Mandatory installation of TPMS systems

What is a TPMS?

The abbreviation TPMS, or Tire Pressure Monitoring System, refers to tyre pressure monitoring. These are sensors placed on each wheel. They continuously check the tyre pressure, whether it is correct, and how it affects the vehicle's handling. Incorrect pressure or differential pressure in each tyre has a very significant impact on driving. It affects comfort, but above all safety, especially when braking.

EU regulation

In accordance with the EU safety regulation ECER141 from July 2022, all newly homologated vehicles of class:

- N1: vans and pickups,

- N2: vans and small trucks,

- N3: vans and trucks.

- M2 and M3: vans and buses

and:

- O3 and O4: trailers

must be equipped with TPMS.

From July 6, 2024, such an obligation will apply to all new registrations of the above categories.

Benefits of fitting TPMS

The introduction of the legislation is specifically aimed at safety. The European Commission has assumed that more than 25,000 lives will be saved by 2038 thanks to the new guidelines. In addition, it reckons there will be 140,000 fewer injuries caused by road accidents.

The second very important issue is the environmental impact. Incorrectly inflated tyres waste fuel more quickly, thereby increasing CO2 emissions.

In addition, the likelihood of breakdowns, i.e. the risk of unplanned downtime, is reduced.

Costs associated with the installation of the system

Every change comes with a cost. In addition to the installation of the sensors, programming and activation must be taken into account (as each detector has its own ID code so that the computer can correctly signal the state of the tyre). One company that installs TPMS states that the price of a set of:

- 1 x tractor (6 detectors)

- 1 x semi-trailer (6 detectors)

- 24-month contract costs PLN 4622 net.