ELYRIA, Ohio (Oct. 21, 2009) — Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems L.L.C. said its SmartTire Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is now available to trucking fleets through a broad network of Bendix OES and independent aftermarket partners across North America.
The TPMS unit, by Bendix CVS, monitors the pressure and temperature of each tire on a commercial vehicle, the company said, to provide real-time tire status information to a driver or maintenance technician. The system also warns a driver—via a wireless onboard receiver—about tire-related problems before they become dangerous.
Keeping commercial vehicle tires at proper inflation levels can deliver fuel savings, as well as reduce tire wear, the company said, and help ensure the proper performance of active safety technologies, such as Bendix ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and the Bendix Wingman ACB (Active cruise with Braking).
“Tires and fuel are major cost factors for fleets and owner-operators, and the first step to reducing tire-related costs and improving fuel economy is to make sure tires are at their optimum inflation level,” said Fred Andersky, Bendix director of marketing-Controls.
More information about Bendix's SmarTire TPMS unit is available at the company's Web site.
Bendix also reported that it recently reached a deal with Caterpillar Inc. to provide the heavy equipment maker with SmartWave TPMS technology.
The SmartWave technology—which became part of the Bendix portfolio with the company's acquisition of select SmarTire Systems Inc. assets last December—provides real-time tire pressure status and automatically warns a driver of an under-inflated tire. It is designed to be used in both on- and off-road applications.
“Tire pressure monitoring systems are both efficient and cost-effective in a wide variety of applications,” said Greg Tooke, product manager for TPMS at Bendix. “…We are pleased that Caterpillar has forged a long-term relationship with us and that the strength of Bendix has helped facilitate this business win.”