Simple Bluetooth Technology Solving TPMS Complexity

Posted by John Elsner on
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Complexity

Tire Pressure Can Have a Significant Impact on the Financial Health and Safety of Your Fleet

Properly inflated tires are essential for vehicle safety. Monitoring tire pressure allows fleet managers to ensure that all tires are within the recommended pressure range. Underinflated tires can lead to reduced traction, longer stopping distances, and an increased risk of skidding or hydroplaning. Overinflated tires, on the other hand, can result in reduced stability, uneven tire wear, and potential blowouts. By monitoring tire pressure, fleet managers can proactively address any deviations, minimizing the risk of accidents and promoting safer driving conditions.

Tire inflation problems are all too common. The CVSA reports that tire related violations accounted for 18.5% of all out of service violations found during its 2022 International Roadcheck. The NACFE cites one study that claims over 50% of heavy commercial vehicles tires are not inflated within 5 psi of target pressure.

Take a look at these other eye-popping stats:

TPMS Complexity Stats

Is a Tire Pressure Monitoring System the Answer?

A TPMS (Tire Pressure Management System) solution is designed to address the challenges above by ensuring proper tire inflation to avoid costly violations and potentially save thousands of dollars in fuel costs each year. A TPMS also has the ability to inform drivers of inflation issues before tires blow out or exhibit other safety issues, which can help to prevent accidents and reduce downtime.

New Bluetooth Technology Changing the TPMS Game

New technology is addressing the TPMS installation complexity and costs. With the introduction of Bluetooth valve stem sensors, a technical installation is replaced by a simple setup routine:

  • Screw on the sensors
  • Pair with the tire

Better yet, there is no separate and expensive receiver to install in the cab. Instead, tire pressure alerts and values, for both trucks and trailers, are sent simultaneously to the cloud and ELD tablet.

When integrated with ELD, the tablet will display real-time tire pressure for each tire and will alert drivers if the pressure exceeds a certain limit. The driver can use the TPMS data to identify and address serious tire problems before they happen.

By providing real-time monitoring of tire pressure and temperature, TPMS is an essential tool for heavy duty truck operators who want to ensure the safety, performance, and efficiency of their fleet. With the arrival of new Bluetooth based TPMS technology, implementation is simplified, and costs are reduced bringing about an even faster payback on this investment.

Are you ready to learn more about how TPMS can help your fleet operations? Reach out to our knowledgeable sales team for more information.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System Data Now Supported by Pedigree on a Full Suite of Devices

Posted by Pedigree Technologies on

Pedigree’s full range of cellular gateways, including an affordable solar unit, now support SmartAir™ TPMS and other Bluetooth sensors.

Fargo, N.D., May 5, 2023
Press Release ConMet Digital TPMS Pedigree Technologies
Pedigree Technologies has expanded its gateway offerings to include an affordable, easy-to-install solar tracker with the capability to receive Bluetooth data from the ConMet Digital SmartAir™ Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor.

Combining Bluetooth solutions with an array of tracking devices solves a few of the primary technology pain points facing fleets: easy installation, a responsive data platform for both drivers and management, and reliable and affordable device options.

The innovative Bluetooth SmartAir™ TPMS sensor solves these pain points. The sensor data can be picked up by the solar gateway or a variety of other trackers offered by Pedigree. And Pedigree’s OneView™ platform provides real-time tire pressure alerts to drivers and fleet managers.

Finally, installation is extremely fast and simple. Simply unscrew the valve cap, screw on the SmartAir™ TPMS sensor and connect to the cloud. Typically, Pedigree’s ELD will pick up the inflation pressure data from the truck tires. The trailer tire data will be received by our GPS solar tracker, which is easily applied with quick-install automotive adhesive.

“Connecting the unconnected sounds simple but is very challenging without the right technology,” says John Elsner, CEO of Pedigree. “By collaborating with partners such as ConMet Digital, we can offer best-in-class and affordable solutions such as the SmartAir™ TPMS sensor, which provides an immediate financial return to fleets.”

According to a study by the US Department of Energy, a 10% under inflation of tires can lead to a 1.5% decrease in fuel economy. By using Pedigree’s OneView™ platform and SmartAir™ TPMS sensors to ensure proper tire inflation, fleets have the potential to minimize their carbon footprint while saving in fuel costs.

