How Should Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Affect Your Tire Maintenance Routine?
by Kathryn Harris
If you drive a vehicle that's around a decade old or newer, then your car is equipped with some form of tire pressure monitoring. These systems may seem like magic if you're used to the old standby of checking your tire pressure manually, but how do they work? And should you rely on that warning light as your only form of preventative tire maintenance?
Tire Pressure Monitoring Explained
Although federal standards now dictate that all new vehicles include tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), these systems are not all the same. Depending on the make and model of your car, you may have a system that monitors the air pressure in each tire directly, or your TPMS may rely on wheel speed sensors. Since underinflated tires spin at a different rate, this works as a good proxy for air pressure.
Ultimately, these systems are reasonably precise when compared to most consumer air pressure gauges. Sensors that measure air pressure directly will provide more details, but wheel sensor-based TPMS systems can still effectively warn you about tire pressure problems. In either case, you should trust what the TPMS tells you and never ignore a low-pressure light.
TPMS and Tire Maintenance
If your car's TPMS can accurately inform you of low-pressure situations, does that mean you can ignore other forms of tire maintenance? The answer is a very clear no. Regardless of the type of TPMS installed in your vehicle, it's crucial to understand its purpose is to warn you of impending failure. When your TPMS alerts you to a problem, it means you already have a dangerously underinflated tire.
The best way to ensure the safety and longevity of your tires is to ensure that they never become critically underinflated. You should check your vehicle's tire pressure at least once per month, even if you drive a car equipped with a TPMS. When checking your tire pressure, be sure to also inspect your tires for any signs of unusual wear, damage, or bubbling.
In addition to inspecting your tires, schedule a tire rotation at least twice per year. Your car's monitoring system can't warn you about poor wear patterns, and it does nothing to ensure even and safe wear. Rotating your tires every six months not only helps them to last longer but also provides an opportunity for a professional tire technician to inspect them for signs of trouble.
The technology on new vehicles can help you to avoid catastrophic problems, but you shouldn't trust it over traditional maintenance methods. Regularly checking and rotating your tires can help to ensure that you never need to see that ominous low tire pressure warning light.
For more information on tire maintenance, contact a local company such as King George Truck & Tire Center.
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About Me
Working in the automotive industry for the last 20 years has been quite the ride. I have seen the evolution of vehicles to what they are today. If you are having troubles with your car, there are a number of issues that could be causing it. This blog is all about problems with vehicles, tips on identifying the exact cause and advice for getting the repairs made quickly. We hope that all of the knowledge that we have absorbed over the years will be helpful in assisting you solve the issues that you are experiencing to get your car running again.