Most newer vehicles have a lot of high-tech features. One such feature that is present in almost every car manufactured today is a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). There are two types of tire pressure monitoring systems used in vehicles: direct TPMS and indirect TPMS.
A direct TPMS uses a wheel-mounted sensor to measure the air pressure in each tire. The sensor then transmits the information to the car’s computer system, triggering the dashboard indicator light if the air pressure drops to 25 percent below the recommended tire pressure.
The indirect TPMS uses anti-lock braking system wheel speed sensors to compare relative wheel speeds. When a tire is low on air, the circumference of the tire will be smaller, which can cause the tire to roll at a slower rate than the other tires on the car. If this happens, it will trigger your indicator on your dashboard, letting you know a tire is low on pressure. The indirect system is less sensitive than a direct TPMS.
The TPMS eliminates guesswork by notifying you if a vehicle is low on air or flat. This knowledge can not only help prevent accidents but can also help you improve your gas mileage.
Your TPMS can also warn you about existing or impending problems with your vehicle. When the indicator warning light flashes on and then off, then remains illuminated, your vehicle is warning you that the TPMS is malfunctioning and is no longer monitoring your tires. If this occurs, you should take your vehicle in to be looked at immediately.
It’s important to remember that even though there are many benefits to having a TPMS, it’s not an omnipotent piece of machinery. Although a direct TPMS system notifies you when the air pressure in your tires drops 25 percent below the recommended pressure, you should still check your tires regularly so that you can detect low pressure before it reaches this significant threshold.
Also, when your TPMS signals that you have low air pressure, it doesn’t tell you the cause. If the light continually comes on and off, it’s important that you take your vehicle to a tire or auto shop to make sure that there’s nothing seriously wrong with your tires.
In summary, a TPMS is an essential system in your vehicle. It doesn’t solve every problem, but it is considered to be the most important safety system in your car or truck, aside from the seatbelt. Knowing that a system is monitoring your tire pressure not only provides a sense of security but also gives confidence that drivers will make it to their destination without any mishaps.