FRANKLIN, Tenn., June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As National Tire Safety Week kicks-off across the country, today Nissan confirmed plans to make the "Easy-Fill Tire Alert" system available on all future models it brings to market beginning in 2013. This safety feature, which also bolsters fuel economy, is one of the automaker's latest innovations. It currently comes standard on all 2013 Nissan Altima, 2012 Nissan LEAF and 2012 Nissan Quest models, with standard or optional availability on more products to follow later this year as the automaker continues it launch of five all-new models in the next 15 months.
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The "Easy-Fill Tire Alert" system is an all-new control module currently being phased into vehicle redesigns like the all-new 2013 Nissan Altima. First, the vehicle's tire-pressure warning system alerts a driver to a low tire; and on some models displays the current pressure and tire or tires that require attention on the dashboard display. When alerted, drivers should stop at the nearest gas station to fill the tire with an available air hose. Once air begins flowing into the tire, the vehicle's four-way flashers come on to confirm the process has started. When the tire hits the appropriate pressure level, the horn then chirps to let drivers know the tire has been properly inflated. If the driver continues to fill the tire with air, the horn honks more aggressively and the tire deflates to the appropriate operating level.
"Nissan's 'Easy-Fill Tire Alert' system is straight forward and eliminates the need to keep a tire gauge in your vehicle's glove compartment," said Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc. "By making this unique Nissan innovation available on all our future products, the guessing and the gauge vanish for our customers."
A recently released federal study[1] shows driving on under-inflated tires triples the risk of an accident, and according to the U.S. Department of Energy[2], drivers can improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure. Additionally, auto care professionals say that from one tire gauge to another there can be a three or four pound difference in air pressure readings, further indicating the need for an easy-to-use technology like the "Easy-Fill Tire Alert" to assist vehicle owners in maintaining proper tire pressure.
A digital video package on the "Easy Fill Tire Alert" system is currently available for download in Nissan's online news center. The 2-minute video features a demonstration of the technology and additional sound bites for use.
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.
[1] http://www.safercar.gov/Tire
[2] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml
SOURCE Nissan North America