Tire Maintenance

KUMHO INNOVATION RATING & SELECTION ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE GREEN INITIATIVES SMARTWAY ESCOT TECHNOLOGY

Kumho`s patented technology maximizes tire performance by optimizing braking capabilities and improving steering for safe, comfortable driving.

XRP - EXTENDED RUN FLAT PERFORMANCE

With XRP technology, you can remain in control of the road even after your tire is punctured. A new generation of revolutionary tires employs a special rubber compound that puts safety first. XRP reinforces the sidewall to minimize tire deformation and structural tension when air pressure is lost. Available in select sizes of Ecsta MX, Ecsta LX Platinum and Ecsta SPT.

F3 TECHNOLOGY

Advanced high performance design and aerodynamic racing technology is produced with cost-efficiency. This is the Kumho F3 advantage.

ECO-CONSCIOUS PRODUCTS

Our products combine technological innovation with an environmentally sound vision. Kumho actively seeks advances in materials and manufacturing techniques that are environmentally sound.

• Electric Vehicle Tires.
• Synthetic Free Rubber: epoxidized natural rubber; higher elasticity; lower CO2.
• Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS): better wear; easier processing.
• Polycyclic Aromatics Hydrocarbons (PAH) Free Oil: natural resource base oil.

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

• 22/30 Series
• 45 Series Super Single Radial
• 28" High Performance for SUV
• Colored Smoke Tire (Ecsta SPT)
• Aviation Tires

Air pressure for your new Kumho tire should be set in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer\`s specification if it\`s the same as the size originally equipped on your vehicle. The vehicle manufacturer\`s recommendation can usually be found in the owner\`s manual, on the door jamb or in the glove compartment. Contact the vehicle dealer for more specific information about your car. Vehicle placard inflation would be the minimum recommended inflation by Kumho Tire.

The importance of maintaining the proper air pressure cannot be overstated. Under-inflation can lead to excessive heat build-up and structural stress and can cause a tire to fail. Over-inflation can cause uneven tire wear in the center portion of the tread pattern and can also lead to vehicle handling problems.

Do not check tire pressure after the vehicle has been operated because tires heat up, causing the air pressure to rise. Allow them to cool and then perform your check.

Check your spare tire as well. The proper air pressure for a spare is often different from the tires mounted on your vehicle. The proper air pressure for your spare should also be listed in your owner\`s manual, door jamb or glove compartment.

Use a quality air gauge when checking the pressure (digital gauges are the most reliable) or have a professional service technician do the work for you.

Maintaining proper air pressure will also contribute to better fuel efficiency. So check, be safe and save!

Tire Ratings and Selection

• Tread Pattern Design - "All-Season" vs. "Touring" vs. "Performance"
• Tread wear Performance vs. Grip/Handling Traction Performance
• Tire Speed-Rating - S, T, H, V, W, Y, Z
• Price
• High Performance Tires

There is a tire line to fit virtually every driver/vehicle combination and need, and there is a significant amount of overlap in different tire lines to satisfy these different combinations of needs. For example, there are:

• All-Season/Grip/S Speed-rated/Low price tires
• Touring/Tread wear/H Speed-rated/High price tires
• All-Season/Tread wear/T Speed-rated/Medium price tires
• Performance/Grip/Z Speed-rated/High price tires

All designed to meet customer needs. Let`s look at each of the considerations listed above in more detail.

ALL-SEASON VS. TOURING VS. PERFORMANCE

All-Season tread designs will provide good all-around traction for varying road conditions such as wet, snow and ice, but still provide good tread wear and tire noise characteristics.

Performance tread designs have been engineered to enhance a vehicle`s handling capabilities on wet and dry roads, but usually exhibit increased tire noise and lack long tread wear life. Performance tread designs generally have larger tread elements to provide a stiff tread area for handling performance. Touring tread designs were designed to bridge the gap between all-season and performance tires. Touring tread designs combine the technology for good tread wear characteristics from all-season tires and handling and grip associated with performance tires. Touring tires also exhibit very good tire noise and ride comfort.

TREAD WEAR PERFORMANCE VS. GRIP/HANDLING/TRACTION PERFORMANCE

The tread wear/traction trade-off has been a focus in tire performance-enhancement technology for decades. Tire companies have been trying to reduce the trade-off between tread wear and traction through the development of new rubber compounds, new tread designs and new tire construction techniques. Basically, a tire will wear out quickly if it`s providing maximum grip to the road. This is due to the tread rubber being torn from the tire (on a microscopic level), while it adheres to the road surface. An excellent tread wear tire minimizes the amount of rubber being removed at the road surface, thus providing long tread life, but less road-gripping traction.

TIRE SPEED-RATING (S, T, H, V, W, Y, Z)

A common trade-off for higher speed-rating is reduced ride comfort. An S speed-rated tire will give a more comfortable ride compared to an H speed-rated tire - and an H speed-rated tire will give a more comfortable ride compared to a Z speed-rated tire. The ride comfort characteristics can be attributed to the tire`s overall stiffness. A tire capable of running at high speeds requires a more stiff construction in order to provide the necessary high speed stability and durability.

