What is a tire pressure monitoring system? Before answering this question, let's ask you: how often as you head down the highway do you ignore that little yellow sign on the dashboard that looks like a inflated tire with an exclamation point in the middle?
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is a smart technology designed to monitor the air pressure inside each individual tire and trigger an immediate alert to the driver when a serious drop occurs.
This system aims to significantly enhance driving safety, especially as keeping air pressure at the ideal level set by your car manufacturer is crucial to ensuring vehicle stability, braking efficiency, and avoiding risks that may result from poorly inflated tires.
More details about the tire pressure monitoring system can be found in our comprehensive guide below, which explains its types, how it works, and the most basic maintenance tips.
What is a tire pressure monitoring system?
The tire pressure monitoring system monitors the air pressure in each tire separately. It relies on smart electronic sensors installed inside each wheel that measure air pressure accurately and send data wirelessly to the car's central computer.
When the system detects a lower pressure drop below the ideal level specified by the manufacturer, it immediately alerts the driver by lighting a clear warning icon on the dashboard.
This system is a vigilant guard, constantly monitoring your tire pressure and alerting you before a small drop becomes a major risk to your safety on the road.
Tire pressure monitoring system: direct and indirect
Direct tire pressure monitoring system
It is characterized by its high accuracy, as it uses sensors equipped with batteries installed in each wheel to measure tire pressure and temperature and transmit data wirelessly to the controller.
This allows low pressure to be detected even in several tires at the same time, but requires a reset or calibration when changing tires, with sensors having to be replaced after about 5 to 10 years due to battery life expiration.
Additional sensors should also be installed or modified at Switch between summer and winter tires, paying attention to several important things to avoid any damage or faults when installing tires.
indirect tire pressure monitoring system
It monitors air pressure using anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensors. When air pressure falls in a tire, its outer circumference decreases, making it rotate more often compared to other tires with the correct pressure. In this case, the “ABS” system detects this change and issues a warning.
These systems are less accurate than direct systems, as they require a 30% drop in pressure before the warning is triggered. However, they are characterized by their relatively low cost because they rely on components that are already in the car. All you need is a simple modification of the “ABS” system program and adding an indicator on the dashboard.
Whether your system is direct or indirect, both work for one purpose: providing you with the information necessary to keep your tires safe and improve your driving efficiency.
What does the tire pressure monitoring system consist of?
The tire pressure monitoring system consists of a set of main parts that work together to monitor the air pressure in the tires and notify the driver in the event of a defect, as follows:
- pressure sensors
The main component of the tire pressure monitoring system “TPMS”. It is installed inside each tire. It continuously measures air pressure and sends data to the central control unit.
- central control unit
It is the mastermind of the “TPMS” tire pressure monitoring system. It receives and analyzes the data coming from the pressure sensors in each tire. If it detects any drop in pressure, it immediately alerts the driver through visual or audio notifications.
- Display system
Through it, the tire pressure status is displayed on the instrument panel or information screen in the car, in the form of symbols or messages that show the air pressure in each tire separately.
- Air filling tools
When the tire pressure drops, the driver needs to fill it with air. The system may include a signal or alert that identifies the tire that needs filling.
- tire pressure valves
In direct systems, the tire valve includes a sensor that allows the tire to be filled with air and closes tightly to maintain the required pressure.
- Alarm system
It alerts the driver when there is an abnormal drop in tire pressure. These alerts appear in the form of visual symbols on the instrument panel, text messages on the information screen, or even warning sound signals.
- Direct sensing system
It is the one in which there is a sensor in each frame to send data directly to the controller.
- indirect sensing system
It relies on measuring the rotation speed of the tires to deduce air pressure.
The components of the tire pressure monitoring system are integrated together to provide you with a comprehensive dashboard that transforms complex tire information into simple and clear alerts that cannot be ignored.
Why do you need a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)?
A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is essential to improve safety and performance while driving. Here are its most prominent benefits:
- Enhance road safety
Maintaining optimal tire pressure is a key factor in reducing accidents. TPMS helps reduce the risk of tire explosions or loss of vehicle control, thus providing safer driving.
