TPMS, your vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system, is one of the best advancements in automotive technology in recent years. This simple monitoring system alerts you when your tire pressure decreases. By doing so, the tpms light on your dash illuminates thereby helping you avoid costly and potentially catastrophic situations caused by a tire blowout. But like any part on a vehicle, this alert system can malfunction.
Never ignore your TPMS, even when you think it is a false alarm. It is important to ensure this system works as it should to keep you safe. Bring your vehicle into Creech Import Repair in Raleigh, so we can check for recommended tire pressure and other potential problems.
Remember, underinflated tires can affect your safety and undermine tire life. Paying attention to this little warning light keeps you out of dangerous situations, makes you aware that you need to fix or replace a tire and keeps you safe on the road, overall.
Your vehicle’s TPMS is a smart system derived from years of drivers having uncertainty about their tire pressure. In the past, car owners had to read the owner’s manual or check the sticker inside driver’s door to determine proper tire inflation in terms of pounds per square inch.
Also before TPMS, drivers had to get out of their car to inspect tires if they suspected air pressure loss. More often than not, they found these problems too late. Many misread their tire pressure gauge, the only tool at driver disposal in those days. Or, they had to drive into an auto repair shop and have the mechanics inspect the tires for guidance.
As a result of drivers not knowing about their tire condition, many accidents occurred. Such accidents caused by flat tires are often catastrophic. But the warning light on your dash with an exclamation point and the image of a flat tire alerts you early to a potential problem. Now, the tire pressure monitoring system provides instant clarity when a problem occurs.
As of 2007, the US government requires most vehicles sold in America to have a TPMS of some kind. But not every one of these systems operates in the same manner. How yours works is specific to your vehicle’s manufacturer and possibly even the model of your car. Generally speaking, when this light turns on, it indicates a problem with the indirect or direct TPMS.
Indirect TPMS relies on the anti-lock brake system’s wheel speed sensors. These sensors use the relative size of your tires, calculated according to revolution rate, to gauge wheel spinning speed. If one wheel spins faster than it should, this indicates low tire pressure. As a result of one faster wheel, the indirect TPMS signals the driver through the dashboard warning light.
This means that the indirect type of tire pressure monitoring system does not actually measure pressure in the tire. Instead, it uses a series of calculations and from vehicle data.
Indirect TPMS typically requires less maintenance and programming during the lifetime of your vehicle, when compared to direct TPMS. However, it can read inaccurately if you change tire size, permit uneven wear on your tires or have a tire rotation. This is why your auto technician at Creech Import Repair resets the indirect TPMS after providing tire service.
Direct TPMS includes sensors that monitor each tire and specific pressure levels. Unlike the indirect type, these sensors do not rely on wheel revolution data or the anti-lock braking system. Some direct TPMS sensors even provide readings for tire temperature. Most of these monitors use wireless communication with manufacturer-specific technology. This makes it very important that only a qualified mechanic services your direct TPMS, to keep it working as it should.
Direct tire pressure monitoring systems provide accurate, in-tire pressure readings. The system’s batteries typically last about 10 years before requiring sensor replacement. Even your spare tire may have this built-in detector. But you must ensure only an experienced auto mechanic performs your tire service, to ensure these delicate sensors in the tire sidewall suffer no damage.
Any driver can learn to change their own tire. But proper tire changes and TPMS service require the expert care of a qualified technician. Creech Import Repair in Raleigh is an ASE-certified mechanic shop dedicated to the highest quality of import maintenance and auto repair service. If your tire pressure monitoring system indicator turns on or you suspect problems with this sensor, bring your car to us for service. Schedule your visit by calling 919-872-1999 today.