Whether you drive to work or tow a van around Australia, here's what a TPMS does, what the warning light means and how to set one up.
What a TPMS does
A TPMS keeps an eye on your tyres while you drive. Sensors read each tyre's pressure, and in many systems its temperature, and a light or screen on the dash tells you when something is off.
- Tyre life. The right pressure wears the tread evenly, so tyres last longer.
- Handling. Correctly inflated tyres grip and steer the way the vehicle was designed to.
- Fuel. Soft tyres roll harder, so the engine works harder.
- Warning between checks. A slow leak shows on the screen, not at the next servo stop.
The warning light
On a factory system the warning light is a yellow horseshoe with an exclamation mark. How it behaves tells you what's going on:
- Comes on and stays on: one or more tyres are low. Pull over somewhere safe, check every tyre with a gauge and pump them up to the placard pressure.
- Flashes for a while, then stays on: a fault in the system itself. Have it checked.
More in what the TPMS warning light means.
Where to find your correct pressure
Always inflate to the pressure the vehicle maker lists, not the maximum printed on the sidewall. You'll find it on the tyre placard:
- On the driver's door jamb.
- Inside the fuel filler flap.
- In your owner's manual.
It's a cold pressure: check before you've driven more than a couple of kilometres. It may be in psi or kPa. Our guide on how to check tyre pressure walks through it.
Fitting an aftermarket TPMS
- Sensors. External sensors screw onto the valves. Internal sensors go inside the tyre and are fitted by a tyre shop.
- Screen. Put it where you can see it, then set your alarm levels for your load.
Follow the steps for your kit. Here's how to fit the Aura.
Towing: do you need a booster?
On a long rig the signal from the van's back tyres can drop out before it reaches the screen. A booster sits partway along and relays it. Whether you need one depends on your rig.
The signs are in do I need a TPMS booster for my caravan.
When a sensor stops reporting
- Check the battery. On external sensors you can swap it yourself.
- Check the distance. On a long rig, a booster may be needed, or may need checking.
- Check for damage to the sensor or the valve.
- Still dropping out? The sensor may need replacing.
Ready to choose? Compare every TPMS kit and price.
Not sure what your rig needs? Email us your rig: info@flatmate-tpms.com
