Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SEMA 2009: The geekiest thing we've found so far]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-the-geekiest-thing-weve-found-so-far/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-the-geekiest-thing-weve-found-so-far/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-2009-the-geekiest-thing-weve-found-so-far/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tire pressure monitoring systems. Not the sexiest thing here at SEMA, but bear with us for a few minutes to geek out on one of the coolest things we've seen at the show that doesn't involve a whole vehicle.

Autometer - which recently bought Stack and its line of competition gauges - has developed a new tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that ditches the batteries employed on traditional setups and uses... wait for it... crystals.

First, the problem: Not only are batteries prone to dying, particularly when they're being cycled for information hundreds of times in a minute in motorsport applications, they're also heavy. Although a few ounces on the wheel isn't going to make a massive difference on your Honda Accord Crosstour, it's an issue in Formula One and other top-tier racing series.

Autometer's system uses an FM transmitter which pings the three crystals mounted inside the wheel. The frequency at which they respond is relayed back to their little black box (CAN-Bus) and onto the Stack display. We think it's awesome, and apparently so does F1. They'll be testing the system ahead of next year's season.

SEMA 2009: The geekiest thing we've found so far originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autometerf1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnegaugegaugesmonitoring systemMonitoringSystemSEMASEMA 2009Sema showSema2009SemaShowstackstack gaugesStackGaugestiretire pressuretire pressure monitoringtire pressure monitoring systemTirePressureTirePressureMonitoringTirePressureMonitoringSystemTPMSFri, 06 Nov 2009 08:20:00 EST<![CDATA[California to require mandatory tire-pressure checks at automotive businesses ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/california-to-require-mandatory-tire-pressure-checks-at-automoti/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/california-to-require-mandatory-tire-pressure-checks-at-automoti/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/california-to-require-mandatory-tire-pressure-checks-at-automoti/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Keeping your tires properly inflated is a very good idea. An under-inflated radial can increase wear while also decreasing performance and fuel economy. But if the state of California can help it, under-inflated tires may soon be a thing of the past.

California has passed a new law requiring most auto servicing sites to check tire pressure at each visit and add air when necessary. The law will affect 40,000 businesses in the state, although the mandate does not effect body shops, car washes, glass repair shops, or parts stores. The state's government will let the service stations, smog-check stations, oil change places, and so on determine how much to charge for the check, and they must have a high-accuracy pressure gauge on hand. The tire pressure monitoring law will go into effect in July 1, 2010.

California's Air Resources Board says the state-wide law will save 75 million gallons of fuel per year, while also eliminating 700,000 metric tons of greenhouse gasses. That sounds mighty impressive, but if the Sacramento Bee is to believed, that's less than 0.5 percent of what California's greenhouse-gas reduction goals for 2020. Better is the CARB estimate that optimized tire pressure will save drivers about $12 per year (about six gallons of gas at today's prices), along with added safety and tire longevity benefits.

Those figures are based off statistics which show that vehicles lose 1% efficiency for every 3 psi a tire is low. Testing by Consumer Reports showed little or no impact on fuel economy when tire pressure is off by 10%, though most agree that low tire pressure will shorten the life of tires. Fewer tires in state landfills figures to be a good thing, too.

Check out CARB's official press release by clicking here, and find more information at the link below. Thanks for the tip, Mark!

[Source: Consumer Reports | Image: Einstein/Getty]

California to require mandatory tire-pressure checks at automotive businesses originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiacarbflat tireFlatTirefuel economyFuelEconomytire pressuretire pressure monitoringTirePressureTirePressureMonitoringThu, 02 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New self-inflating tire constantly under pressure]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/27/new-self-inflating-tire-constantly-under-pressure/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/27/new-self-inflating-tire-constantly-under-pressure/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/27/new-self-inflating-tire-constantly-under-pressure/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We all know that keeping your tires properly inflated will prolong their tread life, help you burn less fuel and increase your safety. But finding a working air hose when you're away from your garage is like trying to find a working clock in an early-80's Buick.

This is probably what led Coda Development, a Czech Republic company, to invent a new self-inflating tire. Sure, self-inflating tires aren't new, they've been around for years on commercial vehicles and even a few passenger vehicles . But most of those systems use compressed air to keep the tires inflated.

