One critical safety feature you will find in your car or any vehicle is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
This system alerts the driver about under-inflated tires, a common occurrence that typically leads to different safety hazards while driving, such as tire failure.
But what does TPMS mean on a car, how does it work, and how does it prevent accidents and save lives?
This blog post aims to explore the functionality of TPMS, why cars and drivers require it, and what drivers should do to ensure ultimate tire health and their safety on the road.
What is TPMS?
TPMS, in full, stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and just like it sounds, it’s a safety feature in your tire that monitors the air pressure in the pneumatic tires in your vehicles.
The primary goal of this system is to alert the driver when one or more of their car tires are significantly under-inflated, which is typically a safety hazard.
In typical TPMS equipped cars, the system often alerts the driver through a dashboard warning light, which typically reads an exclamation mark in a tire cross-section or a simple “TPMS” warning indication.
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Types of TPMS
Indirect TPMS:
This type of TPMS does not measure tire pressure directly. Instead, it works with the antilock braking system (ABS) sensors, which gauge the tires’ rotational speed.
When the tires’ pressure is significantly low, they tend to rotate faster due to their small diameter as compared to compacted tires.
The TPMS compares the tire’s rotating speeds, and when disparities are observed, it signals the driver.
Benefits of TPMS
The key benefit offered by the TPMS is safety. Proper tire pressure is vital in ensuring great performance from your vehicle.
Additionally, proper tire pressure allows you to achieve optimal gas mileage. With warning signals from the TPMS, the driver can avoid driving when the tire pressure is low to avoid:
- Reduced handling and greater stopping distance
- Blowouts due to the tire bursting.
- Inefficient fuel usage because tires powerhouse capacities are wasted.
- Premature tire wear due to misalignment.
It also saves time as drivers have to do less manual work and ensure their safety.
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Maintaining Your TPMS
While the TPMS helps drivers monitor tire pressure efficiently, it was not designed as a tire pressure maintenance tool.
The driver shall:
- check tire pressure: a minimum of once a month to ensure that tires are properly inflated, even when advised by the TPMS system.
- Respond to the TPMS alerts properly by checking the car tires, inflating them, and reducing pressure to the recommended level in case that is necessary.
- Service your TPMS regularly since it is a vehicle component. Remember to change the batteries to avoid signal loss. The technician will always check the battery during regular maintenance work. The system also requires recalibration after tire rotations.
In conclusion, TPMS is an essential safety component that can go a long way in maintaining your tire pressure and improve your vehicle’s safety, efficiency, and performance.
By learning what TMPS means on a car and knowing how to react to its warnings, drivers can all but eliminate the occurrence of tire-based incidents on the road.
Nonetheless, TPMS should not be a reason to abandon tire maintenance and care as a whole.
FAQs on Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
1. What does the TPMS warning light mean?
The TPMS warning light on your dashboard indicates that one or more of your tires are significantly under-inflated, posing a potential safety risk. It's a prompt to check your tire pressures and inflate them to the recommended levels.
2. How accurate is TPMS?
Direct TPMS, which uses sensors in each tire, is quite accurate in measuring the actual tire pressure. Indirect TPMS, which calculates pressure based on tire rotation speeds, may be less precise but still effectively indicates when a tire is significantly under-inflated.
3. Can TPMS detect over-inflated tires?
Most TPMS are primarily designed to alert drivers of under-inflation issues. However, some advanced systems can also warn against over-inflation, but this feature is less common.
4. Is TPMS standard on all vehicles?
As of September 2007, all new cars sold in the United States are required to have TPMS installed. For vehicles in other countries, the availability of TPMS may vary based on local regulations and the vehicle's make and model.
5. Can I ignore the TPMS warning if my tires look fine?
Ignoring the TPMS warning is not advisable, even if the tires appear visually fine. Tires can be under-inflated without showing obvious signs of deflation. Driving on under-inflated tires can lead to reduced fuel efficiency, poor handling, and even tire blowouts.
6. How do I reset the TPMS warning light?
The TPMS warning light should automatically turn off once all tires are inflated to their proper pressure levels. If the light remains on, your vehicle may require a manual reset. Consult your owner's manual for specific instructions, as the reset procedure can vary by make and model.
7. What should I do if the TPMS warning light comes on while driving?
If the TPMS light comes on while driving, find a safe place to pull over and check your tire pressures as soon as possible. Inflate any under-inflated tires to the recommended level. If a tire is flat or severely damaged, it may need to be replaced or repaired.
8. How long do TPMS sensors last?
TPMS sensors are battery-powered and can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. When a sensor's battery dies, the sensor will need to be replaced to continue functioning correctly.
9. Will using winter tires affect my TPMS?
Switching to winter tires shouldn't affect your TPMS, provided the winter tires are equipped with TPMS sensors. If you're using a set of winter wheels without sensors, your TPMS warning light may remain on due to the system not receiving signals from all tires.
10. Can I disable my TPMS?
Disabling the TPMS is not recommended and is illegal in some jurisdictions. The TPMS is a safety feature designed to alert you to potentially dangerous tire pressure issues, and disabling it can compromise vehicle safety and performance.
