What is AIR CTI?
AIR CTI lets the driver adjust his tyre pressures to suit the conditions.

Is AIR CTI Benefitial in Sand or Mud?
The easy answer is yes, but the traction improvements differ. Sand, Rock, gravel, mud and snow all benefit. Ice is neutral.

Is AIR CTI proven?
AIR CTI is very well proven in arguably the most demanding market in the world, Australia, where hundreds of systems work in all parts of the continent, from logging in mountains, to sand, to deserts, and in fertilizer spreading, in off road tourist buses, in mining, and even in the bee/honey industries.  CTI is used by every army in the world.

Why Should tyre pressure Change?
Ideal Tyre operation for Highway use should deflect 7%. This deflection depends upon the load and the air pressure.

Isn't the tyre pressure printed on the tyre correct?
Yes and no. At the maximum load that the tyre is designed for, this pressure is correct for highway use. But, almost all tyres are operated below their maximum load.  Therefore correct pressure is related to the actual tyre load.

You Mean, Tyre Pressure should Change whenever the Load Changes?
Yes, to obtain ideal tire operation and life, pressures should be changed every time the load or the terrain changes. Change the load, change the pressure.

That means virtually every truck has too much air pressure most of the time?
Yes, quite true. And traditionally, too much tyre pressure is used even when fully laden. According to Michelin, our standard maximm legal load on 11R x 22.5 tandem drive tyres should have only 85 to 90 psi, dependently upon the tyre model.

Does it really make that much difference?
Pirelli states that a 20% over inflated tyre will wear out 10% quicker. Over pressure reduces the tyre footprint, and tyre impact absorption. Less rubber, which bounces and skips across the road, won’t stop as straight or quickly, and doesn’t handle as well, making your vehicle less safe. What’s the cost of an accident?

Why is tyre pressure so important?
The tyre manufacture spends a lot of time and money designing a tyre to provide the best performance. A perfect tyre footprint, with full width contact, with equal pressure on every point of that contact area, and with minimal tread squirming is the ‘holy grail’ of tyre designers. This can only happen at one pressure for each load. Too much pressure, and the tyre edge lifts off the road, and pressure distribution concentrates toward the center. Too low, and the footprint lengthens, case flexing increases, and tread squirm increases. Either too high or too low will reduce handling and braking, will increase tyre wear, and may lead to uneven wear patterns.

What about off Highway?
Rough roads usually mean lower speeds, which means less tyre heat. Lower tyre pressure definitely benefits rough road operations. Lower pressures allow the tyre to flex more, absorbing a greater percentage of bumps and impacts. Impact reductions of up to one tenth have been demonstrated. This significantly reduces impact loads on all suspension components, reducing stresses, damage, and costs. Improved ride means higher travel speeds, lowering trip times. Reduced road damage means less bumps, and more trips. Vibration levels are drastically reduced leading to healthier drivers, and longer lasting vehicles, improving resale values. This is where AIR CTI really shines. When speed drops, and roads get rougher, lower tyre pressure will improve all operating parameters.

You mean, on gravel roads, I should lower my tyre pressure?
Yes, lower tyre pressures provide 120 to 200% improvement in traction, reduced tyre damage (around 60% reduction), reduces tyre slip, reduces impact loads to your suspension and load (90% reduction), improves ride quality (heaps) improves handling, improves braking, and reduces road damage (25% minimum).

What is this about extra traction at lower pressures?
When off highway, extra low tyre pressures will provide substantial traction benefits. Traction increases of 10 to 100% extra are obtained. The slow speeds associated eliminate heat problems. The softer the ground, the more traction available. The difference is often astounding. A standard tandem drive truck will perform better than a six wheel drive truck. Two trailers can be towed where a single trailer operator is stuck. A standard four wheel drive outperforms a modified vehicle with locking diffs.

Wow! This is too good to be true?
Numerous tests from all over the world have proven all of these improvements, plus years of practical experience in Canada, USA, New Zealand, and here in Australia.

But Doesn’t low tyre pressure damage the tyres?
Tyres are designed to flex, and absorb bumps. Heat build up is what damages tyres. At reduced speeds, lower pressures provide extra flex, without heat build up. Used correctly, tyre life, including case life, is improved significantly. 20% over pressure will accelerate tyre wear by 10%. 105 psi in standard 11R x 22.5 Tyres is 20% over inflated. By matching tyre pressure to the load, tyres last longer. Even lower pressures can be used at reduced speeds for even more tyre life gains in marginal conditions.

Doesn't this extra traction break axles and damage components?
In fact, lower pressures actually reduce drive train loads by at least 30%. The reason is the tyres can flex, smoothing the power loads. When you think about it, traction off road will never be as high as on concrete or bitumen, so loads are always lower than the everyday loads used when taking off from a traffic light.

I often get axle tramp when off road. Coes AIR CTI help?
Axle tramp is virtually eliminated by using lower pressures. Soft tyres absorb vibration before it can damage your axles. This smoother torgue transfer is much kinder to your entyre drive train and suspension, reducing maintenance costs by up to 80%.

