TireWise: Could Be Better Than Government Mandated Tire Pressure Monitors

By Dick DeLoach

Anaheim Hills, California -- April 18, 2005--The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing a new safety standard to warn the driver when a tire is significantly under-inflated. Tire manufacturers say the system would not provide a timely warning.

The proposal requires manufacturers to install a four-tire Tire Pressure Monitoring System that is capable of detecting when a tire is more than 25 percent under-inflated and warning the driver.

The new standard also proposes to require a tire-pressure malfunction indicator, which would warn the driver when the system is not working properly. For example, larger tires that are incompatible with the pressure monitor might be installed on the vehicle, or other problems might cause the monitor to become inoperative.

The tire pressure monitor would only be a safety warning system and not a substitute for regular tire pressure maintenance by drivers, the agency said. Operating a vehicle with substantially under-inflated tires can create excessive heat buildup in tires that, over time, can result in hidden damage that can cause tire failure, such as instances of tread separation and blowouts, with the potential for a loss of control. Under-inflated tires also shorten tire life and increase fuel consumption.

The new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard would apply to passenger cars, trucks, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, except those vehicles with dual wheels on an axle.

The Department proposes the following three-year phase-in schedule:

€ In the first model year, beginning Sept. 1, 2005, 50 percent of all light vehicles manufactured would comply. € In the second model year, beginning Sept. 1, 2006, 90 percent of all light vehicles manufactured would comply. € After Sept. 1, 2007, all light vehicles manufactured would comply.

However, the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), a trade group that represents tire makers, says the proposed rule is flawed and warned that the pressure monitor might increase the risk of tire failures by not providing a timely warning.

"Safety should be the overriding priority for this regulation," said Donald B. Shea, president and CEO of RMA. "A tire pressure monitor that doesn't provide a timely low-pressure warning to motorists is not enhancing safety."

RMA says that a 25 percent drop in a tire's recommended pressure may be insufficient to safely carry a fully loaded vehicle. Under NHTSA's proposed standard, motorists could be driving for thousands of miles on tires that are appreciably under inflated but still not receive a warning.

Industry experts say a driver needs to be warned when tire pressure drops 10 percent, well within the safety margin for today¹s tires. TireWise precision tire pressure monitors do just that and make it easy for drivers to check tire pressure at a glance‹without tools.

Simply remove the valve-stem caps from each tire, inflate them to the proper pressure and firmly tighten the pressure monitors onto each valve stem. When installed, they will instantly indicate the tire¹s pressure status, which is viewable through the clear window display. Green indicates the pressure is correct and red alerts the driver of a tire that is under-inflated by as little as 10 percent.

TireWise monitors are available for specific tire pressures from 26- to 120-psi (proper psi is shown on tire sidewall). The hexagonal LexanÒ design allows tightening with a wrench to 10- to 12-foot pounds, making them less susceptible to theft. The 100% American-made monitors are hermetically sealed to be air and watertight and carry a three-year unconditional guarantee on performance and accuracy.

The monitors are available in several attractive finishes including chrome, red, blue, green, gold and black to complement any custom wheel. Fits: passenger vehicles, SUVs, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, ATVs, RVs and commercial vehicles.

Suggested retail for a set of four monitors is $19.95 for passenger vehicles, and less than $7.50 per tire for commercial vehicles and RVs. For more information on TireWise and tire safety, visit them online at www.tirewise.com or call toll-free at 866-417-4977.