The various tire pressure monitoring systems (or otherwise known as TPMS) used by auto makers are intended to monitor the air pressure in a car’s tires. The idea behind a TPMS is mainly safety-related; under inflated tires bid a less stable ride, and they are more inclined to possible punctures. By calling attention to an “under-inflation event,” the system can inform the driver that he needs to inflate the tire (or more than one tire) to the proper levels.

Sensors inside the tire, or on the car, send information to one or several modules in the car. These modules are encoded with a range of suitable circumstances. For direct tire pressure monitoring, this is often between 25 and 40 PSI (pounds per square inch) of air in the tire.

This rather innocent light has a disastrous origin. During the late 1990s, more than 100 automotive fatalities were credited to Firestone tires that lost their tread when they were run underinflated, and friction heated them beyond their ability to handle. The tires delaminated or blew out, and this led to the rollover of the vehicles they were situated on. Most of those vehicles were Ford Explorers, and many times one or more of the occupiers died.

The fatalities led to two major alterations to the automotive industry. The first was the Transportation Recall Improvement, Accountability and Documentation Act (Otherwise known as The TREAD Act). The act, later signed into law, obligated to tracking of, and response to, any possible danger signs from vehicles that would necessitate a recall or posed a protection risk.

The second major addition was the obligation of a TPMS system on all cars built after 2007 in the United States. The changes introduced relatively quickly, but there were problems with the systems. But as technology improved, and engineers improve how the systems function, they are becoming smoother and more dependable.

This system is less susceptible to the whims of direct sensors, but more care must be paid to it. For example, imagine that a driver fills up his tires with air at a petrol station and checks the pressure before heading out on a long trip. An indirect system needs to be reset every time the tires are inflated, or it will see the recently inflated tires as a likely hazard. In this case, if it is not reset, the system will see bigger tires and may warn the driver of over-inflation.

If you are in need of tire pressure monitoring systems then please do not hesitate to contact Universal Coolers for more Information.