How do you get the ideal tyre pressure in Toyota vehicles – like the one in your garage? Look no further than a TPMS or a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. A TPMS is an innovative technology that monitors the air pressure in your tyres. It ensures that you always have the right amount of pressure – improving fuel efficiency, extending tyre life, and enhancing overall vehicle performance.
The importance of maintaining proper tyre pressure
Proper tyre pressure is crucial for the performance and safety of any vehicle. Maintaining the recommended tyre pressure is essential when driving a compact car, an SUV, a ute, or a heavy-duty truck. Correct tyre pressure ensures optimal contact with the road surface, improving traction, handling, and braking. It also helps distribute the vehicle’s weight evenly across all tyres, reducing the risk of uneven wear and premature tyre failure.
Tyre pressure affects fuel efficiency as well. Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which requires more energy from the engine to move the vehicle forward. This results in decreased fuel efficiency and higher fuel consumption. On the other hand, overinflated tyres reduce the contact patch with the road, leading to poor handling and decreased fuel efficiency. By maintaining the proper tyre pressure, you can maximise fuel efficiency and save money at the pump.
Furthermore, proper tyre pressure contributes to a smoother and more comfortable ride. When properly inflated, your tyres absorb road imperfections better, reducing vibrations and improving ride quality. This enhances the overall driving experience and reduces the wear and tear on your vehicle’s suspension components.
How TPMS works and its benefits
TPMS is a sophisticated system that monitors the air pressure in your tyres and alerts you whenever there is a significant deviation from the recommended pressure. There are two types of TPMS in the market today: direct and indirect tyre pressure monitors.
Direct TPMS uses pressure sensors mounted inside each tyre to measure the pressure. These sensors send real-time data to the TPMS control unit, alerting the driver if any tyre pressure falls outside the specified range. Direct TPMS provides accurate and reliable tyre pressure readings, making it the preferred choice for many vehicle manufacturers, including Toyota.
Indirect TPMS, on the other hand, does not use pressure sensors. Instead, it relies on the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensors to monitor tyre pressure indirectly. Indirect TPMS measures the rotational speed of each tyre and compares it to the vehicle’s speed. If one tyre rotates faster than the others, it indicates a potential decrease in pressure. While indirect TPMS is less accurate than direct TPMS, it can still provide valuable information to the driver.
Now that we understand how TPMS works let’s explore its benefits to your Toyota.
Benefit 1: Early Warning System
One of the primary benefits of TPMS is that it serves as an early warning system for tyre pressure issues. Whether it’s a slow leak or a sudden loss of pressure, TPMS alerts you immediately, allowing you to take corrective action before it leads to more significant problems. This proactive approach helps prevent tyre blowouts, which can be dangerous and costly.
Benefit 2: Improved Fuel Efficiency
TPMS plays a crucial role in improving fuel efficiency. By ensuring that your tyres are correctly inflated, TPMS helps reduce rolling resistance, which translates into less work for your engine. When your engine doesn’t have to work as hard, it consumes less fuel, resulting in improved fuel economy. According to studies, properly inflated tyres can improve fuel efficiency by up to 3%.
Benefit 3: Extended Tyre Lifespan
Another significant benefit of TPMS is that it helps extend the lifespan of your tyres. Underinflated or overinflated tyres wear out faster and unevenly. By maintaining the optimal tyre pressure, TPMS ensures that your tyres wear evenly, maximising their lifespan. This saves you money on frequent tyre replacements and reduces the environmental impact of tyre waste.
Benefit 4: Enhanced Vehicle Performance
Proper tyre pressure is vital for optimal vehicle performance. When your tyres are properly inflated, they provide better traction, handling, and braking capabilities. This translates into improved cornering stability, shorter braking distances, and enhanced overall vehicle performance. Whether driving on wet or dry roads, maintaining the proper tyre pressure with TPMS can make a noticeable difference in your Toyota’s performance.
Benefit 5: Safer Road Travel
Safety should always be a top priority when it comes to your vehicle. With TPMS, you can rest assured that your tyres are always in good condition, reducing the risk of accidents caused by tyre-related issues. TPMS alerts you when the tyre pressure is too low or too high, helping you avoid potential blowouts, tread separation, and other tyre failures. By investing in TPMS, you are investing in the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other road users.
