Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems SmarTire Trailer-Link Op Manual - Manual (Page 12)

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The advantages of temperature compensation are even more dramatic when
a tire has a slow leak. A tire that is constantly losing pressure will not be
able to reach thermal equilibrium because the contained air simply cannot
expand enough to generate the required pressure, regardless of how hot the
tire becomes. Since the leak is slow, the tire may appear over an extended
period of time to be properly inflated when it is actually dangerously under-
inflated and operating well above its temperature capacity.
As air leaks from the tire, increased side-wall flexing and rolling resistance
cause the tire’s temperature and pressure to increase. The pressure increase
will soon plateau and begin to slowly decrease while the tire’s temperature
continues to increase. Eventually, the tire will become so hot that its structure
will degrade, and then fail in the form of a blow-out and/or tire fire.
2.0 Tire Maintenance
Proper tire maintenance is critically important for keeping tires rolling
smoothly. When properly maintained and inflated, tires will provide shorter
stopping distances, better vehicle handling in emergency situations, improved
fuel economy and increased tire life.
Maintenance Tips for Long Tire Life:
● Keep tires properly inflated at all times.
● Visually inspect tires for injuries prior to each trip.
● Match dual tires for size and keep pressures within 5 PSI (0.344 bar).
● Re-tread tire before wear causes excessive belt damage or fatigue.