How do tire pressure monitoring systems operate? A tire pressure monitoring system, also known as a tire pressure indication system (TPIS) is an electronic system that measures the air pressure in tires.
The tire pressure monitoring system send the information about air pressure to a gauge or display on the dashboard, alerting the driver to a potential safety hazard. Tire pressure monitoring systems are common in American tires, especially in more modern cars.
There are two types of tire pressure monitoring systems: direct and indirect. A direct sensor tire pressure monitoring system checks the pressure inside each tire with a pressure sensor that is attached to the tire's air chamber. The direct sensor tire pressure monitoring system can gauge the amount of inflation in each individual tire.
A direct sensor tire pressure monitoring system is built to take into account changes in pressure because of weather and road temperature changes. Car manufacturers set the systems to what they call a "cold placard inflation pressure."
Direct sensor tire pressure monitoring systems can be battery operated, though this isn't always ideal because they need to be replaced. Batteries are also not always reliable in extreme conditions (such as extremely hot summers or cold winters).
An indirect tire pressure monitoring system compares the tires rotational speed by using the antilock braking system's wheel speed sensors. It alerts the driver when a tire rolls a different number of revolutions per mile than other tires.
Indirect tire pressure monitoring systems are cheaper to own than battery-operated direct tire pressure monitoring systems because they don't run on a battery and they are much less susceptible to damage.
The biggest disadvantage to indirect tire pressure monitoring systems is that they have to be calibrated. This can only be done when all tires are fully inflated, as calibrating when one or more tires is under-inflated can cause the system to malfunction.
If you're having problems operating your tire pressure monitoring system, try taking it to your local tire discounter. They'll usually be able to help you troubleshoot any problems.
 | Every car owner should learn how to rotate tires. It's essential to your safety and the efficiency of your tires. |
 | How often should I rotate my tires? Learn the rules of thumb before buying a car. |
What is tire size aspect ratio? Learn exactly what the complicated code on the side of your tire means. |
A tire sizing chart helps you and your mechanic determine which replacement tires are best for you vehicle. All tires display their size on the tire itself, but the information is also located on the door jamb or glove box of most newer vehicles. |
Learning how to read tire sizes can help you understand what you're buying. Though the numbers and letters may look confusing, there's a simple set of rules to help you figure them out. |
