Continental Readying Tire Tread-Depth Monitor

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As hard as I am on (rear) tires, this thing would be bitching at me constantly. :cool:

The company's new system uses the an updated pressure monitoring system with new software to better understand each tire's rolling characteristics as it wears. The programming compares driving data to known information about how they should behave. Once the readings deviate too far, the system warns the driver to check the tread depth because it could be too low.
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The same people that don't replace their tires till they pop are the same people that will do the same exact thing with these monitors.

How hard is it to look at your tires every few months?
 
More unnecessary garbage vehicle technology to appease lawyers and increase retail prices. I have seen these types of systems (tire pressure sensors, in particular) fail horribly when you cross over a patched strip of tarmac. Seriously, do a quick weekly visual inspection of your car, a ocular vehicle pat-down if you will, and you can disable every dummy-light and nanny-feature Government Motor's lawyers decided you couldn't live without.
 
Cool idea, but unless they figure out a way to use this sensor data to actually extend the life of the tire, people will still just drive them until flat. I'd like to see this tech combined with a new tire that has multiple pressure chambers that can be constantly adjusted for the best balance and tread profile.
 
Would be useless in Canada, we need to change tires every 6 months. Don't really have a choice to look at them when you remove them.
 
cyclone3d said:
The same people that don't replace their tires till they pop are the same people that will do the same exact thing with these monitors.

How hard is it to look at your tires every few months?
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Same people who prefer push vs polling email. And, predictive Google Now vs Siri.
 
haz_mat said:
Cool idea, but unless they figure out a way to use this sensor data to actually extend the life of the tire, people will still just drive them until flat. I'd like to see this tech combined with a new tire that has multiple pressure chambers that can be constantly adjusted for the best balance and tread profile.
Click to expand...

Run flat tires. Which already cost ungodly amounts of money and usually suck compared to normal tires.
 
yet another reason to raise prices on something that already works fine.
 
Hmmm, something else to break.

I have wondered though, why has no one come up with a system that allows a small built in air compressor to keep the tires at the right pressure?
 
I don't care to speculate on how this tech will pan out, but I do have to give Continental credit for producing some great tires. I put their Extremecontact DWS tires on my maxima for the winter/spring season and I'm very impressed by the them!
 
cyclone3d said:
The same people that don't replace their tires till they pop are the same people that will do the same exact thing with these monitors.

How hard is it to look at your tires every few months?
Click to expand...

I replace tires ever 3 years or ~25k mi.
 
To be honest the minimal tread depth to pass inspection should just be increased. (At least in Pennsylvania) for anything but perfect road conditions its not sufficient. Would be a lot easier. .
 
MrPatate said:
Would be useless in Canada, we need to change tires every 6 months. Don't really have a choice to look at them when you remove them.
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Damn, you must live far north. I only keep the Winters on 4 months a year.
 
uberjon said:
To be honest the minimal tread depth to pass inspection should just be increased. (At least in Pennsylvania) for anything but perfect road conditions its not sufficient. Would be a lot easier. .
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This is probably being done for the benefit of inspections, so that the inspector can look to the sensor rather than take the responsibility and liability of actually making a somewhat subjective opinion about the condition of the tires.

This is how emissions inspections work in Texas. You pay them $40 to confirm that your check engine light isn't on. They don't do much in the way of actually inspecting anything.
 
STrooperTK421 said:
Hmmm, something else to break.

I have wondered though, why has no one come up with a system that allows a small built in air compressor to keep the tires at the right pressure?
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Because the wheels spin. What happens when the seal starts leaking? It would lead
to more flats.
 
About as dumb as that TPMS stuff you guys have in the states. Just look at the damn tire or use a <$10 tire pressure gauge once in awhile.
 
GaryJohnson said:
This is probably being done for the benefit of inspections, so that the inspector can look to the sensor rather than take the responsibility and liability of actually making a somewhat subjective opinion about the condition of the tires.

This is how emissions inspections work in Texas. You pay them $40 to confirm that your check engine light isn't on. They don't do much in the way of actually inspecting anything.
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Good point, I just ran into that issue with my windshield. Insurance repaired a chip last winter. One garage wouldn't pass it. But the one that did the repair passsd it easy. .
 
GaryJohnson said:
This is probably being done for the benefit of inspections, so that the inspector can look to the sensor rather than take the responsibility and liability of actually making a somewhat subjective opinion about the condition of the tires.

This is how emissions inspections work in Texas. You pay them $40 to confirm that your check engine light isn't on. They don't do much in the way of actually inspecting anything.
Click to expand...

Yeah I used to get a more detailed print out of my emissions when getting an inspection... Now it seems pass or fail.
 
MrPatate said:
Would be useless in Canada, we need to change tires every 6 months. Don't really have a choice to look at them when you remove them.
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That is what a second set of rims are for.

I've always had a set of summer and set of winter tires.

Used OEM rims are generally pretty cheap at junkyards for winter beaters.

You will pay for the rims after a few years of mount/balance twice a year and reduce the chance of damage to the bead area.
 
cyclone3d said:
The same people that don't replace their tires till they pop are the same people that will do the same exact thing with these monitors.

How hard is it to look at your tires every few months?
Click to expand...

if I don't see metal fibers and and there's still a gap between treads then they're still good to go :D
 
Just another gimmick to break and cause vehicles to fail yearly inspections and have to pay more money to have replaced so as to retain their "privilege" to drive..
 
cyclone3d said:
How hard is it to look at your tires every few months?
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<rant>
How hard is it to look at your tires when you go to get in your damn car? You already have to walk past them!
</rant>

I still find it insane that so many people ignore their tires. As a mechanic friend told me before I started driving. "Think about it, all the grip that you have when turning, accelerating, or braking is provided through those 4 small contact points. Tires are one of the most important aspects of your car."
 
Also if it works half as well as TPMS, by which I mean only comes on to report false positives, failures in the system, etc. It will be a rousing success. Thanks Firestone / FordMoCo...
 
Ashbringer said:
Run flat tires. Which already cost ungodly amounts of money and usually suck compared to normal tires.
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Civilian run flat tires do not have multiple chambers. The sidewalls are extra thick/strong to be able to hold the weight of the car without any air in them. That is a big part of why they ride rough compared to normal tires.
 
I sell tires. I usually don't list Continental in my quotes unless the customer asks for them. They are not horrible tires, but I think they are overpriced. They used to be considered economy tires in our industry. I do not feel the quality has increased that much, but they are starting to price them in the mid to upper range now.
 
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