Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) constantly monitor tyre pressures using tyre sensors in all four tyres and alert the driver with a visual and/or audible warning if there are any changes within the pressure or temperature. Having TPMS fitted to your vehicle improves your vehicles overall safety as the system checks tyre pressure every few seconds, thus reducing your chance of a blow out or accident related to incorrect tyre pressures. TPMS can also save you money, as having the correct tyre pressure maximises tyre life and also helps improve fuel efficiency.

New vehicles fitted with TPMS and registered from 1st January 2013 will also have their TPMS system tested as part of the first MOT test carried out. This means that if your vehicle falls into this category and the TPMS is not functioning correctly, you could fail your MOT test.

TPMS

The first Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) were equipped to premium vehicles in the early 1990s, on models such as Mercedes S-Class, 7 Series BMW and the Audi A8 so they aren't a recent addition by any means. TPMS are now common fixtures in Peugeot and Citroen models, along with many other popular vehicles. It's estimated that by 2013, around 6 million cars in the UK will be TPMS equipped.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO FITTING TPMS?

Fitting TPMS provides an early warning system for the driver when there is a change or loss of tyre pressure. This saves you time and energy in routinely checking tyre pressure manually, as advised by all car and tyre manufacturers for your safety.

Having TPMS improves your safety as it constantly monitors pressure, helping to avoid potential blow outs or accidents linked to a change in tyre pressure.

Having the correct pressure also helps save you money. Incorrectly inflated tyres cause uneven tyre wear and tyres need to be replaced sooner than normal. By having tyres correctly inflated at all times, you achieve the best out of your tyres. The correct pressure improves fuel efficiency too, since under inflated tyres mean more tread is hitting the ground, causing friction (this is known as rolling resistance) and so more power - and therefore fuel - is required to drive the car forward. By having the correct tyre pressure, rolling resistance and also the amount of fuel used is reduced, saving you money. This in turn is beneficial to the environment as it cuts down on carbon dioxide emissions too.

TPMS New EU legislation requires all new models of passenger cars sold in the EU to have a TPMS system installed from November 2012, and every new car from 2014. New vehicles fitted with TPMS and first registered from 1st January 2012 will have their TPMS system tested as part of the MOT test.

TYPES OF VALVES

There are a few different types of TPMS valves you can choose from, OE valves from manufacture, pattern valves or re-programmable valves which can be cloned from the original to provide the same details. There are a lot of different manufactures of valves the most common are, T-Pro, Schrader EZ, Alligator sens - it. The valve stems can be serviced by replacing the rubber seating valve and retaining collar, core and cap.

WHY DO TPMS SENSOR VALVES NEED TO BE REPLACED?

A sensor valve normally requires replacing after around 5 years or up to 100,000 miles, although this can vary depending on vehicle use. High mileages and frequent low-pressure alerts can reduce this considerably and given the position of the sensor valves in the wheel, they are also vulnerable to damage and corrosion which means they may be required to be replaced sooner.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

Keep track of your tyre pressures