Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) said new tire pressure monitoring technology is coming to its family of commercial vehicles including the Thomas Built Buses brand.
DNTA introduced the system at last month’s 2012 Great American Trucking Show in Dallas. DTNA said the tire pressure monitoring system, which is supplied Truck System Technologies, allows for real-time tire performance monitoring to increase safety as well as fuel economy. In addition to Thomas Built Buses, the tire pressure monitoring system is available for Freightliner and Western Star trucks.
“It’s always a great benefit to be able to offer drivers and fleets more information about the performance of their vehicles,” said Todd Biggs, director of aftermarket parts and service marketing for DTNA. “Blown tires are most often caused by under- or over-inflation. Running the proper air pressure prolongs the life of the tire, increases fuel economy and improves safety through fewer on-road tire failures.”
In addition to air pressure and tire air temperature data while the vehicle is stationary or in operation, the new system reports per axle high and low pressure and rapid pressure loss alerts. Customizable axle settings allow driver notification of other issues such as hanging brake calipers, bearing failures and individual tire defects, the company added in a statement.
The system works through exterior senors that are screwed onto standard tire valve stems to communicate wirelessly every two minutes with a central control unit. The system can be added to any 12-volt power system and is offered in six- and 10-sensor kits for tractor set up, with additional sets of two available for monitoring up to 34 different tires at a time.
Backed by a one-year warranty and supported by more than 800 dealers nationwide, DTNA said the system also features exterior, fully-sealed sensors that feature durable brass threading and military-grade five-to-seven-year lithium-cadmium batteries.
