Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)

Hometyre Milton Keynes are able to replace and fit a range of tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) to your vehicle at a lower cost than your local dealerships. As with our mobile tyre fitting we are able to repair and fit your TMPS at a location of your choice. Our prices are fully inclusive of fitting, reprogramming and VAT.

About TPMS

Tyre pressure monitoring systems are fitted to most cars to monitor the tyre air pressure and alert you if the pressure drops below the recommended levels. All new vehicles sold in the EU now have a TPMS as standard and any cars registered after 1^st January 2012 must have a functioning TPMS in order to pass the MOT.

A majority of blow-outs occur because of under inflated tyres. The TPMS, which alerts you when your tyre pressure drops below the 20% recommended by manufacturers, warns the driver through a visual or audible warning on your dashboard. A TPMS has a sensor which is attached to the back of the tyre valve and, previously, you had to take your car back to your dealership garage to have the sensor valve replaced and your warning indicator reset.

Hometyre Milton Keynes carries a large selection of service kits and we would recommend having your TPMS valves serviced every time you change your tyre.

Benefits of TMPS

Up to 75% of tyre related accidents are caused by under inflated tyres. We would recommend that you check your tyre pressure regularly as your tyres naturally lose pressure - even when new! Properly inflated tyres give your car stability, better handling in wet weather and during braking . . . not to mention the improved fuel efficiency and less wear and tear to your tyres.

Everyone can sprout on about numbers and saving you money - a TPMS can do this and, most importantly, keep you and other motorists are safe on the roads.

Two types of TPMS - Direct or Indirect

How does indirect TPMS work?

Indirect TPMS uses the ABS wheel speed sensor to monitor the rotation of each of your wheels. If there is a decrease in the tyre pressure this will decrease the tyre circumference and increase the wheel speed triggers in the TPMS - your alarm light / sound will alert you of this. Indirect TPMS is fairly common but this is changing with more and more manufacturers fitting direct TPMS to their newer vehicles.

With indirect TMPS there are no sensors fitted inside the tyres which make the fitting process a lot easier than direct TPMS as it takes advantage of the technology and equipment already fitted to your vehicle. This does mean that indirect TPMS measures your wheel speed rather than your tyre pressure so can be less accurate and sensitive to a change in pressure. Your vehicle will need to be driven to detect a fault which might mean that you are driving with a flat tyre for some time before being warned about this. Equally, if all your tyres have deflated by the same amount they will turn at the same speed and the issue will not be detected.

How does direct TPMS work?

Direct TPMS has a pressure monitoring sensor fixed to the inside of your tyre which is normally attached to the back of the valve and monitors the internal pressure and air temperature inside the tyre. This information is then relayed to the electronic processing system in your car. An alarm or light will be displayed to alert you of a loss in tyre pressure.

This is a real-time system that alerts you to a problem as soon as there is a change to the pressure in your tyre and helps to prevent damage to your tyre. Direct TPMS is slightly more complicated to fit to the tyre so more care should be taken when fitting this system. The sensors inside your tyres have a lifespan of 5-7 years or 100,000 miles and have non-replaceable batteries so when these run flat you will need to have a new sensor fitted. Cars that have been driven on low tyre pressures for a longer period of time will need the senor replaced sooner than this. As with all parts of your vehicle, the sensors will need to be serviced on a regular basis as they are prone to corrosion.

Direct TPMS can also be fitted to caravans, motorhomes or trailers.

Hometyre Milton Keynes fit and supply a range of aftermarket Direct TPMS. Please feel free to call our central support team on 0800 783 9310 for further information.