Continental has moved to inform operators that incorrectly-inflated tyres can have a serious impact on both running costs and vehicle safety, and it has revealed that ‘intelligent’ casing may arrive in the future to help combat the problem.
“An under-inflated tyre creates more rolling resistance, raising fuel consumption,” says General Manager – Technical Services at Continental Tyres UK Steve Howat (pictured).
“A tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is a proven way to help lower fuel usage, with developments in that area creating affordable solutions for any fleet operator.”
TPMS delivers a financial return in a relatively short timeframe. It also benefits safety; a significant proportion of tyre- and wheel-related incidents are due to under-inflation. The extra tyre flex created further adds to tyre wear, reducing the lifespan of casings.
“Most commercial vehicles have some form of telematics system, so for many fleets it is logical to integrate TPMS into existing software and monitor tyre pressures at base, avoiding additional driver distraction,” says Steve.
He adds that the next step will be more sophisticated sensors that measure tread depth and lateral forces – true intelligent tyres.
