Monitoring Your Tires is More Important than You Think
Tire failures remain the leading reason for roadside assistance calls throughout the United States. The majority of all tire-related problems are the result of underinflation caused by leaks, punctures or just shoddy maintenance.
At Service King Mesa in Mesa, AZ we have seen tires that should have been replaced or at least maintained, so that's why we're happy to be sharing this blog with you.
More than 85% of all tire-related issues are caused by underinflation, according to Aperia Technologies, the company that makes the Halo automatic tire inflation system. Underinflation may look like it's not a big deal, but it can also compromise the tire's integrity and seriously impact your overall fuel economy.
Reports over the years have stated that underinflation by 10 psi can result in a 1% fuel-efficiency penalty and many people don't act promptly when they see that their tires are low. According to the California Highway Patrol, underinflated or otherwise compromised tires are the second-most frequent cause of inspection citations in California and other states have reported the same.
Tire technology has changed dramatically over the years and new visual systems can automatically show tire pressure deviations through a tire's dust caps with built-in indicators. These cutting-edge “smart” tire pressure caps are usually pre-set to the required tire pressure and will tell the driver when they go below those numbers or exceed them.
There are also tire systems out there that monitor your tire pressure, then automatically act to maintain your tire pressure inside the tire while warning the motorist that there is something wrong in the onboard tire management system. This is the main difference between tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and automatic tire inflation systems (ATIS), the two main systems that are currently being used in commercial trucks and passenger cars manufactured within the last 5-6 years.
One of the drawbacks of a TPMS system is linked to driver behavior, because the driver has to act in order to attend to a leaking tire. The problem is that it can normally take several hours, which costs the driver time and money, which makes this system less attractive for car owners and truck operators.
An automatic tire pressure control system is more convenient and a better alternative, even though they are more expensive. Fortunately, new tire monitoring systems that are entering the market all the time offer the benefits of full-time control with a whole slew of new additional features.
Staying on top of your car's tires is imperative and many people ignore them until it becomes a serious problem. When you are looking to buy a new vehicle, determine if you want either a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) or an automatic tire inflation system (ATIS). These tire systems are designed to save you time and money and reduce driver aggravation, as well as leading to fuel savings and longer tire life down the road.
Service King Mesa, 4915 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, AZ, 85215
Sources: NHTSA and CHP
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