AAA WARNS NEW TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS SHOULD NOT REPLACE MONTHLY TIRE PRESSURE CHECKS

As 2008 model year vehicles hit the road, motorists will find they are equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that illuminate an on-dash warning light when the pressure in one or more tires is low. However, AAA warns motorists that the TPMS should not replace monthly tire pressure checks. Waiting until tire pressure warning light comes on can be dangerous for motorists

Federal law mandates that all 2008 and newer vehicles must be equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. However, the systems are calibrated not to trigger the warning light until a tire is at least 25 percent under inflated-well below the pressure required for safe driving.

According to a recent survey by the Rubber Manufacturers Association, 40 percent of motorists said if their vehicle was equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, they would either never check their tire pressures or would check them only if the dashboard warning light came on. More than two-thirds said they would be less concerned with routinely maintaining their tires if their vehicle had a TPMS.