Magazine for the auto service professional
Issue link: http://asp.epubxp.com/i/636156
44 | February 2016 Safety is still by far the most important beneft of TPMS, which means retailers must continue to focus on the role that proper tire infation plays in the operation of the vehicle. Sure, there are some additional benefts like reduced rolling resistance and a slight improvement in fuel economy. But the average consumer can quickly see that the return on investment is virtually impos- sible to realize when it comes to dollars and cents using the data contained in the NHTSA report. While TPMS can potentially improve tire service life and tread wear, those particu- lar benefts still depend on motorists who regularly rotate their tires, not to mention check and adjust the infation pressure before the light is illuminated on the instrument panel. Lazy consumers who spend hours looking for the remote control rather than getting up to change the channel are not going to put a gauge to every tire until it's too late. TPMS gives them the warning they need that prompts them to pay attention to their tires before the pressure gets to the point where a tire failure is imminent. The safety benefts of TPMS are immea- surable when lives hang in the balance, so that's the message a motorist needs to hear. TIA recently launched a quarterly consumer education program that revolves around the association's new tagline, "Tire Safety Starts Here." In the frst video, "Tire Safety Starts with Proper Tire Repair," TIA shows motor- ists why tires should be removed from the rim before they are repaired. The second installment is titled "Tire Safety Starts with TPMS" and it is focused on the safety benefts related to this technology. There is a brief mention of the potential fuel savings and tread wear improvement, but the emphasis is on safety because that is the only concept that will convince most consumers to spend the money to main- tain, repair and replace the TPMS on their vehicles. Consumer education continues to be the missing link for TPMS because the general public is unaware of what it does, why it's there, and how it can save the lives of motorists. And by failing to create value in the minds of vehicle owners, the industry is now faced with millions of vehicles that will soon require new sensors and millions of drivers that will only see dollars and cents when faced with the decision to maintain the system. Progressive retailers who have embraced TPMS technology and taken the time to explain the benefts to their customers over the past few years are more likely to reap The Chassis Whenever a tire is serviced, such as for repair or replacement, the washer, seal, nut and cap should also be replaced to ensure there are no leaks. It is cheap insurance.