Media post: Guide to Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

In 2001, the Department of Transportation (DOT) passed the Transportation Recall Enhancement Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) act. The details of the law are many but one thing it required was that all vehicle manufacturers install a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning device on vehicles that weighed less than 10,000 lb.

Fortunately, various manufacturers started installing the vital safety systems earlier. In 1986, Porsche deployed one of the first factory installed tire pressure warning systems. By the late 1980s, many European car companies started installing low pressure warning systems. American manufacturers joined the fray in 1995 and thus had the benefit of years of previous experience by others.

How do they work?

There are two different types of systems being used today: Direct TPMS and Indirect TPMS.

Direct TPMS uses a sensor mounted in the wheel to measure air pressure. When air pressure drops 25% below the manufacturer’s recommended level, the sensor transmits a signal to the car’s computer system which triggers the dashboard indicator light.

Indirect TPMS works with your car’s Antilock Braking System’s (ABS) wheel speed sensors. If a tire’s pressure is low, it will roll at a different wheel speed than the other tires. This is detected by the car’s computer system which triggers the dashboard indicator light.

What should I do if my TPMS light illuminates?

Check the air pressure in your tires and inflate any tire that is low. Use the pressure number that is stated in the owner’s manual, not the maximum pressure stamped on the tire. When the tire is at the appropriate pressure, the indicator light should go off.

If the light doesn’t go off, visit your local dealer. When someone comes in with a TPMS problem, the service department at Mullahey Chrysler of Paso Robles, CA, explains that have a way of testing the whole system to see where the problem is.

Common Problem

Car makers program a pressure threshold limit into their control modules on the assembly line. Some manufacturers shoot for a very low number, such as in the 15 psi range. Other manufacturers notify the driver in the 20 to 25 psi range. The higher the threshold number the greater the chances that the driver will become annoyed with frequent warnings of low tire pressure.

The reason that this happens is that air density changes in relation to temperature. On a cold subfreezing morning, your tire pressure can differ 5 to 8 psi from the normal operating temperature of a warm tire. This may indeed be enough of differential to turn your tire pressure indicator light on. The solution, of course, is to simply drive. The tire will warm up and the pressure will increase.

By the way, a solution exists for this problem. The answer is to fill the tires with nitrogen gas. A nitrogen filled tire only fluctuates 1-2 psi instead of the 5 to 8 of an standard air filled tire.

Direct TPMS tire service costs more

Direct TPMS equipped tires cost slightly more to maintain than non–equipped tires because proper care requires extra parts and labor. The valve service kit, which includes the valve core, cap, nut and o–ring (seal), must always be replaced when a tire is dismounted for service or replacement. A special TPMS tool and additional time are also needed to check and reset the sensor system.

Batteries

Many of the cars of the last decade use tire stem mounted air pressure sensors which are powered by lithium-ion batteries. This power cell lasts about 10 years. Unfortunately, on most models the battery cannot be replaced.

A word of caution: Technicians need to show extra care when they change tires. The rubber pressure sensor devices damage easily.