Memorial Day/High Gas Prices/Cost Savings

Who's checking tire pressure? Incredibly, Many Drivers Just Dont Know How! High Tech Tire Pressure Gauge Helps Drivers Get the Habit

Philadelphia, PA May 19, 2004 -- Bresslergroup, the leading product development firm, has discovered why most people dont check their tire pressure once a month as recommended by the American Automobile Association (AAA). Consumers say its awkward and many admit they dont even know how.

Bresslergroup conducted the research to design a new generation of digital tire gauges that are easy to use and read.

Drivers dont rank checking tire pressure as important as checking and changing the oil, said Peter Bressler, founder of Bresslergroup. And both men and women agreed that the process of checking tire pressure is awkward, usually inconvenient and that getting an accurate reading is often difficult. Many said they simply dont like doing the task.

Bressler added that most consumers are unaware of the link between properly inflated tires and driving safety and that they also can save upwards of $100 per year in fuel costs by regularly checking tires to make certain they are inflated with the correct air pressure.

We even had some consumers admit that they didnt really know how to check their tire pressure or what type of device to use to accomplish the task, Bressler said.

Proven Cost Savings for Drivers
One tire under-inflated by two pounds per-square-inch (psi) results in a one percent increase of fuel consumption, Bressler explained. Frequently, under-inflated tires cause a six percent increase of fuel consumption, which can cost average consumers between $50 and $100 per year per car with current fuel prices.

Bressler added that statistics from government agencies and independent sources suggest that maintaining proper tire pressure can help motorists save money, improve safety and help the environment by reducing emissions.

As gas prices escalate, Bresslergroup anticipates a spike in interest in new generation tire pressure gauges and has developed the newest line of devices for the product design firms client Measurement Specialties Inc. (MSI), Fairfield, NJ.

New Gauges Must Be Easy To Use and Read
During our research, we deconstructed the process and scenarios of how and when people check the tire pressure on their vehicles, Bressler explained. First, we discovered that checking tire pressure is not really an activity divided along gender lines. Both men and women do it if they do it.

The design firm used the most important data from its research consumer requests for ease-of-use and an easy-to-read display as the primary product design guidelines to create the newest line of MSI tire gauges called the Accutire line of digital tire gauges. Competitive digital and mechanical tire gauges tend to be designed and manufactured for lowest cost and basic functionality, with little attention to ease-of-use and appearance.

We considered the amount of pressure required to push the device against the tire stem without allowing air to escape from the tire, said John Coleman, a Bresslergroup designer. We also considered how to best make the LCD display readable while being used.

After establishing the two most important design criteria, we knew we had to make a line of tire gauges that were cool, high-tech and that consumers would intrinsically want to pick up and use, Bressler said. The MSI line of Accutire digital tire gauges are a long way from the old metal, mechanical pop-up tire gauges people might remember. Were making it cool and easy to check your tire pressure.

More Benefits of Checking Tire Pressure
Secondary research from Bresslergroup uncovered statistics and trends that support the importance of checking tire pressure regularly:

The U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency suggest radial tires can be under-inflated and still appear normal. Under-inflated tires can also affect vehicle handling. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 250,000 accidents result from improperly inflated tires each year.

USA Today conducted a survey of 50 motorists in four states operating vehicles with original tires. Results found under-inflated or over-inflated tires on almost every vehicle. More than half of the vehicles had at least one tire that was under-inflated by at least four psi. The survey found that most motorists hadnt checked tire pressure within the past month as tire manufacturers recommend.

The Tire Industry Safety Council says that under-inflation creates excessive heat and can lead to tire failure, which could result in vehicle damage and/or serious injury.

Even under-inflation of four pounds or so, which may not be visible, starts weakening the tire, said Harold Herzlich, a consultant for the Rubber Manufacturers Association. An under-inflated tire can dramatically heat up and create a tremendous physical force that works to rip the tire apart.

The new MSI Accutire tire gauge is available at Radio Shack (as a Radio Shack brand) for a retail price of $19.99.

About Bresslergroup
Based in Philadelphia, Bresslergroup offers innovative product solutions via integrated user research, industrial design and production engineering. The consultancy serves consumer, medical, office and industrial goods manufacturers. Since its founding in 1970, Bresslergroup has won more than 70 major design awards including IDEA and iF Hanover, as well as authored more than 70 patents. The companys researchers, strategists, designers and engineers continue to develop award-winning, highly marketable innovative products for clients of every stripe. For more information on Bresslergroup, please visit www.bresslergroup.com
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