Keeping an eye on your tyre pressure is incredibly important for all drivers regardless of you driving a car, motorbike, motorhome, bus or coach. Poorly inflated tyres can have an impact on their performance, including their carrying capacity, overall safety and longevity. Not to mention the increase in cost and travel time due to faster fuel usage and tyre wear.
Here at Snooper, we like to look out for drivers, which is why we manufacture and sell tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) by Tyre Pilot. To introduce you to TPMS, we will explain what one is, how it works and what the benefits are.
What is a tyre pressure monitoring system?
A TPMS is a device that monitors your vehicle’s tyre pressure around the clock and alerts drivers to any imbalances in pressure or changes in temperature. Alerts are provided early enough to react and can be both audible and visual.
It is now a legal requirement for all passenger vehicles, including new models manufactured after January 2012 and registered after November 2014 are to be fitted with a TPMS. Checking a TPMS is now part of the MOT test and if you’re found owning a passenger vehicle with a faulty system, you will fail.
At Snooper, Tyre Pilot devices are available in two options; a standalone unit or a Bluetooth attachment that connects to a Snooper sat nav, or even a smartphone app. We have sensors capable for cars and trucks up to 188 PSI.
Types of tyre pressure monitoring systems
There are two types of TPMS; each one working differently:
Indirect TPMS
Indirect TPMS does not have an air pressure sensor inside the tyre. Instead, an estimation is made based on wheel speed via the anti-lock brake system (ABS). If pressure decreases in one tyre, it will roll slower than the others and the dashboard indicator light will trigger. However, this system is inaccurate as a warning may not display if all four tyres have lost pressure at the same time.
Direct TPMS
Direct TPMS is Tyre Pilot’s preferred type and uses wheel-mounted sensors that transmit regular reports on pressure and temperature to the dashboard.
What are the benefits of tyre pressure monitoring systems?
The advantages of using a TPMS include:
Improved safety
Using a TPMS ensure you keep your vehicle’s tyres properly inflated, which can help provide shorter and more reliable braking. Damage tyres will heat up more, creating a blowout risk.
Lower fuel consumption
Less fuel usage results in less running costs for a vehicle.
Longer lasting tyres
Monitoring tyre pressure and temperature reduces the chance of damage and blow-outs. Also, you won’t be required to pay for regular tyre pressure monitor checks.
Eco-friendly
Keeping your vehicle’s tyres correctly inflated will optimise driving performance, resulting in a reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
With reduced costs, increased safety and protection of the environment all benefits of owning a TPMS - on top of it being a legal requirement - there is really no excuse why you shouldn’t own one.
