Types Of Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) help protect drivers by raising awareness of tire pressure, resulting in proper tire maintenance. Proper tire inflation leads to better vehicle handling, decreased tire wear and improved fuel efficiency. Always check the TPMS when you rotate tires.
Valve Stem Type Direct TPMS
Located on the back of the valve stem, direct TPMS systems use four tire pressure sensors and a receiver to monitor and relay information about air pressure, temperature, location, and battery charge to the ECM. The ECM decodes this data illuminating the TPMS warning light when one or more tires are significantly under-inflated. (25% of vehicle recommended air pressure or 20 psi, whichever is greater).
Valve Stem TPMS Kits
Valve stem TPMS sensors require new hardware kits to be installed whenever a tire is changed. These kits consist of a new seal, washer, valve nut, valve cap, and a nickel-plated valve core (Use of regular brass valve cores will cause galvanic corrosion of the TPMS sensor).
Banded Type Direct TPMS and Accessories
TPMS systems utilizing banded style sensors operate identically to those using the valve type – the only difference is how and where the sensor is mounted. Banded sensors are mounted directly to the wheel by a band and a carrier located inside the tire 180° from the valve stem; important to ensure safe removal of the tires. Replacement bands and carriers are available in the event that the originals become damaged or replacement wheels are installed on the vehicle.
Indirect TPMS
Indirect tire pressure monitoring systems use the vehicle’s existing four wheel anti-lock braking components in conjunction with specialized calculations to determine if a tire is significantly under-inflated.
Check out all the relays, sensors and switches
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Categories
NAPA Auto Parts View All
More than 90 years ago, the National Automotive Parts Association ("NAPA") was created to meet America’s growing need for an effective auto parts distribution system. Today, 91% of do-it-yourself customers recognize the NAPA brand name. We have over 6,000 NAPA Auto Parts Stores nationwide serving all 50 states with a unique inventory control system that helps you find the exact part that you need.