Bridgestone supplying its run-flat tires for BMW 5 Series

TOKYO (Oct. 6)—Bridgestone Corp. said it has begun shipping its self-supporting run-flat tires to BMW A.G. for the new 5 Series vehicle model family that will be sold in Japan, Europe and the Americas. Rolling resistance on the tires—sizes 225/50R17 94W and 245/45R17 95 W—is about 7-percent greater than a conventional tire. However, the benefits of an eliminated spare and its related decrease in vehicle weight and increase in cargo space make the overall effect on fuel economy insignificant, a spokeswoman for Bridgestone/Firestone said. The tire maker is considering the support ring system technology it has licensed from Continental A.G. for heavier vehicles such as minivans and sport-utility vehicles, she said.