Michelin introducing 'intelligent' tyres to provide easy tyre pressure monitoring for large commercial vehicles
Thu 28 June 2012
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Michelin is to introduce a new generation of tyres to a fleet of 100 double-decker buses operated by Stagecoach in London which can automatically communicate pressure levels and also provide traceability of tyres throughout their lives in service. The system offers the potential for better tyre management which can improve fuel consumption and cut CO2 emissions.
Nissan, meanwhile, has also confirmed plans to make its own 'Easy-Fill Tire Alert' system which monitors tyre pressures available on all new car models.
After six billion kilometres of testing involving 50,000 tyres over seven years, Michelin is taking the first steps to combine the introduction of a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips in tyres for large commercial vehicle fleets.
The tyres incorporate an RFID chip and antennae assembly, weighing 0.2 grams and 5cm long, which is built into the Michelin X InCity tyre casing. In conjunction with a separate wheel rim mounted TPMS, the chip enables key data including the tyre pressure, temperature and the serial number of the tyre to be identified using an easy-to-use probe that can also record tread depths.
Bill Schafer, Commercial Director of Michelin’s Truck and Bus division in the UK and Republic of Ireland, explains: “This new technology allows a technician to gather complete, extremely accurate tyre information in significantly less time than via a manual inspection. It also makes pressure checks safer; and since the valve is not opened, there is no loss of air.
“The increased speed of these checks will help fleets ensure their tyres remain in optimum condition for longer. This brings multiple benefits, since tyres maintained at the correct pressure last longer and improve fuel efficiency, which in turn reduces CO2 emissions.”
Michelin estimates that a tyre inflated to 1 bar less than the recommended pressure increases fuel consumption by up to 0.4 litres per 100 km. Tyres inflated 10 per cent below the recommended level experience a 15 per cent reduction in tyre life, whilst 30% underinflation reduces tyre life by 50 per cent. Studies of fleet operations also show that 75 per cent of tyre-related incidents are due to slow air leaks.
Nissan has also confirmed plans to make its 'Easy-Fill Tire Alert' system available on all future models, beginning in 2013. The feature already comes standard on all 2013 Nissan Altima, 2012 Nissan LEAF and 2012 Nissan Quest models, with standard or optional availability on more products to follow later this year as Nissan continues its launch of five all-new models in the next 15 months.
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