How a TPMS works in Toyota vehicles
The ideal Toyota Corolla tyre pressure is 32-36 PSi (pounds per square inch). This is also the case for most Toyota vehicles. However, it’s always best to check the owner’s manual, the sticker on the driver’s side door jamb, or the inside of the fuel filler door for the precise tyre pressure specifications for your vehicle.
To maintain this tyre pressure, a TPMS commonly works like this:
- Sensors – TPMS uses sensors to monitor the air pressure in each tyre. These sensors are located in or inside the tyre’s valve stems.
- Alerts – Suppose the TPMS detects that the air pressure in one or more of your tyres is below a certain threshold (usually around 25% below the recommended pressure). In that case, it will trigger a warning light on the device. This light is generally shaped like an exclamation mark inside a horseshoe or resembles a tyre with an exclamation mark inside.
- Check and Inflate – When the TPMS warning light illuminates, checking the tyre pressure in all four tyres using a tyre pressure gauge is essential. If any tyre is underinflated, inflate it to the recommended pressure.
- Reset– After inflating the tyres to the correct pressure, some Toyota models may require you to reset the TPMS system to acknowledge the new tyre pressures. This process is usually explained in the owner’s manual.
Where can you get a TPMS for a Toyota?
OBD2 Australia’s passion is to support your right to accurate data from your vehicle – and our tyre pressure monitoring systems and accessories line does just that! These tools provide the complete solution to get the ideal tyre pressure in Toyota Corolla, Landcruisers, Hiace, Hilux, RAV4, Yaris, Camry, Aurion, etc. We designed our TPMS with Australian conditions in mind. Thus, it is more durable and built with the latest TPMS technology to preserve reliability.
To maintain the ideal tyre pressure in your Toyota, we recommend these tools:
Car & 4WD Solar Tyre Pressure Monitoring System – TPMS
Val-Flate Tyre Deflator Valves
TPMS maintenance and troubleshooting
Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure that your TPMS operates at peak performance. Here are some maintenance and troubleshooting tips to keep your TPMS in top shape:
Maintenance Tip 1: Check tyre Pressure Regularly
While TPMS continuously monitors your tyre pressure, it’s essential to manually check it regularly using a tyre pressure gauge. This will help verify the accuracy of TPMS readings and ensure that your tyres are properly inflated.
Maintenance Tip 2: Inspect TPMS Sensors
The TPMS sensors mounted inside each tyre are critical components of the system. Inspecting these sensors periodically ensures they are free from damage or corrosion. Suppose you notice any sensor issues, such as a cracked or missing sensor. In that case, replacing them with a qualified technician is best.
Maintenance Tip 3: Replace Weak Sensor Batteries
The batteries in TPMS sensors have a limited lifespan. As they age, they may become weak, causing inaccurate readings or failure of the TPMS system. If you notice inconsistent readings or TPMS malfunctions, it’s advisable to have the sensor batteries replaced by a professional.
Maintenance Tip 4: Keep Sensors Clean
Dirt, grime, and road debris can accumulate on TPMS sensors and affect performance. It’s essential to keep the sensors clean to ensure accurate readings and proper functioning of TPMS. Regularly clean the sensors with a mild soap solution and a soft brush or cloth.
Troubleshooting Tip 1: Reset TPMS System
If you experience TPMS malfunctions or inaccurate readings, resetting the TPMS system may resolve the issue. Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or seek assistance from a qualified technician to perform a TPMS reset.
Troubleshooting Tip 2: Address System Malfunctions Promptly
Suppose you suspect a TPMS system malfunction, such as the TPMS light continuously illuminating or the system not providing accurate readings. In that case, it’s essential to address the issue promptly. Ignoring system malfunctions can lead to inaccurate tyre pressure readings and compromise your safety on the road.
Our Final Word
Safety should always be a top priority when it comes to driving. Proper tyre pressure in your Toyota is crucial in ensuring your safety on the road. TPMS acts as your guardian angel, constantly monitoring your tyre pressure and alerting you to deviations from the recommended levels.
Thus, Investing in TPMS is investing in your safety. With this advanced technology, you can have peace of mind knowing that your Toyota is equipped with a system that constantly monitors tyre pressure and informs you of potential risks. Stay safe with TPMS and enjoy worry-free driving wherever you go.