Unreadable but here regardless
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/TPMSfinalrule.6/TPMSfinalrule.6.html
I admit I was grasping at straws as to why Rocketman’s tire pressure dash light went out. TSM must be right. An allowance for owners who don’t want tire pressure monitoring isn’t something you’d expect the feds to permit. Not sure if TPMS is considered by the feds a safety issue or an environmental (mpg) issue.
Nothing at all wrong with grasping at straws. I do it all the time. Taking a chance to try to help someone is 1000% more important than never grasping at straws.
I believe it’s considered both, but I believe the initial impetus for it was the infamous Ford Explorer / Firestone class action lawsuits, wherein Ford claimed Firestone recommended too low a pressure and Firestone claimed that Ford was recommending too low a pressure. Both companies, however, determined that too low a tire pressure was a major factor in the Explorers flipping over and I believe the legislation was passed as a safety issue.
I readily admit that I’m relying solely on memory and have not researched the issue.
From a recent Autoweek, a $90 aftermarket TPMS:
I read today that the Indianapolis Colts are claiming the footballs furnished as usual by the home team (New England Patriots) for the AFC championship game were under inflated giving the Patriots an unfair advantage. From what I have learned in the past year tire pressures will noticeably drop when filled at warm temperature and later exposed to cold temperature. Would the same apply to footballs? I did a little research. NFL balls filled to 12.5 to 13.5 psi are deemed acceptable. That is a possible difference of 8%. This year my tires filled to 32 psi in 70 degree weather dropped to 29 psi in 30 degree weather (about 10%) illuminating the TPMS light. I realize there is quite a difference in volume and psi between tires and footballs. Would footballs filled in a 70 degree building then moved outside to temperatures in the mid 30s suffer any measurable drop in psi? If the low psi is caused by temperature will Mother Nature have to forfeit her number one draft pick? Will footballs be required to be equipped with TPMS? The article mentioned the balls being weighed to determine if they were under inflated. How much does the air in a football weigh? Is there a scale that can determine if a gnat is pregnant due to the weight difference? Since the balls were used by both teams where is the advantage? I have to suspect the Colts are so embarrassed by the 45 to 7 final score they are grasping at straws for an explanation (excuse).
Inquiring minds want to Know!
^Yeah, I wouldn’t put it past Belichick to fill to fill the games balls “to regulation” inside the sauna room, just to say he did it “by the books.” There’s a guy who doesn’t miss many tricks!
OTOH, I seriously doubt it changed the outcome of the game. Also, I think that Belichick makes such a GREAT villain, “the guy you love to hate!” Kind of supplants the role Jerry Jones supplied with the Cowboys in the '90s, lining up (allegedly) all those endorsement contracts to players as a means of circumventing the salary cap.
Ultimately, side-stories like this are good for the game…
A football filled to 12.5 psi at 70F will go to 10.4 psi at 30F.
I can see the Feds requiring a TPMS for footballs, now…
There is a guy who doesn’t miss many tricks @meanjoe75fan
I agree ! Many succesful coaches are villains in the “not so succesful” eyes of their opponents. There was a very succesful college and Highschool coach in the Mass area years ago I was lucky to work for. He, like many other succesful coaches are all demonized out of jealously I found. The biggest thing that separates these good coaches from bad, is precisely what separates a good car mechanic from bad and a good car maker from the not so good and generally, the more succesful from those that are not in most fields.
It’s attention to detail and leaving nothing to chance. Most succesful people who make it on their own tend to have that same attribute.
The rules require that each team submits 12 balls and the officials submit 12 balls, for a total of 36 balls, all prior to the game. Each ball is examined for compliance, weighed, the pressure measured, and it’s marked. The players on he field have no idea and no control over which ball they’re going to get.
In addition, balls are often removed from play for a number of reasons. Pressure can change to an out of spec pressure either too high if it’s hot out or too low if it’s cold out. The officials have complete control over that. the QB doesn’t. The balls are replaced after kicks as well.
An allegation has been made, however, and the NFL must investigate all allegations. That does not mean anybody did anything sleezy. These head games are a part of any sport at the level where huge rewards are I the offing.
the same mountainbike Thank you for the clarification. The first article I read stated that game balls are furnished by the home team insinuating that was all balls. There was no mention of the balls air pressure being affected by ambient temperature. More ignorant/sloppy reporting and editing per MSNBC. Your information is exactly what I was looking for. I agree with meanjoe75fan concerning under inflated balls having any appreciable effect concerning which team won or lost this game. I think it would have required Devine intervention to save the Colts this time!
Low air pressure in Patriot FBs. This is a completly bogus allegation. The official checks the balls two hours before the game for correctness including air pressure, hopefully under the same conditons including temperature. But, the people around football are some times not that bright ( the pundits) and few have really discussed who is ultimatly responsible for the air pressure throughout the entire game… Each side has their own balls for convenience purposes so incoming players and officials all know where the balls are coming from.
But, the bottom line is this; It’s THE OFFICIALS, the last guys to put the ball in play, who need to monitor any air filled ball the entire game for correctness. The officials always monitor the conditon of the ball, including scuff marks and air pressure when applicable in ALL sports. If it isn’t adjudicated quickly as an officials responsibility, it’s nothing more then Patriot jealousy.
Who is responsible for the air pressure in your tires. It’s the guy who PUTS THE TIRES “IN PLAY”, the driver. The same as in sports, it’s those who direct and control the game management.
^Rest assured, when I said he “doesn’t miss many tricks,” it was uttered with the deepest of (grudging) respect for they guy! I don’t think this amounts to much more than a side story capable of getting ESPN some extra viewers.
It may have been a blow out against the Colts, but a week earlier, the game against the Ravins was a lot closer 35-31 with NE behind at the half.
Coach Belichick and Tom Brady have a long history of studying the rulebook as intensely as they study the plays, looking for any possible advantage. Changing designated receivers around aggravated their opponents (who whined) a few weeks ago, but when asked about it Brady simply laughed and said “perhaps when they get home they should open the rulebook and start reading it” (or words to that effect).
This is the big leagues. No whining.
Now, back to TPMS systems…