If the tires of the car are flat, check the tire pressure. Failure to identify the problem in a timely manner is fraught with rapid rubber wear and reduced traction. You can measure pressure using a simple device - a pressure gauge. But it is more convenient when the car is equipped with a standard pressure measurement system - special sensors. They send a signal to the driver's panel, which eliminates the malfunction.
A pressure sensor is a device that measures tire pressure and informs the car owner if the pressure is correct or if there are deviations.
Such a sensor is installed on the car as an option. On a number of cars (often they belong to the premium class) this option is included in the basic configuration. The system in the electronic version can also be designated by the abbreviation TPMS. In English, refers to the phrase tire pressure monitoring system. And in Russian - TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system).
The average cost of a sensor kit for installation on a car varies from 2 to 10 thousand rubles. This installation cost is for each wheel separately.
By the way, sensors are installed on all cars in a number of European and Asian countries and in the United States of America as an option to improve road safety.
Technical features of the device
The sensor is attached directly to the wheel rim, under the surface of the tire.
Component devices:
- control block;
- liquid crystal display;
- antenna for receiving information;
- pressure level control device.
Each transmitter sends its own signal to the control unit.
It has a rather complex device, it consists of several parts:
- temperature thermometer;
- a device that measures air pressure;
- an electronic unit that controls the measurement frequency;
- rechargeable battery;
- antenna connecting all these parts to the control unit.
Operating principle
The measuring device should be mounted in place of the factory valve. Only in this position will it collect pressure data every minute.
The accumulators of the original spare parts built into the wheel are very long-lasting, the manufacturers have laid down the possibility of operating the sensors without replacing the batteries for 8-10 years. As soon as the deadline comes, the sensor is simply replaced with a new one. That is why it is recommended to purchase only new, unused tire pressure sensors, and not used ones.
In the role of an antenna that receives information from the wheels, you can configure the element of the central car lock. However, it is also possible to install a separate receiver for reading pulses from each wheel. This receiver is installed inside the wheel arch. The latter solution allows you to monitor the condition of each wheel and demonstrate all indicators on an LCD screen installed inside the car.
How does the control unit understand that the parameters are normal? Each received indicator the mini-computer compares the received information with the programmed factory parameters. Thus, if the pressure has dropped, the control unit informs about it with a signal of the control lamp, on some devices an additional sound signal is given.
However, the device will not indicate a specific wheel, in which a deviation from the norm has occurred. Therefore, the driver himself will have to use the tester and find out which of the four ears is blown away. This is the principle of operation of the budget version of the tire pressure measurement sensor.
In more advanced installations, control is easier. Four antennas transmit information to the dashboard, informing the owner of the problem and indicating the source of the breakdown - a specific tire.
Additionally, the user is shown information about the pumping indicators in a particular wheel, which is updated in real time.
Sensor types
1. Simple and primitive - mounted. These are small caps equipped with a color beacon. They are screwed in from the outside instead of the tire inflation valve. If the pressure inside the wheel drops to two atmospheres or less, then the color of the beacon will acquire a yellow color. If it drops to one atmosphere, it turns red. A return to the green indicator is possible if the pressure indicator rises to two or more atmospheres, that is, it returns to normal.
Why is this sensor good?
- budget price;
- ease of installation;
- does not require antenna installation;
- does not need a control unit kit, so no adjustment is required.
What is its disadvantage? Low information content. To understand what signal the sensor is giving, you will have to park the car, get out of the car and visually inspect the wheels. While driving, this budget sensor simply does not work. However, when the car is at rest, bending over and looking at the color of the cap is much easier than unscrewing and screwing the pressure gauge to the wheels every time.
2. Radio sensors. They are considered a more progressive, and therefore comfortable, view. Placed on rims, fastened with clamps or replace the factory tire valve. Additionally, a block of electronic elements is installed in the car, which includes an antenna, a control device and a display. The option is quite reliable, trouble-free and guarantees safety. After all, it measures indicators even at a speed of 120 km / h, the accuracy of the data is up to 0.01 atmosphere. You don't have to keep the norm in your head - factory indicators to understand that the wheel is deflating. The system itself remembers everything and warns about the problem.
Moreover, at full speed it is not always possible to understand that the wheel has punctured (especially when the rear tire is damaged). In this case, the radio sensor becomes the best rescuer.
The control unit system enters the signal receiving operating state only if the ignition is switched on. In other cases, a transition to sleep mode occurs, which extends the service life of the mini-batteries of the sensors. The control unit is powered by conventional batteries, which are easy to replace as soon as they run out.
3. There are modern TPMS devices that exchange a signal using Bluetooth. What is their advantage? No additional hardware required. And the data received from the antennas on the buses via Bluetooth is transmitted to a special application on the owner's smartphone. This type of control allows you to monitor not only one vehicle, but also other vehicles equipped with similar sensors.
The advantages of the second and third systems are high measurement accuracy. The main drawback is the rather high price, it starts from 10 thousand rubles and more.
4. Embedded systems. Car manufacturers are introducing new technologies and have long learned how to mount sensors inside the tire near the valve. This is a factory set and it is very convenient. Its principle of operation is the same as that of the devices of their point 2.
If you install the TPMS system in a car service, then it is necessary to carry out balancing, because the sensor has significant weight and leads to imbalance in the wheels. The advantages of indoor devices are that they are well protected from any external influences. They are not afraid of snow, moisture, dirt, or vandalism of hooligans. Modern electronic devices also measure not only the pressure, but also the temperature of the air inside the tires, and also report the possibilities of accelerating the car.
The disadvantage is in non-removable batteries, which, in case of wear, change only together with the sensor. Another drawback is that if there is a need for urgent wheel repair, it is forbidden to use foam sealant, because it will disable the device. Seasonal rubber replacement can also provoke sensor breakdown, therefore, it requires professional accuracy of the masters when tire fitting.
The introduction and use of wheel pressure monitoring devices is not a tribute to fashion, but a vital necessity. These are insurance against accidents in the event of a puncture of the wheel, driving safety, extending the life of tires and saving fuel.
