OptiTire™

Monitoring tire pressure is essential to maximise fleet efficiency. On the face of it, tire pressure may seem like a low priority issue, but in practice, underinflated tires can cause a number of serious issues – both in terms of truck and trailer damage and safety.

According to Heavy Duty Trucking Magazine, incorrectly inflated tires are the cause of over half of all roadside breakdowns. On top of that, underinflated tires can lead to blowouts, which not only cause damage to the vehicle, but can also lead to safety issues, with drivers losing control of their trucks, often resulting in accidents.

Whatever the reason, having vehicles off the road is far from ideal. Fewer active vehicles means delays to deliveries and a stretched supply chain. There are also additional costs to consider, as incorrectly inflated tires can lead to fuel-inefficient journeys and greater fleet running costs, as well as reducing the life of your tyres. Solutions that monitor tyre pressure, such as WABCO OptiTire™, are essential for all fleet managers to avoid these issues.

OptiTire™ is the next generation of tire pressure monitoring solutions, built for the busy fleet manager who wants to ensure their trucks’ and trailers’ tires are in prime condition. The innovative system monitors pressure across your fleet and lets you know where tire pressure issues need to be addressed, alerting you to punctures, early leakage and quick fixes alike.

Incorrectly inflated tires don’t just increase the risk of an accident or breakdown, they reduce lifespan and increase fuel consumption. By correctly inflating tires, you can:

By ensuring optimal tire pressure across your fleet, it means you won’t have to invest in as many replacement tires, and your vehicles will be off the road for less time. Tires can be one of the largest ongoing maintenance costs for commercial vehicle fleets, so reducing this in any possible way will be beneficial in the long run.

OptiTire™ doesn’t just perform a vital function, it does so in a way that’s both flexible and user-friendly for fleet managers. There are three options for attaching the sensor, which doesn’t just measure tire pressure, but also the air temperature for added precision.

On top of monitoring data, you can also set defined levels, such as 5% underinflation, and get a warning when pressure reaches that benchmark to allow you to take action more quickly. This is possible with the TX-CONNECT back-office solution, which links to the on-board telematics.

The sensor also lasts for up to 9 years, meaning you can install them across your fleet and look forward to years of increased safety and economy. The data is sent to and processed by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and a signal sends the information to a display in the truck or to the fleet management system. The ECU monitors up to 20 wheels in use, as well as two spares.

With a fully integrated system, the warnings don’t just go to the driver, but also to your headquarters, giving you full knowledge of your fleet’s tire pressure readings. If you have the older IVTM monitoring system installed, OptiTire&trade is backwards compatible with it, and you can retrofit your trucks easily

Tires are where trucks and trailers meet the road, so it’s important they’re in peak condition. Get the most out of them with OptiTire&trade, the perfect solution to maximise your fleet’s efficiency.