Tire Pressure Monitoring System Explained
Most vehicles today are equipped with a Tire Pressure-Monitoring System, or TPMS. The TPMS is an electronic system used to monitor the air pressure inside your tires and alert you if they become under-inflated. If your “low pressure” warning light comes on it means your tire pressure has dropped 25% or more below the manufacturer’s recommended level and you should bring your vehicle in for service.
We recommend you have your tire pressure checked every time your vehicle is in for service and your TPMS system checked every time you have your tires replaced, rotated or balanced. A malfunctioning TPMS will fail to alert you if your tire pressure is too low and can contribute to increased braking distances, poor handling, and early tire replacement.
Properly inflated tires lead to increased fuel savings and extended tire life. However, under inflated tires are the #1 cause of tire failure and a faulty TPMS sensor may lead to vehicle handling issues if you aren’t informed of this problem.
Common Problems Seen with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Overnight cold temperatures often cause a drop in air pressure within the tires and it is not uncommon to have a TPMS light illuminated as a result. After driving a short distance the air warms up in the tire and the heated air expansion increases the air pressure enough to turn off the TPMS light. This is common and we often raise the tire pressure just another pound or two and the light will stay off on these cold mornings.
Environmental Impact of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
From an environmental point of view, correct tire pressure and properly functioning sensors will help reduce CO2 emissions and keep your tires from ending up in a landfill prematurely.
