How often do you check your tire pressure? You probably already know that tire pressure is important when it comes to safe driving, but it can also cost you money if you don’t keep an eye on it.

Temperature really affects your tire pressure! The tire pressure then affects your tires’ grip. It’s important to know that under-inflated tires are costing you more money, and how improperly inflated tires will wear down much faster. According to multiple publications, you can assume that tire pressure goes down 1 PSI when the ambient temperature goes down 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature increases, so does the tire’s PSI. This can be dangerous in the winter time because you could be driving on under-inflated tires if you haven’t check them since the summer. When it comes to tire grip, low pressure in your tires can give you more of it on a warm, dry day. If you’re driving on a wet surface, however, low tire pressure significantly increases your chances of hydroplaning.

If you want to keep your car’s fuel economy at its peak, experts say that it’s best to avoid driving on under-inflated tires. Less tire pressure means more rolling resistance, and that means more energy is required to keep your cruising. Lastly, improper tire pressure can cause tires to wear faster than normal and greatly reduce their life. An over-inflated tire will have more wear in the center of the tire, and an under-inflated tire will have more wear on the outsides of the tire. The bottom line is you should always be checking your tire pressure and adjusting it to the manufacturer’s recommended levels—not just for your safety, but also to save you money in the long run.

It is ok if you don’t. It has only been around and on cars built after 2008. TPMS is your cars Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The TPMS symbol is either a cross-section of a tire with an exclamation point in it or an overhead view of a car with all four tires exposed.

The feature is standard on all 2008 and newer models, thanks to the TREAD Act, which Congress enacted in 2000 after rollover incidents involving the Ford Explorer and Firestone tires.

TPMS is a very helpful tool that helps drivers understand the safety of their cars, and tires. There are a variety of considerations from tire companies and automakers, a TPMS warning light isn’t required to come on until the tire is at 25 percent below the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. That’s also well below the pressure required for safe driving.

TPMS has two types. An indirect and a direct. Indirect TPMS doesn’t monitor air pressure. but, the indirect TPMS uses the antilock braking system’s wheel-speed sensor to detect that one tire is rotating faster than the other tires. So, there’s a greater chance of error in an indirect TPMS system.

Now, a direct TPMS calculates a tire’s actual pressure. This is usually way more accurate to within 1 PSI. Direct systems use a physical tool, a gauge mounted to the wheel or tire valve. This gauge sends the data to the car’s computer/deck. How the data is interpreted and displayed in the car with a direct TPMS depends on whether it is a low-line or high-line unit.

A high-line sensor is mounted in each of the wheels and displays the individual pressure of each tire. A low-line system only will prompt the low-pressure warning light. It is then up to the driver to figure out which tire is the low one. This type of system is mostly on lesser priced vehicles.

TPMS in summation is a great tool and asset to any driver/owner. For any individual driving in conditions including climate change, rough roads and other harsh. elements on tires, a TPMS can help ensure your drive is as safe as possible.