Tire Industry Association
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) is the leading authority in the tire industry for information, advocacy, training and events to support your business and help it succeed.
Can I buy direct from PCL?
We have a long established distributor network who sell through various channels worldwide including on-line. See the Find a Distributor section for more details.
I have a technical question, can anyone help?
Certainly, we have a dedicated Technical Department who will be able to help with most questions. Please call (281) 446-7300 or use this form.
How can I get a copy of your catalog?
You can either request a copy by post, using our inquiries form or you can download them here.
How do I find information on a specific part?
The easiest way to find information on a PCL product is to type the part number into the SITE SEARCH box. Don’t worry if you don’t have the full part number just enter what you have.
How do I register the warranty for my PCL product?
Simple, just complete the form here.
What should I do when checking my tires?
Tire checks should include:
At the same time as checking your tire pressure and tread depth, examine the tires for any cuts or bulges, which must be assessed by a professional if found. A bulge in a tire indicates internal structural damage and must be replaced.
The tire must also be replaced if you find any cuts deep enough to reveal the internal structure of the tire.
When should I check my tires?
Tire checks should be made every month as well as before making any long journeys by using a reliable and accurate tire pressure gauge.
Always measure tire pressure when tires are “cold”. Tires are cold if they have not been driven for more than 2 miles at low speed or have been stationary for a least two hours.
Why is correct tire pressure important?
Correct tire pressure is important for several reasons;
Tire life – under or over inflated tires increase wear
Fuel economy – under inflated tires increase fuel consumption
Safety – under or over inflated tires will affect grip and braking performance
Ride comfort – over inflated tires can result in a harsh and uncomfortable ride
Why is it important to check your pressures regularly?
Correct tire pressure is vital to your safety on the road. Under-inflated tires affect handling and grip, potentially causing irregular or unpredictable vehicle behavior. They are also much more likely to suffer from a dangerous sudden rapid deflation, especially on high-speed motorway journeys.
By keeping your tires at their optimum pressure, your running costs are also reduced. Under-inflated tires require a bigger force to make them turn, so your car uses more fuel. Additionally, tires which are not set to their correct pressure wear out more quickly.
So, to benefit from lower fuel bills, longer tire life, increased safety, and reduced CO2 emissions, make sure you check your tire pressures at least once a month and before a long journey.
Why is tread depth important?
Tread depth is highly important for road safety and provides a good grip on wet surfaces. The tread pattern is used to remove water from between the tire and the road surface. Drivers run the risk of reduced grip and a longer stopping distance if the tread depth is incorrect.
Drivers can be fined and given three penalty points for each tire which does not comply with the regulations.
How do I determine the correct tire pressure for my vehicle?
Tire pressures are quoted for cold tires and will be specified in your vehicle handbook and may be on a sticker inside the fuel flat, on the drivers (or passengers) door or even inside the glove box.
Normally there are two tire pressures quoted; one for “normal use” and a higher tire pressure for when the vehicle is underload. Make sure you adjust your tire pressures accordingly.
If you don’t know the correct tire pressure for your vehicle, refer to the manufacturer’s customer service department. Many tire retailers will also be able to provide this information. Alternatively, you can obtain the correct tire pressure for your car by visiting the tire pressure checker on TyreSafe’s website and entering your vehicle’s details.
Never use the tire pressure quoted on the tire sidewall. This pressure refers to the maximum inflation pressure a tire can contain under maximum load.
What is the minimum legal tread depth?
The current law for the tread depth for cars, vans and LCV is to have a minimum depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tire and around the entire circumference.
It is recommended to increase the safety of the car to replace the tires before the 1.6mm limit is reached. Many vehicle manufactures’ suggest replacing the tires when they reach 3mm.
For any vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes the current law states that the tread should be a minimum of 1mm across the central three-quarters of the tire and around the entire circumference.
Motorcycles over 50cc the minimum tread is 1mm across three-quarters of the width of the tread pattern and a visible tread on the remaining quarter. Motorcycles up to 50cc are required to have all grooves of the original tire pattern clearly visible.
How do I know if my tires need inflating or deflating?
The only accurate way to know if your tires need to be inflated (or deflated) is by measuring the pressure with a reliable and accurate tire pressure gauge.
A common misconception is that a visual check is sufficient to assess tire pressure. Tires can be significantly under or over-inflated by up to 20% and you may not be able to tell just by looking at them.
By using an accurate and reliable tire pressure gauge you need to check the tire pressure matches with the vehicles manufactures’ recommendations.
