Michelin Wheel Security & TPMS Heavy Fleet

After five years of development, today’s product is a fully patented solution. Extensive testing has shown Michelin Wheel Security & TPMS Heavy Fleet does exactly what we aimed for – an in-motion alert to the driver after approximately one turn of adjacent wheel nuts. The sensor has passed extensive laboratory and field testing, including successfully running across several fleet operators and manufacturer vehicles prior to its launch.

Crucially, this means for the first time that a driver will receive an alert the instant a potential wheel loss issue is detected – no matter what speed they are travelling, or in what weather conditions – allowing them to pull over safely.

Due to its location next to the wheel rim and braking mechanism, our onboard heat sensor is also perfectly positioned to send alerts to the cab if a brake issue is detected. Temperatures exceeding 100°C often indicate maintenance issues such as sticking brakes or hub failure.

By monitoring the maximum and minimum temperatures of each sensor, any unusual braking temperature patterns can be spotted early. For example, sticking brakes will result in the sensor detecting higher temperatures, whilst ineffective brakes will show little or no temperature rise. This additional feature is invaluable for brake management, and helps to reduce a major cause of commercial vehicle fires, downtime and accidents.

The Michelin Wheel Security & TPMS Heavy Fleet sensors incorporate some clever twists, to achieve an intelligent but small and ultra-durable sensor. Key features:

• robust, waterproof and resistant to temperatures of 125°C
• suitable for commercial vehicle tyres inflated to a maximum of 188psi
• compact design (diameter of 25.3mm, height of 22.6mm)
• auto-pairs with the receiver on each journey
• if fitted to a trailer will pair with a new truck seamlessly
• no need to input pressures into the receiver – the sensors auto-calibrate provided tyres are correctly inflated prior to fitting when cold
• two LEDs mounted around circumference to indicate the sensor in distress
• an accelerometer to wake up the sensor on a new journey, allowing for low power sleep mode when the vehicle is stationary. Hall Effect Sensor and NFC (Near-field communications) allow for instant downloading of sensor pressure and battery levels.
• low power / long battery life design as no need for sending regular tyre pressure data
• fully sealed unit with no battery changing required – anticipated 3-5 year lifespan, depending on usage and application
• supplied with an anti-theft lock nut and accompanying spanner
• no programming required

The display unit provides:

• an early low-pressure warning via a flashing icon every 20 seconds if a tyre becomes under-inflated by 20 per cent or over-inflated by 25 per cent
• an audible alert is added when the pressure either drops by 30 per cent, or should the tyre be over-inflated by 35 per cent or more
• for fast leakage (at least 2 psi per minute), all icons flash in addition to a beeping alarm, alerting the driver to pull over
• tyre temperature sensor set at 100°C.

Michelin Wheel Security & TPMS Heavy Fleet can be supplied with a contactless tyre pressure checker for use by the driver during daily walkaround inspections. The pressure checker is a pocket-sized device capable of giving a digital pressure reading when placing the device close to the sensor. The same device will also provide the maximum temperature reached in the last 24 hours in the hub area when checked against the wheel loss sensor.

The pressure checkers are compatible with all Wheely-Safe sensors, meaning a fleet manager, technician or tyre fitter can complete a pressure check across multiple vehicles using the same device.

Just imagine the time and cost-saving! What’s more, no more air loss every time you take a pressure reading.