Following manufacturer’s indication on tyre pressure levels is a very critical and vital task to keep up with. The air pressure in tyres supports the entire weight of the bus, and this calls for a regular monitoring of the vehicle’s tyre pressure levels. This will help in maintaining the correct tyre pressure that will help in keeping you, persons on board and other road users safe. Correct tyre inflation improves the vehicle performance; cuts fuel costs and ensures that you are receiving the most lifespan out of your bus tyres.
“The air inside a tyre carries the load of the vehicle. Underinflation causes damage to the side-wall of the tyre, increases heat build-up, and eventually a tyre failure,” says Lee Demis, Vice President of Business Development at Doran Manufacturing.
Africa Automotive July-August digital issue 2023
Proper bus tyre pressure has a significant and proven impact on the vehicle handling, passenger comfort and safety, enhanced braking conditions and fuel consumption is greatly reduced. An incorrect inflation pressure level intensifies the fuel consumption, escalates the rolling resistance of tyres that could lead to an unfortunate incident.
“Proper tyre inflation pressure is critically important for safe operation of buses. Just recently, a bus crash in the United States injured 12 people when a tire blew out. The driver lost control of the vehicle, and the bus landed on its side,” says Demis. “Thankfully, everyone survived this incident,” he clarifies.
Additionally, according to Andre Gerken, General Manager at Celerity DRS GmbH, the correct tyre inflation has a huge impact on the road safety and operating costs of a vehicle. “Consider that the tyres are the only connection between the vehicle and the road. Therefore, a wrong tyre pressure can directly influence the handling and the brake performance of the vehicle. With a low tyre pressure more of the tyre surface contacts the road, which increase the drag and the result is a higher tyre wear and fuel consumption,” articulates Gerken.
The Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)
Tyres are often overlooked by drivers, and the effect to this delicate negligence is a result to a fatal road accident, property damage and loss of lives. However, with the help of tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), loss of vehicle, lives and property damages can be reduced to the lowest.
“Tyre pressure monitoring systems can monitor both pressure and temperature, and alert drivers to underinflation and critical high temperatures before catastrophic tyre failures occur. Bus operators can improve the safety of their vehicles and improve the efficiency of their fleet by properly utilizing TPMS,” counsels Demis.
“With the help of a tyre inflation system, the correct pressure can be always ensured, while stationary or in transit,” adds Gerken.
Conferring to Paul Webber, the General Manager of Mavtech, under inflation becomes an especially serious problem when the inside tyre of a set of duals begins losing pressure. In some cases, both tyres fail with very dangerous consequences. Webber further elaborates on the importance of proper bus tyre inflation and its impact on the vehicle safety and handling performance.
i. Better tyre mileage
Improper inflation accounts for 80% of re-tread separations, cuts, bruises, flats and blowouts. Under inflation of only 5 PSI reduces tyre life by a shocking 25%.
ii. Less down time
Tyre Pressure System virtually eliminates the need for costly road service calls and expensive down time. If a tyre has been punctured, Tyre Pressure systems will continue to inflate that tyre and, at the same time, let the driver know what is happening. He’s then aware of the situation and can continue on to his destination or plan to stop for service.
iii. Better fuel economy
For every PSI of under inflation, your vehicle consumes 0.8% more fuel. Talk about giving your budget a boost!
iv. Increased safety
Under inflated tyres is a major cause of truck and bus accidents on highways. Proper inflation is the most important requirement for maximum tyre safety. Correct tyre pressure provides proper sidewall flexing and safe operating temperature of the tyres.
Commercial vehicles, such as trailers, trucks, buses and coaches are faced with all kind manner of challenges due to the different work done by the vehicle and the different load change in a typical operating day. Tyres are a critical component for a smooth operation of a bus and clearly no tyre will work as expected if it is used with incorrect air pressure. Under or over inflated bus tyres are un-safe and increase costs to the operator.
You could agree that, being a key component, bus tyres must be kept with the correct air pressure at all times, weather parked or on the move. This is to uphold the smooth operation of the vehicle, weather full or empty, heavy or light, from low speed to maximum speed and on different road conditions. Proper bus tyre inflation also promotes the safety of those onboard, pedestrians and other road users. Keep safe, maintain correct tyre pressure at all times!
