Pirelli & Cie SpA, the parent company of Pirelli Tire North America, says it will introduce the second generation of its X-Pressure tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland.
The "safety system," as Pirelli calls it, sends data to a display inside the car via radio frequency transmitters or sensors. In case of an anomaly, a dashboard light an an acoustic alarm will signal which tire is underinflated.
Developed with the help of other Pirelli Group companies, the new X-Pressure "is the first step towards a pioneering evolutionary phase that will see the tire increasingly integrated into the various vehicle management and control systems."
Unlike the first generation sensors, the new sensors are not fitted to the wheel. Instead, they adhere directly to the inner surface of the tire. This facilitates the TPMS system's installation, reducing to almost zero the risk of damaging sensors during the mounting and demounting of tires, according to the company.
The sensors run on low power, allowing them to function even when the vehicle is at a standstill. If a low-pressure situation exists before the car is turned on, an alarm alerts the driver as soon as the vehicle's ignition is switched on and before the engine is started.
The system is designed to last up to six years. It can be removed and re-installed on new tires.
Pirelli says the system will be available in Europe in June.
