Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for fleets

TPMS uses sensors to measure tyre pressure and temperature. These sensors are installed in each tyre and collect data continuously. The system sends this data to the vehicle’s computer or a separate display unit. The driver receives real-time updates, allowing them to monitor tyre conditions easily. It is not necessary to remove the TPMS sensor to inflate the tyre.

There are two main types of TPMS: direct and indirect systems. Direct systems have sensors inside each tyre that measure pressure and continuously transmit these readings to the vehicle. Indirect systems rely on the vehicle’s ABS wheel-speed sensors to estimate pressure loss.

Both systems provide the visibility needed to help improve road safety, reduce tyre wear and boost operational efficiency in the long run. For greater accuracy and real-time information, however, direct systems are the better choice. They are the ideal option for commercial fleets that need precise monitoring and experience heavy tyre usage.

As a proactive safety measure, predictive tyre management greatly reduces the chance of blowouts.

Having TPMS suited to your vehicle provides the following benefits.

• Enhanced safety: by continuously monitoring tyre pressure and temperature in real time, TPMS can provide a visual warning of low pressure whilst driving.
• Optimised fuel usage: by helping to confirm optimal tyre pressure, TPMS leads to fuel savings as properly inflated tyres use less fuel than under­-in­flated tyres.
• Reduced downtime: by identifying slow leaks and other tyre-related issues early on, TMPS encourages proactive maintenance. This helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and decreases vehicle downtime.
• Improved sustain­ab­ility: efficient tyre management helps lower fuel consumption and reduce carbon emissions, supporting environmental sustain­ab­ility goals.

No. Checking tyres does not suffice as a vehicle check. To ensure safety on the road, all vehicle components should be checked frequently.

If you find paperwork tricky to keep track of, you can carry out the process digitally with the Webfleet Vehicle Check app. Drivers can simply walk around the vehicle and submit paperless checklists with a few finger taps. The information is easy to store and refer to again if needed.

Tyre pressure depends on a variety of factors: vehicle type, axle load and type, tyre size and type, manufacturer specific­a­tions, road and climate conditions. Optimum tyre pressure is typically between six and nine bars, but you should always calculate the exact pressure required based on the specific conditions of your vehicle.

The cost of TPMS maintenance depends on factors such as the type of sensor, vehicle model, and service provider. We recommend contacting your local service partner for exact pricing.

With Webfleet TPMS, you can view live readings of tyre pressure and temperature in the portal. Each vehicle or trailer tyre with an issue is colour coded to indicate the severity of the issue: amber for minor warnings, red for critical risks. A clear text description is also provided to explain the issue. You can receive alert notifications in Webfleet, the tools app, or the driver terminal.

Alerts are triggered for tyre condition issues including:

• Tyre pressure too high or low
• Tyre temperature too high
• Dual wheel pressure difference
• Axle pressure difference

Upon receiving an alert, you need to take maintenance action.

When an issue that caused a notification is rectified, a back to normal notification is generated. For example, if a tyre is re-inflated following a low pressure notification, the message will appear.

If the TPMS light is on, it is most likely not safe to drive. The best course of action is to stop the vehicle at the nearest place where stopping is permitted, inspect the tyres and, if necessary, call for assistance.

Tyre faults cause three main problems.

• Safety is the greatest issue — tyres must be kept at the correct pressure for optimum handling and braking distance.
• The second issue is higher running costs. A tyre that is underinflated by 20% causes a 2.5% increase in fuel consumption. This in turn has an environmental impact, causing increased CO₂ emissions.
• The third problem is increased vehicle downtime: tyre failure is the main cause of vehicle breakdowns.

Avoid these three problems with early tyre fault detection by TPMS.

Webfleet uses direct TPMS, reading sensor data from within each tyre. Pressure levels and temperature readings are sent to the Webfleet cloud. The system then analyses this data to identify any issues and, if necessary, sends a notification via Webfleet. These real-time alerts mean that the fleet manager or driver can take action before costly repairs are needed.

TPMS sensors have their own power source and don’t need to rely on the vehicle’s main battery. They have small internal batteries that last around 5-10 years. After that, you need to replace the whole sensor as the batteries within it are not designed to be removed and substituted.

TPMS sensors work in combination with vehicle tracking devices. Seamlessly integrated, they provide you with location, odometer and other important vehicle data needed to keep your fleet safe and productive.

The industry average for a TPMS sensor battery is around 3 years. This lifespan can be longer or shorter depending on the sensor type and tyre operating conditions. Sensors can typically be replaced at general fleet maintenance workshops and new sensors can be configured via the Webfleet TPMS Tools app.

It depends on the sensor type. Strap-mounted sensors offered with the LINK 350 solution do require tyre demounting because the sensors must be installed around the wheel.

Other monitoring systems, such as Manufacturer TPMS or OEM.connect, do not require tyre demounting either as these methods use OEM sensors and data that come pre-installed from the factory.