Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • BEST PLACES TO WORK
  • News
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Resources
    • Events
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
January 15, 2001 01:00 AM

Ford gives tire monitors a boost

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    No one knows for sure yet what has caused the rash of tire tread separations and resulting tragedies in recent months, but a leading suspect is underinflation.

    That's what makes Ford Motor Co.'s recent announcement that it will equip all of its sport-utility vehicles and light trucks by 2005 with tire pressure monitors so significant.

    Not only will the presence of monitors make these vehicles safer, but the announcement could mark the beginning of widespread use of run-flats, once the cost of these tires falls to more competitive levels.

    Run-flats require a monitor to warn drivers if tire pressure is low.

    Until this past summer—when headlines about lost treads and vehicles rolling over shocked the public—tire inflation was thought of more as a maintenance issue than one of safety.

    But now most people know that a tire run underinflated for long periods of time can potentially experience tread separation, depending on how severely the tire has been abused.

    That makes the timing ripe for auto makers and consumers to more readily accept the benefits tire pressure monitors can provide.

    Underinflation is a widespread problem. A recent Tire Business survey of 766 vehicles, conducted by this newspaper's independent tire dealer readers, found that nearly two out of three cars, light trucks and SUVs had at least one significantly underinflated tire.

    What's more, the survey found that 40 percent of these vehicles had four underinflated tires, with at least one tire 5 pounds or more below the recommended psi.

    The move by Ford won't necessarily eliminate the tire inflation problem, but it will alert drivers of its pickups and SUVs when pressure is low. Then it's up to those drivers to do something about it.

    Still, the power of such information should serve consumers well. Beyond the safety factor, properly inflated tires last longer and offer greater fuel economy, reducing operating costs.

    The time to install tire pressure monitors in vehicles has arrived. Let's hope consumers embrace the concept.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Yokohama, Trelleborg Wheel deal earns final regulatory approval
    2
    Saudi tire plant backers target construction in 2024
    3
    Nokian starts construction on U.S. tire warehouse D/C
    4
    Conti marking Euro car tires with EV-compatible symbol
    5
    Nokian introduces all-terrain tire for N.A. market
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • News
      • HUMANITARIAN
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Resources
      • Events
        • ASK THE EXPERT
        • LIVESTREAMS
        • WEBINARS
        • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
        • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION