Smart Tyres, Smarter Driving: The Power of TPMS Explained

Today we live in a world where technology is revolutionising human lives as never before. Every sector of the economy relies heavily on technology, and the automotive industry is no exception. Self-driving systems, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), connected vehicle technology (V2X), and advanced telematics are just some of the advancements we see in modern vehicles today.

From comfort and control to safety and security, the overall driving experience has been enhanced significantly in recent years. So today we are going to look at one of those advances that is considered to be the most important point of contact between the road and your car - the tyres and the technology that makes them smart - The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

What is a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TMPS)?

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System or TMPS in short, is an integrated system of smart sensors mounted on the rim of the tyre to collect and transmit real-time tyre data to the vehicle console. Simply put, TMPS alerts you when any of your tyres are under or over-inflated which potentially results in risky driving conditions. This alert is reflected on your instrument cluster's dashboard with a yellow symbol in the shape of a tyre cross-section (similar to a horseshoe) with an exclamation mark. (as shown in the image below).

This yellow warning light has a history. In recent years, many fatal accidents have been linked to improper tyre pressure, which can be prevented if the driver is aware of their tyre pressure. Even today, most vehicles are driven with underinflated tyres. However, TPMS is a solution that not only prevents such accidents but also helps to keep your tyre properly maintained which increases the tyre’s life and helps you to avoid costly expenses.

TPMS - More Than Just Pressure Monitoring

Today, TPMS is mandatory in most of the countries as a must-have safety feature. Tyre pressure is indeed a very important factor when it comes to safety and overall tyre/vehicle health. But what about the other factors of tyre health, which are often overlooked until it's too late? The smart sensors of TPMS will monitor them for you, eliminating the need for you to do so.

First, the tyre temperature generally rises before a blowout, indicating that something is wrong. These sensors allow you to monitor the temperature fluctuations in real time along with the tyre pressure. Additionally, when the temperature rises to a point of danger, it sends quick alerts to your instrument cluster. Smart sensors don’t stop here, they can indicate wetness (snow, rain, ice) or other hazardous road conditions so you can prevent tyre skidding which can lead to vehicle rollover or collision with other vehicles on the road.

Moreover, tyre failures such as small punctures can be dangerous, especially if a gradual leak goes undetected for a long period. Tyre sensors provide you with quick information, preventing further damage to the tyre and reducing the likelihood of an accident, ultimately increasing the safety of your car and precious lives.

In addition, the tyre treads maintain the grip over the road as you drive and are essential for maintaining traction and control of the car, especially in wet or slippery conditions. With the help of TPMS, you can see the irregular temperature readings straight from that particular tyre when its tread is reduced so that you can replace the tyres before they get bald completely and become unsafe to use.

Now, you are quite familiar with the functionality and use cases of a TPMS. It’s time to have a look at the types of TPMS.

What are the Types of TPMS?

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System are of two types:

1. Direct TPMS
2. Indirect TPMS

Direct TPMS

Direct TPMS uses sensors to transmit all collected data to a central control module where it is processed, interpreted and, if the tyre pressure is lower than recommended, it sends the signal directly to your dashboard where the warning light glows. A direct tyre pressure monitor often transmits all this information wirelessly. Each sensor has a unique serial number for identification. This distinguishes the devices from those mounted on other vehicles, as well as the pressure readings for each individual tyre.

Indirect TPMS

Indirect TPMS uses the same wheel speed sensors as the ABS. These sensors record the rotational speed of each wheel and are used by onboard computers to compare them with each other and with other vehicle data such as speed.

Based on the speed of each wheel, the computer can determine the relative size of your car's tyres. If a wheel spins faster than predicted, the computer determines that the tyre is underinflated and alerts the driver.

So an indirect TPMS does not measure tyre pressure directly via sensors. It does not electronically process the same type of measurement as a tyre pressure gauge. Instead, an indirect TPMS simply analyses the speed at which your tyres are rotating and sends signals to the computer, which activates the warning light if something appears to be wrong with the rotation.

Although the approaches differ, both methods function to achieve the same goal and activate the same warning light on your instrument dashboard. Even while a TPMS can provide accurate alerts when properly maintained, it is not a replacement for manual air pressure checks; instead, consider it an addition to your car maintenance toolkit.

Many manufacturers use proprietary technology for these highly specialised systems, so changing a TPMS in a consistent and vehicle-compatible manner requires the services of a trained technician.

What will be the Future of Tyres?

Today, we live in an internet-powered world where data is the backbone and the most valuable item. Companies are using AI-powered systems to use this data in a way that has the greatest impact on improving the efficiency and safety of their vehicles. On the road and behind the wheel, powerful computers are automating most of the functions to make driving easier, more comfortable, and safer. Similarly, moving ahead in the future, tyres will become more integrated into advanced vehicular telematic systems. Not only will they be able to notify you when your tyre requires a check, but they will be able to repair themselves on the road. Sounds like science fiction, right? But it is the future. Here’s how-

Advanced sensors in the tyres will signal the vehicle that it requires adjustments and centrifugal pumps built into the tyres can adjust the tyre pressure to suit the driving conditions. Additionally, this technology can also be able to measure the tread depths so you can replace them before it's too late. As a result, you can relax and enjoy the ride, knowing that nothing is going to stop your tyres from rolling smoothly. However, this technology is still in the development and testing phase, but we will have to wait not much longer as these advancements are powered by Continental Tyres which is one of the largest tyre manufacturers on the planet.  

From the Author

We've seen a lot of revolutionary advancements in every sector in the last decade alone, and as a curious nerd, the future is what excites me the most because we can't predict it, just as we had no idea 15 years ago that one day we'd be doing almost everything online, or that we'd be able to manipulate the DNA of an organism (via CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology), use personalised AI chatbots, or even travel somewhere in a fully self-driving car. However, as highly motivated enthusiasts, we at CarBike360 will continue to cover such interesting automotive trends to keep you up to date with the latest trends and developments in the industry.
So stay tuned to CarBike360, where the road ahead is full of exciting twists and turns, and we'll keep you in the driver's seat of the latest automotive breakthroughs.

Also Read: How Tyre Pressure can Make or Break your Fuel Efficiency?​