Benefits of TPMS for Trucks

It’s well known among the trucking industry the importance of TPMS kits for safety on the road. However the benefits for trucks and heavy vehicles extend far beyond that. Having proper tyre pressure is pivotal to good fuel economy, improved tyre life and less unexpected breakdowns for trucks and heavy vehicles.

Every hour a truck is off the road means lost revenue, delayed jobs and unhappy customers. For businesses that rely on their vehicles to deliver results, downtime is more than just an inconvenience - it’s a hit to the bottom line.

A tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is a smart and proven way to stay ahead of these risks. By providing real-time alerts on pressure and temperature changes, TPMS helps operators prevent flats, avoid blowouts and keep trucks working where they belong - on the job.

Protect Your Bottom Line with Proper Tyre Inflation

Fuel Economy

Proper tyre inflation directly impacts both operating costs and sustainability. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the USA found that every 1% decrease in tyre pressure correlated to a 0.3 per cent reduction in fuel economy. To put this into perspective, under inflation of the tyre by 10 per cent increases fuel consumption by 2 per cent. At 20% under inflation, fuel consumption increases by 4 per cent. With tyre pressure at 40 per cent below the recommended level, the tyre’s fuel consumption increases by 8 per cent. For a fleet, that quickly adds up to significant annual savings.

Increased Wear & Tear

Fuel isn’t the only area where the benefits are felt. By keeping tyres properly inflated, operators not only save on fuel but can also extend tyre life by 10% or more. Underinflation remains the leading cause of premature tyre wear and lost efficiency, making consistent pressure maintenance critical - especially for fleets that rely on retreads.

This problem is made even worse if there are tyres with different pressures on the same axle. Such a phenomenon will cause uneven wear and tear. This reduces the use time of tyres even further.

Risk of Accidents

Uneven wear and tear on the wheels also poses a greater risk of accident since it impacts handling and performance. Underinflated tyres flex more hence reducing steering precision and cornering stability. Overinflated tyres, on the other hand, reduce grip because less rubber contacts the road.

No More Manual Checking Required

Now tyre pressure is monitored in real time, drivers won't need to check manually or result to bar hitting to estimate tyre pressure on their wheels. This saves time, hassle and regret if drivers forget. On top of this, it's also more accurate and consistent than manual checks.

Help the Environment

The environmental benefits are equally impressive. Manufacturing a single new heavy-duty tyre requires about 80 liters of oil. Since most of that oil goes into the casing, retreading reduces the oil requirement to just 25 liters per tyre. That means each retread saves roughly 55 liters of oil - adding up to millions of gallons conserved annually across the industry.

In short, maintaining the right tyre pressure is more than a maintenance task - it’s a proven way to cut costs, extend asset life, and support a greener future.

How TPMS Improves Fleet Maintenance

Tyre issues don’t just wear down rubber - they wear down productivity. Underinflated tyres increase the risk of downtime, blowouts or unnoticed punctures. This of course poses a huge safety hazard but also leads to delayed schedules, missed deliveries and costly disruptions.

Prevent Overheating and Fires

TPMS kits also monitor tyre temperatures. Overloads, hot days, wheel bearings issues and more can cause the temperature of the tyre to spike to dangerously high levels. This causes the tyre itself to wear down quick, increase the risk of blowouts and could even lead to fires.

Remote Monitoring Capabilities

For fleets that take maintenance seriously, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) provides a smarter solution. Beyond real-time pressure alerts, modern TPMS solutions are able to deliver valuable data analytics straight from the sensors to fleet managers and operators through telematics integration such as CANBus. This information helps streamline decisions around in-transit repairs, preventative maintenance scheduling and even long-term purchasing strategies.

Reduce Expenses

When a truck is sidelined for tyre-related repairs, the costs quickly add up. Industry studies estimate that a single roadside breakdown can cost fleets anywhere from $300 to over $1,000, once you factor in emergency service, replacement parts and labor. Add in the lost revenue from a vehicle not completing its route - plus potential penalties for late deliveries - and the financial impact can climb even higher. For large fleets, even a handful of avoidable breakdowns per year can mean tens of thousands in expenses saved every year.

Conclusion

For fleets and heavy vehicle operators, tyres aren’t just another maintenance item - they’re a critical factor in controlling costs, keeping vehicles on the road and protecting customer relationships. Underinflated tyres silently drain fuel, shorten tyre life and increase the risk of costly downtime. A TPMS changes that equation by turning tyre management from reactive to proactive.