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2 General Information
TPMS System Review
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 report real-time tire-pressure information to the driver of the vehicle,
either via a gauge, a pictogram display, or a simple low-pressure warning light.
TPMS can be divided into two different types —direct (dTPMS) and indirect
(iTPMS). TPMS are provided both at an OEM (factory) level as well as an
aftermarket solution.
TPMS Legislation
In the United States, the United States Department of Transportation (NHTSA) released
the FMVSS No. 138, which requires an installation of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
to all new passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses that
have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs.) or less, except
those vehicles with dual wheels on an axle, as of 2007. In the European Union, starting
November 1, 2012, all new models of passenger cars must be equipped with a TPMS,
with even tighter specifications that will be defined by the UNECE Vehicle Regulations
(Regulation No. 64). From November 1, 2014, all new passenger cars sold in the
European Union must be equipped with TPMS. On July 13, 2010, the South Korean
Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs announced a pending partial-revision to
the Korea Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (KMVSS), specifying that "TPMS shall be
installed to passenger vehicles and vehicles of GVW 3.5 tons or less, ... [effective] on
January 1, 2013 for new models and on June 30, 2014 for existing models". Japan is
expected to adopt European Union legislation approximately one year after European
Union implementation. Further countries to make TPMS mandatory include Russia,
Indonesia, the Philippines, Israel, Malaysia and Turkey.
TPMS Tell-tale Light
When diagnosing TPMS systems, you should understand what the TPMS tell-tale light
means.
When turning the ignition OFF to ON, the TPMS tell-tale should come on, and then go
off, which indicates the system is working fine. If the light stays on, there would be a
pressure problem. If the light flashes, there would be a system problem, which can
range from faulty sensors to sensors on the vehicle that haven’t been learned to that
vehicle.
