"Most fleet managers understand the issues surrounding under-infla-tion, such as increased deflection causing excess heat which weakens the tire's structure and leads to faster wear and reduced life," says Matt Wilson, controls business unit director with Hendrickson Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems. "However, overinflated tires are harder than properly inflated tires, making them more susceptible to tread surface cutting, impact breaks, punctures and shock damage. And finally, if tires have mismatched tire pressures, permanent irregular wear patterns can develop within a few weeks." Underinflation and heat are synonymous, notes Jim Sharkey, vice president of global sales and marketing at Pressure Systems International (PS.I.). "Automatic tire inflation systems [ATIS] on trailers will ensure that tires will not run underinflated, resulting in elevated temperatures that cause excessive wear and ultimately failure of the casing. Various third party tests have also proven that these systems will result in improved tread life."
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