NYT/AP: U.S. to Require Car Tire Pressure Systems

U.S. to Require Car Tire Pressure Systems
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: April 7, 2005


WASHINGTON (AP) -- A light on motorists' instrument panels will soon warn them when a tire is underinflated. The safety regulation, issued by the government Thursday, has its roots in the Firestone tire recall of 2000. It requires new passenger cars to have tire pressure monitoring systems in place by the 2008 model year.

Automakers most likely will attach tiny sensors to each wheel that will signal if a tire falls 25 percent below the recommended inflation pressure. If any one of the four tires is underinflated, the sensor sets off a warning light.

Automakers will begin using the technology in September. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the upgrade will cost manufacturers between $48.44 and $69.89 per vehicle.

The government said underinflated tires affect a vehicle's fuel economy and can increase stopping distances, contribute to the likelihood of tire failure and lead to skidding on wet surfaces. One NHTSA survey found about 30 percent of cars and light trucks have at least one tire underinflated by 8 pounds per square inch or more.

All new four-wheel vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less must be equipped with the systems by the 2008 model year, the government said. The regulation affects passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks and minivans....


http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/automobiles/AP-Tire-Pressure.html

Fuel standards should apply to all cars. Loopholes always find a way to get a way to be abused.

You'd think that with all the talk of gas prices, they'd bring up the other huge benefit of this -- improving overall gas mileage.

Underinflated tires can cut several miles per gallon off your mileage. This almost seems like a conservation plan disguised as a safety plan.

And when I finally ger around to it, they're usually dangerously low.

i found out when i was driving it and had a blowout when i hit a piece of broken curb on a roundabout after a snowstorm...a little picure of a flat tire shows up on the dash, and it's yet another thing to go 'beeeeeep...beeeeeep...beeeeeep...'

i think it's a good idea for both safety and fuel efficiency.

I like it. The lamp says "Low Tire" and, sure enough, there's one tire that's down about 8 lbs. It works by monitoring the relative rotation speed.

for a very long time. I also have a Buick, but it's nine years old.

When SUV's were noticably rolling over, the engineers, as I recall, suggested lowering the tire air pressure so that the vehicle would not ride as high, lowering the chance of rollover.

Hopefully they've fixed that by now. Certainly before they start demanding full pressure.-

It seems to be pretty intrinsic to the design of the SUV category of vehicle (high center of gravity).

Oh, the 25% take 35 psi to 27 psi, 28 recommended. So, the pressure will be just fine. The newer models, should be okay for full pressure. Design of turning camber is foremost. Still, placement of engine and heavy elements too numerous to mention all effect rollover.

The companies do require butt kicking to push for it to be beyond the minimum.