What about corrugations or wash boards?
Lower tyre pressures will actually eliminate wash boards, smoothing your road in only several passes. Experienced drivers curse those without CTI because of the damage they do to the roads.

Extra Traction?
When conditions are truly marginal, super low pressures definitely adds traction. The tyre footprint gets longer, putting more rubber on the ground. Lower pressures add articulation, keeping the tyres on the road.

Wont this added traction overload the drive train?
Off road traction will never match traction on road. Therefore peek loads are always less, except when axle tramp occurs. Lower pressures virtually eliminate axle tramp. In fact, scientific tests prove added tyre flex reduces drive train loads by 30% or More!!

Those External Hoses will get Ripped Off Where I go!
Very, very few ‘drop’ hoses are actually damaged in real life. AIR’s Exclusive SNIZENTITE ® high tech plastic “drop pipes” simply fit closer and look better. AIR CTI Systems are working in Forests all day, every day, throughout Australia. Unless you are regularly wiping out fenders/mudguards/flaps, steps, fuel tanks, etc. the probability is you won’t lose any drop hoses. Even on Fraser Island, which is the worst terrain I know, where buses and trucks drive in a trench with roots protruding on each side, drop hose loss is negligible.

I hear the rotating unions (rotators) have a short life span and can’t be repaired?
Most Rotator problems are caused by outside contamination from dirt and mud. Dirt is the enemy of any seal. If the inside of the tire is clean when fitted, seals virtually will not wear. AIR designed and manufactures our own unique rotators, specially for Australia’s harsh conditions. Bearing size is huge, with triple sealing, along with carbon seals ensure long life. And they can be rebuilt. These units are designed to last 1,000,000 kilometers, and guaranteed for two years.

Trailer rotators are different. Why?
Trailers work in a much harsher environment with up to 10 times the vibration levels, in far more dust and dirt. AIR CTI trailer rotators are designed to survive these extreme conditions. Although the trade off is shorter life of 200,000 miles or more. Reconditioning is a 15 minute job at minimal cost.

What happens if a Tyre Blows or is Staked? Is air lost from all of the Tyres?
With ordinary CTI systems, if a tyre is staked or blows, air is rapidly lost from all interconnected tyres. You must pull up immediately and turn off all tyres. There may not be a safe place to pull up, but you have no choice. With AIR CTI professional systems, good tyre air loss is minimized. On drive tyres, AIR CTI invented a special automatic valve assembly (isolator) that minmizes this air loss. This isolator is a unique safety feature only available from AIR CTI. High pressure Air will automatically be isolated from the tyres losing air. On trailers, we isolate the tyres from side to side. This has the added benefit of reducing air transfer when off camber and air pressures are low.

What do you mean?
When off camber with low pressures, the loads on the low side are significantly higher, which, on other’s systems, can flow across to the upper tyres. This will increase the lean or tilt of your vehicle, which may be bad!!!! AIR CTI’s isolator automatically minimizes this air transfer.

On Side hills at lower pressure, will air transfer from the low side to the high side, and make the truck lean more and possibly roll over?
AIR’s unique isolation system (AIR invented this) limits this airflow from the heavier loaded side to the lighter side automatically.

If I get a puncture, what happens?
AIR’s smart control system immediately senses this pressure drop and automatically reinflates your tyres. A Red warning light informs the driver.

Will blow outs or tread separation wipe out hoses and tubes?
The short answer is yes, probably, along with your fenders/guards, tail lights, and anything else close. But, CTI will eliminate most of these, because most blow outs are caused by tyre overheating or overloading that is caused by a puncture. CTI will maintain pressures in most punctures. AIR CTI will also inform the driver of the problem before disasters happen.

Explain More!
The truck’s compressor and the AIR CTI system will continue to inflate a punctured tyre up to it’s capacity. A red light on the control will indicate air flow, plus any deviation of the dash mounted live gauge displays the actual system pressure. The Isolator provides added gauge sensitivity.

What is meant by a live gauge?
Most CTI systems use electronic sensing and electronic pressure displays. These often look ’cool’ with digital displays, but, if the electronics fail, so does the display. And, many other CTI systems expect one display to display two or more ’zones’! AIR CTI uses a dedicated, mechanical, analogue gauge for every zone, ensuring full time display of pressures. Top quality 270 degree gauges match most dashes, while providing easy quick viewing. Safer and better.

Some claim better sensitivity?
Super accurate sensitivity is often over kill. Sure one tenth of a degree sensitivity sounds good, but, so what. What you need is reliability, and repeatability. When you need a bit more pressure, simply adjust it. If you need less, adjust it. Plus as soon as a tyre rotates, temperatures increase changing the pressure. AIR CTI systems are accurate, reliable, and repeatable. And, if the outside temperature changes, or the road, or the load changes, you can change your tyre pressure to any pressure required, easily.

So what are you saying?
How many pressure settings are available? On other commercial systems, you only have three to six different settings. On AIR CTI systems, you have complete infinite control, so that you can dial in exactly what is needed. Every truck is different, as is every road. Dial in what you need.

Will the tyre pressure drop so low that the beads will dislodge?
AIR CTI systems have pre set minimum pressures, and pre set maximum pressures. This limits the pressures to common practice minimums, and to tyre manufacturer’s maximum recommendations for legal loads.

