Most tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) utilize battery-powered sensors that continuously measure each tire’s air pressure directly and transmit this information directly to your vehicle’s onboard computer system.
As soon as the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light appears on your dashboard, it is imperative that you examine and inflate your tires immediately to prevent either overinflation or underinflation of tires. This can prevent potential safety hazards.
What is TPMS?
A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) monitors and alerts you when tire pressure falls below an acceptable level, providing essential safety protection from traffic accidents and fuel efficiency problems, while simultaneously decreasing tire wear. This feature helps avoid traffic collisions as well as tire wear-related incidents while improving fuel economy and tire life expectancy.
Most cars built since 2014 come equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems as standard equipment, and your owner’s manual will inform you if this essential safety feature is installed on your car.
TPMS systems use sensors that either directly or indirectly measure tyre air pressure. Direct systems include sensors in each wheel that transmit real time readings of your tire’s pressure directly to your vehicle’s computer system and display an alert on your dashboard should they detect a drop in pressure.
Indirect TPMS systems use the same wheel speed sensors used by anti-lock brake systems to determine when one of your tires is underinflated. These sensors can detect each wheel’s rate of revolution compared with that of similar wheels on an axle and compare this information with temperature data being sent directly back to your dashboard.
How to use your TPMS
Your car’s TPMS system is designed to alert you if any of its tires become underinflated, providing an additional layer of safety while helping lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Direct systems use hardware sensors installed into valve stems that transmit readings directly to a central control module, which interpret and code this data before activating your indicator light. Some systems even offer real-time reporting of your tyre pressure reading while your vehicle is moving!
Direct tire pressure monitoring systems differ from indirect systems in that they directly measure air pressure via dedicated sensor technology instead of depending on information from wheel speed sensors within your anti-lock brake system to trigger an indicator light when your tire becomes underinflated. Direct systems provide more accurate results and don’t require special tools for reset.
When your TPMS warning lights activate while driving, it is imperative that you immediately stop and use a gauge to inspect tyre pressures. If they fall below manufacturer recommended levels, an indicator will remain illuminated until new readings have been taken and readjustments made accordingly.
Warning lights
Your car’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) uses a dashboard warning light to notify you when tire pressure falls 25 percent above or below its recommended value; this value can be found either in its owner’s manual or a sticker inside your driver door jamb.
Whenever the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light on your Subaru dashboard illuminates, it is imperative that you immediately check tire pressure. Driving with low tire pressure can result in reduced fuel economy, uneven wear on tires or even blowouts if left unchecked for too long.
Some TPMS systems use sensors installed directly into your vehicle’s tires while others utilize indirect sensors that monitor other parts such as brake systems. When your TPMS system is working properly, your warning light should reset after driving a few miles – otherwise manually reset it yourself or visit a professional for help if you cannot turn it off on its own.
Servicing your monitoring system
Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) offers more than just dashboard warning lights; it provides valuable safety and performance benefits. Underinflated tires cause increased rolling resistance, fuel consumption increases, uneven wear, which could cost significantly over the lifetime of your car. TPMS sensors detect underinflation by monitoring pressure in each wheel individually and alerting when they drop below a certain threshold; both OEM and aftermarket dTPMS systems offer advanced monitoring options with no need for special tools to service or reset them.
TPMS sensors send their data to a control module which then compares it with factory-set tire pressure specifications and, if underinflated, illuminates a warning light. Low tire pressure may be one cause, but other potential causes could include sensor malfunction or issues with the control module. If your warning light remains illuminated despite inflating your tires to their recommended pressures, seek professional diagnosis as often the issue lies with either faulty sensors or reprogramming of the control module.
When did TPMS become mandatory?
TPMS was introduced first into luxury cars in Europe during the 1980s and later adopted widespread following the 2000 TREAD Act following the Firestone/Ford tire controversy.
Direct TPMS sensors installed within your car’s wheels measure air pressure and temperature before transmitting this data wirelessly to a central monitoring unit. Meanwhile, indirect systems use ABS wheel speed sensors to detect changes in tire pressure.
These systems can also send data to other vehicle systems, like the braking system, for added safety and efficiency benefits. Unfortunately, however, TPMS may fail due to issues with either its sensor, wiring or computer preventing proper functioning.
No matter if your vehicle uses direct or indirect TPMS, its sensors should be regularly serviced. Damaged sensors could impede accurate readings or alerting to low pressure problems and could make servicing essential.