Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
When you’re driving down the road, a lot can happen. From unexpected car trouble to the unpredictable actions of other drivers, you never know what may occur when you get behind the wheel. While you can’t control outside factors, properly maintaining your vehicle is something you can do to protect yourself. Standard maintenance like oil changes are on many people’s minds, but something that may often get overlooked is your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
This system alerts you to changes in tire pressure. When one or more tires become alarmingly low, the TPMS displays a warning light on the dashboard instrument panel. Low tire pressure can cause many issues while you are on the road, like poor handling, increased fuel consumption, and a higher chance of blowing out a tire completely. Your chance of being involved in an accident dramatically increases when your tires are not correctly inflated, so paying attention to your TPMS is essential for safe driving.
Here at Scrubway Wash & Lube, we understand there are countless reasons your TPMS could be impacted. While we can’t prevent the causes of malfunction, we are here to help you figure out why your Tire Pressure Monitoring System is not working correctly and fix the problem. Our experts are here to help you get to the bottom of any issues you are noticing.
What Impacts Your TPMS?
Taking care of your Tire Pressure Monitoring System is essential to its overall health and, therefore, the overall health of your tires and vehicle as a whole. Without a TPMS, your only option to see if your tires are correctly inflated is to get down with a pressure gauge and read their inflation manually. While you should still do this regularly, your TPMS is in place to avoid a constant need for it. However, there are several factors that can affect your TPMS. If you are experiencing issues, let us help you fix it.
Low battery voltage is one significant factor that can affect your TPMS and prevent it from working properly. Most TPMS rely on small air pressure sensors in each wheel that wirelessly transmit their readings to the car’s computer. When the batteries in these sensors are low, it prevents your Tire Pressure Monitoring System from working correctly, so you may have low tire pressure without even realizing it.
Weather conditions are another massive influence on your TPMS. Cold temperatures can cause your tire pressure to drop, kicking on your TPMS. When the weather is freezing, your tire pressure will decrease due to air molecules taking up less space, generally losing 1 PSI of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. When the temperature warms back up, tire pressure will typically return to normal.
Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System has an expiration date, which is something many people are unaware of. However, most systems have a lifespan of about five to ten years. Some factors can also shorten your TPMS lifespan, such as living in areas with extreme climates or, of course, extended driving of your car. Once your TPMS has exceeded its lifespan, you will likely notice it is acting erratic or not working, meaning it’s time to replace it.
Make Sure Your Tire Pressure Is Correct
Correct tire pressure is essential for better fuel efficiency, sharper handling, longer tire life, and a more comfortable ride. While having the proper amount of air in your tires is extremely important, knowing how to check the tire pressure correctly is equally as essential.
Your first step is to find your tire’s specific PSI. Each car has a unique PSI requirement, which you can check in your owner’s manual or door jamb sticker. Once you know your recommended PSI, you can check it manually with a tire pressure gauge. Compare your reading to the recommended number, and adjust your tire pressure as needed.
When checking your tire pressure, it’s essential to do it properly so you receive an accurate reading. Make sure you check after your tires have had ample time to cool down rather than right after you have been driving. Also, be sure to check all four tires on your vehicle, not just one. Three of your four tires may have a perfect reading, but all it takes is one with low pressure to cause issues.
Last but certainly not least, check your tire pressure regularly. Changes can occur quickly when tires are involved, such as driving over a nail or sharp object on the road, so be sure to stay diligent and test frequently to ensure they are properly inflated. If you’re feeling uncertain about properly checking your tire pressure on your own, come and visit us for assistance. We can help guide you through all the proper steps to ensure you are getting an accurate pressure reading and what to do next if your tires are over or underfilled.