What is a TPMS and How Does It Work?
A TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) is a system installed on a vehicle to monitor the internal temperature and inflation pressure of the tires, or the variation of this pressure over time, and transmit the corresponding information to the user.
TPMS utilizes sensors that are positioned either during the manufacturing of the truck/trailer or post-deployment. For tractors and carriers, they work with the vehicle's main Electronic Control Unit (ECU). For trailers, the information is relayed to the cabin via the Electronic Braking System (EBS). These alerts activate a warning light in the cabin to inform the driver in real-time of any pressure loss or variation issues.
Why New Regulations ?
To ensure road safety and reduce environmental impact, this new regulation aims to better protect the overall safety of vehicles, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. According to the European Commission, these regulations are expected to prevent numerous accidents and save thousands of lives on the roads.
The TPMS regulation came into effect on July 6, 2022, with a two-year implementation plan requiring manufacturers to:
July 6, 2022: All new heavy vehicle approvals must be equipped with a TPMS.
July 7, 2024: From this date, it will be prohibited to register any type of heavy vehicle not equipped with a TPMS.
Which Vehicles are Affected by this New Regulation?
• Buses and coaches with more than 9 seats (M2 – M3))
• Carriers and tractors over 3.5 tons (N2-N3)
• Trailers and semi-trailers over 3.5 tons (O3 – O4)
This regulation applies to all countries in the European Union..
What Are the Requirements ?
For Vehicles :
• Must be equipped with an accurate tire pressure monitoring system that can warn the driver inside the vehicle when a tire loses pressure..
• Must have a wired or wireless communication interface to exchange TPMS data between the tractor and the towed vehicle.
For the System:
• Must operate from a speed of 30 km/h or less up to the vehicle’s maximum design speed.
• Must be designed to prevent resetting or recalibration in case of low tire pressure.
• Must alert via an optical warning indicator.
Adopting a TPMS offers several undeniable advantages. It reduces fuel consumption by maintaining constant and appropriate tire pressure, contributing to financial savings and a smaller environmental footprint. Additionally, by detecting slow leaks early, TPMS provides effective prevention, ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers. By ensuring even tire wear, this system also reduces tire replacement costs while extending their lifespan.
How Strada Supports You ?
Strada assists you in decoding data from the new tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) in compliance with the regulation effective from July 7, 2024.
Our advanced solutions fully exploit the data relayed by vehicle computers, paving the way for more connected and safer driving. Thanks to our expertise, we offer services to help you manage the information generated by TPMS. Our alert tools are designed to monitor tire pressure data in real-time,ensuring the safety of your teams and identifying slow leaks, which are often hard for drivers to detect in their daily routines.