If you have ever seen a little light that looks like a horseshoe with an exclamation mark appear on your car’s dashboard, that’s your car’s tyre pressure monitoring system alerting you that something is off with the inflation in your tyres. If you’ve never seen it before, you’ve either never had pressure problems (which is unlikely) or it means your car isn’t fitted with a TPMS.
That raises the question, why do some cars come with a TPMS and others don’t?
It’s not mandatory for all vehicles in Australia
Currently, there are no set technical requirements for TPMS in Australia and the Federal Government has not yet mandated their fitment to any vehicles.
In the US and Europe, TPMS has been legally required on all new cars for years but in Australia, it’s only required on some vehicles, usually newer ones, or those that are imported from overseas with different compliance rules.
If your car was built before TPMS became common, around the early 2010s, it probably doesn’t have it. Even some newer vehicles in Australia still don’t include TPMS as standard unless it’s high-spec.
Some drivers don’t want it
A lot of people just visually check their tyres or check them at the servo. While it’s not always accurate, it’s common and it works most of the time. That being said, more and more Aussie drivers are realising that TPMS offers a layer of protection manual checks don’t.
Should you add a TPMS if your car doesn’t have it?
Yes! An aftermarket TPMS is a smart, affordable upgrade that gives you:
Real-time tyre pressure alerts so you know before things go wrong.
Better fuel efficiency because underinflated tyres equals more drag.
Longer tyre life as you’ll avoid uneven wear.
Improved safety because your tyres are the only part of your car that touches the road and a TPMS ensures they have optimal inflation.
Most aftermarket TPMS kits are easy to install, either as a cap-style system that replaces your valve stems or an internal sensor system that a local tyre shop or mechanic can help you fit. They typically come with a small screen for your dash or an app that connects to your phone. TPMS kits from Safe T Tyre are so easy to install and we have a team of experts waiting to offer support if needed.
Who benefits most from TPMS?
Everyone can benefit from knowing their tyre pressure is on point, but a tyre pressure monitoring system is especially useful for:
P-platers or new drivers learning the ropes of their car
Those who do a lot of highway or regional driving, where help might be far away
People into camping, 4WD-ing or regularly towing heavy loads, where tyre pressure makes a huge difference
Safety conscious motorists who just like feeling in control and being prepared
Just because your car didn’t come with a tyre pressure monitoring system doesn’t mean you should go without it. A affordable, reliable TPMS can boost safety, give you peace of mind and save you money.
Explore our range of easy-to-install TPMS kits for cars today, shop online now or call 1800 499 383 to speak with the Safe T Tyre team.