to the tyre design make sense for use on e-trailers in order to optimally design the tyres for the requirements of a battery-electric drive.”
Experience is essential for working as a test driver. A test is run, and the product developers use the results to decide on further adjustments. “We see the test tracks as a campus where we try out new things in order to understand how the tyres react in combination with vehicles during driving manoeuvres, even at the limits.”
Humans as the best sensor
In the commercial vehicle sector, tyre tests focus on properties such as rolling resistance, mileage, noise, traction, braking and cornering behaviour. On the outdoor track in Sweden, braking behaviour, traction and cornering stability in particular are tested under various winter track conditions.
The subjective assessment focuses on traction and handling. In the objective tests, the braking and traction capabilities of the tyres are recorded using state-of-the-art measurement technology. “In the subjective assessment, I am the sensor. I experience the reaction of the vehicle and give my assessment”. At its core, it is always about safe driving behaviour.
“Ultimately, the driver is the measure of all things,” he emphasises. “For the interaction of tyre characteristics in real driving conditions, the human being is still the best sensor.
Development of sustainable tyre solutions
The requirements for commercial vehicle tyres are particularly high compared to passenger car tyres. They are therefore tested using additional test methods. These include the traction test, in which a vehicle must be able to start off safely on an icy or snow-covered ramp.
“We try to simulate exactly the situations that are relevant for the customer in everyday life,” explains Blass. We also observe how the tyres react in extreme situations. This includes braking manoeuvres such as when changing lanes or driving behaviour on black ice and suddenly reduced grip.
In addition to these safety aspects, criteria such as the high load-bearing capacity of commercial vehicle tyres, low rolling resistance and high mileage are of great importance. “With these tyre characteristics, we support our customers in keeping their fleets on the road efficiently and sustainably.”
Continental’s diverse infrastructure of test tracks worldwide provides comprehensive answers to questions about the development and optimisation of tyres. The test methods are continuously adapted to the needs of customers and markets. “By understanding the individual tyre requirements of our customers around the globe, we can develop the right tyre products for them and offer future-proof tyre solutions,” concludes Blass.