|
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Pressure Monitoring |
|
Monitoring Tools
|
|
Pressure Sensors |
|
What is TPMS? |
|
TPMS Tools |
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 and, in some cases, 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. A typical direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (e.g. Ford, BMW or Toyota) comprises the following components on a vehicle:
- A direct tire pressure monitoring (TPM) sensor fitted to the back of the valve stem on each wheel.
- A TPM Warning Light.
- Unique identifier (ID's) for which tire is providing the data including speed and the direction of rotation.
- A tire pressure monitor engine control unit (ECU).
- Antenna(s).
- Controller for periodic measurements.
- Source of power.
- Diagnostics and wake up system.
When one of your vehicle tires falls below 25% of placard value, the warning light will be displayed on your instrument panel, letting you know to take action. This is a valuable feature in that in most cases you cannot visually detect the difference between a fully inflated tire and one that is only 75% inflated.
| |
70% Inflated
| |
100% Inflated |
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 using a Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Given this background the US Federal government has legislated for the mandatory use of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System which started in 2007/08. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System mandated by the US law must warn the driver when a tire is under-inflated by as much as 25%.
|
