Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems – TPMS Valves
Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (‘TPMS’) are used to check and monitor the air pressure inside a vehicle’s tyres. They are designed to enhance vehicle safety and efficiency, using a system that alerts the driver when tyre pressure falls below the minimum value for the vehicle by displaying an alert on the dashboard. These systems can be either Direct or Indirect, depending on the vehicle.
What are the primary benefits for vehicle owners:
Increases safety – According to road safety reports, incorrect tyre pressure in vehicles typically accounts for 9% of fatal accidents and 41% of accidents involving injury in the UK. Properly inflated tyres results in shorter, more reliable breaking distances, and reduces the risk of tears in the tyre surface or tyre blow-outs.
Saves fuel – The EU states that under-inflation of tyres accounts for 20 million litres of additional fuel consumed globally each year. Driving on properly inflated tyres ensures that a vehicle’s fuel consumption is as low as possible, and consequently saves money that would otherwise be spent on fuel.
Environmentally friendly – It is estimated that due to increased fuel consumption, 2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions are released into the atmosphere annually. By using TPMS and reducing fuel consumption, this helps to limit the amount of carbon emissions that your vehicle releases.
- Increased fuel efficiency
- Decreased tyre wear, longer tyre life
- Improved driver safety
- Reduced breaking distance
- Lower CO2 emissions
- Better vehicle handling and reliability
How often do sensors require servicing?
All manufacturers recommend that TPMS sensors should be checked regularly and serviced every time a tyre is changed or the sensor is removed. As a general rule, sensors should last for approximately 7 years before the battery will need to be replaced. However, sensors can become faulty or fail completely as a result of weather damage, corrosion or accidental damage caused when changing tyres. To ensure the sensor remains in good condition, most manufacturers recommend servicing them (i.e. replacing the valve cap and core components) every time a tyre is changed.
How do I know if my vehicle is equipped with TPMS?
If the “low tyre pressure” warning light appears on your dashboard when the ignition is turned on, your vehicle will have TPMS installed.
What does the TPMS warning light look like?
There are two different types of low tyre pressure warning lights on vehicles. One icon is the cross-section of a tyre with an exclamation mark inside. The other is a top view of a car with all 4 tyres exposed. If your TPMS warning light comes on while driving, find a safe place to stop your vehicle where you can manually check your tyre pressures against the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended settings. These can be found in your vehicle handbook, inside the fuel filler flap or on a placard located on the driver’s door sill.
The TPMS warning light has appeared on my dashboard. What could this mean?
If your TPMS warning light comes on, it could mean one of the following:
- You have low pressure in one or more tyres.
- You have a puncture in one or more tyres.
- One or more of the sensors fitted have become damaged or the battery has expired.
- There may be a TPMS malfunction.
If your warning light comes on, come along to MyAlloys to have your TPMS Valve and Tyres checked. Contact the Team on 01256 329 444 for available appointments.
For more information of TPMS Valves take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions post here.
