Effective September 1, 2007, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 138 will require that all vehicles less than 10,000 pounds sold in the United States be equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). 

This standard was phased in beginning in April 2005, after Congress required the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop it as part of the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act, passed in 2000 to help protect motorists. 

EnTire Solutions, LLC -- a joint venture between TRW Automotive and Michelin that markets and sells direct TPMS to vehicle manufacturers in North America, Europe and Asia -- acknowledges NHTSA's findings and believes that the technology has the potential to help drivers avoid accidents, while enhancing fuel economy and reducing emissions. According to EnTire Solutions:

• TPMS offer consumers real value in longer tire life, lower fuel costs and better vehicle handling. Michelin has shown that under-inflated tires have a 20 percent lower tread life than properly inflated tires. 

• TPMS, by warning drivers when tires are under inflated, will save consumers money by extending the tire life, as well as disposing fewer tires in the nation's landfills. 

• Department of Transportation (DOT) studies have shown that 27 percent of cars and 33 percent of sport utility vehicles and light trucks have at least one under-inflated tire by eight pounds per square inch or more. Under- inflated tires have a greater rolling resistance than properly inflated tires and, therefore, consume more fuel. The DOT estimates that under-inflated tires cause consumers to unnecessarily purchase up to 4 million gallons of gasoline per day. 

• Additionally, properly-inflated tires improve vehicle handling. The NHTSA has estimated that the widespread installation of TPMS will help to prevent or mitigate 8,373 to 8,568 injuries and prevent 119 to 121 fatalities each year. 

You can read the full press release here 

What do you think? ...