Meritor introduced the industry’s first automatic tire inflation system for linehaul tractors at the recent Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting in Nashville. It won’t be on the market until next year, however.

The MTIS Tire Inflation System for Trucks automatically monitors tire pressure while the vehicle is in motion and inflates an underinflated tire. If there are issues requiring continuous inflation, the system alerts the driver to check the tire or find service as soon as possible

Maintaining proper tire pressure extends component life, improves fuel efficiency, and reduces tire wear and maintenance. Underinflated tires can decrease tread life up to 20% and compromise retreadability, the company says.  

As well as reducing tire and fuel costs, the MTIS system enhances performance, says Meritor, noting that up to 80% of roadside tire failures are a direct result of creeping air loss.     

Although pressure leakage up to 2% per week is common for tire systems, additional pressure loss can be expected with puncture wounds from nails, a contaminated rim flange, or bad valve stem.

Validation testing with several fleets began in 2014 and will conclude in 2015. The company expects the system to be available to North American OEMs on a limited basis in 2016. The system also has global application in the future.        

Go here to see a video and here to see an animation.