On July 5, Pressure Systems International (PSI) began shipping the Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS) to its OEM customers with a new green Thru-T and green striped delivery hoses to illustrate the true environmentally friendly benefits of the product.
A recently published US government study shows the use of the MTIS to continuously maintain proper air pressure can increase miles per gallon in fuel economy by 1.8%.
Fleets equipping their trailers with MTIS also help the environment and cut their costs by preventing rubber alligators on the highways, providing reusable casings for better retreading, the elimination of most tire-related roadside service calls, increasing tire life and avoiding delivery delays caused by down vehicles.
Recent tests done by an independent laboratory showed significant evidence that MTIS saves fuel and tires. SmartWay approved new commercial trailer tires including a retread, were recently submitted to Standards Testing Laboratory in Massillon OH to determine the effect of underinflation on tire rolling resistance/fuel economy. Depending on specific tire make/model, tire rolling resistance (lower is better) increased on the average 12% when the tire's air pressure was run as low as 70 psi (30% underinflated). Trailer tires, especially inside duals, historically run underinflated, since these tires are the most neglected tire position. This 12% increase in rolling resistance equates in the real world of trucking to approximately a 2.3% reduction in vehicle fuel economy for line-haul applications. This increase in tire rolling resistance can be attributed to the increase in the length of the tire footprint when a tire is run underinflated.
Tests show that even though a tire can be rated as low rolling resistance, it must be properly inflated to achieve that performance criteria.
For more information and video testimonials, visit www.psi-atis.com, www.bttv.com, or www.arvinmeritor.com.