Tire Speed Ratings

Symbol	Max Speed (mph & km/h)
Q	99 mph & 160 km/h
R	106 mph & 170 km/h
S	112 mph & 180 km/h
T	118mph & 190 km/h
U	124 mph & 200 km/h
H	130 mph & 210 km/h
V	149 mph & 240 km/h
W	168 mph & 270 km/h
Y	186 mph & 300 km/h
ZR	Above 300 km/h or 186mph

Z speed-rated tires originally reflected the highest tire speed rating - i.e., in excess of 149 mph. When new cars were developed that could exceed this speed, the automotive industry added the W and Y ratings. While a Z speed-rating still often appears, such as 215/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph; the W in the service description indicates the tire`s 168 mph maximum speed. When the Y speed-rating in a service description is enclosed in parentheses, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, indicated by the service description as shown below:

Symbol	Max Speed (mph & km/h)
285/35ZR19 99Y	186 mph & 300 km/h
285/35ZR19 (99Y)	In excess of 186 mph or 300 km/h

PRICE

As with the many different levels of tread design, tire performance and speed-ratings, there are many different levels of pricing within a category. For example, prices can vary from $50 per tire to $125 per tire depending on the brand name. When you multiply this price by four wheel positions, the price can become expensive and more difficult to justify.

HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES

High Performance tires typically have speed-ratings of H or higher, although tire companies have developed entry-level performance tires that exhibit S and T speed-ratings for the people who want only the "look" of performance.

In order to maximize handling from a tire, high performance tire tread widths are wider than a typical all-season and touring tire. This allows maximum contact area with the road surface. In this case, wider is definitely better! The tread pattern incorporates larger tread blocks for increased stiffness. The tread compound is usually softer than a typical all-season and touring tire in order to provide more dry traction capability. Faster tread wear (less tread life) is generally observed in high performance tires because of the better dry traction capability. Racing tires are an extreme example of high performance tires, exhibiting maximum dry traction and grip, with significantly reduced tread wear life.

The stiffer construction used in high performance tires not only aids high-speed performance, but enhances tire handling characteristics. A high performance tire has quick steering response and plenty of available cornering power, which makes for excellent vehicle handling characteristics. Nylon reinforcement creates a stiffer belt package, which means better steering response and higher cornering grip. Usually, the carcass plies are angled or "biased" to increase the tire`s overall stiffness.

Eco- Friendly Initiatives at Kumho Tire

Kumho Tire recognizes its responsibility to preserve nature and protect the environment for today and the future by taking proactive steps toward research and eco-friendly management efforts set with global standards.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

• BS 7750 Certificate
• EL Certificate
• Establish LCA
• Environmental Management Model Certificate
• Environmental Management Award
• ISO 14001(EMS = Environmental Management System)

KUMHO TIRE`S ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT REPORT

ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY GOK-SUNG FACTORY

Kumho Tire`s Gok-Sung factory is located on the upper part of the Sum-Jin River, an area where nature is in its purest form. It is the home of many wild animals and fish. In an effort to preserve the wildlife and the beauty of the surrounding area, Kumho Tire has pledged to prevent the pollution of the river with a reverse osmosis facility that recycles waste water and consistently monitors pollution levels. In addition, the factory operates facilities that diminish air pollutants. Industrial waste is completely separated to recycle useful resources and to incinerate synthesized rubber waste and defective tires. During the process, steam is also reused to save energy. The surrounding areas of the water treatment facilities have been created into a scenic park for nearby residents.

ECO-CONSCIOUS PRODUCTS

In its endeavor to protect the environment and save energy, Kumho Tire continues to develop pollution-free and energy conserving materials in its product design and development.

HA OIL-FREE PRODUCT

HA (High Aromatic) oil refers to the untreated DAE (Distillate Aromatic Extract), which is vacuum-distilled crude oil. When used excessively, such as in the auto industry, HA oil causes environmental pollution. Kumho Tire has begun to develop and implement HA oil-free technology.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE TIRE

Kumho Tire believes that the next generation of tires should display excellence in performance, safety and environmental awareness. Years of research and investments have led to the development of the ECOTRON tire for electric vehicles. Unlike ordinary tires, silica, a new type of anti-impact material, and special carbon black are used. This cutting-edge combination results in a lower rolling resistance of up to 45% and a reduced combustion rate of almost 10%, which in turn reduces the amount of pollutant emissions into the air.

EL MARK CERTIFIED

Kumho Tire continues to crusade for the environment by developing new products and implementing various recycling efforts. Two special environmentally sound products, the Solus and Power Racer II tires, are certified with EL Markings from the Environment Labeling Association in Korea. Eco-conscious endeavors include reducing the weight of tires, which is not only cost-efficient but also key in lowering the total volume of used tires. Improving tire abrasion performance has also extended the tire`s life cycle. In overall production, use of hazardous primary and secondary materials has been substantially minimized.

SmartWay EPA Program

Kumho Tire USA is a proud manufacturer of SmartWay approved low rolling resistance commercial truck tires. SmartWay is an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) program that requires cleaner, more efficient transportation options that help improve air quality by reducing emissions that cause smog and climate change.

The EPA has determined that certain tire models can reduce NOx emissions and estimated fuel use by 3 percent or more, relative to the best-selling new tires for line haul trucks, when used on all five axles on long haul Class 8 trucks. Options include both dual tires and single wide tires (single wide tires replace the double tire on each end of a drive or trailer axle, in effect turning an 18-wheeler into a 10-wheeler). Low rolling resistance tires can be used with lower-weight aluminum wheels to further improve fuel savings.

The SmartWay approved designation logo can be found on Kumho Tire commercial light truck tires for steer, drive and trailer. These are the Kumho KLS02e, KLD01e and the KLT02e. The designation logo identifies that Kumho Tire is committed to helping fleets improve efficiency, reduce transportation-related emissions and keep our environment clean for future generations.