We’ve all been there, on the side of the road with the jack in our hands getting ready to replace a deflated tire. All that’s about to become history in the 2020 Ford Explorer for the most part, which is equipped with a very special tire made by Michelin.
Called the Selfseal, it’s lined with a sealant that has been designed to fill some of the most common punctures such as nails and screws, up to a quarter-inch (6.35 mm) in diameter.
This slows down the loss of air pressure to less than 15 pounds per square inch every week, according to Michelin’s internal testing, and will help users continue their journey without leaving the site with gravel on their knees.
“Nothing derails a family vacation like a flat tire”, said Ford’s Wheel and Tire engineer, Joseph Billman. “Explorer is the ultimate road trip family hauler – and it’s the perfect fit for these new Michelin Selfseal tires.”
Explorer Marketing Manager, Craig Patterson, added: “The all-new Explorer is designed to help our customers feel unstoppable and worry-free. The availability of these new Michelin Selfseal tires is another great example of that.”
Ford says the Explorer is the first-ever SUV to use Michelin’s Selfseal tires. Measuring 255/55 R20 in size, they are standard on the Platinum and Limited Hybrid four-wheel drive models, and optional on the two- and four-wheel drive versions of the Limited. Still, despite this new tech, all Explorers come with a regular spare wheel.