Historically, the use of TPMS dates back to around 2007 when regulatory bodies made its installation mandatory. Today, many states have enacted laws that make having TPMS in your car compulsory and have checkpoints manned by personnel of these regularity bodies, to take out inspection of your car and the TPMS.
Every car passing through these checkpoints must pass the inspection or risk facing disciplinary action. So, will TPMS fail inspection?
The degree of enforcement of the law mandating vehicles to have a functioning TPMS, particularly those vehicles made originally with the monitoring system varies with different states.
The essence of passing a legal ruling on this is to encourage drivers to pay attention to the TPMS to improve driver safety and lessen the number of blowouts and collisions that follow.
If at the point of inspection the TPMS light is found to be on, representing a low tire pressure, all though this translates to an increased risk of blowouts and road collisions, the authorities are unlikely to fail your car at the inspection point, rather, failure is mostly seen in the case where the car tires are in bad condition such as having a bulge on the sidewall, or when your brake pads are considerably worn out.
Any of these conditions pose a greater danger than the warning TPMS indicator light on the dashboard.
If you have had your TPMS light on for quite a while and are none responsive to the tire pressures, there is a good chance the sensors are no longer present in your wheel.
Most times, when the wheels are changed such as wheel customization which is done commonly to improve the looks of the car, the sensor could be forgotten in the old factory wheel. The TPMS light in this case is not a result of low tire pressure and will not go away with further inflation of the tire.
On your dashboard, the most likely light which may cause any form of legal action to be taken against you at the checkpoint by the inspecting officer is your check engine light.
This points to something more sinister than a simple low tire pressure which could easily be connected with a portable pressure pump, after which the light is turned off. However, with a check engine light, there is a good chance that an important aspect of the engine is defective and calls for urgent attention.
It is unheard of and extremely rare for a driver to be faced with disciplinary actions at checkpoints on account of a TPMS light.
Individuals who take extra precautionary measures and avoid taking any chances may wish to make use of their portable pressure pump to improve the tire pressure a couple of kilometers away from the checkpoint to put off the TPMS signal light on the dashboard.
Ideally, irrespective of whether you have to pass through an inspection checkpoint or not, do not ignore the TPMS light, once noticed, the tire pressure should be gauged and improved upon using a portable air pressure pump or by visiting the tire mechanic or vulcanizer.
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What is a TPMS?
Let’s start by stating what appreciation stands for. TPMS simply means tire pressure monitoring system. So, now that this is out of the way, what does the system mean and what are its functions in the car?
From the name, it is a system to keep an eye on the air pressure in all the tires in a car and alerts the driver via a light on the dashboard of tire conditions such as under inflation as well as over inflation.
Before the invention of TPMS and the adaption of its compulsory inclusion in the rim through the TREAD act, knowing your current tire pressure would demand stepping out of the car and gauging the tire. (Read Also:Does The BMW Warranty Cover Nails In Tires?
Now, with a yellow indicator light shaped like a horseshoe on the dashboard, you can tell at every point what the tire pressure is. It is a qualitative measure, that is, does not tell exactly how much air is in the tire, but can indicate when this level is not optimal.
What causes TPMS to fail inspection?
At the point of inspection, it is not necessary to be worried about the TPMS light showing up on the dashboard. The inspector understands that this could be corrected right there at the checkpoint and therefore does not need any reprimanding.
Your concern however l, depends on the state and should include the condition of your wipers for the windshield, your brake lights, and other aspects of the car which will be queried such as the gas filler cap.
The flexibility of rules surrounding the TPMS light is because it is a fairly new installation in cars, particularly those made after 2007 when the law was first made.
If the state is such that it does not make it obligatory for all drivers to have a TPMS sensor in their cars, you should strive to have a functional sensor in your car for your safety.
Of, however, you’d car originally came with these sensors, and any attempt to remove them or when they are none functional may cause you some hiccups at the inspection point.
If upon inspection, the inspectors discover issues such as the check engine light, worn-out engine plugs, a cracked windshield, damaged engine components, and broken front or rear lights, amongst others. All of these have had a direct bearing on road accidents in the past.
The broken or cracked windshield, for example, depending on the part of the windshield may blur the driver’s vision and cause him to run into other cars.
Tire and rim manufacturers as well as repairers are required by law to install sensors in the tire. This law is dated back to the regulation passed some time in 2007. The state is at liberty of taking disciplinary action against defaulters of this regulation.
The various conversations on the different chat forums for car users on this issue and evidence from other sources show that there is a variation amongst different states as to what is considered an essential component of a safety inspection. Not all systems of the car can be checked or inspected at these inspection points.
Some of the car systems do not have a direct role in the safety of driving such a car and therefore do not need to be evaluated. It is very much likely to find a state out there which considers the TPMS sensor lights as an essential component of a safety inspection.
So different states have different regulations on this issue, States such as Hawaii, this island, Vermont, West Virginia, and others are emphatic about the functionality of the TPMS.
As long as the car is such that the TPMS is an original component installed in the car from the factory, it is illegal to have a none functional TPMS in such a car. Passing through the inspection point without fixing such a faulty TPMS is unlikely.
In case you are unsure about the position of your state, information regarding such restrictions can be obtained from the local law enforcement officials in the state.
What happens if you don’t replace TPMS sensors?
Remember that there is no car part spared of the wear and tear associated with use. The sensors are not an exception. Given the external location of the TPMS, similar factors which cause the wear and tear of the tires equally cause the same effect in the TPMS.
Consequently, the sensors over time become worn out and unable to perform their functions efficiently.
Similar to the tires, following a given time duration, the sensors must be replaced with a new one that is readily available at both offline and online auto shops.
Read Also: How Long Can A Car Sit On A Flat Tire?
Is it worth it to replace TPMS sensors?
Imagine having an alarm clock that does not ring and causes you to sleep all through the night and morning, how pleasing is such an experience? So, what is the use of having a TPMS in your vehicle and yet under-inflated tire go unnoticed?
The benefit of having a TPMS enabled car is that you will no longer be part of those who fall victim to blowouts, this is however only true for those whose TPMS is replaced as soon as they get worn out, otherwise, you may have a TPMS and yet continue to battle tire blowouts.
So, is the replacement worth it? Absolutely yes, except if you are comfortable driving blindly without an idea of your tire pressure.
Can you drive without TPMS sensors?
The car has not always had TPMS, it is only a couple of years ago that this became legislation in some states in America and Europe. So, before this time, cars were been driven without sensors and drivers did just fine.
However, there was confusion about what the optimal tire pressure was and one would have to step out of the vehicle and use a gauge to determine what the tire pressure. Aside from these setbacks, cars without a TPMS suffered no other drawbacks.
Should you at this age in time refuse to install TPMS in your car? For your safety and that of others as well as for legal gratification, it is best to spare a few dollars and have it installed in your car.
Conclusion – Will TPMS Fail Inspection?
Depending on the state you live in, TPMS may be considered an essential component of safety inspection. It is however rarely a cause of failed inspection except when accompanied by other lights such as the check engine light.
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I am passionate about all things automotive and have a deep understanding of the topic. As a mechanic, I use my free time to share knowledge of everyday challenges that any car owner can experience – helping you make informed decisions about tires.