As of: March 27, 2024, 9:30 a.m
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Tire pressure monitoring systems warn drivers of tire problems – thus ensuring greater safety.
The manufacturers rely on two very different systems.
A tire defect while driving at full speed can have fatal consequences.
Many accidents could have been avoided if the air pressure in the tire had been monitored appropriately and a loss of pressure had been reported to the driver in good time.
This exact function has been standard equipment in new cars for around ten years.
Sensors in the tires detect even small deviations and display them as a warning in the cockpit while driving.
This gives the driver more time to react to a potentially dangerous flat tire or he or she is warned before starting the journey.
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Indirect tire pressure monitoring system: This is how it works
The technology behind a tire pressure monitoring system is basically simple, with two monitoring systems that work fundamentally very differently working in the car.
So-called indirect tire pressure monitoring systems are comparatively inexpensive.
You save costs by using the ABS's existing wheel speed sensors to check tire pressure.
Tires with decreasing air pressure reduce their rolling circumference, causing them to turn faster than the other wheels.
This deviation is interpreted by the on-board system as a possible pressure loss.
The brands of the VW Group, Fiat, Honda and Mazda, among others, rely on this solution.
The correct air pressure in the tires is extremely important for safety - appropriate control systems have been mandatory in new cars since 2014.
(Symbolic image) © Pond5 Images/Imago
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Active measurement: This is how “direct” tire pressure monitoring systems work
Alternatively, there are directly measuring systems in which pressure sensors actively monitor the internal tire pressure continuously.
The relevant information is transmitted via radio at regular intervals to a control unit in the vehicle.
At the same time, some manufacturers also record and transmit temperature data inside the tire, so that there is also a warning about possible overheating of the tire.
Basically, direct measurement systems are more accurate and therefore offer more safety.
However, they are also more expensive.
Even the initial equipment with sensors and the additional control unit is a cost driver.
When changing tires, the sensors also have to be retrained, which usually causes a medium to high double-digit amount of additional costs.
Hyundai, Kia, Ford, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes, Opel, Porsche, Renault, Tesla and Toyota, among others, rely on direct tire pressure monitoring systems.
Tire pressure monitoring systems can also be retrofitted
Tire pressure monitoring systems have been required by law in new vehicles since the end of 2014.
Their functionality is even part of the general inspection (HU) that takes place every two years.
In older vehicles, however, the TPMS can often still be missing.
However, users of older cars do not have to do without this useful safety feature.
There are various retrofitting options for passive and active systems.
Solutions are often offered for low to medium double-digit euro amounts that consist of four tire valve sensors and a display, which can be connected to each other via Bluetooth, for example.
(Mario Hommen/SP-X)