Michelin introduces RFID technology, service upgrades

Michelin introduces RFID technology, service upgrades

Michelin dashboard

Michelin Americas Truck Tires has announced that Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is being added to Michelin commercial truck tires and retreads, enabling fleets to better manage their tire assets throughout the full life cycle. In addition, the Michelin Tire Care tire maintenance program is being upgraded to include new features providing fleets greater visibility, assurance and ease around the maintenance of their tires.

“Michelin is the first manufacturer to integrate RFID into its full commercial truck tire portfolio. Technology is transforming the trucking industry and Michelin is leading this effort to improve fleet performance and bottom line,” said Ralph Dimenna, chief operating officer of the Michelin Americas Truck Tires division. “We continue drive innovation for fleets by integrating technology and enhancements to our services that add significant value to our fleet customers’ business.”

Michelin first introduced the Michelin Tire Care service in 2015 to proactively assist fleets in identifying and addressing tire issues that lead to downtime, low mileage, high fuel costs and safety risks. In the past year, 20% of vehicles inspected in the Michelin Tire Care program comprised a Red Tag event, or critical issues that require immediate attention to avoid an ERS event or CSA violation, while 63% of vehicles inspected reported a Yellow Tag event, an issue that results in additional long term costs. The Tire Care program has been instrumental in maximizing uptime and reducing cost for participating fleets.

“Since implementing Michelin Tire Care, Transervice has seen a definite reduction in our monthly emergency road service calls,” said Ron Reid, operations manager of Transervice Logistics, based in New York. “We are averaging 2.5 tire-related ERS calls per month—down from 5.5 per month last year—which helps us save $2,000 per month. And the Michelin OnCall program has reduced our average downtime by 35 minutes per ERS event.”

Currently Michelin services over 260 fleets and more than 36,000 commercial vehicles nationwide. Upgrades and options being introduced to Tire Care include the following (with descriptions by Michelin):

  • Improved program hardware and software: RuggedCAT Smart device has Android smartphone look and feel with 4G capability and PDA Windows App for agile and customer-friendly operation. New measurement devices allow for faster and more accurate readings than ever before.
  • Actionable Fleet dashboard: Shows in-depth tire summary including critical analysis of Red Tag and Yellow Tag events, number of vehicles inspected, number of tires inspected and top 10 issues. The comprehensive reporting provides guidance for effective decision making.
  • Red Tag Resolution: As Red and Yellow tag events are identified during an inspection, Tire Care helps ensure that all critical issues are corrected. The vehicle history shows the work performed and when it was completed.
  • Pricing: A new hourly pricing option is now offered.
  • Self Fit: An in-house solution that allows fleets to perform their own inspections via a flat monthly fee with no restrictions on the number of inspections.
  • Road Ready: This option utilizes a Love’s TirePass lane to perform Tire Care inspections, optimal for line haul fleets running coast to coast.

You May Also Like

Class 8 orders strong in February

Even when seasonally adjusted, ACT says preliminary order numbers for February are up 5% over January.

ACT-Class-8-Feb-truck-orders

According to the latest numbers from ACT Research, preliminary North America Class 8 net orders were 27,700 units, up 600 units from January and 16% from a year ago. With the fourth-largest seasonal factor of the year at 8%, seasonal adjustment reduces February’s Class 8 intake to 25,600 units, up 5% from January.

“Weak freight and carrier profitability fundamentals, and large carriers guiding to lower capex in 2024, would imply pressure in U.S. tractor, the North American Class 8 market’s largest segment,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “While we do not yet have the underlying detail for February order volumes, Class 8 demand continuing at high levels again this month suggests that U.S. buyers continue as strong market participants.”

Kenworth delivers 15-liter natural gas-powered truck to UPS

The truck is equipped with the Cummins X15N, which Kenworth says will meet CARB and EPA Requirements for both 2024 and 2027.

Kenworth-delivers-CNG-truck-to-UPS
ACT Research: 2024 could see trucking recovery

Despite trucking demand remaining weak, ACT Research says imports and international data indicate positive trends in 2024.

ACT-for-hire-index-Jan-24
Navistar progressing toward autonomous hub-to-hub transport

Autonomous truck testing is underway, and the company expects customer pilots to be delivered later this year.

Navistar-Autonomous-partnership-Plus-international-truck
FTR Trucking Conditions Index falls in December

FTR says the drop was mostly due to higher capital cost and a deterioration in freight rates, a trend that could stretch into 2024.

FTR-TCI-december-2023

Other Posts

Goodyear unveils two RangeMax tires deisgned for regional work

Goodyear says the new tire models balance traction, range and mileage for work vehicles running on electricity, gas or diesel.

Goodyear-rangemax tires-group-logo
Double Coin FR610, other tires to be displayed at MATS

The FR610 is the latest SmartWay Verified long haul steer tire in Double Coin’s lineup.

Double-coin-logo-truck-tire-generic
Fullbay: Repair shop sales and labor rates rose in 2023

A new report shows that counter sales and labor rates rose significantly in 2023 from the previous year.

Fullbay-TMC
ACT Research: Trailer orders dip as cancellations climb

Preliminary data for net trailer orders in January seems to follow a continued softening trend, according to ACT Research.

ACT-Research-Trailer-Net-Orders-down-Cancellations-up-Jan-2024