Understanding TPMS: Your Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Explained

TPMS — Tyre Pressure Monitoring System — has been mandatory on all new cars sold in the UK since 2014. It's a safety system that warns you when one or more tyres fall significantly below recommended pressure. There are two types: direct TPMS, which uses sensors in each wheel to measure pressure in real time; and indirect TPMS, which uses wheel speed sensors to detect a tyre losing pressure. What to do when the TPMS light comes on: Don't ignore it.

Check your tyre pressures at a garage or petrol station as soon as possible. If a tyre is flat or has a visible puncture, call Franks Mobile Tyres for a 24 hour emergency tyre response. After a tyre replacement: TPMS sensors must be recalibrated after fitting new tyres — this is included in all Franks Mobile Tyres fitting jobs. Sensor replacement: TPMS sensors have a battery life of approximately 5–7 years.

If a sensor fails, your warning light will remain on even with correct pressures. Our mobile tyre fitters carry TPMS sensors in stock and can replace them on-site.