Choosing and maintaining the correct inflation pressure is key for optimum performance.
The tyre is the sole point of contact between the vehicle and the ground.
It is crucial to the safety both of users and goods transported. For a given load and type of work, in clearly defined conditions, there is only one suitable inflation pressure.
The pressure of the air in the tyre is crucial to the correct operation of the tyres: it is this pressure which both supports and moves loads or people:
However, in the surveys conducted by Michelin, pressure often emerges as one of the maintenance points which is often not monitored as well as it should be.
Pressure and safety
Incorrect tyre pressure has a negative impact on certain basic aspects of safety performance such as:
Variation in inflation pressure
During use, a tyre lose pressure for various different reasons:
Airtightness of the wheel rim (eg. cracks or welds).
Apart from the vehicle’s on-board monitoring systems, visual and periodic pressure checks with a pressure gauge is the most common method for detecting possible air leak problems.
RECOMMANDATIONS
Inflation pressure has a proven influence on fuel consumption.
An unsuitable inflation pressure increases the tyre rolling resistance and thus the vehicle’s fuel consumption.
Under-inflation by 1.5 bar = 1% increased fuel consumption*
Increased fuel consumption of tyre at 7.5 bar for recommendation of 9 bar or 17% under-inflated
