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What Does TPMS Stand For?

If you’ve ever seen a little exclamation point lighting up on your dashboard, you’ve been alerted by the TPMS, which stands for tire pressure monitoring system. This little tool will let you know when your tire pressure is in need of attention.

How Does TPMS Work?

There are two major types of TPMS – direct and indirect. he indirect system doesn’t measure your tire pressure, it tracks the revolutions of your tires. Based on these revolutions, TPMS can determine the size of your tire. This reveals how well your tires are inflated. Ultimately this is a less expensive but less accurate measure than the direct system. The direct system measures pressure directly from inside the tire. This is a more costly operation, but it’s much more accurate than an indirect model. Each system usually contains its own serial number, meaning each tire gets its own separate pressure reading. These sensors can even measure tire temperature, allowing you to monitor your tires and protect them from damaging circumstances.

What Does a TPMS Light Look Like?

The TPMS light will appear on your dashboard as either an exclamation point with a frame around it, or the actual TPMS initials. If your TPMS light illuminates and stays on, it means one or more of your tires has low pressure. If the light blinks, it could mean there’s something wrong with the sensor itself and it might need to be replaced.

How To Reset the TPMS System

Sometimes your TPMS system will still indicate even if your tires have been inflated to an appropriate amount. All you need to do is reset the system. Your car’s TPMS reset button will most likely be somewhere below the steering wheel. If you can’t find it, refer to your car’s manual. Once you locate the reset button, put the car in an “on” position without starting it. Hold down the button until the indicator light blinks 3 times. Start your car and the indicator light should turn off within 20 minutes.