An Introduction to Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

Since 2006 most car have been fitted with a TPMS or tire pressure monitor system to check for issues with the tires. The basic idea behind the TPS system is that the tires pressure can effect the movement of the car. Just like an oxygen sensor or air fuel ratio sensor the TPMS sensors are crucial to the proper operation of the car.

While the tire pressure may seem like a trivial element but when the facts are examined it become a lot more interesting. Tires that are 10% low on air will result in a 1% decrease in gas mileage which can start to show in your wallet later on.

The main issue with the TPMS systems is that the sensors in the wheels are all battery powered which means over time they all have a failure rate of 100%. When the TPMS systems fail they will turn on a light on the dash which will alert the drive and also cause the vehicle to fail a state inspection. The good thing about these parts is that they are cheap and can be replaced when a set of tires is installed on any vehicle. Each one of the the sensors relays info to the central computer and will be standard equipment on all civilian vehicles from 2012 on.