What is TPMS?

What Is A Tire Pressure Monitoring System?

A tire pressure monitoring system or TPMS is an electronic system for monitoring the air pressure in a vehicle tire and automatically transmitting a warning to the driver in the event of an under or over inflated tire. These systems have been legislated to be progressively installed on all new passenger carrying US vehicles and a similar move is taking place worldwide.

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The majority of systems use Direct tire sensors which transmit real time tire pressure information to the driver of the vehicle either via either a dashboard display or a warning light. The sensors are physical pressure transducers which are attached to the back of the valve stem or are in a form which is banded to the wheel. The sensors are manufactured by International companies such as Schrader, Siemens, TRW, Pacific, Lear and others. There is no common technical standard for the sensors and the OE's and suppliers have generated a multitude of sensor designs.

The sensors also transmit data such as their unique sensor ID, temperature and pressure, battery life and other diagnostic information. This data is sent to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) or specific receiver on the vehicle. Those vehicles which have graphical displays of the TPMS positions can then show on which wheel there is a problem.

Why is there a need for Tire Pressure Monitoring?

Tire Pressure Monitoring helps drivers to properly maintain their vehicle tires, improves vehicle safety and aid fuel efficiency. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US has estimated that 533 fatalities per annum are caused by tire defects in road accidents. Adding TPMS to all vehicles could avoid 120 of the 533 yearly victims and save as many as 8,400 injuries every year. Sécurité Routière (the French Institution for Road Safety) estimates that 9% of all fatal road accidents are attributable to tire under-inflation and the German DEKRA estimated that 41% of accidents with physical injuries are linked to tire problems. Tires leak air naturally and over a year a typical new tire can lose between 3 and 9 psi. As most drivers only check their tires at service intervals and when problems occur there is significant scope for fuel savings and efficiencies.

Given this background the US Federal government has legislated for the mandatory use of TPMS. The TPMS mandated by the US law must warn the driver when a tire is under-inflated by as much as 25%.

What is a Tire Pressure Monitoring Tool?

There is no common standard for the TPMS sensors with variations including frequencies, modulations, data structure, communications protocols, mechanical fitment and many other factors.

When TPMS is installed and tested in the car plant by Bartec the process includes:

• The TPMS sensors are attached to the wheel during the Wheel and Tire assembly process
• The wheels are attached to the vehicle. This is the first time at which the TPMS can be clearly associated with the vehicle
• Fixed radio antennas are used to extract the unique IDs (and other data) of the TPMS, associate them with their wheel position on the car and the Engine Control Unit (ECU) can then be programmed with this data
• The car is then run through Rolls Test where the system is tested

Similarly the car dealer or tire shop needs to have a portable TPMS tool available to test the TPMS and read the wheel sensor ID and program the car's ECU in the event of TPMS battery failure, broken sensor/valve, or other repair or replacement of wheels and sensors for custom wheels, winter tires, tire rotation etc. The tool needs to be able to turn out the TPMS warning light.

Please browse our website for more information about Bartec USA LLC and our range of TPMS Tools and our professional Tire Pressure Monitoring System support, then call toll free 855-877- and speak to one of our team or us at .

The purpose of the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) in your vehicle is to warn you that at least one or more tires are significantly under-inflated, possibly creating unsafe driving conditions. The TPMS low tire pressure indicator is a yellow symbol that illuminates on the dashboard instrument panel in the shape of a tire cross-section (that resembles a horseshoe) with an exclamation point.

That indicator light in your vehicle has a history. It&#;s a history rooted in years of uncertainty about proper tire pressure and many serious car accidents that might have been avoided had drivers known their air pressure was low. Even now, it&#;s estimated that a substantial number of vehicles hit the road each day with underinflated tires. However, proper tire maintenance with the aid of a TPMS can and does help prevent many serious accidents.

Before this indicator light became commonplace, knowing whether your air pressure had reached unsafe levels meant getting out, crouching down, and using a tire gauge. With few exceptions, this was the only pressure-checking tool ordinary consumers had at their disposal.

