Continental to make tyre tread depth monitor

Tyres are the most ignored part of a vehicle. Ironically though, they are also the most vital, considering that tyres connect the car to the road. To help you keep a check on them, a lot of modern day cars have an onboard tyre pressure monitor that caution the driver when the pressure drops down. Continental tyres will take this technology further that will not only notify the driver when the tyre tread reaches the minimum level but will also include sensors that measure the load on the tyres.

With the help of the sensors, the vehicle’s onboard computer starts ‘observing’ the characteristics of the tyres right from the time it’s new. This allows them to keep a check on the tyre over time to know when they are wearing out. On reaching the minimum depth, a warning light will appear in the cabin that will inform the driver and also the local service centre that it’s time to change the rubber. This technology will be part of the design of the future Continental tyres. 

Aside from the tread depth monitor, Continental tyres will also be installed with load sensors that will inform the driver when the vehicle is overloaded and further send indication to the other electronically controlled devices to adjust according to the added weight. Continental claims that the new technology will be made available in 2017.

Starting November, tyre pressure monitors are going to be made mandatory in the European Union. This regulation will be passed not just to warn drivers about the deflating tyres but to also ensure increased efficiency and reduced emission by running tyres at the optimal pressures.