Keeping tyres properly inflated helps them last longer, makes a car safer to drive, and improves fuel economy.
Most of the newer models are equipped with a tyre pressure monitoring system, also known as TPMS.
This system alerts drivers whenever tyre pressure is too low so they can add air as soon as possible. Nissan has gone a step farther with this technology by providing an Easy-fill Tyre Alert to help drivers know when they have added the right amount of air to their tyres.
The way it works is simple.
A driver is notified via the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System that a tyre is low on air.
When a driver begins adding air to the tyre, the vehicle will sound the horn whenever the right amount of pressure is reached. This lets the individual know he or she has added enough air to the tyre without overinflating it.
If too much air is added, the horn will make three short blasts to let the person know that some of the air needs to be removed from the tyre. Once the proper amount of air has been removed, the horn will again sound once to alert the operator that the right level was reached.
Nissan first introduced this technology in 2011 on its minivan Quest. In 2012, it was offered on both the Quest and the Leaf.
Customers have been extremely pleased with the addition of this technology, and as a result, the automaker plans to include this on even more models in 2013.
They hope that by doing so, they can increase consumer safety while standing out from their competition in terms of technological developments.
Some Nissan models will have advanced versions of the Tyre Pressure Monitoring Service available.
These advanced systems will not only alert a driver when a tyre has low pressure, but it will also indicate which one was determined to be so. This will eliminate the need to check every tyre in order to find the one that needs to have air added. Future Nissan models could also give a digital readout of the exact tyre pressure for each tyre in real time.
This could let owners know when tyres are starting to get low on air so they can keep an eye out for TPMS warnings.
Although the Easy-Fill Tyre Alert Technology makes it easy to add the right amount of air, drivers should not discount the need to regularly check tyre pressure. By doing so, they will know if the TPMS is malfunctioning so they can have a mechanic make any necessary repairs.
It is also a good idea to know how much air should be added to each tyre so that operators will know if the Easy-Fill Tyre Alert is beeping at the proper intervals.
Peter works in the automotive tyre industry, were he advises many different companies on the benefits of new car tyre technologies. Currently he helps Easy Wheels in Manchester.
