What is TPMS?
Automotive tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) have come a long way since their inception and are now considered as a critical vehicle safety system.A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is an electronic system designed to monitor the air pressure inside the pneumatic tires on various types of vehicles. TPMS alerts the driver when significant loss of pressure is detected in one or more tires, allowing corrective action to be taken before riding on significantly under-inflated tires.
Coherent Market Insights delves deeper into understanding what TPMS is, how it works and the key factors driving its adoption in the Automotive Tire Pressure Monitoring System Market.
The key components of a TPMS include sensors installed in each wheel to measure air pressure and temperature, a receiver unit to collect data from the wheel sensors, and a centralized processing system to monitor sensor readings and trigger alerts if pressure drops below a predefined threshold. Newer TPMS systems use wireless communication between wheel sensors and the receiver unit, eliminating the need for wired connections.
How does it work?
Each wheel is equipped with a battery-powered wireless pressure sensor that monitors air pressure on a continuous basis. The sensor communicates pressure and temperature readings to a central controller located inside the vehicle, usually once every 60 seconds.
The controller analyzes the incoming data and compares it against preset threshold limits. If any tire’s pressure falls 25% or more below the recommended psi level, the controller activates a low pressure warning light on the instrument cluster. Some advanced systems also display the precise tire(s) that need inflation.
The technology used for wireless communication between wheel sensors and receiver varies across OEMs. Common options include RF frequency transmission, Bluetooth Low Energy and ultra-wide band (UWB) connectivity. Battery life of wheel sensors averaging 10-15 years allows maintenance-free operation.
Regulatory Mandates Drive Adoption
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandated TPMS for all new light vehicles under 10,000 lbs starting from 2008 model year. Europe and other regions followed with similar regulations over the next few years.
This regulatory push was aimed at reducing risks associated with under-inflated tires like diminished braking capacity, loss of control and increased stopping distances – a leading factor in fatal road accidents globally. Compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 138 became critical for automakers.
Benefits of TPMS
– Improved vehicle handling and steering responsiveness due to more uniform tire pressure across all wheels
– Extended tire tread life up to 2,500 additional miles achieved by maintaining optimum inflation level
– Fuel savings averaging 3-4% possible as properly inflated tires face less rolling resistance
– Enhanced road safety by eliminating risks from riding on under-inflated tires prone to failure
– Convenience of automatic monitoring rather than manual pressure checks every few weeks
Types of TPMS Deployed
- Direct TPMS – Most accurate system using individual pressure sensors installed in each wheel assembly. Common in premium vehicles.
- Indirect TPMS – Monitor tire revolutions using the ABS system and calculates pressure changes based on revolution data. Cheaper alternative to direct method.
Future Trends in TPMS
As connectivity becomes ubiquitous, automakers are exploring new use cases for vehicle sensor data. Some emerging TPMS trends include:
– Cloud-based TPMS allowing remote tire maintenance via mobile apps and diagnostics access for auto shops
– Smart TPMS capable of predictive maintenance via artificial intelligence models analyzing sensor readings over time
– Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication to share real-time tire pressure data with external entities for traffic management, emergency response etc.
– Sensor fusion with other onboard modules like suspension, braking for improved monitoring capabilities and active safety interventions
Market Outlook
For more details on the growth driving factors and future prospects of global automotive TPMS market, refer Coherent Market Insights research report. While North America leads the market currently due to early regulatory adoption, Asia Pacific region is emerging as a major growth engine supported by increasing vehicle production across China, India and ASEAN countries. Overall rising vehicle ownership, stringent emission norms and emphasis on automotive safety are some factors that are likely to fuel sustained demand for TPMS over coming years.
TPMS has transformed into an important automotive safety technology. Use of advanced sensing methods along with proliferation of passenger car and Commercial Vehiclefleets globally is set to boost the tire pressure monitoring system industry. Ongoing product development and new vehicle innovations will further expand areas of TPMS application ensuring continued importance of this lifesaving technology in the future mobility ecosystem.