- Extending the life of tires
Improper tire pressure causes uneven wear, reducing their lifespan. TPMS ensures that the correct pressure is maintained, reducing Tire wear It increases its lifespan.
- Improve fuel efficiency
When tire pressure is low, rolling resistance increases, resulting in an increase fuel consumptionBy continuously monitoring tire pressure, the system helps improve fuel efficiency and save money.
- Improve driving performance
Appropriate tire pressure affects vehicle responsiveness, stability and balance, improving vehicle control and providing a smooth and safe driving experience.
- Reducing carbon emissions
This is by improving fuel efficiency. TPMS contributes to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, making it environmentally friendly.
- Saving time and effort
This system eliminates the need for repeated manual tire pressure checks. It automatically monitors and alerts you when any problem is detected, saving you time and effort.
Investing in a TPMS is an investment in your peace of mind and safety. It saves you from worrying about your tires and ensures a safer and more economical ride.
Steps to set up a tire pressure monitoring system
Here are the steps to set up a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) in a simple way:
- Adjust the air pressure in all tires until it reaches the level recommended by the manufacturer.
- Make sure the tires are cold before measuring and inflating, meaning the car has not been used for at least 3 hours.
- Start the engine and make sure the car is stable and immobile.
- Press the TPMS button for longer than 3 seconds (usually on the left side of the driver's seat).
- Make sure the warning light is flashing for 4 seconds and if it doesn't, repeat the process starting from step two.
Cases in which the system should be reset
The tire pressure monitoring system should be reset to ensure that it works properly in the following cases:
- When repairing or replacing any tire or wheel.
- When you change the location of the frames “rotate” them.
- When the tire pressure is adjusted.
- When the low pressure warning light is on.
- When replacing the electronic stability control system (ESC) or suspension system parts.
Specialists also caution against resetting the system without adjusting the tire pressure first, as this may cause false alarms or the system not working when needed.
Also, you can't adjust the system if you try to press the adjustment button while driving the car. Instead, the car must be completely stable.
When the TPMS light comes on: What steps should you take?
When the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning light is on, you should take care. This means that the air pressure in at least one tire has dropped 25% or more from the recommended level. In this case, follow these steps:
- Look for a safe place to get out of traffic. If you are driving at a high speed, hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands, while slowly lowering your speed until you stop. This step is necessary to avoid losing control in the event of The tire burst -God forbid-
- First make sure there is no explosion, then use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure of each individual tire, preferably a cold tire to get an accurate reading.
- Compare the readings to the manufacturer's recommended pressure, which you find on the sticker on the inside of the driver's door.
- Fill the tires to the correct pressure at the nearest gas station or service center.
- After filling the tires, the TPMS light should turn off automatically within a few minutes.
- If the light continues to shine after following these steps, there may be tire damage or a problem with the TPMS system itself, so go to a specialized tire service center.
Did you know that this signal is an early warning siren and an urgent message from your car that the tires are in danger?Did you know that this signal is an early warning siren and an urgent message from your car that the tires are in danger?
If the TPMS light flashes and then goes off, it indicates a problem with the system computer. In this case, the tire pressure monitoring system should be checked by a specialized and certified repair technician. If the light stays on continuously, it means that one of the tires has low pressure.
The most prominent faults of the tire pressure monitoring system
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sometimes faces some faults that affect its performance. This may be caused by a damaged sensor that cannot detect a drop in pressure or gives inaccurate readings.
In systems that use internal batteries, the end of the sensor battery life may cause it to stop working. Damage to the tire valves containing the sensors also causes air leakage and disrupting readings.
Malfunctions may also result from damaged wiring or problems with communication between sensors and the central controller. If this unit suffers from a software bug or malfunction, this means disrupting the system or giving inaccurate alarms.
In addition, system signals can be affected by electronic interference or radio signals from external sources, causing false readings.
Errors in pressure readings may occur due to damage to a component or due to weather conditions. Improper tire pressure, whether excessively high or low, may affect the system's operation and ability to issue accurate warnings.
In the end, TPMS remains your first security companion on the road. However, its effectiveness depends largely on the quality of the tires themselves, so be sure to Buy high quality tires, to ensure safe and reliable driving.
