Meritor introduced an automatic tire inflation system for linehaul tractors at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) 2015 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition in Nashville.
The MTIS™ Tire Inflation System for Trucks automatically monitors tire pressure while the vehicle is in motion and inflates an underinflated tire. If a tire requires continuous inflation, the MTIS system alerts the driver to check the tire or find service as soon as possible.
“We listened carefully to customers who have expressed a need to lower costs due to tire underinflation,” said Jay Craig, president and chief operating officer for Meritor. “We’re leading the industry in automatic tire inflation systems, and our MTIS system is one of many new products the market can expect to see from Meritor that will help end-users operate their vehicles more efficiently.”
Underinflated tires can decrease tread life up to 20 percent and impact tire retread, according to tire manufacturers.
Although pressure leakage up to 2 percent per week is common for tire systems, additional pressure loss can be expected with puncture wounds from nails, a contaminated rim flange or bad valve stem.
The company expects the MTIS system to be available to OEMs in North America on a limited basis in 2016. The system also has global application in the future.
Learn more about the MTIS System
See how the system works