Will a Large Air Loss Affect my Brake System?
No. Every AIR CTI system uses a pressure protection valve (priority valve, hold back valve) to provide priority to the braking system. The system must be above 75 psi before air is used.

Is My Compressor big enough?
For standard drive tyre systems, standard compressors will do the job. If trailer CTI is required, larger compressors are needed.

Does CTI damage the compressor?
Compressors operate whenever the motor runs, they just don’t pump air. Truck compressors are designed for a 25% duty cycle. AIR CTI purposely sized all air passages to use the compressor to it’s capacity, but not to kill it.

Will a leaking tyre or hose deflate all my tyres?
Given time, a puncture or leak can deflate those tyres connected to the CTI system. Drivers, once used to CTI, will know how their system is working, and will know when there is a problem. AIR CTI’s recommendation is to turn off all wheel taps each evening when parking the truck.

How long does it take to fill the tyres?
Inflation times depend entirely on compressor volume. The bigger the compressor, the faster it fills. Same with tyre volume. Normal operation is to inflate or deflate in stages. In most cases, inflation times are only a few minutes, which occur while driving. AIR CTI uses two exhaust solenoids to reduce deflation time.

Do I Need an Air Dryer?
Air Driers will minimize the maintenance required on all air systems. The AIR CTI system is designed to cope with oil, water, and some contaminants, but, like any air system, clean, dry air will improve long term life.

Is there a filter in the system, and what maintenance is required?
A self draining filter filters all supply air. Separate stainless mesh filters filter all tyre air, while similar filters are used before each exhaust solenoid. These provide added reliability. In most cases, cleaning is not required.

Is the electrical system adequately protected?
The only electrical connection to your vehicle is via a single 12 volt power lead, and an earth/negative lead. A solid state automatic fuse protects both the CTI system, and the vehicle.

Do freezing conditions cause any problems?
Dry air will minimize potential problems, but extensive operation and testing has not demonstrated any problems.

Can the axle housing be pressurized?
AIR CTI drive systems are completely external, and cannot affect the axle housing. AIR CTI actively promotes it’s external trailer systems for the same reason. Our internal trailer systems are designed as much as possible to minimize this potential.

What about trailer systems?
AIR Trailer systems incorporate numerous features that add safety, provide more information to the driver, and provide significantly better operation, whilst simplyifying normal vehicle maintenance. Nothing Compares!

If a Trailer Tyre Blows, will the System Inform the Driver?
Before 2005, the driver is warned that air is being added to the system. That’s All. AIR invented a totally new control system that detects and recognizes a smallish leak, or a major problem and informs the driver in both cases.

I've heard of trailer problems because the driver didn't know. Is this a problem?
Other systems attempt to control and sense trailer pressures by remote sensing, or by sensing on the same air line as the supply. And trailer tyres have been lost because of it. AIR CTI invented a unique trailer control system that uses a separate sensing line. This is the only way of knowing what is happening 30 or 40 feet away. Supply air is supplied via one air line. A totally separate air line returns from the trailer isolator valve to provide pressure control, pressure warning and gauge display. The isolator valve also improves trailer sensitivity. Two mechanical flow sensors help ensure driver awareness. If normal air flow, like pressure increases, or normal punctures occur, one warning light lights. If excessive air flows, another brighter light indicates a major problem. Stop immediately!

Does AIR have a System for my Mercedes with Hub Reduction?
AIR Rotators are shorter and more stout, and will fit on Hub reductions. AIR manufactures systems for virtually any vehicle.

What about Standard Tray Trucks?
Adjustable tyre pressure to suit the load and condition helps any vehicle. AIR has built systems for Tray rucks, Prime Movers, Trailers, 4x4 Fertilizer Spreaders, Passenger Buses, Utes, 4x4’s, Caravans and Tractors. When we get time, we’ll build systems for Motorcycles too.

Is Speed Monitoring included in every AIR CTI system?
Speed monitoring is an extra cost option on all AIR CTI systems. Speed sensing senses excessive speeds for pressures below maximum. Correct operation requires the driver to adjust tyre pressures before they are needed, to allow for the time lag inherent in any such system. For instance, the driver will start increasing his tyre pressure several minutes before reaching the high speed road, to ensure adequate air pressure for high speed use. The speed sensing can only respond after speeds are increased.

Is Speed Monitoring different with AIR CTI?
On other systems with set pressures, speed sensing only works if the driver has pushed the right button. If he has not kept up with his settings, his speed sensing will only set the next higher pressure. AIR CTI selects the maximum pressure if speed is exceeded. But, the driver can over ride this setting if he chooses, but he will be reminded in 12 to 15 minutes. This again is unique to AIR CTI.

What about after sales service?
AIR CTI carefully selects each agent to ensure top quality back up. Our phones are on at least 12 hours per day. Our job is to keep you on the road, earning a dollar. Without you, we haven’t got a job. CTI is our life, and only income.

If I have Another Question, can you answer it?
Just email us. Knowledge and information is our business. Email us at aircti@optusnet.com.au or Phone us on 61 3 5127 6128.