Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Principles and Main Functions
Data shows that tire blowouts account for up to 70% of serious traffic accidents, and insufficient tire pressure is the primary cause of blowouts. This is not an exaggeration. Even if you don’t choose a vehicle with TPMS, you should still pay close attention to your tires to avoid serious injuries to people and the vehicle.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Principles
Direct TPMS: Direct TPMS uses pressure sensors installed in each tire to directly measure the tire pressure. A wireless transmitter sends the pressure information from inside the tire to a central receiver module, which then displays the tire pressure data. The system automatically alerts the driver when the tire pressure is too low or there is a leak.
Indirect TPMS: Indirect TPMS works by calculating the tire’s rolling radius to monitor tire pressure when the tire pressure drops. The vehicle’s weight causes that tire’s rolling radius to decrease, resulting in a faster rotation speed compared to other tires. By comparing the difference in rotation speed between tires, the system monitors the tire pressure. Indirect tire pressure monitoring systems essentially rely on calculating the tire’s rolling radius to monitor tire pressure.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Features: Both types of tire pressure monitoring systems have their advantages and disadvantages. Direct tire pressure monitoring systems offer more advanced functionality, constantly measuring the actual instantaneous pressure inside each tire, easily identifying the faulty tire. Indirect systems are relatively cheaper; cars already equipped with 4-wheel ABS (one wheel speed sensor per tire) only require a software upgrade. However, indirect tire pressure monitoring systems are less accurate than direct systems; they cannot identify the faulty tire, and system calibration is extremely complex. In certain situations, the system may malfunction, such as when both tires on the same axle have low pressure.
Main Functions of Tire Pressure Monitoring:
- Accident Prevention: Tire pressure monitoring systems are a type of active safety equipment. They can promptly alert the driver when tires show signs of danger, prompting appropriate action and preventing serious accidents.
- Extending Tire Life: With a tire pressure monitoring system, tires can be kept within the specified pressure and temperature range at all times, reducing tire damage and extending tire life. Data shows that driving with insufficient tire pressure can reduce tire life by 15% for every 10% drop in tire pressure below normal.
Improved Driving Economy: Low tire pressure increases the contact area between the tire and the ground, increasing friction. When tire pressure is 30% below standard, fuel consumption increases by 10%.
Reduced Suspension System Wear: Overinflated tires reduce their shock absorption, increasing the burden on the vehicle’s shock absorption system. Long-term overinflation can cause significant damage to the engine, chassis, and suspension system. Uneven tire pressure can also cause brake pull, further increasing suspension wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Introduction: “TPMS” is an abbreviation for Tire Pressure Monitoring System, also known as a direct tire pressure monitoring system. The term TPMS was first used as a specific term in July 2001. In response to Congressional requirements for legislation requiring vehicles to install TPMS, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) jointly evaluated two existing tire pressure monitoring systems and confirmed the superior performance and accurate monitoring capabilities of the direct TPMS. As a result, TPMS, as one of the three major automotive safety systems, along with airbags and anti-lock braking systems (ABS), gained widespread recognition and deserved attention.