Michelin PAX is a run-flat car tire system that uses a special type of rim and tire to allow for the wheel's temporary use if the tire is punctured. The core of the Michelin PAX system is a semi-rigid ring fitted to the rim using special equipment. It provides support for tires and sidewalls to allow emergency operations with limited speed until the tires can be replaced. Cars that use the system include supercars like the Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4, luxury cars like the Rolls Royce Phantom, and more common vehicles like the Honda Odyssey and Nissan Quest.
Video Michelin PAX System
Previous technology
Prior to the introduction of Michelin PAX Systems run-flat technology in the late 1990s, both Michelin and Goodyear have introduced "zero-pressure" run-flat technology, meaning that pneumatic tires (supported air pressure) can support themselves without air. pressure. The new zero pressure tire is a modified standard tire, built with a much tougher and heavier side wall, which supports the weight of the car running at speed without reducing control. Heavier side walls and special bead construction allow the driver to drive a car with little or no air pressure at a limited speed (about 50 mph) above some specified distance to the service station, or at least from a way out of immediate danger. In conventional pneumatic tires, the loss of pressure at the speed will result in the collapse of the soft tire sidewall so that the edges of the metal wheel will slice through the collapsed sidewall, which will likely result in accidents, fatal possibilities, and tire destruction, and possibly wheels.
The reinforced side wall of Goodyear EMT (Extended Mobility Tire) was introduced with the 1994 Chevrolet Corvette. Michelin also introduced the same tires in the mid-1990s called the Zero Pressure System, and ZP designers differentiated flat tire types from conventional tires.
Such tires require the introduction of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, sensors and instrumentation in the car, which will show the driver a very low tire pressure condition. With conventional tires, low tire pressure can be noticed because of the outer side deformation; With a pressurized zinc pressurized sidewall, there is no warning when the tire is flat. This low or no pressure condition is almost impossible to detect by the driver with zero pressure, until the tire fails.
Maps Michelin PAX System
Michelin PAX System run-flat tire
Michelin developed the PAX system in late 1995, first calling it PAV, but introducing the system as a PAX system by the end of 2000. The PAX system approached the problem differently, requiring a part system, not just a different tire. Rather than the rigid and supportive outer side, the PAX system relies on newly designed asymmetrical wheels, supported inserts and the same asymmetrical tire combination to provide long run-flat capability of up to 125 miles at 50 or 55 mph.
The PAX system weighs approximately the same as four conventional tires plus reserves. So even though comparable PAX tires are heavier than conventional tires, they are not much heavier (Michelin claims four PAX System assemblies equal to the standard 4.7 wheel tire wheel assemblies). However, the mass rotates and unsprung the weight of the wheels and tires on the ground increases, which is a disadvantage. In addition, there are no spare tires to carry, so the PAX-equipped vehicles are no more than conventionally-equipped vehicles, and have more storage space without spare tires. Michelin said that the retail replacement cost of PAX tires will be approximately equal to the cost of five conventional tires. The actual cost is about US $ 1200 or $ 1600 for snow tires in 2008 for a higher Odyssey than some conventional tires. The PAX tires are thought to have a smoother ride and provide better mileage than conventionally comparable tires but the owner's impressions vary greatly. The PAX tire provides real peace of mind and security and adds mobility that no conventional tires but the limited availability and cost of PAX tires and services reduces owner satisfaction. As with zero-pressure flats, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is mandatory. TPMS becomes mandatory on all cars shortly thereafter.
The gentle PAX side wall allows for a more comfortable ride compared to running a flat tire that works by having a rigid side wall. When flat, the PAX side tire collapses until the car's weight rises on the internal polymer support ring mounted to the asymmetrical wheels. It is the outer diameter of the wheel smaller than the inner wheel diameter. The asymmetrical wheels and tire design allow the tire to lock onto the wheels, rather than loose with speed and/or while spinning. So the PAX wheel that looks about 18 inches from the outside of the car (the side facing outwards), will look more like 19 inches on the inside of the wheel (side facing the suspension). The inner support ring is also coated with the gel required to lubricate the rotating flat PAX tire.
PAX tires can be patched from the inside as conventional tires. If the tire is replaced, and the inner support ring is not damaged, the inner support ring does not need to be replaced. The new gel package is generally applied when the tire is unplugged and repaired or replaced.
