Technology improves tyre maintenance for transport fleets

At the 2017 Brisbane Truck Show Continental Tyres Australia showcased the latest additions to its highly successful operational solutions line-up, the new YardReader Station and the ContiConnect portal.

The ContiPressureCheck monitor is a sensor installed inside the tyre that allows for continuous monitoring of tyre temperature and pressure during operation. This continuous monitoring not only allows for fuel savings, which result from running tyres at optimal pressures in relation to the load being carried, but also reduces the risk of vehicle downtime which could result from a tyre related breakdown.

The ContiPressureCheck system is also compatible with a range of telematics systems, which means that tyre pressure and temperature data can be viewed on an integrated display and transmitted to external devices. For fleets, this results in instant transparency and improves tyre management within their fleet.

The ContiPressureCheck system also helps to reduce fuel consumption and tyre wear, thereby increasing mileage. The increased fuel-efficiency of trucks and the longer service life of their tyres reduce fleet operating costs. ContiPressureCheck therefore contributes to sustainability improvements thanks to reduced CO2 emissions, while optimum tyre pressure enhances the safety of the truck driver and ultimately all road users.

As Continental launches their latest generation of truck tyres in Australia, ContiPressureCheck will become even easier to install with the availability of the intelligent or “iTire”. The iTire will come preinstalled with a ContiPressureCheck housing, making it faster and more convenient for fleets to install their monitors, resulting in time savings while ensuring the housing is correctly installed within the tyre first time around.

YardReader Station Operators increasingly understand the pivotal role tyre pressures play in keeping fleets on the road and limiting downtime. The YardReader Station allows fleet managers to monitor tyre pressures automatically, across all vehicles in the yard, adding further accuracy to fleet maintenance and helping to prevent costly tyre related breakdowns.

The system is the latest addition to the Continental’s modular ContiPressureCheck tyre pressure monitoring system (TMPS), and is due to be rolled out in Australia later this year. This latest solution furthers Continental Tyres’ broad range of operational solutions designed to accurately inform fleets, while putting safety first, and complements its comprehensive range of commercial vehicle tyres.

The YardReader Station further complements the ContiPressureCheck system, with multiple benefits for fleets, the major benefit being ease of use. The YardReader station reads the data off the ContiPressureCheck sensors as the truck passes by the station in the fleet yard. The data is then uploaded to the ContiConnect portal for analysis and decision making by the fleet manager.

ContiConnect Portal Continental’s new tyre information and management system for commercial fleets, ContiConnect will be launched to European and global markets during Q3, 2017. The system is planned to be launched in Australia at the same time.

ContiConnect monitors, analyses and reports tyre pressure and temperature for the entire fleet based on data collected by the YardReader Station from ContiPressureCheck sensors in the tyres. The system then notifies fleet managers and offers suggested corrective measures where necessary, that could be then actioned immediately by a service partner.

An online portal provides transparent reports on the fleet’s tyre performance and overall efficiency. It can work in multiple set-ups to connect all tyres in a fleet; for vehicles on the road for numerous days in a row, along with those returning for daily check-ups. In combination with the modular design of ContiPressureCheck, data can be collected via a stationary receiver in the depot, or via a receiver unit in every vehicle on a real-time basis, while on the road. Should the pressure in a tyre reach a critical level, ContiConnect sends an alert to the fleet manager and also the service provider if required.

Such enhanced transparency allows the fleet manager to act proactively instead of fixing problems reactively. For the entire fleet this means higher uptime, less maintenance, and overall success in mobility and efficiency.

Mark Lockwood, Commercial Sales Manager at Continental Tyres said: “Both the YardReader Station and ContiConnect  are welcome additions to the ContiPressureCheck modular system, giving fleets the best quality information to help maximise fleet efficiency and see real bottom-line savings. We believe that these solutions will go a long way in restoring confidence in our ability to provide products and solutions to our customers in Australia.”