TPMS UPDATE
No Spare, No Problem? By Andrew Markel
utomakers are selling more cars with four wheels and tires instead of five to trim weight, boost gas mileage and save money. Fortunately, fewer motorists need to change tires anymore. In addition to technical improvements that have made flats less likely, TPMS provides drivers with warnings of low air pressure, leaks and punctures. Often, that means the tire gets properly inflated or fixed before it goes flat or before damage occurs, resulting in a blowout. The benefits of eliminating the spare are too big for most automakers to ignore. Engineers struggle to reduce a car’s weight by ounces, and getting rid of the
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September 2013 | Counterman