RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA - Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc. is in the process of re-naming its KL line of truck tires to better illustrate just how environmentally friendly they are, according to Modern Tire Dealer

Going forward, the premium KLS02 steer tire, solid shoulder KLD01 drive tire and premium KLT02 trailer tires will have an "e" added to their nomenclature, and for good reason: After being modified, they have been certified for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay list of verified low rolling resistance tires.

(For more on the SmartWay program, click on "Tire makers go green with SmartWay").

According to Charles van Heusden, manager of training and product planning, KLD01e sizes, which feature a 26-32-inch tread depth, already are available. The sizes for the SmartWay steer and trailer tires will be available by the second quarter of 2011.

The KLS02e linehaul tire features a five-rib design with a decoupler groove. The KLT02e shallow, non-skid tire also has a five-rib design, which resists irregular wear in free-rolling wheel positions.

Full product code changes also are being made, van Heusden told tire dealers and suppliers at the 2011 Kumho Dealer Meeting in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The event began on Jan. 7 and ended Jan. 10.