Is it true that nitrogen tire inflation will improve a vehicle’s handling, fuel efficiency and tire life?
Not directly, no.
High purity nitrogen has been used for decades in Nascar, Formula One, the Tour de France, the US Military, and many other applications where safety, speed and economy are vital – so you would think the answer would be yes.
However, it’s accurate tire pressure which makes the difference, and nitrogen can help maintain this for longer periods of time.
Nitrogen does offer an advantage of its own over air. Air includes a small percentage of water which will corrode your wheels once it’s inside your tires. Therefore using pure nitrogen will remove moisture which may lead to corrosion – and pressure change.
There are therefore two benefits of nitrogen which will help maintain your accurate tire pressure for longer – and it is the latter which results in modest savings in fuel and tire life.
If you decide to try nitrogen your tires will need filling and purging several times in succession to completely remove air from your tires, which can be time consuming. PCL’s ACCURA Mobile allows the operator to preset the pressure for a standard inflation top-up, or a purge and fill, so that they can get on with alternative work whilst tires are inflating.
Once this has been done, do not expect to feel any significant difference unless your tire pressure was seriously inaccurate before you changed to nitrogen. You may eventually notice some savings in fuel and maintenance costs but remember – this is due to accurate tire pressure and nitrogen’s ability to help keep it constant.
Why does Nitrogen help tires remain at the same pressure for longer?
The oxygen and water vapours contained in compressed air leak through the tire structure, causing pressure drop – where as Nitrogen is dry, therefore using it for inflation ensures these vapours are minimal, meaning the pressure remains constant for longer periods of time.
What other benefits are there?
Since Nitrogen is dry, the lack of water vapour also eliminates internal rim rust and damage.
Does Nitrogen need special tires?
No. Nitrogen can be used in any tires, new or existing. The best results are obtained by purging the tire of air and then replacing with Nitrogen, however it’s still possible to top up tires filled with Nitrogen with air if necessary.
And for those who are already sold on the importance of accurate tire pressure, Nitrogen inflation provides enhanced inflation for optimum speed and performance. Just ask Formula 1 drivers!
What kind of equipment is available?
ACCURA Mobile is the latest technology in high performance Nitrogen tire inflation for tire shops, workshops, car dealerships, and transport depots.
Easy to use, the unit is operated with an industry standard bottle or direct from a Nitrogen generator and can be preset for a standard inflation top up, or operated with a N2 function for a purge and fill cycle.
Equipped to inflate up to 6 tires simultaneously, power to the unit is supplied through a sealed battery with the charger allowing the unit to run direct if required, increasing flexibility and enhancing portability.
You can also use Nitrogen with any of PCL’s tire inflation (or compressed air) equipment.
Those who have already converted to Nitrogen inflation will confirm that once you’ve tried it, you won’t want to use anything else.
What is a male or female thread?
A male thread is an external thread.
A female thread is an internal thread.
What is a parallel or taper thread?
A parallel or straight thread (commonly BSPP – British Standard Pipe Parallel thread) has a constant diameter and is denoted by the letter G.
A taper thread (commonly BSPT – British Standard Pipe Taper thread) has a diameter which increases or decreases along the length of the thread and is denoted by the letter R.
What does R, Rp, Rc, G mean?
R, Rp, Rc threads are taken from BS EN 10226-3:2005 pipe threads where pressure-tight joints are made on the threads.
G threads are taken from BS EN ISO 228-2:2003 pipe threads where pressure-tight joints are not made on the threads. The pressure tight joint is achieved by the compression of a soft material (such as an o-ring seal or washer) between the end face of the male thread and a socket or nipple face, with a tightening of a back nut.
What is an open and closed end connector?
There are two types of tire valve connector. It is therefore important to specify whether a closed or open end type is required.
Closed End – used when air is supplied directly from a main air line (i.e. compressor or air receiver). A non-return valve unseats on connection to the tire’s valve allowing air to flow into the tire.
Open End – used with PCL MK3 tire inflators, ACCURA tire inflators and portable gauges. This connector has a pin which unseats the tire’s valve when in use.
Air is leaking from the end of my tire valve connector
You probably have an open end connector currently fitted to your equipment when you should have a closed end. Try switch to a closed end style.
What’s the difference between a 8v1 and 12v1 tire valve connector?
There are basically two sizes of tire valves in use.
8v1 – is the standard Schrader car tire valve size found on the majority of tire valves. It is approximately 8mm in diameter.
12v1 – is a large bore tire valve found on some aircraft and large volume tires (earth moving equipment, heavy plant, etc). It is approximately 12mm in diameter.
