TyreSafe Warns Motorists Not to Rely on Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

TyreSafe has reminded motorists not to depend only on their tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) to ensure that their tyres are completely safe.

It is now mandatory for all new cars to have such systems, but motorists still need to ensure that they are working as such systems can sometimes fail and batteries in the sensors which are generally mounted on the wheel can run out.

When they turn on the ignition key, drivers should check to see that the TPMS symbol comes on with all the other warning lights and that it goes out once the engine starts. They should not ignore the alert if it is displayed on the dashboard and should ask for advice from a trained professional if they are in any doubt.

In the United Kingdom, the number of MOT failures due to faulty TPMS systems rose by more than 200% between 2015 and 2016 and faulty tyres accounted for more than 25 percent of all MOT failures. It would be wise for motorists to perform periodic visual inspections of the tyres for signs of damage and to keep tags on the tread depth.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: “The introduction of TPMS was a valuable step forward in tyre safety but drivers should be more aware of it and the warnings it is capable of producing. Tyre Safety Month is the ideal time to learn exactly what it does so you don’t rely on it to warn you of defects it simply cannot detect.”