The OneView™ platform supports the full suite of ConMet’s Digital products, including the PreSet Plus® SmartHub™, SmartAir™ Axle Load, and SmartAir™ Line Pressure. These solutions offer fleet managers and customers greater visibility into the health of wheel hubs, tires, air lines, and axles, resulting in improved uptime and safety.

“Partnering with Pedigree not only fuels synergy in data-driven innovation, but also empowers us to deliver unprecedented value to our customers,” said Paul Washicko, Vice President and General Manager of ConMet Digital.

In addition to tire pressure monitoring and other ConMet Digital products, Pedigree offers a wide range of Bluetooth devices for monitoring temperature, humidity, and the movements of assets, attachments and vehicles. These solutions are highly configurable to meet a variety of operating environments.

Pedigree Technologies’ OneView™ platform is an open IoT solution to track, monitor, diagnose, and communicate with high-value assets in real time, providing a full suite of digital solutions. For more information about this release or Pedigree Technologies, please contact Jessica Slyter at Jessica.Slyter@pedigreetechnologies.com.

About Pedigree Technologies 
Pedigree Technologies is a tough, innovative, Midwest telematics company with a passion for smart technologies allowing customers to manage vehicles, equipment, and workers from anywhere. Our software, OneView™, provides real-time tracking and sophisticated data analytics to help businesses optimize their operations and make better, informed decisions. The power of Pedigree is to connect the unconnected, all on one screen.

About ConMet
ConMet, a division of Amsted Industries, is a leading global supplier of wheel hubs, aluminum castings, and structural plastics to original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket channels in the commercial vehicle industry. Founded in 1964, ConMet innovation has been critical in designing, engineering, and manufacturing revolutionary technologies for trucks and trailers. Today, ConMet products are standard equipment on most heavy-duty vehicles in North America and have a growing footprint worldwide.

ConMet Digital was established in 2019 to advance ConMet’s innovation on IoT (Internet of Things) for heavy-duty vehicles. The growing team has decades of experience across telematics, data science, wireless communications, and cloud computing. Together with the unmatched commercial vehicle expertise and support of ConMet, ConMet Digital provides holistic, actionable insights into the tractor-trailer ecosystem to help fleets improve operations.

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Reduce Tire Costs With a Tire Management System

Posted by John Elsner on
Reduce Tire Costs

Fleets Who Focus on Tire Management Can Increase Savings and Improve Overall Performance

This year it’s anticipated that fleets will continue to face rising prices and extreme revenue pressures. As a way to combat these pressures, proper tire management is one area that can reduce operational costs.

Tires should be viewed as assets, and be managed properly from selection to disposal to maximize their value versus a material simply being bought and used. Fleets should establish a tire management system to track the true cost of each tire and ensure that they get the most value out of their investment.

A tire management system should begin with tire selection, considering the vehicle’s specific needs, routes, and the climate. Selecting a tire specific to the application will enhance efficiency and profitability. Tire dealers can be a great resource for fleets to ensure that they are getting the best for their dollar.

Another important way to improve your investment is by using tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) which, thanks to the introduction of Bluetooth technology, have become more accessible and affordable to incorporate. With this new TPMS technology, gone are the days of complex and time-consuming installations.  Now sensors can simply be screwed on to the stem valves and can connect to the cloud via an ELD or other tracking device.

Inflation pressure is always the most important factor of tire maintenance relative to tire costs. Correct inflation will help to maximize the ability to retread a tire while minimizing wear and the tire’s contribution to fuel economy rolling resistance. According to the FMCSA, only 46% of heavy commercial vehicle tires are inflated within five psi of target pressure and only 38% of trailer tires.*

A TPMS will eliminate the 10–20-minute manual tire pressure check, reduce wear and tear, and help prevent tire blowouts and other tire-related accidents. By constantly monitoring tire pressure and alerting drivers to any issues, it also reduces the costs associated with tire damage and downtime.

Tire expenses will always be a way of life for fleet managers. Therefore, it only makes sense to establish procedures designed to control them. A good tire maintenance program, incorporating management strategies and TPMS technology, will enhance tire efficiency and profitability. Fleets can increase savings and improve overall performance by focusing on tire management.

Contact Pedigree Technologies to get started on your own tire management system.

*(FMCSA – 2002 study, cited by NACFE 2020)