6 Smarter Driving Tips
There are a few easy things you can do when you drive and look after your car to help reduce the amount of fuel you burn and so cut down on CO2 emissions.
The secret is to help reduce the amount of work your engine has to do, because the greater the workload, the more fuel is burned – so the higher the CO2 emissions.
By following our smarter driving tips you could cut your CO2 emissions by around 8 per cent – equivalent to an annual fuel saving of up to one month per year. All you need to get started are the smarter driving tips below that you can put into practice straight away.
Pump up to cut down
Under inflated tires create more resistance when your car is moving. That means your engine has to work harder, so more fuel is used and more CO2 emissions are produced. Simply check and adjust your tire pressures regularly and also before long journeys. This will also help to increase the life of your tires.
Under inflated tires increase CO2 but over inflated tires can be unsafe, so check your car manual for the correct tire pressure. Remember, a car with a heavier load may need different air pressure in the tires.
Less clutter in your car means less CO2
Clutter in your boot is extra weight your engine has to carry around. By removing it, you could reduce your engine’s workload. This will burn less fuel and cut your CO2 emissions, so unload any items you won’t need for your journey before you set out.
Driving at an appropriate speed reduces CO2
Speed limits are the maximum lawful speeds which may be driven in ideal circumstances. Drivers should never exceed the speed limit. Staying at or within the speed limit increases driver safety.
It also reduces CO2 emissions and saves money on your petrol costs. At 70mph you could be using up to 9 per cent more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15 per cent more fuel than at 50mph.
Less stopping and starting means less CO2
Every time you stop then start again in a traffic queue, the engine uses more fuel and therefore produces more CO2. Keep an eye on the traffic ahead and slow down early by gently lifting your foot off the accelerator while keeping the car in gear.
In this way, the traffic may have started moving again by the time you approach the vehicle in front, so you can then change gear and be on your way.
Over revving accelerates emissions
Modern car engines are designed to be efficient from the moment they are switched on, so revving up like a Formula 1 car in pole position only wastes fuel and increases engine wear. Using your gears wisely by changing up a gear a little earlier can also reduce revs.
If you drive a diesel car, try changing up a gear when the rev counter reaches 2000rpm. For a petrol car, change up at 2500rpm.
Idling is wasting fuel
When the engine is idling you’re wasting fuel and adding to CO2 emissions. If you’re likely to be at a standstill for more than three minutes, simply switch off the engine.
No Display
The possible cause may be that there is no power connected, simply switch power on.
No Inflation Process
The tire may be below 3 psi, this can be solved by pressing the flat tire button.
There may be a faulty connector, in this case the faulty connector will need replacing.
Buzzer Does Not Make A Sound
The buzzer volume may have been turned off or is damaged. Turn the buzzer on or replace the buzzer.
Inflation Process Starts But Does Not Complete
Check the supply pressure as there may be low or no supply pressure. A leak may also be the cause, therefore confirm leaks do no exist.
Supply Pressure Leaks Out Input
The input and tire hoses are incorrectly reversed, ensure that the input connection is to offset port, tire connection is central between input and exhaust.
Inflating Or Deflating Is Very Slow
Check if the mesh filters under the input and output port fittings are block, then clean and/or replace mesh filters.
Connector Will Not Seal To The Tire Stems
The connector is worn and will need replacing.
No Power To Display Head
The isolator fuse may have blown, in this case you will need to replace 10 amp isolator fuse.
LCD display is showing “E1”
Check the supply pressure as there may be unstable or insufficient supply pressure.
LCD display is showing “E4”
Small volume, caused inflator to check pressure > 2 bar / 29 psi over target pressure. Check the hose is not kinked or blocked, ensure a OPEN END connector is installed.
LCD display is showing “E5”
The inflator has started under pressure i.e. is connected to tire or closed end connector is being used, therefore remove hose from tire and allow inflator to reset and change connector to OPEN END type.
LCD display is showing “E6”
This is caused by the pressure sensor drift out, therefore a new sensor is required – refer to an authorised repairer.
LCD display is showing “E8”
The pressure sensor may have disconnected from PCB or is faulty, therefore a new sensor is required – refer to an authorised repairer.
LCD display is showing “E9”
There may be a pressure sensor failure (high voltage), therefore a new sensor is required, refer to an authorised repairer.
LCD display is showing “E10”
Check power supply as the Digital Tire Inflator may be under voltage.
LCD display is showing “E11”
Check power supply – refer to an authorised repairer as the Digital Tire Inflator may be over voltage.
