Kenworth, a manufacturer of medium and heavy duty trucks, has announced that the SmarTire Tire Pressure Monitoring System developed by Bendix CVS will henceforth be available to customers as an option on certain Class 8 trucks.
The weather-proof SmarTire technology provides real-time information on the temperature and pressure of each tire of the commercial vehicle, enabling drivers to remain updated on the tire-health. The technology ensures that the driver receives timely warning in the event of imminent tire-related issues, including high temperatures and low pressures. The SmarTire system gathers pressure and temperature data from within the tire and transmits the data wirelessly to the on-board receiver.
The on-highway marketing manager at Kenworth, Erik Johnson explained that the SmarTire Tire Pressure Monitoring System enables fleets to be highly proactive when it comes to addressing issues related to tire inflation. The SmarTire system can help drivers prevent accumulation of bills due to roadside assistance, penalties for inspection, and fuel mileage penalties. With the SmarTire system, the drivers gain extended tire life and can minimize related expenses.
The in-vehicle display of the SmarTire system will be featured as a gauge located in the dash of the truck. Wheel-mounted sensors transmit crucial information on the actual temperature and pressure for each wheel along with cold inflation pressure data on the amount on under- or over-inflation of the tires.
As per official figures released by Bendix, under-inflation of a tire by even 10% results in a 1.5% decrease in fuel economy, adversely increasing fuel expenses of up to $1000 for each truck every year.
Source: http://www.smartire.com