Why Relying On Your Car's Tire Pressure Monitor Is Unwise
February 17th, 2010 Muscle CarsWhy Relying On Your Car’s Tire Pressure Monitor Is Unwise
All drivers realize that their safety depends, in part, on the condition of their car tires. It also depends on the pressure within them. If they’re underinflated, it’s possible to lose control of your vehicle, which can lead to disastrous results. A couple of years ago, the government noted the danger and got involved. They passed a law requiring all new cars, trucks, and SUVs that came off the assembly line to have tire pressure monitors (TPMs) installed.
So, that means there’s no longer a need to check the pressure in your wheels, right? Not quite. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these systems. I’ll point out their limitations and why relying upon them can leave you and your passengers vulnerable to injury. I’ll also explain the two different types of TPMs available.
Are You Exposed To Danger?
It’s worth noting that a lot of these systems will only display a warning if your wheels are severely underinflated. At the time of writing, automakers are only required to program their tire pressure monitors to alert the driver if the level of underinflation reaches 25% or more. This is a problem. At that point (actually, well before it), your wheels can potentially blow out if you’re carrying enough weight in your car.
Unfortunately, most drivers depend upon their vehicles’ TPMs to warn them of a problem. As long as they don’t see the warning light, they assume they’re safe. If you’re driving with underinflated tires, it takes more time and room to bring your car to a complete stop If you need to brake quickly, you may find you’re unable to do so.
Different Types Of Systems
There are direct and indirect TPMs, though the former is far more expensive. The indirect systems rely on sensors that are a part of your car’s ABS. If one of your wheels is spinning at a quicker rate than the others, the indirect TPM determines that it needs air. As you can imagine, this type of monitoring is not an exact science.
By contrast, a direct tire pressure monitor relies on a gauge that is positioned on the wheel. When there is an underinflation problem, the gauge alerts the computer and the TPM warning light goes on. This type of monitoring is accurate within a few psi. The drawback is that a direct system is expensive.
Building A Good Habit
Relying solely upon your vehicle’s TPM (especially an indirect system) is a bad idea. Because the threshold at which the warning is triggered is set so high, relying on it exposes you and your passengers to unnecessary danger. Instead, get into the habit of periodically checking the air in your wheels. If they’re low, fill them. That way, you’ll help keep yourself, your passengers, and other motorists safe.
Tags: Car Maintenance, Car Safety, Car Tires