LCD display is showing “E12”
The checksum may be corrupted, therefore a new PCB is required – refer to an authorised repairer.
LCD display is showing “E13”
There may be lost or corrupt calibration settings, therefore a new PCB is required – refer to an authorised repairer.
LCD display is showing “E16”
The unit started under pressure therefore the unit started when connected to a tire or new sensor is required – refer to authorised repairer.
LCD display is showing “E17”
The calibration settings are corrupt, the unit will need to be recalibrated – refer to authorised repairer.
LCD display is showing “E18”
There is a runtime error therefore a new PCB is required – refer to an authorised repairer.
LCD display is showing “E19”
There is a touch screen error, therefore a new PCB is required – refer to an authorised repairer.
LCD display is showing “E20 – E23”
There is a startup sequence error(s), therefore a new PCB is required – refer to authorised repairer.
TTAA represents owners, operators, suppliers, and other individuals involved in the tire and automotive industry collaborating to advance and safeguard our business and professional interests.
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) is the leading authority in the tire industry for information, advocacy, training and events to support your business and help it succeed.
TyreSafe is a not for profit, non commercial organization set up to promote tire safety and raise the awareness of the dangers of driving on defective or badly worn tires.
Illegal or worn tires are a contributory factor in many road collisions, particularly in the wet and 12% of cars and vans on UK roads have at least one tire below the 1.6mm legal minimum tread depth. TyreSafe campaigns for good tire husbandry – look after your tires and your tires will look after you.
Sheffield has a proud history of manufacturing products with a cutting edge, and The Made in Sheffield Mark is a symbol of the city’s ongoing commitment to quality and excellence.
Those eligible to carry the Mark must be located in the Sheffield post code area and be able to demonstrate their dedication to producing high quality products.
Visit the Made In Sheffield website
recycle-more.co.uk is the one-stop recycling information center for help and advice on all aspects of recycling.
With companies now recognizing the environmental and business benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), recycle-more aims to highlight some of the ways in which organizations can help to minimize their impact on the environment.
The British Compressed Air Society was founded in 1930 at the instigation of the British Government for the benefit of manufacturers, distributors and end users of compressed air products and services.
The society and its members aim to: promote the use of safe and reliable power: improve services offered to industry; encourage and help members to develop their professional competence; and use collective industry experience to improve business conduct for all.
The National Tyre Distributors Association (DTDA) founded in 1930, the NTDA is a strongly proactive trade association representing and promoting the interests of the tyre wholesale, distribution and retail sectors of the automotive aftermarket industry.
The society and its members work together in developing and adhering to industry standards and best practice, promoting both business and technical excellence, training professionals for the future and
providing reassurance to your customers.
“The main factor in our choice of PCL’s ACCURA 10 was to make tire inflation as safe as possible for our staff. Working in and around vehicles can be a high risk activity.
Buying equipment with a high safety specification means we have significantly lowered the risk of an accident when inflating a tire. This also ensures a safer vehicle on the road. The performance so far has been excellent and the staff feedback endorses that.
Brian Beech and PCL responded quickly too when we had queries about installation or operation.”
Hugh McKergow, Cleansing Operations Manager
“A key facet of good police fleet management encompasses issues around the vehicle, including passenger and public safety. Vehicles now fall within the Driving at Work document and the onus is on the fleet manager to adhere to its guidelines.
This includes ensuring that fleet tires are kept in first-class condition, therefore we must enhance ways in which officers as well as staff in police stations have the ability to accurately monitor and adjust vehicle tire pressures.
We looked at the market and thought that PCL’s D10 wall-mounted gauge was the best solution. It is self-calibrating, fail-safe, user-friendly and particularly simple in terms of conversion from imperial to metric, i.e. PSI to Bar.
Overall we are very satisfied with its performance.”
John Bradley, Fleet Manager
“We are very impressed by the new PCL digital unit which is ideal for our new high quality mobile units, providing state of the art tire inflation extremely quickly and accurately.
This allows our service engineers to get our customers safely back on the road more efficiently, whilst making our engineer available for next customer sooner.
The excellent service and training provided by PCL has also allowed us to swiftly implement and make the most of the new units.”
Stuart Powell, Training Manager
“The digital inflators are much more time-efficient. Especially when we are doing 100-200 cars a day.
The PCL units have helped us speed up the whole process. Having a digital report is far superior to having someone write all the information down – plus we can prove to the customer that their tires are accurately inflated and completely road-worthy by providing them with a receipt.
The performance and service, of both the units and the personnel providing training and support at PCL, has been excellent.”