PAX tires are measured in metric systems exclusively unlike English measurements and mixed metrics common in conventional tires. For example conventional passenger car tires may have a 245/45-18 designation, showing a 245 mm wide tread section, with an aspect ratio of 45% (ie, side wall height is 45% width of tread section), mounted on conventional 18-inch wheels. The same-sized PAX tire has been set 245-680R460A, showing the same 245 mm tread section, but the overall diameter of 680 mm (a specification that is not in the conventional passenger car tom- ber nomenclature), R , which means radial construction , wheel diameter of 460 mm (about 18.1 inches) and A to asymmetric, which means that the wheels are asymmetric, or PAX systems.
Special machines and training are required to serve PAX tires. Michelin is quite confident in its service network that guarantees the replacement within 12 hours, if the Michelin dealer can not repair the original tire, or does not replenish its replacement. Michelin also works with Honda (for Odyssey minivans) and Acura (for RL luxury sedans) to ensure each dealer carries a complete set of replacement tire combinations in inventory. However, the Canadian model of Odyssey does not offer PAX tires.
In theory, PAX tires will not have the same ownership problem that hit the Michelin TRX tires that were introduced in the mid-1970s but died in the 1980s. By licensing PAX technology to other companies, Michelin will ensure that consumers will not be locked in one supplier as in TRX. Pirelli, Goodyear, Toyo and Sumitomo have licensed the technology from Michelin, but these companies never come out with PAX system tires. So in reality, consumers are still left behind with one supplier solution.
Termination development
In December 2007, Michelin announced that it would stop further development of PAX tires, but would still produce them for the foreseeable future, essentially a repetition of the TRX scenario.
Class action demands in America
The class action suit against American Honda Motor Company involving the use of Michelin PAX tires was completed in December 2008. The settlement states that the PAX tire system should continue to be used with cars originally equipped with PAX systems. The original warranty has been extended to 36,000 miles, although it is unclear whether it is the material and parts of the warranty or warranty insurance parts of the warranty, or both. Also unanswered is what happens to travel interruption payments, and the guarantee to get replacement tires sent within a day if the car is stranded beyond the limits of driving a tire that is 125 miles long because PAX-certified workshops are not as much as standard tire workshops. In addition, the spare tire kit will be offered by Honda for cars originally equipped with PAX system tires because the service may not be practical in a particular geographic area. If the backup has been purchased, Honda will replace the owner for about $ 110.00. Class claims should be made in January 2010. Affected owners are referred to the sfmslaw.com website, the lawyer responsible for the class action lawsuit.
It seems that the main impetus for class action is poor PAX tire performance on the Touring Edition of the third generation Honda Odyssey minivan built for the North American market. The Michelin PAX Latitude LX4 tire system does not seem to have a claimed lifetime, and lack of universal repair and replacement facilities (PAX tires can not be serviced at any tire shop, but only those with specialized equipment and specially trained personnel) and the cost to replace PAX tires is a major factor for classroom action. Instead of accusing the PAX system of being damaged, the lawsuit alleges that the PAX tires and special wheels are unreasonably difficult to repair or replace.
Because of the lawsuit against Michelin North America and Honda America, Honda's luxury American Acura division is also included. Some of the Acura RL models are equipped with a high performance Michelin Pilot HX MM4 tire PAX system. Anecdotally, an informal internet search will reveal that the Acura RL PAX tires do not have the worsening performance worse by the Honda Odyssey PAX tires. However, many Acura RL owners complain about difficulties in finding repair and replacement, as well as higher repair or replacement costs than expected.
The lawsuit includes consumer casualties from Florida, Illinois, Arizona and New York.
Car comes with PAX tires
In the United States
- 2005-2009 Honda Odyssey Touring model
- 2006-2008 Nissan Quest model
- 2006-2008 Acura RL model
- Toyota Sienna Model 2005-2009
- Rolls Royce Phantom - introduced in April 2004
In Europe
- Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4
- Renault Scenic models in Europe - introduced in February 2002
- Audi A8 in Europe - introduced in November 2002
- Rolls Royce Phantom - introduced in January 2003
- Audi A4 in Europe - introduced in September 2004
- Honda Odyssey - introduced in September 2004
References
External links
- Official website
- http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=434851
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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