http://autos.msn.com/advice/netcalart.aspx...1970&src=netcal

These new regulations will mandate low pressure warning systems for all 2004 model year vehicles, among other measures. The act was, in part, a reaction to numerous tire failures involving sport-utility vehicles that were reported in recent years.

According to experts, all road-going production vehicles will eventually come standard with run-flat-type tires. The rules on mandatory tire pressure monitors for all 2004 model year vehicles, brought about by the TREAD Act, will trigger substantial growth in run-flat tire installation at the factory. Such a development meshes perfectly with manufacturers' intention to eliminate the spare wheel and all related paraphernalia from their vehicles.

Was just reading this on MSN Autos, and was thinking maybe this is the reason why for the new instrument panel...

I could be way off base, but just a thought....

And does anyone think the S could come with run flat tires for next year?

 

i think they're changing the instrument panel since the current one is hard to read(for some people).

 

yeah plus a lot of auto reviewers said it's hard to read with the sun on top of it

 

Have never had a problem reading the instrument panel before....

Some of these reviewers may need the eye glasses checked....

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by av8tor2
[B]According to experts, all road-going production vehicles will eventually come standard with run-flat-type tires. The rules on mandatory tire pressure monitors for all 2004 model year vehicles, brought about by the TREAD Act, will trigger substantial growth in run-flat tire installation at the factory. Such a development meshes perfectly with manufacturers' intention to eliminate the spare wheel and all related paraphernalia from their vehicles.

 

I think the instrument panel is just being changed to reflect the lower redline

 

One of the local guys who works for Honda in Marysville was testing out some of these tire pressure monitor systems. I think he said that Honda would initially use the passive type that use the ABS sensors and eventually move to the active style of monitors. I hadn't realized the new regs went into effect for model year 2004.

- Joe

 

Call my cynical, but I find it hard to believe that the big 3 would follow this sort of mandate without kicking and screaming. They whine every time CAFE is going to go up .5mpg. I can't see tire monitoring systems on every vehicle sold in the U.S., particularly the lower end vehicles.

Surely there's more to it than this....

On a personal note, I don't need or want a tire monitoring system, or run flat tires. Everything I've read suggests run flats are inferior as performance tires (at least the current ones), and tire monitoring is for people who don't properly care for their vehicle to begin with.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jeffbrig
[B]
...I don't need or want a tire monitoring system, or run flat tires.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jeffbrig
[B]Call my cynical, but I find it hard to believe that the big 3 would follow this sort of mandate without kicking and screaming.