A recently published National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report has concluded that tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are "highly effective" in preventing "significant underinflation."
However, tire pressure monitoring systems also are "likely" to result in overinflation, albeit "within safe limits," according to NHTSA.
The study results are based on data collected from a nationally representative sample of passenger vehicles, including cars, light trucks and SUVs. The target population consisted of two vehicle categories: vehicles equipped with TPMS and ones that were not. Data was collected from 2,316 vehicles.
"The analysis results show that the percentage of vehicles with correct pressure are much higher (57%) for the TPMS group as compared with 43%" for the non-TPMS group," say NHTSA officials.
"Regarding underinflation, while about 45% of the underinflated vehicles belong to the TPMS group, a much higher percentage (55%) is attributed" to non-TPMS vehicles in the study. "Analysis conducted for overinflation shows that more of TPMS-equipped vehocles are overinflated (53%)."
