Safety features in cars help protect the passengers from injury and the vehicle’s health. Today, cars feature several safety systems and sensors. That said, these sensors detect the problem and alert the driver timely.
Among these systems and sensors, the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) helps monitor tyre pressure and temperature. If the tyre pressure is below the manufacturer’s recommendations, the TPMS sensor will send the warning on the car’s dashboard, heads-up display or multimedia screen.
These sensors can wear out or damage with time. Therefore, if you see the TPMS warning light on your car dashboard, there may be a tyre pressure sensor fault. Let’s find out the causes and symptoms of a TPMS sensor fault and if it is safe to drive with a tyre pressure sensor fault.
Causes of a Bad Tyre Pressure Sensor
Tyre pressure sensors warn the driver when the tyre pressure is low. However, when the tyre pressure is fine and TPMS still shows the warning signals, there may be a tyre pressure sensor fault. That said, it is a common car tyre problem. For that reason, it is important to learn the causes of a bad tyre pressure sensor. Let’s go through all the causes.
Low Tyre Pressure
When one constantly drives with low tyre pressure, it may show a tyre pressure sensor fault. Car drivers will see a warning message on the virtual cockpit. Speaking of that, they will need to inflate the tyres properly.
Besides, if the tyre pressure is fine, there may be other reasons behind the tyre pressure sensor fault.
Worn Tyre Pressure Sensors
Another common cause of a tyre pressure sensor fault is that they wear out with time. Since the tyres make contact with the road, they are exposed to dirt, debris or chemicals. Speaking of that, when exposed to external conditions, tyre pressure sensors tend to wear out.
There are two types of sensors i.e. one is made up of metal and the other is a rubber sensor. Both the sensors can wear out but a rubber sensor is more prone to wear and tear. However, a metal sensor may fail with the corroded or bad tyre valve stem.
Regardless of the material, a TPMS sensor can become faulty due to wearing out. However, tyre pressure sensors normally have a lifetime of 5 years or more.
Wiring Issues
If your car is equipped with a wired TPMS sensor, a loose warning can become a cause of tyre pressure sensor fault. Wiring issues can cause an inability to provide an accurate warning. Besides, if the TPMS sensor has wiring issues, it will display a warning message.
Bad Tyre Pressure Sensor Symptoms
Several symptoms may come up when there is a tyre pressure sensor fault. When your car has a bad TPMS sensor, it may give you the wrong warning signals. Moreover, a faulty tyre pressure sensor has the following symptoms:
TPMS Warning Light
Drivers may see a TPMS sensor warning light when the sensor is faulty. That said, car owners will need to run diagnostic tests using an OBD scanner to find out more about this problem.
Increased Fuel Economy
When the tyre pressure is low, the rolling resistance increases and lowers the fuel efficiency. Since a tyre pressure sensor determines the air pressure, if it is faulty, it may not be able to determine the pressure correctly. And, this will increase the fuel economy when the tyre pressure is low.
Tyre Wear
Another symptom of a bad tyre pressure sensor is that it may cause tyre wear and tear. When the tyres are overinflated or underinflated, they affect the tyre’s health and performance. Besides, over or under-inflated tyres can cause treads to wear out more quickly.
Steering Wheel Jerks
It is one of the common car problems that when the tyre pressure is low, the steering wheel may jerk. As a result, it can affect the acceleration of the vehicle. If the tyre pressure is faulty, it will not give warning signals. However, if you feel the steering wheel or car jerking when accelerating, it can be due to low tyre pressure.
Weird Noise From The Wheels
The tyre may wear unevenly due to low air pressure. This creates a flat spot on the lower part of the tyre making a flapping sound. Although this sound may be inaudible at slower speeds, you are likely to hear such sounds at higher speeds when cruising on highways.
Therefore, it is essential to check the tyre pressure sensor fault and diagnose it timely to prevent further damage.
Should I Drive With the Tyre Pressure Sensor Fault?
No, it is not recommended to drive with the tyre pressure sensor fault. This modern safety feature alerts the driver of underinflated tyres. Besides, driving with underinflated tyres can be a safety hazard as your tyre may go flat and leave you stranded on the roadside.
Moreover, you should be aware of the following TPMS warning light indications as it will help you understand if the tyre pressure sensor is faulty:
- TPMS light turns on while driving: This may be due to the underinflated tyres. Inflate your car tyres properly, and the TPMS light will turn off automatically.
- TPMS light flashes on and off: It may occur due to weather conditions. For instance, tyre pressure may reduce in cold temperatures at night whereas it may come to normal in the daytime. For that reason, the TPMS light may turn on and off.
- TPMS light flashes and then turns on: When you start the car and the TPMS light flashes on and off for 1 to 1.5 minutes and then turns on, it may indicate a serious tyre pressure sensor fault.
This was all about the tyre pressure sensor fault. Motorists should not drive with a faulty TPMS sensor as it may become a serious safety concern. For that reason, when you buy a used car in the UAE, you should get your car inspected properly. That said, you can benefit from the inspection services by dubizzle Cars before buying a used car.
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