What Does TPMS Mean?

If you’ve been looking through the features offered by the new Chevy, Buick, or GMC vehicles, you have noticed many of them come equipped with something called “TPMS”. What does “TPMS” mean? This is the name of an advanced driving feature shortened by the acronym “TPMS”, meaning “Tire Pressure Monitoring System”. It’s A very useful feature to have while driving on our Brookings roads. What does the Tire Pressure Monitoring System do? Why do you need one on your car? What should you do if the TPMS light goes off? Keep reading to find the answers. 

What Does TPMS Mean for Road Safety?

What does TPMS mean for your safety as you ride along on your Watertown commute? Keeping a tire properly inflated, especially in bad weather is crucial to avoiding accidents. A tire that is low on pressure is low on traction and can cause your car to skid out of control, especially if that tire blows out. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System can alert you to a problem so that you can re-inflate your tire before it causes serious trouble.

What Does it Mean When the TPMS Light Flashes?

What if the Tire Pressure Monitoring System light starts to flash on your dashboard? An inflation issue has triggered the TPMS, meaning at least one of the car’s tires is low on air pressure and should be re-inflated at the earliest opportunity. You wouldn’t want to be stuck along the road in Brookings having to change a flat tire. If a tire becomes low repeatedly, you will probably need a new tire. Schedule an appointment with our service center and let us help.

Why You Should Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

Some drivers have been saved a lot of trouble by their TPMS, meaning they hadn’t been checking the air in their tires regularly. While it is a great feature to have, you shouldn’t wait until that light flashes to check your tires. Proper inflation can help extend the life of your tires and do even more. Here are some reasons why it’s so important to maintain proper tire pressure:

• Tires wear out faster when they aren’t properly inflated.
• Tires that don’t have enough air pressure don’t have good traction, meaning you’re more likely to swerve around curves or lose control during poor road conditions.
• Properly inflated tires deliver the best gas mileage.

Trust Your Car to the Pros at Brookings Auto Mall

If you think it might be time to replace your tires, Bring your car into our service center and let us check them out. We can have new tires installed, aligned, and balanced in no time. If you found this guide to be helpful, check out our posts on how often you should rotate tires and how to check tire tread depth. We’re just a short drive away from Mitchell, so drop by or contact us today!