ContiPressureCheck™ Introduces Automatic Trailer Learning Upgrade

• Drop and Hook Truck fleets equipped with ContiPressureCheck™ can now automatically recognize new trailers equipped with only tire sensors
  
• Upgrade allows trucks to detect an unlimited amount of trailer changes
  
• Test Drive functionality also added in latest ContiPressureCheck™ upgrade

Fort Mill, South Carolina, August 25, 2014. Many commercial truck fleets across North America practice a “drop and hook” truck and trailer configuration, meaning trucks connect to various trailers on a regular basis. To better serve the commercial truck fleets running ContiPressureCheck™, Continental’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) solution, engineers at Continental just released Automatic Trailer Learning (ATL) in their latest software upgrade.

With ATL, the ContiPressureCheck™ system only requires the trailer to have tire sensors installed in each tire to be automatically identified and connected to the truck. No additional hardware needs to be installed on the trailer for it to connect to the TPMS. ATL saves fleets precious time by providing the capability for a system-equipped truck to hookup to any trailer outfitted with only tire sensors. This new software upgrade also eliminates the need to program the truck to a new trailer, allowing the truck to immediately embark on its next delivery.

“ContiPressureCheck™ has been on the market for just over a year and we are continuously striving to improve the system based on the feedback we receive from our key commercial fleet customers,” explained Terry Smouter, Continental’s business development manager for truck tires the Americas.

“The ATL upgrade is a great example of how our research and development engineers were able to improve an existing product based on feedback from our customers to better meet their needs, said Smouter.”

Another enhancement to ContiPressureCheck™ included in the latest upgrade is the Test Drive function, which grades the reception quality to the tires on both the truck and the trailer at the end of the install process. Once the system is connected to the truck and all the TPMS sensors are in the tires, the truck and trailer are driven for a seven minute test session. At the end of the session, the system grades the reception quality, allowing the customer to make adjustments in order to optimize the overall air pressure and temperature monitoring capability of the system.

With Continental’s tire pressure monitoring system, ContiPressureCheck™, fleets are able to better manage their tire costs. Even if just slightly underinflated, the flexing of a tire increases significantly, shortening tire life. On average, commercial vehicle tires on the road are approximately 12 percent underinflated. In the majority of cases this is gradual, and is the cause of more than 90 percent of all punctures. However, if the pressure in the tire is too high, this also increases wear or makes the tire wear unevenly, leading to premature replacement of tires. Decreased tire life increases expenses for fleet operators.

The system provides precise data on tire pressure and temperature, and is a valuable indicator of efficient fuel and tire management in the fleet. It enables the driver to monitor tire condition in real time, and to react quickly if an issue arises. Optimal tire pressure also ensures that casings retain their retreadability, and therefore their value. For more information on ContiPressureCheck™, please go to www.ContiPressureCheck.com.
 

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. Continental generated sales of €37.7 billion in 2020 and currently employs around 235,000 people in 58 countries and markets. In 2021, the company celebrates its 150th anniversary.

The Tires business area has 24 production and development locations worldwide. Continental is one of the leading tire manufacturers with more than 56,000 employees and posted preliminary sales of €10.2 billion in 2020 in this business area. Continental ranks among the technology leaders in tire production and offers a broad product range for passenger cars, commercial and special-purpose vehicles as well as two-wheelers. Through continuous investment in research and development, Continental makes a major contribution to safe, cost effective and ecologically efficient mobility. The portfolio of the Tires business area includes services for the tire trade and fleet applications, as well as digital management systems for tires.

Continental develops pioneering technologies to make commercial transport safer, more efficient and more connected. The company’s products and services deliver measurable impact for commercial vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket. They benefit from a broad portfolio and from fully integrated systems. The portfolio includes tires, digital tire monitoring, fleet management, telematic solutions, Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) and tachographs, hoses, air springs, Electronic Control Units (ECU), displays, drivetrain and exhaust aftertreatment systems, sensors, advanced driving assistance systems, as well as eHorizon maps and events and cloud-based services. In 2017, the share of Continental’s global sales for commercial vehicle products and systems was around €4.7 billion.