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Re: McCain on energy - tells us to keep our tires inflated.
This is from Pram's GAO link:
Quote:
NHTSA subsequently issued a new rule in 2005 that requires manufacturers to install a TPMS on all new passenger cars and light trucks by the 2008 model year. This rule, like its predecessor, is also in litigation.
Two types of TPMS are currently available for some passenger cars and light trucks: direct and indirect. A direct TPMS reads a tire’s inflation pressure level with an electronic device mounted inside the tire either on the valve stem or the wheel, and sends the information via a wireless signal to a receiving unit in the vehicle. In contrast, an indirect TPMS checks the inflation level of a tire by monitoring the rotational speeds of the wheels (using the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system) and identifying rotational differences between the wheels. NHTSA requires both types of TPMS to have an indicator on the dashboard that alerts a driver if the pressure of one or more tires falls either 25 percent below the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer or a minimum pressure specified in the regulation, whichever is higher.12 Once all new passenger vehicles and light trucks are equipped with a TPMS, NHTSA estimates that 119 to 121 passenger car and light truck fatalities will be prevented each year because it expects that 90 percent of drivers with TPMS technology will check and reinflate their tires in response to indications of tire underinflation. In addition, NHTSA estimates that this increased attention will enable drivers to save from $15 to $23 over the life of a vehicle because of better fuel economy.
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I believe they are grossly overestimating the impact this stuff will really have. I see a new idiot light that people ignore even more than the Check Engine light.
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“Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests.” - Lord Palmerston
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