Question 1

Why Should Tyre Pressure Change?

Accepted Answer

You should change your tyre pressure to suite your load, the road, terrain or track conditions, whether fully loaded or empty, and as deemed suitable for your current transport needs. The pressure should be changed to maximise traction and will assist you to control your momentum, your braking and your steering, giving you a safer and more comfortable ride, with less damage to the vehicle and the driver.

Question 2

Why is Tyre Pressure so Important?

Accepted Answer

Too much pressure and the edge of the tyre lifts off the road, with pressure distribution concentrating towards the centre of the tyre. Too low pressure, and the footprint lengthens, case flexing increases, and tread squirm increases. 
Either too high or too low will reduce handling and braking, increasing tyre wear, and will lead to uneven wear patterns.

The tyre manufacturer spent 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. This can only happen at one pressure for each load.

Remember – Change the load – Change the Tyre Pressure and Change the Road/Terrain – Change the Tyre Pressure.

Question 3

Does low Tyre Pressure Damage the Tyres?

Accepted Answer

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. 18% under pressure will accelerate tyre wear by 20%. 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.

Question 4

Isn't the Tyre Pressure Printed on the Tyre Correct?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This pressure is the correct pressure to use for Highway roads at the maximum load that the tyre was designed for.

AND NO! – Tyres are regularly used with less than their maximum load, and not always in Highway conditions, therefore the tyre pressure should be adjusted to reflect the conditions, such as the type of road, whether the truck is loaded or empty, and if weather conditions are wet or dry.

Question 5

What happens if a Tyre Blows or is Staked? Is air lost from all of the Tyres?

Accepted Answer

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 tyre valves. 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 minimises 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. 
When off camber with low pressures, the loads on the low side are significantly higher, which, on other's systems, air can flow across to the upper tyres. This will increase the lean or tilt of your vehicle, which could be dangerous!!! AIR CTI's isolator automatically minimises this air transfer. On hill sides 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 CTI's unique isolation system (AIR CTI invented this) limits this airflow from the heavier loaded side to the lighter side automatically when off camber.

You Mean, Tyre Pressure should Change whenever the Load Changes? Yes. To optimise tyre life and minimize wear and tear to both your tyres and your truck, the tyre pressure should be changed to reflect the current conditions, such as road, terrain and load, and wet or dry. This is to achieve maximum traction. Remember – Change the load – Change the Tyre Pressure, and/or Change the Road/Terrain – Change the Tyre Pressure.

That means virtually every Truck has too much Air Pressure most of the Time? 
Yes. Too much tyre pressure is often used even when fully laden. You can refer to Manufacturers charts to find the optimum pressure to use, and AIR CTI’s system helps you to control this pressure at the Push of a Button from the cabin whilst on the move. (According to Michelin, our standard maximum legal load on 11R x 22.5 tandem drive tyres should have only 85 to 90 psi, Dependent upon the tyre model used)

Does it really make that much Difference? 
The smaller the tyre contact with the roadway the sooner the tyre will wear out (Pirelli states that a 20% over inflated tyre will wear out 10% quicker.) The Tyre Pressure affects the impact or absorption of the road conditions and Increases tyre and vehicle maintenance requirements, such as, the effects of corrugation/washboard or low traction, resulting in less vehicle control, less steering and braking ability, and will impact on the safety of your vehicle and the driver.

Question 6

If I get a puncture, what happens?

Accepted Answer

AIR CTI's smart control system immediately senses this pressure drop and automatically reinflates your tyres. A visual warning message appears on the bright yellow display and an alert beeper audibly informs the driver.

Question 7

Will the tyre pressure drop so low that the beads will dislodge?

Accepted Answer

AIR CTI’s systems have preset minimum pressures and preset maximum pressures. This limits the pressures to common practice minimums, and to tyre manufacturer's maximum recommendations for legal loads.

Question 8

Will a leaking tyre or hose deflate all my tyres?

Accepted Answer

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 and doing your  routine checks.

Question 9

How long does it take to fill the tyres?

Accepted Answer

Inflation times depend entirely on compressor volume. The bigger the compressor, the faster it fills. Same with tire 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 system uses two exhaust  solenoids to reduce deflation time.

Frequently Asked Questions