International Truck and Engine Corporation says it will soon introduce a new tire- and battery-monitoring technology on its International 8600 model, used primarily by regional-haul fleets. These features will reduce downtime and roadside repair expenses, the company says. Simply, if a tire is low or a battery is about to fail, the driver will be warned in advance.

A high-resolution color display screen makes it easy for drivers to check tire pressure and battery health. Optional exterior cameras to reveal blind spots and provide assistance when backing can also feed images into the
on-board information display. The tire-pressure monitoring system quickly and accurately identifies tire temperature and pressure. The system relies on International’s multiplexed electrical system and pressure sensors. The
battery monitor provides drivers with information on battery voltage and state of charge for engine cranking.

Other 8600 features already available include the ‘Pre-Trip Exterior Light Inspection’ — an automated check of headlights, brake lights, turn signals and marker lights. The driver, when conducting a vehicle walk-around to
check lamps, doesn’t have to re-enter the truck constantly to adjust lamp settings. Other features: headlights on with wipers, windshield-wiper speed control, parking brake alarm, and theft deterrent system, all made possible
via the DiamondLogic multiplexed electrical system. We presume they’ll migrate to other trucks in the company’s lineup.