This week, Ford announced they will be adding Michelin's Selfseal tires to the 2020 Ford Explorer, making it the first SUV to get the technology. The self-sealing tires will come standard on Explorer Platinum and Explorer Limited Hybrid 4WS models and optional on Explorer Limited 2WD and 4WD models. The Michelin tire technology, which was originally developed for the Chevy
The technology, called Michelin Selfseal, was developed to fight against the most common tire nemeses lurking on the roads, including nails and screws. It works by instantly filling in punctures of up to a quarter inch with a natural rubber sealant. The Selfseal tires are able to seal 90 percent of punctures.
The Selfseal will work whether the object that punctured your tires stays in the tire or falls out. If it remains lodged in the tires, the Selfseal technology will fill in the area around the object. If it falls out, the tire will fill the puncture. Ford and Michelin emphasize that this may be only a temporary fix for some punctures. If the tire pressure light comes on, the driver should examine the tire to determine if it needs to be fixed once they get to a safe location or take it to a mechanic.
Ford chose a family SUV as their first vehicle to be outfitted with these tires so that road trips don't get interrupted. Even more importantly, it means drivers won't be endangering themselves or their families by pulling over on the side of the road to change a flat. According to Joseph Billman, Ford wheel and tire engineer, “nothing derails a family vacation like a flat tire. Explorer is the ultimate road trip family hauler – and it’s the perfect fit for these new Michelin Selfseal tires.” Since Michelin also markets the tire technology for businesses, we wouldn't be surprised if it gets rolled out to Ford's pickup trucks or the Transit cargo van lineup in the future.
The New 2020 Ford Explorer
The Explorer is Ford's third best selling model, and it gets some serious upgrades for 2020. In addition to Selfseal tires, the 2020 Ford Explorer is shifting from
The 2020 Explorer gets a makeover on the inside as well. The interior is elevated thanks to 6 more inches of cabin space, a more open and simplified dashboard, and upscale materials like real wood trim. A vertically mounted 8-inch or 10.1-inch infotainment screen is new for the 2020 model. The 2020 Ford Explorer is expected to go on sale in the summer of 2019 so if you're looking for an SUV that can mend its own tires and haul the family in style, you don't have long to wait.
