A tyre T for adaptively adjusting to the tyre's rolling conditions, the tyre T comprising first and second side walls (1, 2) with a contact wall (3) extending therebetween and a heater 7 for heating one or more of the first side wall (1), second side wall (2) and contact wall (3), wherein plural chambers (4, 5, 6) are defined within the tyre T, at least one of the plural chambers (4, 6) being selectively inflatable for altering the external shape of the first side wall (1), second side wall (2) and/or contact wall (3).

A method of repairing a tire includes providing a tire. The tire has a tire pressure. It is determined if the tire pressure is below a target tire pressure. If the tire pressure is below the target tire pressure a first flow of pressurized air is directed to the tire. It is determined if the tire is torn or punctured. If it is determined that the tire is torn or punctured, a signal is sent to a heating element to produce heat energy. The heat energy is transferred to a second flow of pressurized air. The heated, second flow of pressurized air is directed to the tire.

A vehicle includes a powerplant, such as an engine, configured to power front and rear wheels, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, brake a first of the front wheels and a first of the rear wheels while powering a second of the front wheels and a second of the rear wheels to warm those tires, and subsequently brake the second front wheel and the second rear wheel while powering the first front wheel and the first rear wheel to warm those tires.

A front tire heating and cleaning system for a vehicle includes a brake system configured to selectively apply hydraulic braking pressure against front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle, and a controller in signal communication with the brake system. The controller is configured to, upon receipt of a request, initiate a controlled front tire heating mode where the brake system is controlled to selectively apply hydraulic braking pressure against the rear wheels and not the front wheels, and rotate the front wheels to increase tire temperature for improved front wheel traction during off-road maneuvers.

Methods and systems are provided for warming vehicle tires prior to a vehicle launch event. In one example, a method may include, in response to an initiation of a burn out event while locking non-driven wheel brakes, adjusting a spinning of driven wheels based on vehicle performance parameters measured during a previous vehicle launch. In this way, a vehicle controller may control the tire warming to increase tire traction while reducing tire wear.

A vehicle includes a powerplant, such as an engine, configured to power front and rear wheels, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, brake a first of the front wheels and a first of the rear wheels while powering a second of the front wheels and a second of the rear wheels to warm those tires, and subsequently brake the second front wheel and the second rear wheel while powering the first front wheel and the first rear wheel to warm those tires.

An electrified vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a tire and an electrically powered heating device configured to selectively warm the tire. The heating device may be powered during on-plug conditions to precondition the tire.

A vehicle includes a powerplant, such as an engine, configured to power front and rear wheels, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, brake a first of the front wheels and a first of the rear wheels while powering a second of the front wheels and a second of the rear wheels to warm those tires, and subsequently brake the second front wheel and the second rear wheel while powering the first front wheel and the first rear wheel to warm those tires.

A method and a system are provided for adjusting a pressure of a medium to a target pressure. The method includes: providing a pneumatic structure in which the medium is at a medium pressure that is a starting pressure; providing an adsorptive material operable within a range of temperatures that is proportionate with a range of medium pressures at which the pneumatic structure is operable; and adjusting a temperature of the adsorptive material to effect an adjustment of the medium pressure to the target pressure for performing a selected function. The system performs the method and includes the absorptive material and at least one regulator for adjusting the temperature of the adsorptive material.

A computerized tire heating system is provided for. The system features a carcass with a tread, a sidewall and a bead, an inner tube having an inner volume, a first layer of thermal insulation, connected to said bead, a second later of thermal insulation, connected to said tread, a power source, and a heating system having more than one heating coil located in between the first layer of thermal insulation and the second layer of thermal insulation, where the heating system is connected to said power source. The computerized tire heating system may also have a heating gel located in the inner volume of the inner tube.