Is it mandatory to install a tire pressure monitoring system?
3 Answers
Tire pressure monitoring is not mandatory. Tire pressure monitoring involves real-time automatic monitoring of tire pressure during vehicle operation, with alerts for tire leaks and low pressure to ensure driving safety. There are three commonly used tire pressure monitoring methods: Direct tire pressure monitoring: Direct tire pressure monitoring devices use pressure sensors installed in each tire to directly measure tire pressure. The pressure information is transmitted wirelessly from inside the tire to a central receiver module, which then displays the pressure data for each tire. The system automatically alerts when tire pressure is too low or there is a leak. Indirect tire pressure monitoring: When the pressure in a tire decreases, the vehicle's weight causes the rolling radius of that wheel to become smaller, resulting in faster rotation compared to other wheels. By comparing the rotational speed differences between tires, the system monitors tire pressure. Indirect tire pressure alert systems essentially rely on calculating the rolling radius of tires to monitor pressure. Introduction to Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): It combines the advantages of both systems mentioned above, equipping direct sensors in two diagonally opposite tires and incorporating a 4-wheel indirect system. Compared to using only a direct system, this hybrid system can reduce costs and overcome the limitation of indirect systems in detecting simultaneous low pressure in multiple tires. However, it still cannot provide real-time data on the actual pressure in all four tires as a direct system does.
As a veteran driver with 20 years of experience, I firmly believe tire pressure monitoring is a must-have. Last winter while driving on the highway, my TPMS suddenly alerted me that my front-right tire pressure had dropped to 1.8 bar - that warning likely prevented a major accident. Nowadays most new cars come with TPMS as standard, and retrofitting older models only costs a few hundred yuan. Unstable tire pressure is extremely dangerous - overinflation risks blowouts while underinflation increases fuel consumption and accelerates tire wear. A friend who didn't have TPMS once drove on slowly leaking tires without noticing, ultimately ruining two tires costing over 2,000 yuan to replace. This device can literally save lives and save you money - it's absolutely not worth skipping.
I work in auto repair and witness heartbreaking cases of missing TPMS every day. Abnormal tire pressure can halve tire lifespan, causing scalloped wear or tread separation—replacing a tire costs over a thousand yuan. TPMS provides real-time alerts to prevent this. It's now mandatory for new vehicles in China because it reduces blowout accidents by 40%. Repair costs far exceed sensor prices—a TPMS sensor runs 300-500 yuan, but wheel rim deformation from pressure issues costs 2,000 yuan. When it comes to safety features, early installation is non-negotiable.
