Tires will soon be able to tell you when they're under-inflated
Under new standards released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), all passenger cars will have tire pressure monitoring systems that will alert motorists when the tires are under-inflated.
The regulation will require that manufacturers install a system that can detect when one or more of the vehicle's tires are 25 percent or more below the recommended inflation pressure. Starting in 2006, the regulation will be phased in over several years, with all new four-wheeled vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less required to be equipped with the system by the 2008 model year.
The condition of tires is one of the most important safety features of a motor vehicle, yet it is one that is often overlooked by motorists, AAA reports. Under-inflated or poorly maintained tires increase the probability of tire failure and crashes. In addition, under-inflated tires can adversely affect fuel economy and vehicle handling.
Studies have found that many drivers are at risk for wrecks because of their tires. In 2001, one NHTSA study found that 27 percent of passenger cars on U.S. roads were driven with one or more substantially under-inflated tires. Results were even worse for sport utility vehicles, vans and pickup trucks, with 33 percent having one or more substantially under-inflated tires.
NHTSA estimates that about 120 lives a year will be saved when all new vehicles are equipped with the tire pressure monitoring system. The manufacturer's average cost per vehicle is estimated to be between $48 and $70, depending on the technology used.
However, AAA advises motorists that no amount of technology can replace the simple act of routine tire inspections. Checking pressure, tire tread and sidewalls regularly are vital to maintaining the safety and efficiency of vehicles. Motorists must not be lulled into a false sense of security simply because a warning light has been installed on their dashboard.
Will someone PLEASE come and do everything for ME!
