Continental has debuted its ContiPressureCheck tyre pressure monitoring system for commercial vehicles in Europe at the 64th IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover, Germany

The system is designed to act as an early warning system, identifying slow leaks and enabling drivers to act fast to avoid potential consequences and maintain correct tyre pressure when on the road. Emergency stops caused by tyre-related breakdowns will become a thing of the past, according to Continental.

“Studies have shown that over 90 per cent of all tyre failures are preceded by slow leaks that cause gradual loss of tyre pressure. ContiPressureCheck can now effectively eliminate these problems,” says Herbert Mensching, Head of Marketing and Sales Truck Tires for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Continental’s tyre pressure testing system can not only prevent punctures, but also lowers truck operating costs, advises Mensching. He explains that in Germany, tyres on commercial vehicles tend to be underinflated by an average of 12 per cent, which results in higher rolling resistance and increases fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

In fact, even slight under inflation boosts tyre flexion, causing the tyre to overheat and shortening its life. Overinflation, on the other hand, increases tyre wear or causes deformation – likewise factors that shorten tyre life.