Onboard tire inflation system a future feature

Keeping your tires inflated helps prevent rollovers, and it can improve fuel economy by 10% or more. The problem is, most people are either too lazy or too stupid to keep their tires properly filled, so technology has to step up to do our bidding for us. Tire pressure monitoring is to be standard fare on all vehicles sold in the US in 2008, but that may not be enough. The folks over at MAXAIR want to take monitoring to the next level with their patented ATMI (Automatic Tire Monitoring & Inflation) system. If your vehicle is equipped with this technology, an on-board compressor will keep your tires inflated so you'll never have to get your hands dirty at that nasty gas station fill-up again. Even more, your gas mileage will improve and the life of your tires will be extended. The price? MAXAIR plans on charging OEMs a reasonable $200 per vehicle, and we'll probably have to pony up double that number.

We don't know about you, but we think it's worth it. If you keep the vehicle for three years, between better fuel economy, improved safety, and prolonged tire life, we think you'd easily break even. What do you think?

http://www.autoblog.com/

:thumbup::thumbup:

more weight, less mpg, worse braking distance, etc etc etc...
how lazy can people be? just check it while at the gas station.

You don't have the hassle of having to clean your hands afterwards, & some people's time are worth more than that of a gas station attendent ;)

more weight, less mpg, worse braking distance, etc etc etc...
how lazy can people be? just check it while at the gas station.

I was thinking about the weight problem... but then I realized in all, it could very well not add more than five or six pounds. And for the added safety, convenience, and even effiency from always having properly inflated tires, it should be more than worth it.

They better make it real reliable though, what if it misfunctioning and over inflated your tires??
I wouldn't get it IMO, not worth it, I am not that lazy.

how f'n lazy can people be...

im for this in a luxury car ... probably not in a sports car ... also, in 'family' cars this would be a good feature, how many of those soccer moms out there have no idea how their tires are? probably 90% of them

They better make it real reliable though, what if it misfunctioning and over inflated your tires??
I wouldn't get it IMO, not worth it, I am not that lazy.

Haha, haven't we put these kinds of technology fears behind us yet?

If you are willing to trust your ABS system, airbag system, traction/stability control systems, and hell, even your ECU to do their jobs properly, I think you can trust a computer-controlled air compressor...

well, the system itself has been around for years (Hummer H1). But I hope they dont end up putting this in something like a Lotus Elise.

im for this in a luxury car ... probably not in a sports car ... also, in 'family' cars this would be a good feature, how many of those soccer moms out there have no idea how their tires are? probably 90% of them

90% Isn't that a bit generous? I'd say 99%

I think its a decent idea. I mean 200 is not a bad price for it at all. If its an option and not standard then it would be ok. But for those that put aftermarket wheels on it might be an issue.

Hmm, I wonder how this will work with after market rims?

well, the system itself has been around for years (Hummer H1). But I hope they dont end up putting this in something like a Lotus Elise.Beat me to the punch. This is an old system, but all the same unless you are lazy you don't need it.

My 89 Pontiac Bonneville SSE had a built in compressor with a tire gauge. You DID have to get out and unstring the air hose and check and fill the tires, though.

I do miss that built in compressor - much better than the lighter plug in ones (or the manual footpump ones I used to carry). It did save me a number of times on trips when I had slow leaks in the tires, and was handy for sports equipment and bike tires.

Soccer/field hockey mom/Girl Scout Leader :D:D:D