Light Vehicles

Tyre pressure at a Glance!

How long is it since you checked the air pressure of your tyres? A tyre pressure check used to be part of a ‘fill up drill’ in the days when service stations still provided service. Now most of us do the petrol ourselves - but how often do we have the time or motivation to check our tyres as well?

For safety and vehicle performance it is recommended that you refill your tyres every other time you fill up at the petrol station. Source: Tyrepower - tyre pressure

It’s a routine task that few of us do routinely. In fact, a recent NRMA survey found that “more than 9 out of 10 vehicles getting serviced had under under-inflated tyres” Source: NRMA research December 2007

So imagine if you could accurately check your tyres pressure at a glance!

Now you can by simply replacing the standard dust cap on your tyres with Tyrecheckers™

How do Tyrecheckers™ work?

Tyrecheckers™ tyre pressure indicators (which permanently replace the dust caps on each tyre valve) operate on a simple spring pressure system manufactured to specific tolerances.

They range for car products from 28psi to 80psi to match the most common pressure settings for cars, 4X4’s, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, caravans, campervans, motorhomes and trailers.

When the tyre is correctly inflated, the Tyrechecker is all green. If the tyre pressure drops by 10 - 15% (e.g. 30psi x 10% = 3.0psi) the green indicator is replaced by an amber indicator, giving a warning that the tyre pressure is reducing. If there is a 20 - 25% reduction (e.g. 30psi x 20% = 6psi) in tyre pressure then a red indicator becomes clearly visible, giving a clear warning that the tyre pressure is now dangerously low and needs to be inflated.

What are the benefits of correct tyre pressure?

Improved Vehicle Safety

Under-inflation is the most common cause of tyre failures in any kind of tyre and may result in a “blow out”, with unexpected loss of vehicle control possibly leading to an accident. Source: Dunlop tyres care & proper inflation

Better Fuel Economy

Under inflated tyres create more friction with the road surface, which can also increase fuel consumption by up to 10%. To put this in context, if you spend $70 per tank per week this equates to a $7.00 weekly saving and $364 per year. Source: NRMA fuel saving strategies February 2006

Extended Tyre Life

It may not be possible to look at a tyre and actually see under-inflation of 5 psi. However, under-inflation of 5 psi can reduce a tyre’s tread life by 25%. A typical tyre may also lose 1 to 2 psi a month, if not checked and adjusted. Source: Dunlop tyres care & proper inflation

Improve Braking Capacity, Cornering & Vehicle Handling

Properly inflated tyres improve the steering, stopping and traction of your vehicle.

Environmental

Ensuring your tyres are pumped to the recommended level - will save up to 100 kilograms of greenhouse gas each year - Department of the Environment

In summary

“Maintaining correct inflation pressure in tyres helps to keep vechicle handling & braking at its best, as well as improving fuel efficiency & tyre life” Source: NRMA "The role of tyre pressure in vehicle safety" April 2007 pg. 40

Motorcycle Precaution:

After fitting Tyrecheckers to motorcycles, owners are advised to rotate each wheel SLOWLY a full 360 degrees to ensure adequate clearance exists between the top of the Tyrechecker and brake components. If it is found that adequate clearance does not exist the fitting of 90 degree valves may be needed and Tyrecheckers then re-fitted to the affected wheel/s. This step is particularly important for owners of motorcycles with single-sided swingarms (e.g. Triumph Sprint ST, Honda VFR800, Harley Davidson Electra Glide).