Stay Safe with TPM Technology
Stay Safe with TPM Technology
Improving safety and reducing costs are goals that every fleet owner always has in mind. Proper tire inflation improves fuel mileage and increases tread and casing life. Keeping tires properly inflated also increases safety for the driver and other motorists sharing the road.
According to a study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, one out of five trucks and trailers on the road is operating with one or more tires under inflated by at least 20 psi. Needless to say, that is not good news. And it shows that drivers, technicians and fleet managers alike need a better way to accurately monitor tire pressures.
Electronic Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) systems allow accurate, real-time monitoring of tire pressures. Tire pressure information from the individual wheel sensors is wirelessly transmitted to an in-cab display. The driver is then provided with real-time information, enabling him or her to take corrective action if any problems are noted. In addition, some TPM systems allow technicians to easily read tire pressures using a wireless handheld scanner. Data from the TPM sensors can also be utilized by on-board vehicle telematics, allowing fleet managers to pro-actively monitor tire condition.
TPM sensors must be relearned when changing vehicle tires or performing rotations. Therefore, always refer to the appropriate service information when working with these systems.
- TruckSeries, Mitchell 1’s new one-stop data resource for Class 4-8 trucks, includes coverage of the more popular TPM systems, including ORO, Bendix SmartTire, SmartWave, and some of the Spicer systems.