A car tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS) system is an electrical system devised to gauge air pressure in the tyres. The TPMS system alerts drivers when one or more tyres are dangerously under-or over-inflated. As you are aware, driving with an under or over-inflated tyre is quite risky. Especially on hot summer days in the UAE, appropriate tyre pressure is extremely crucial. Let’s go through the details of the tyre pressure monitoring system and how it works.
How Do Tyre Pressure Monitors Work
In order to understand the importance of tyre pressure monitoring systems, we need to first learn how a tyre pressure monitoring system works. For that, it is important to first distinguish between its two types: the direct TPMS and the indirect TPMS.
A direct car tyre pressure monitoring system measures the air pressure in each tyre with a sensor mounted inside the car’s wheels. When the air pressure falls below 25% of the manufacturer’s recommended air level, the sensor enters this information in your car’s computer system and an indicator light triggers on the dashboard. The direct TPMS system delivers the exact tyre pressure readings from the tyre.
On the other hand, the indirect TPMS works with a vehicle’s Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) wheel speed sensors. Each wheel’s rate of revolution is measured through these sensors. The computer interprets the size of a car’s tyre based on each wheels rate of revolution. If one of the tyres starts to spin or rotate faster than others, the computer calculates the tyre as underinflated and alerts the driver accordingly. The indirect TPMS is cheaper than the direct tyre pressure monitoring systems.
Importance of Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems
The importance of proper air pressure in your car’s wheels cannot be looked down upon and this is where car tyre pressure monitoring systems come into play. Without TPMS you wouldn’t know if the air pressure in your car’s tyres is over or underinflated. Among the many reasons you should pay attention to an illuminated TPMS light, the following are crucial:
- Safety
An underinflated tyre can blow out easily making the driver lose control of the car. Moreover, underinflated wheels don’t deliver enough traction while cornering. This can also make drivers lose vehicle control. The cause of many road accidents or collisions is associated with underinflated tyres. Therefore, for your own safety and the safety of others on the road, never ignore the illuminated TPMS light and inflate your tyres optimally to prevent accidents and other road emergencies.
- Longevity
Tyres that are underinflated wear down unevenly. This affects the quality of your ride and increases the risk of a tyre burst. Moreover, underinflated tyres wear out at a very fast pace, which means the driver will have to replace them more often.
- Fuel efficiency
Apart from affecting traction, increasing tread wear, and reducing the ride quality, and directional stability, underinflated tyres also impact your car’s fuel economy. Underinflated wheels increase the drag, which in turn increases fuel consumption.
- Comfort
Proper vehicle steering and suspension is not possible without properly inflated tyres. It’s no news that shock absorbers absorb big bumps, but proper inflation of tyres also plays a major role. With underinflated tyres, you are likely to feel more bumps along the way. Driving a car with a decreased level of air in the tyres makes the car wheels lose their manoeuvring strength.
FAQs
Does my car have a TPMS?
Your car has a tyre pressure monitoring system if the “low tyre pressure” warning light appears on the dashboard after you start the car. Normally, the light flickers and goes off after ignition, but it stays illuminated in case of lower tyre pressure.
What should I do if the TPMS light illuminates?
If the tyre pressure monitoring system light illuminates check the air pressure in all your tyres and inflate those that have low air pressure according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. The light will go off automatically when the tyres are at the appropriate pressure level.
That is all about tyre pressure monitoring systems and their importance. In case your car tyre got flat on the road and you need to replace it, here is a list of used car tyres. You will find tyres from several auto manufacturers on the portal at different prices.
Moreover, if you are in search of a good car, take a look at these used cars for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more on important car systems, car care tips and auto-related DIY solutions.
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