Dana, SmarTire combine to offer SmartWave TPMS (February 17, 2006)

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TAMPA, Fla. — Dana Corporation has teamed up with Canadian company SmarTire Systems to deliver the new SmartWave Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

The real-time tire pressure monitoring system consists of a sensor which is mounted to the wheel, a receiver and a driver display. It allows a driver to ensure his tire pressures are always correct, reducing the chance of roadside blow-outs and improving the life expectancy of the tires.

A tire that’s underinflated by 10 per cent delivers a .5 per cent fuel consumption penalty, points out Steve Slesinski, director of product planning for Dana’s Commercial Vehicle Systems. Running underinflated tires also creates more sidewall flex and a larger footprint, causing the tires to operate at higher temperatures and increasing wear. Underinflated tires may also become un-retreadable due to casing damage.

The SmartWave TPMS also allows drivers to skip manual tire pressure checks, which can save about 40 hours of work for each vehicle over the course of a year. The system is easy to install, Slesinski said, and even simpler to use. It boasts a temperature monitoring capability that tracks temperature fluctuations that directly impact proper operating tire pressures. The SmartWave system compensates for these temperature fluctuations ensuring the proper inflation regardless of tire temperature, Slesinski said.

“Our system uniquely provides temperature compensated pressure readings and on-board, real-time monitoring,” said Slesinski. “These and future SmartWave system features give us what we believe is a highly favourable position in the commercial vehicle marketplace.”

The SmartWave TPMS system uses a dash-mounted warning lamp to warn truckers when a tire is not at the correct pressure. The dash display unit identifies which tires are over- or under-inflated, allowing the driver to promptly fix the problem.

The sensors have a range of about 20-30 feet, so in some cases a second receiver will be required when equipping trailers with the TPMS. The sensors operate on batteries, but since they only measure the tire pressures when the wheels are in motion, the battery lasts five years or about a million miles, Slesinksi said. Replacement sensors cost about US$40-$50.

Roadranger hasn’t yet set a firm price for the system, but Slesinski said it will cost less than two roadside tire changes. He also said the SmartWave TPMS system (which will be rolled out wihtin the next month or so) is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to future wirless possibilities.

“These new opportunities, combined with those provided by current and future systems, will lead to additional capabilities down the road, particularly in maximizing the benefits of wireless framework technology,” said Slesinski. “This is another example of providing our customers with new ways to improve productivity.”

He hinted future wireless products could include the ability to measure: wheel-end temperatures; brake wear; brake stroke; air tank pressure; axle temperatures; and lube levels.

For more information, visit www.roadranger.com.

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