A tire pressure monitoring system - called TPMS - consists of sensors on each wheel that measure tire pressure. If tire pressure drops 25 percent below the manufacturer's recommended pressure, the sensor sends a signal to a monitoring unit that causes a warning to light up on the dashboard. When you see the warning light, you know it's time to put some air in your tires.
There are many benefits to driving with properly inflated tires. First is cost savings. Running at the correct air pressure improves fuel economy. Driving on underinflated tires is like driving through sand - it drags down your fuel economy. You'll also see longer, more even tread wear so your tires will last longer. Another important benefit of properly inflated tires is increased safety. Under-inflated tires become hotter and that heat can actually lead to tire failure - possibly resulting in an accident. Your tires will perform better and more safely when proper tire pressure is maintained.
Law-makers and vehicle manufacturers advocate TPMS systems hoping that they will save lives, property damage and inconvenience. While you can't put a value on saving a life, keep in mind that TPMS systems will carry a cost and do require maintenance and replacement
The systems themselves are added into the price of the car. The batteries in the sensors will fail and parts will break over time and need to be replaced. In colder climates, ice and salt are frequent causes of TPMS failures. In addition, there are other behind-the-scenes costs to be aware of. Every time a tire is replaced, repaired, rotated or balanced, the tire technician has to deal with the TPMS system.
Pete's Mobile Tire Service LLC tire techs have equipment to scan and reactivate the TPMS system after every tire service. Since there is no uniformity among manufacturers, technicians are trained on several TPMS systems.
Sensors may need to be removed and reinstalled. Even a tire rotation may require that the monitor be reprogrammed to the new location of each tire. When a car battery is disconnected, the TPMS system may need to be reprogrammed.
Over time, these sensors are subject to corrosion and may also require replacement. These parts are subject to the harshest conditions on the vehicle. In some cases, normal tire service may uncover a sensor problem that will prevent proper tire repair and may require on-the spot sensor replacement and Pete's Mobile Tire Service LLC can help! Call 757-719-5933 today to learn more about our TPMS services.
