Tire Pressure Monitoring System

What is TPMS?

TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. It is an automotive safety system designed to monitor and provide real-time information about the air pressure of a vehicle’s tires. The primary purpose of TPMS is to alert the driver when the tire pressure in any of the tires is significantly under-inflated, as this can lead to safety issues and reduced fuel efficiency.

Types of TPMS

Direct TPMS:

• This system uses pressure sensors located in each tire, which directly measure the tire pressure.
• The sensors send this information to a central control unit, which processes the data and alerts the driver if it detects low tire pressure.

Indirect TPMS:

• This system does not use pressure sensors in the tires but instead relies on the vehicle’s existing sensors, such as the anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensors, to indirectly monitor tire pressure.
• Indirect TPMS analyzes the rotational speed of each wheel and can infer changes in tire pressure based on variations in wheel speed.

The presence of TPMS is often required by regulations in many countries due to its contribution to road safety. It helps drivers maintain proper tire pressure, preventing issues like tire blowouts, improving vehicle handling, and optimizing fuel efficiency.