---
title: "2020 Ford Explorer Features Sci-Fi-Like Self-Healing Tires From Michelin"
description: "Harnessing Wolverine's superpowers for tires? Sounds like a hit."
date: "2019-03-12"
modified: "2019-03-12"
authors:
  - name: "Chad Kirchner"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chad-kirchner.md"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/26912/2020-ford-explorer-features-sci-fi-like-self-healing-tires-from-michelin"
categories:
  - "Ford News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "2020"
  - "Explorer"
  - "flat tire"
  - "Ford"
  - "Michelin"
  - "selfseal"
  - "suv/crossover"
  - "tires"
---

# 2020 Ford Explorer Features Sci-Fi-Like Self-Healing Tires From Michelin

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/03/2-Ford-Explorer-Limited.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

In the Marvel Universe, the character of Wolverine benefits from the uncanny ability to self-heal rapidly from almost any wound, making the comic book character all but immortal. While that case is completely fictional, the idea of self-healing applies to the real-world [2020 Ford Explorer](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/25881/2020-ford-explorer-revealed-with-all-new-rear-wheel-drive-based-platform-and-ecoboost-hybrid-engines.md>)'s new tires from Michelin, which are designed to heal themselves so the driver doesn't need to repair a flat on the side of the road.

Called Selfseal, these proprietary Michelin tires are lined with an environmentally-friendly rubber sealant that fills most punctures caused by nails and screws. According to Ford, the tires seal 90 percent of tread punctures up to a quarter-inch in diameter. The benefits here are obvious; not having to change a tire along the side of the road is way safer than having to do that. Also, since they heal nearly immediately, there's less risk of a blowout causing loss of control.

“The all-new Explorer is designed to help our customers feel unstoppable and worry-free,” said Craig Patterson, Explorer marketing manager. “The availability of these new Michelin Selfseal tires is another great example of that.”

https://youtube.com/embed/NdabdmiE6Mg

This isn't the only solution to a tire going flat on the 2020 Ford Explorer. All Explorer models will come with a spare tire for the times where the self-sealing tires don't work. A sidewall puncture, for example, would likely necessitate the need for putting on the spare.

![message-editor%2F1552409928340-ford-explorer-michelin-selfseal-tire2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1552409928340-ford-explorer-michelin-selfseal-tire2.jpg>)
*Michelin Selfseal tires on the 2020 Ford Explorer, *Ford**

This approach is interesting because it means you can ditch the tire inflator kit with the chemical in it to repair a flat. That alone makes it worth it, but keeping the spare tire also is appreciated as the tire can't heal all punctures and being stranded without cell service is a real possibility with a flat.

The Selfseal tires are standard on Explorer Platinum and Explorer Limited Hybrid four-wheel drive models, and it is optional on Explorer Limited two-wheel and four-wheel drive models.

### Author social links

## More

- [Harvard Scientists Invent Self-Healing Rubber That Could Revolutionize Tires](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/13711/harvard-scientists-invent-self-healing-rubber-that-could-revolutionize-tires.md>)
- [2020 Ford Explorer Lineup Adds 400-HP ST Variant and Efficient Hybrid Model to Lineup](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/25931/2020-ford-explorer-lineup-gains-400-hp-st-variant-and-efficient-hybrid-model.md>)
- [The Ford Explorer ST Is Selling Like Hotcakes](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32078/more-than-20-percent-of-ford-explorer-buyers-chose-the-400-hp-st-model.md>)
- [Ford Explorer ST Confirmed, Will Be Released by 2020](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/19296/ford-explorer-st-confirmed-will-be-released-by-2020.md>)
- [Ford Built a Caged Explorer ST With GT500 Brakes and Pilot Sport Cup 2 Tires](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/42061/ford-built-a-caged-explorer-st-with-gt500-brakes-and-pilot-sport-cup-2-tires.md>)
- [2020 Ford Explorer: A Behind-The-Scenes Look at What Makes This Family SUV So Darn Quiet](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/26331/2020-ford-explorer-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-what-makes-this-family-suv-so-darn-quiet.md>)
- [Meet the All-New, RWD-Based 2020 Ford Explorer, Packing New Engines and New Tech](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/25881/2020-ford-explorer-revealed-with-all-new-rear-wheel-drive-based-platform-and-ecoboost-hybrid-engines.md>)
- [2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility Review: Coming to a Rear View Mirror Near You](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/28822/2020-ford-explorer-police-interceptor-utility-review-coming-to-a-rear-view-mirror-near-you.md>)