Operations Manager
A partner company recommended PCL’s digital inflators, so we decided to try one out for ourselves.
The D10’s high levels of accuracy have enabled us to reassure our customers that our products meet all health & safety standards, and we have also increased testing efficiency, which in turn improves production rates.
We are extremely pleased with the results, both in terms of product performance and the smooth after sales service offered by PCL.”
Simon Astil, Director
“We tested many digital inflators on the market and chose the ACCURA 1 because of the quality and accuracy of the product.
Before distributing, we tested it at customer locations and received positive feedback on the performance, as well as the large digital display. Our original “trial” order was placed during the initial product launch but we then made a second order as demand had increased.
We are delighted to be working with PCL and have been impressed with the high quality of both the product and customer service.”
Larry Edgell, Marketing Manager
“The change to PCL’s digital unit has given us a greater level of control and an assurance that what is on the display is exactly what is going into the tire.
Before that we were constantly having to secondary check, which was taking up more operator time. It’s also good for our OEM customers to see, it reassures them that our tire inflation is carried out using equipment with a high safety specification, providing the highest levels of accuracy. Our operators have also been impressed with how easy it is to use.
We chose the ACCURA 12 as we had already worked with PCL and the product suited our requirements. The price was superb, as was the service provided by PCL and their Technical Sales expert.
After our units were installed they made some modifications and the inflation rates dropped even more dramatically. The product is still performing well and has well exceeded our expectations.”
Craig Addison, Operations Manager
“We needed a lot of equipment to get the Vulcan back to full working order, and have had to be as economical as possible.
When it came to getting the tire pressure gauge fixed we had been told by another company it wasn’t possible, so we decided to ask the original manufacturer, PCL – and they did it with no problem at all. Then, when we needed a higher range gauge after all, they saved us at the 11th hour with a brand new one.
Without it we would have had to defer the engine test, and therefore our progress with getting the Vulcan ready for displays. PCL have been extremely helpful and we are very grateful for their support. With a project of this magnitude it really is a case of every little bit helps.”
Colin Marshall, Logistics Manager for the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, the campaign group responsible for getting the Avro Vulcan Bomber XH558 back the skies
As a member of the recycle-more organization, PCL is dedicated to finding ways in which it can minimize the company’s impact on the environment. As such, PCL continually monitors its procedures, adheres to all relevant regulations, and uses its expertise to raise awareness of health & safety and environmental issues.
In line with WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations, PCL ensures that all hazardous waste is disposed of responsibly, separating general business waste from material that can be recycled. PCL works in partnership with TNT to transport waste to council approved sites.
PCL monitors its operations in order to maximize energy savings wherever possible. For matters relating to compressed air, PCL follows advice provided by the BCAS (British Compressed Air Society). This involves eliminating inappropriate use of compressed air, monitoring supplies and costs, and making careful checks of compressor specifications.
As a partner of campaign group TyreSafe, PCL helps promote tire safety amongst consumers. PCL was the first non-tire company or retailer to join the original 14 companies responsible for forming the pressure group at the beginning of 2007.
“Surveys have shown that only 11% of drivers are correctly checking the pressure of their tires. Yet their lives, and those of their passengers, are reliant on the condition of their tires. As a supplier of tire inflation equipment we feel it is PCL’s duty to provide reminders and advice about tire inflation and why it is critical to road safety. By pledging our support for TyreSafe we are reflecting our commitment to promoting the safety and environmental benefits of having correct tire pressure, and we look forward to working with them.”
PCL Director Simon Shorter
PCL will seek to establish a reputation for environmental performance. This will be achieved by:
PCL certifies that to its knowledge all products sold by PCL conform to the requirements of the European Union’s Restriction of Use of Hazardous Substances in EEE RoHS II Directive, 2011/65/EU which may or may not include exemptions in the directive.
You can download your own copy of our Terms and conditions of Sale here.
This page (together with the documents referred to on it) tells you the terms of use on which you may make use of our website www.pcltireinflation.com (our site), whether as a guest or a registered user. Please read these terms of use carefully before you start to use the site. By using our site, you indicate that you accept these terms of use and that you agree to abide by them. If you do not agree to these terms of use, please refrain from using our site.
TECALEMIT Inc. (“We”) are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.
This policy (together with our terms of website use and any other documents referred to on it) sets out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us. Please read the following carefully to understand our views and practices regarding your personal data and how we will treat it.
For the purpose of the Data Protection Act 1998 (the Act), the data controller is TECALEMIT Inc. of 6324 Greens Road, Humble Tx 77396.