A Guide to Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (Part 1)
Would it not be nice to always know if you have the right tire pressure in your car's tires? That is where Tire Pressure Monitoring systems come in handy. TPMS notifies drivers when their vehicle's tires pressure is going flat or is low. This increases your general safety on road by enhancing your car's handling, reducing breaking distance, decreasing tire wear, and battering fuel economy.
Most countries including the United Stated have a Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that requires installation of TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems) to warn drivers when a tire is under inflated. The standard applies to trucks, passenger cars, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less. This does not include vehicles with dual wheels on an axle.
There are 2 main types of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems: indirect and direct. Direct systems use a sensor located in the tire to measure the pressure and notify the driver when the pressure drops below 25 percent of the manufacturer's recommended level. On the other hand, indirect TPMS uses Antilock Braking systems to gauge a tire's pressure by measuring the difference in a tire's diameter.
What is the correct air pressure?
You can look for the correct pressure level for your vehicle's tires in your car owner's manual. The correct pressure level should also be written on the tire placard that is attached on the door edge, glove box door, fuel door or door post.