You’re driving down the road when the instrument panel suddenly lights up. What could it mean? If you are among the 42 percent of motorists who don’t know what this might be, it may be the warning light for your vehicle’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). When it comes on, one or more of your tires is dangerously underinflated, and should be checked as soon as possible.
Underinflated tires are dangerous, and degrade vehicle handling, lengthen stopping distances, increase tire wear, and increase emissions. In extreme cases, underinflated tires can overheat to the point where they blow out. U.S. government studies indicate tire-related issues cause around 11,000 crashes and 200 fatalities each year. Check your tire pressures at least every month for maximum driving safety.
4 in 10 U.S. drivers could not identify the TPMS warning light. The icon may be a yellow cross-section of a tire with an exclamation point inside, or a top view of a car with the low tire(s) highlighted. It’s not always easy to spot a tire that’s slowly leaking air. Without the proper equipment, you can easily drive for miles with a punctured tire, and end up stranded alongside a road with a flat.
TPMS allows for safer travels when you’re behind the wheel. Below is key information regarding these systems? Here’s what you need to know about the life-saving TPMS:
1.
By law,
automakers must equip all new vehicles with a standard TPMS: The federal government has passed various laws designed to
prevent accidents and keep vehicles safe. One of these laws concerns TPMS.
Enacted in the fall of 2000, the Transportation Recall Enhancement,
Accountability and Documentation Act was created in response to a series of
tragic accidents that occurred after Ford Explorers fitted with Firestone tires
suffered blowouts.
The portion of this legislation that concerns tire pressure
affects all new vehicles made in the U.S. after Sept. 1, 2007, and it requires
manufacturers to equip these vehicles with a standard TPMS. This means that if
you’re purchasing a car that’s a 2008 model or newer, it will come equipped
with this useful piece of safety equipment. If you’re purchasing an older used
car that doesn’t have a TPMS, it’s possible to purchase an aftermarket device
and have it installed.
2.
Not all TPMS
function in the same way: TPMS
fall into two main camps: direct and indirect. A direct TPMS connects with a wheel-mounted sensor to gauge each tire’s air
pressure. If the pressure is 25 percent or more below the manufacturers
recommended levels, this system will notify the driver via an indicator light
on the vehicle’s dashboard. TPMS sensors
that measure pressure directly contain batteries that last 6 to 10 years, after
which the sensors must be replaced at a cost ranging from $150 to $600 per set.
An indirect TPMS usually works in conjunction with wheel-speed sensors in your
car’s antilock brake system. A wheel with a tire that’s low in air will roll at
a different speed than wheels with adequate amounts of air. Your car’s computer
system with pick up on this and alert you via a dashboard indicator.
3.
Temperature
fluctuations can sometimes trigger an alert: Weather
conditions can affect air pressure in your car’s tires. Temperature changes of
10 degrees or more can cause this pressure to rise or fall. In cases like this,
your TPMS dashboard indicator will illuminate, but the warning eventually may
disappear when the temperature changes. If you’ve noticed this, it’s a good
idea to add enough air to make sure air pressure never falls below the
manufacturer’s recommendation.
4.
TPMS can help
ensure that your vehicle handles in a more secure and predictable way: Underinflated
tires can cause your car to handle erratically especially at higher speeds.
This can create a very real issue when it comes to safety. With TPMS on board,
you’ll know right away if you have underinflated tires. This will help you
maintain proper inflation, and this step could make all the difference in an
emergency situation.
5.
TPMS can help
improve fuel economy: Underinflated tires can diminish
your car’s gas mileage. According to the Environmental Protection Agency,
underinflated tires can lower fuel economy by roughly 0.2 percent for every 1 Pound per Square Inch (PSI) drop in
the average pressure of all your car’s tires.
By keeping your vehicle’s tires inflated at the proper
pressure, you can boost fuel economy by as much as 3 percent. It’s not always
easy to quickly identify underinflated tires, especially if there’s only a
slight loss of air. A tire-pressure monitor can give you a quick heads-up that
lets you know you need to put some air in your tire.
6.
TPMS may lower
your car insurance premium: Car
insurance companies reap maximum profit from policyholders with few or no
claims, and certain automotive safety features can reduce claims by helping drivers
avoid accidents. With this in mind, insurance companies often offer discounts
to clients whose vehicles are equipped with features that promote safety on the
road. A TPMS is one such feature. If you choose a vehicle that has this feature
installed, it could save you money on your car insurance premiums.
7.
TPMS warns you via a
dashboard indicator: TPMS
typically uses a dashboard indicator to let you know it’s time to add air to
your tires as soon as possible. Your car’s owner’s manual contains information
regarding the recommended air pressure. You also can find this guideline on the
driver-side door jamb of your vehicle.
“Giving up on your goal because of one setback
is like slashing your other tires because you got one flat.” (Toby McKeehan)[i]
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| TPMS symbol |
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