Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/34501
CENTRAL TIRE INFLATION SYSTEM OR PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM Maintaining proper tire inflation will help maximize tire life and casing durability. This can result in reduced overall tire costs, downtime, tire replacement, irregular wear, wheel replacement, road debris, and the natural resources required to manufacture tires and retreads. Correct inflation will help increase benefits such as fuel efficiency, safety, driver retention, and uptime, all of which have a direct effect on cost per mile. While these systems may reduce tire labor, it is still necessary to inspect tires to ensure they are serviceable, properly inflated, and the systems are working correctly. All of these systems need to be properly installed and maintained to deliver the benefits they provide. Most of the systems on the market are capable of maintaining a cold inflation pressure within the capacity o f the truck’s air system. The use of these systems does not nullify the MICHELIN ® Truck Tire Warranty* unless it is determined that the system somehow contributed to the failure or reduced performance of the tire. Proper air pressure maintenance is important for the optimized performance of the tires, so it is important to make sure the system can maintain the pressures needed and/or can detect accurately when the pressures are outside of the normal operating range(s) for the loads being carried. Some inflation systems will add pressure when cold weather temperature drops the psi below that which the system is calibrated for, resulting in a pressure higher than the target setting. For example, a 40 degree temperature drop will reduce pressure readings by 6 to 8 pounds psi, thus the inflation system will increase the pressure above the target by a like amount. Tires on vehicles with these systems should still be guaged weekly and cold pressure adjusted if necessary. Michelin ® does not and cannot test every system that is being marketed/manufactured for effectiveness, performance, and durability. It is the responsibility of the system manufacturer to ensure that the tires are inflated as rapidly as possible to the optimal operating pressure in order to prevent internal damage to the tires. In view of the increasing promotion for the use of pressure monitoring and/or inflation systems, Michelin strongly urges the customer to put the responsibility on the system’s manufacturer to prove and support their claims. Please refer to the MICHELIN ® discussion of what is and is not covered by the warranty. Systems on trailers can sometimes allow slow leaks caused by nails or other small objects penetrating the crown area of the tire to go undetected. A slow leak can be compensated for by the air inflation system. The warning light of the Central Tire Inflation (CTI) system will only come on if the pressure in the tire drops below a certain 40 Section Three: Extending Tire Life percent (usually 10%) of the regulated preset pressure. Even when the pressure drops below this point, the light will go off if the system is able to restore and maintain the preset pressure. If you have any questions, please contact Michelin at 1-888-622-2306. DRIVE CAREFULLY All tires will wear out faster when subjected to high speeds as well as hard cornering, rapid starts, sudden stops, and frequent driving on surfaces that are in poor condition. Surfaces with holes and rocks or other objects can damage tires and cause vehicle misalignment. When you drive on such surfaces, drive on them carefully and slowly, and before driving at normal or highway speeds, examine your tires for any damage, such as cuts or penetrations. TREAD DEPTH MEASUREMENTS Tires should be measured for wear. This measurement can be taken in several spots across the tread and around the circumference. However, to calculate the remaining amount of rubber (knowing the new tire tread depth) for a given number of miles to be run, the measurement should always be taken at the same spot on the tread and close to the center groove of the tire, as shown below. Truck Tire Warranty Manual* for a general * See MICHELIN Truck Tire Warranty Manual (MWE40021) for details.