If your vehicle was built after 2007, it came equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). This is a tire pressure monitoring system that displays warnings and alerts to indicate your tire air pressure might be low or require service.
The TPMS will pop up on your vehicle dashboard whenever its recommended level of air pressure drops by 25% or more. The official TPMS symbol is a yellow exclamation mark inside a tire cross section. If you see this alert, immediately check your tire pressure or stop by one of our stores. We can examine your tires for damage, such as a puncture, to explain the air loss. If your alert is still displayed after setting the tire pressure, your TPMS may need to run through a “relearn” process or even require a TPMS sensor replacement.
A significant advantage to a TPMS is the ability to prevent underinflated tires from growing into larger problems. Also, this system can help you address changes in outside temperatures that cause fluctuations in tire pressure. Promptly addressing air pressure issues can increase fuel efficiency, extend tire life and contribute to your vehicle’s stability and safety.
TYPES OF TPMS - DIRECT OR INDIRECT
There are two types of TPMS: direct and indirect. Each type uses different mechanical set-ups and methods to monitor tire pressure and alert you when it is low.
Direct TPMS measures air pressure through dedicated sensors attached to the wheel (rim). Indirect TPMS estimates low pressure based on tire rotation speed.
DIRECT TPMS
Direct TPMS use battery operated sensors attached inside the wheel to communicate with the vehicle. These sensors directly read the pressure in each tire and transmit data to the vehicle’s computer. A dashboard light will be triggered if the tire’s pressure drops below 25% of the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation reading. This gives direct TPMS a greater degree of accuracy than an indirect TPMS. Some advanced direct systems even provide prompts to check individual tire pressures from the dashboard. Direct TPMS systems have a variety of sensors that are each designed for your specific vehicle and trained to communicate with your onboard computer. The sensor is located inside the wheel and can be a variety of tire pressure sensor types, depending on your vehicle. Sometimes components can wear out and require TPMS sensors and rebuild kits. INDIRECT TPMS Indirect TPMS estimates an underinflated tire through wheel speed sensors used by the anti-lock brake system. These sensors measure the rotational speed of each tire. They can detect when one tire rotates faster than the others, meaning that the faster tire is low on pressure. You will see a highlighted alert on your dash if the system determines this to be the case. Indirect TPMS was developed by automakers to comply with federal regulations while reducing vehicle costs. These systems are cheaper to produce because they utilize existing vehicle components however they have distinct disadvantages. An indirect TPMS cannot tell the driver which tire needs inflation. They also require calibration after any service including a tire change or air pressure adjustment to ensure system accuracy.
TPMS SENSOR BATTERIES TPMS batteries last approximately 6-10 years, or 90-120,000 miles. Sensor replacement can become necessary due to tire sealant, corrosion from the elements and a weak or dead battery. The battery inside the TPMS is not removable. Therefore, when a TPMS battery dies, a new sensor is required. The TPMS sensor should be installed by a tire professional so that the system can be trained to recognize the new sensor. If one battery has died, it is likely the others are very close to needing replacement too. It may be a good time to replace all of your sensors to eliminate any other TPMS related issues shortly down the line. TPMS AND AIR PRESSURE CHECKS Although TPMS provide valuable feedback in monitoring your tire pressure it should not replace monthly air pressure checks. Both types of TPMS only alert when the tire pressure drops below the recommended reading by 25%. This is a high threshold as tires that are underinflated by just 5% begin to suffer from decreased fuel economy and increased internal temperatures. These issues become more pronounced as underinflation increases so your tires can actually be underinflated without triggering a TPMS alert. For this reason, you should never rely solely on TPMS to monitor your tire pressure. Always use a reliable gauge to manually check it each month. The TPMS functions as a warning that complements an existing safety routine and is not a first line of defense.
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