Then, in response to a surge in accidents due to underinflated tires, the US government passed the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act. One of the outcomes of this legislation is that most vehicles sold in the United States since include a tire pressure monitoring system of some kind.

Not every TPMS works the same way. The illumination of the low tire pressure indicator represents the final step in the process of either an indirect TPMS or a direct TPMS.

INDIRECT TPMS: WHAT IS INDIRECT TPMS & HOW DOES IT WORK?

An indirect TPMS typically relies on wheel speed sensors that the anti-lock brake system uses. These sensors measure the rate of revolution each wheel is making and can be used by on-board computer systems to compare with each other and to other vehicle operation data such as speed.

Based on the rate of revolution of each wheel, the computer can interpret the relative size of the tires on your vehicle. When a wheel starts spinning faster than expected, the computer calculates that the tire is underinflated and alert the driver accordingly.

So, an indirect tire pressure monitoring system doesn&#;t actually measure tire pressure. It&#;s not electronically processing the same kind of measurement you might see with a tire gauge. Instead, an indirect tire pressure monitor simply measures how fast your tires are rotating and sends signals to the computer that will actuate the indicator light when something in the rotation seems amiss.

ADVANTAGES OF INDIRECT TPMS

-- Relatively inexpensive compared to a direct TPMS

-- Requires less programming/maintenance over the years than a direct TPMS

-- Less overall installation maintenance than its direct counterpart

DISADVANTAGES OF INDIRECT TPMS

-- May become inaccurate if you purchase a bigger or smaller tire

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-- May be unreliable when tires are unevenly worn

-- Must be reset after properly inflating every tire

-- Must be reset after routine tire rotation

DIRECT TPMS: WHAT IS DIRECT TPMS & HOW DOES IT WORK?

Direct TPMS uses pressure monitoring sensors within each tire that monitor specific pressure levels &#; not just wheel revolution data from the anti-lock brake system.

Sensors in a direct TPMS may even provide tire temperature readings. The direct tire pressure monitoring system sends all of this data to a centralized control module where it&#;s analyzed, interpreted, and, if tire pressure is lower than it should be, transmitted directly to your dashboard where the indicator light illuminates. A direct tire pressure monitor usually sends all of this data wirelessly. Each sensor has a unique serial number. This is how the system not only distinguishes between itself and systems on other vehicles, but also among pressure readings for each individual tire.

Many manufacturers use proprietary technology for these highly specialized systems, so replacing a TPMS in a way that&#;s consistent and compatible with your vehicle will require an experienced, knowledgeable technician.

ADVANTAGES OF DIRECT TPMS

-- Deliver actual tire pressure readings from inside the tire

-- Not prone to inaccuracies because of tire rotations or tire replacements

-- Simple resynchronization after tire rotation or tire replacements

-- Batteries inside the sensors usually last for about a decade.

-- May be included in a vehicle&#;s spare tire

DISADVANTAGES OF DIRECT TPMS

-- More expensive overall than an indirect TPMS

-- Though simple, resynchronization may require costly tools.

-- Battery rarely serviceable; if the battery is drained, the whole sensor must be changed.

-- Proprietary systems make installation, service, and replacement confusing for consumers and auto shops.

-- Sensors are susceptible to damage during mounting/demounting

TIRE PRESSURE AND SAFETY

Although the methods may be different, both systems serve the same purpose and activate the same indicator light. Even though a TPMS can deliver accurate alerts when properly maintained, it&#;s not a replacement for manual air pressure checks, consider it just another item in your car maintenance toolbox.

CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY

There&#;s never a good time for a flat. That&#;s why Bridgestone DriveGuard tires are masterfully engineered to keep you moving for up to 50 miles at speeds up to 50 MPH without disruption.

CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY

There&#;s never a good time for a flat. That&#;s why Bridgestone DriveGuard tires are masterfully engineered to keep you moving for up to 50 miles at speeds up to 50 MPH without disruption.

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