TIA press release to local media urges motorists to beware if their spare is an EMD
As a tire dealer, you may wish to make yourself available to your local media outlets to offer additional comments and advice regarding Extended Mobility Devices (EMD). The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has issued a nationally distributed press release addressing the spare tire topic.
When generations of motorists have gotten a flat tire, all they had to do was look in their trunk for a spare tire. However, with automakers searching for every way possible to increase the fuel economy of their new cars and provide more interior space for passengers and cargo, when drivers go for the spare these days, they may be in for a shock, according to the TIA. That’s because some manufacturers are replacing spare tires with an Extended Mobility Device, commonly known as an EMD.
And, says the TIA’s release, these new EMDs will not address every flat tire situation; thus the organization is encouraging all new car purchasers to check if their new car has a traditional spare tire or an EMD before it’s needed along the roadside.
An EMD is basically an air compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter. The compressor propels a liquid sealant material to seal injuries up to a quarter inch in the tread area. The theory behind the EMD is that a driver who encounters a flat can more easily remedy the situation than by having to jack up the car, remove the damaged tire, and replace it with the spare.
However, the EMD may sound better in theory than in practice. “Drivers need to be aware if their car contains an EMD before they end up in a flat tire situation,” says Kevin Rohlwing, the TIA’s senior vice president of training.
“If the tire is damaged on the sidewall, or if the damage is larger than a standard nail, the EMD will be essentially useless,” he points out. “And, if you’re on a desolate stretch of road in the middle of the night, the only solution will probably involve a tow truck.”
Additionally, drivers who use an EMD on a damaged tire may be in for a shock when they try to get it fixed – the shop may refuse to repair it.
“Some sealant materials contain petroleum products that damage the tire, so tire repair technicians must make sure that any trace of the compound is removed before repairing the tire, which may result in additional charges,” Rohlwing cautions. “And, many tire dealers may refuse to repair a tire that has been exposed to sealant because the exposure voids the new tire warranty.”
For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org.
