What does Volkswagen's indirect tire pressure monitoring mean?
2 Answers
The tire pressure for the Volkswagen Jetta is 2.2-2.5 bar. Strictly speaking, tire pressure refers to the air pressure inside the tire. Hazards of excessive tire pressure: Reduced tire friction and adhesion, affecting braking performance; causes steering wheel vibration and deviation, reducing driving comfort; accelerates wear on the central tread pattern, shortening tire lifespan; increases vehicle vibration, indirectly affecting the lifespan of other components. Hazards of insufficient tire pressure: Increases friction coefficient with the road surface, leading to higher fuel consumption; results in heavy steering and deviation, posing safety risks; increases movement in various parts of the tire, causing abnormal heat due to excessive rolling; reduces the functionality of cords and rubber, leading to delamination or cord breakage, excessive friction with the rim causing damage to the bead area and abnormal wear; increases tire deformation, leading to sidewall cracks and flexing motion, causing overheating, rubber aging, cord fatigue, and breakage, while also increasing the tire's contact area and accelerating shoulder wear.
Volkswagen's indirect tire pressure monitoring system is quite interesting. It actually relies on the ABS sensors already installed in the car to monitor tire conditions. The principle is particularly clever—it monitors the rotational speed differences of the four wheels. If one tire suddenly starts spinning significantly faster than the others, it's likely due to a loss of pressure causing its diameter to shrink, and the system immediately lights up a warning. The advantage of this design is its low cost, as it doesn't require additional sensors or battery replacements. However, the downside is obvious: it can only alert you to a potential issue without specifying which tire is leaking or displaying the actual tire pressure values. I recommend pairing it with regular manual checks for the safest approach, especially before hitting the highway—always test the tire pressure.