Coda's new system uses a peristaltic pump built into the tire to constantly maintain air pressure. You may have seen a peristaltic pump used in hospitals to deliver intravenous drugs to patients. It's basically a spinning wheel pressed against a liquid-filled tube. As the wheel turns, it pushes the tube's contents through one end and pulls more in the other. In our case, your car's wheel is the wheel and your air-filled tire the tube. A valve ensures that your tire's pressure is always constant. Theoretically, the peristaltic pump is much simpler and therefore more reliable than a compressor-based system. It's also potentially lighter, cheaper and doesn't require a power source. Sounds like a darn smart idea to us. Coda plans to display its system at the 2008 SAE World Congress in Detroit on April 14th through the 17th, so we'll see if it makes a splash there with auto industry engineers.

[Source: Coda]

Continue reading New self-inflating tire constantly under pressure

New self-inflating tire constantly under pressure originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Codacoda self-inflating tireCodaSelf-inflatingTireself-inflating tireSelf-inflatingTiretire air pressuretire inflationtire inflation systemtire maintenancetire pressuretire safetyTireAirPressureTireInflationTireInflationSystemTireMaintenanceTirePressuretiresTireSafetyWed, 27 Feb 2008 16:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Mr. Toad goes down in flames... a reminder to check tire pressure?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/15/mr-toad-goes-down-in-flames-a-reminder-to-check-tire-pressur/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/15/mr-toad-goes-down-in-flames-a-reminder-to-check-tire-pressur/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/15/mr-toad-goes-down-in-flames-a-reminder-to-check-tire-pressur/#commentsFiled under: ,



The feds are so intent on having you check your tire pressure that they're willing to sacrifice toads in the process. Well, not really, but the new NHTSA ad campaign takes a strange tack to inform consumers that summer weather is Hell on tires.

The PSA, posted after the jump, portrays a number of frogs bursting into thin air as the Aussie British voice of God explains the perils of high temps, overloaded vehicles and underinflated tires on the safety of your vehicle. It's a strange, mildly awkward and somewhat insulting attempt to gain our attention, and if we had to guess, NHTSA might be receiving a letter from PETA in the near future.

[Source: NHTSA/Safercar.gov via InsideLine]

Continue reading Mr. Toad goes down in flames... a reminder to check tire pressure?

Mr. Toad goes down in flames... a reminder to check tire pressure? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>heatinflationnhtsasafercarsummertemperaturestire pressuretire wearTirePressureTireWeartoadWed, 15 Aug 2007 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Consumer Reports puts cheap tire monitor under pressure]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/18/consumer-reports-puts-cheap-tire-monitor-under-pressure/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/18/consumer-reports-puts-cheap-tire-monitor-under-pressure/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/18/consumer-reports-puts-cheap-tire-monitor-under-pressure/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In September, all new cars sold in the U.S. will be required to have tire pressure monitoring systems. But for all those cars built without them, owners must rely either on their trusty gauge, or one of the new valve-stem monitors. If you've been wondering how well these things work, Consumer Reports has an answer for you.

They bought a set of Air Alert Valve Caps for $25 and put 'em to the test. These caps indicate a four pound drop in pressure by lighting up an LED, a pretty good idea.

You can read for yourself all the pros and cons, but the overall verdict was that they worked, but CR was concerned about durability and accuracy due to temperature-related fluctuations in tire pressure.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports puts cheap tire monitor under pressure originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air alert valve capsAirAlertValveCapsconsumer reportsConsumerReportspressure monitorsPressureMonitorsproper tire pressureProperTirePressuretire pressuretire pressure monitortire safetyTirePressureTirePressureMonitortiresTireSafetyvalve capsValveCapsMon, 18 Jun 2007 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[April is National Car Care Month]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/april-is-national-car-care-month/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/april-is-national-car-care-month/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/april-is-national-car-care-month/#commentsFiled under:

"Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician," says Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council, "National Car Care Month is the perfect time to focus on your vehicle's maintenance needs to make sure it is ready for the upcoming spring and summer travel season."

The Car Care Council has teamed up with various organizations, business, groups and the media, in sponsoring free safety and vehicle checks. Called 'Vehicle Check Ups', volunteers check a vehicle's tire pressure, lights, fluids, and other components.

The Council provides the following tips for the coming spring:
  • Check all fluids.
  • Check hoses and belts.
  • Check the tires.
  • Check the brakes.
  • Check wiper blades.
Detailed explanations of the above list can be found at the link. Locations of Vehicle Check Ups can also be found at the Council's website.

[Source: The Auto Channel]

April is National Car Care Month originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Apr 2006 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beltsbrakesCar Care MonthCarCareMonthfluid levelshosesinspectiontire pressurewiper bladesTue, 04 Apr 2006 13:34:00 EST