Tire Pressure Light
It’s important to monitor your tire air pressure to keep your car not only delivering a smooth performance, but to keep you safe. The wrong air pressure in your tires can cause very unsafe conditions, leading you to lose traction, have difficulty steering, and problems with acceleration and braking. It can also result in you blowing a tire while driving. In short, tires that aren’t filled properly can cause an accident, fast.
That’s why Toyota vehicles include two types of TPMS, or Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems: Direct and Indirect Monitoring Systems. Learn about the different types of tire pressure monitoring systems and how they can keep your Toyota running safe and smooth on Lumberton area roads.
Direct Tire Monitoring Systems
Direct TPMS methods are in place to warn you when your Toyota vehicle sees tire pressure in any of the tires drop more than 25% below its recommended cold air pressure. Vehicles equipped with a direct TPMS have sensors in each of their wheels, which constantly monitor the air pressure and are quite accurate in tracking when air needs to be added. When this occurs, a tire pressure light will turn on in your dash display to let you know it’s time to have the tires checked.
Indirect Tire Monitoring Systems
Some Lumberton or Fayetteville vehicles may be equipped with indirect monitoring systems, which warn you when your vehicle loses at least a quarter of its air pressure compared to the other tires on your car. While a bit less accurate than a direct system, it’s still useful. Unfortunately, it doesn’t tell you which pressure is low, and doesn’t monitor the comparative rate of loss. It can also generate a false warning on occasion.
The Dangers of Low Tire Pressure
Driving with low tire pressure can be extremely dangerous. Particularly in bad weather conditions, you can cause severe damage to your tires, possibly even having a blowout. In addition, driving with improper pressure will reduce your gas mileage and make it much more difficult to steer, brake, and generally handle your car, which can put you in a situation where an accident is a real risk. Finally, it will make your tires wear unevenly, which will cost you money by needing to replace your tires more often.
Schedule Tire Pressure Service
Many people don’t realize how common it is to drive around with low air pressure in your tires. In fact, current estimations are that almost 25% of drivers on Sanford, Lumberton, and Ft. Bragg area roads are doing so without optimal tire pressure. That’s one in four drivers unknowingly putting themselves in danger and negatively impacting their fuel economy every day.
If you’re not sure which TMPS service you have in your Lumberton area Toyota car, truck, or SUV, Peterson Toyota can help. In addition, since these systems aren’t perfect, it’s important to have your pressure checked on a regular basis as part of your routine maintenance. For more help with getting your tires checked and the air pressure corrected, stop into Peterson Toyota’s service center for help today!