TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems)

(Tyre Pressure Monitoring System)

TPMS is a safety feature required in all passenger cars since 2014. The system comes in different forms but they all report the tyre pressures to the cars computer, allowing the car to alert you if you lose pressure.

An introduction to TPMS

TPMS allows your vehicle to sense pressure changes in each wheel and therefore alerts you if you suddenly lose air pressure due to a puncture for example.

Here at Rhino Tyres Neston we have all the diagnostic equipment required to remotely read, re-program, diagnose, repair and replace direct TPMS sensors.

There are two types of TPMS, direct and indirect. The differences between these systems are covered below.

A pair of Direct TPMS sensors with metal stems

Direct TPMS

Direct TPMS works by having a small sensor embedded in the wheel, attached to the valve assembly. This sensor reads the air pressure in the tyre directly and reports it over a radio frequency to a corresponding receiver on your car.

Each wheel has it's own sensor allowing the car to accurately receive information on the internal tyre pressure and temperature inside each tyre.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Direct TPMS

Pressure independently reported for each wheel
Accurate pressure readings reported
Multiple low pressures reported accurately
Fragile sensor can be damaged during tyre changes
Sensor battery limits lifespan and will need replacing
Wheels can't be rotated without TPMS reprogramming
Replacement sensors can be expensive

Indirect TPMS

Indirect TMPS is a little different in operation to Direct TPMS. Unlike direct TPMS, Indirect TPMS doesn't use a sensor inside the wheel assembly. Instead it relies on the sophisticated ABS sensors on the car to detect relative differences in pressures between the vehicles wheels.

The theory behind indirect TPMS is that a deflated tyre will have a smaller diameter and therefore rotate slightly faster in comparison to the other wheels on the vehicle.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Indirect TPMS

No fragile sensor or special valve required
Wheels can be moved around vehicle with no ill effects
No costly sensors to replace
Values of the pressures in each tyre unavailable
If multiple tyres are punctured, reporting is unreliable

A malfunctioning TPMS System is now a Major Defect in the MOT.

TPMS Repair

If your TPMS system is damaged, there is a chance we can repair it. We have full repair kits from AutoGem that allow us to carry out minor repairs to most TPMS systems.

We can also remotely diagnose the condition of your TPMS sensor using diagnostics tool to determine if a repair is viable.

If we can't repair your TPMS we will replace it for you, we use our diagnostics scanner to read the unique code off your old TPMS sensor and re-code the replacement to your vehicle.

TPMS FAQ

Are TPMS Systems an MOT Failure?

If a TPMS system is fitted to the vehicle then it must be operable. Note that simply having a tyre with low pressure will not be an MOT failure. Rather the TPMS system must either not be working at all or be in a fault state in order to be classified as an MOT failure.

Do all vehicles come with TPMS?

Since 2014 it has been compulsory for all passenger vehicles to come with some form of TPMS system. This can be either direct or indirect TPMS. Commercial vehicles such as vans are exempt from this requirement although thay may still be fitted with TPMS as an option.

Does my spare have TPMS

Most space saviing spare wheels don't have a TPMS sensor fitted but instead a regular valve; therefore when temporarily fitted to your vehicle a TPMS fault may display. This should dissapear when the original wheel is refitted. Some full size spare wheels may have TPMS installed however.

What do TPMS sensors report?

TPMS sensors communicate over radio frequency and report both pressure and temperature inside the tyre. The reporting of temperature allows your vehicle to perform calulations in order to calculate the tyre pressure even when the air inside the tyre is above ambient temperature.