How Tire Sensors Enhance Safety, Performance, and Efficiency in Modern Vehicles

By Samudrapom DamReviewed by Bethan DaviesFeb 13 2025

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are a game-changer for modern vehicles, helping drivers stay safe while improving performance and efficiency. By keeping tabs on things like tire pressure, temperature, and wear, these systems provide real-time insights that prevent accidents, enhance handling, and even boost fuel economy.^1,2

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TPMS are more than just a safety feature—they’re a key component in optimizing vehicle performance and efficiency. In this article, we’ll cover:

• Why Tire Sensors Matter – The impact of tire pressure and wear on vehicle safety and handling.
• How TPMS Works – The technology behind tire sensors and their role in monitoring tire health.
• Different Types of Tire Sensors – A breakdown of optical, strain, accelerometer, and PVDF sensors.
• Applications of TPMS – How these systems enhance vehicle stability, predictive maintenance, and autonomous driving.
• The Future of Smart TPMS – Innovations that go beyond pressure monitoring, integrating temperature and wheel alignment tracking.
• Key Industry Players – The companies leading the charge in tire sensor technology.

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Why Tire Sensors are Important?

Tire problems like low pressure and blowouts are a leading cause of accidents worldwide. If your tires aren’t performing properly, you’re at a higher risk of losing control, especially in tricky driving conditions. Since tires are the only point of contact between your car and the road, they directly impact braking, cornering, and acceleration.^1,2

Modern TPMS go beyond just monitoring pressure—they improve safety systems like anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control, collision mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. In self-driving cars, they’re even more critical, providing data on road conditions and tire-road interactions to refine vehicle responses.¹

These systems also enable communication between vehicles and infrastructure, helping drivers and traffic systems anticipate and respond to potential hazards. On top of that, they provide valuable data for researchers working to design better, more durable tires.^1,2

How Tire Pressure Sensors Work

So, how do these systems actually work? Most tire sensor systems consist of a power unit, sensing unit, signal processing unit, auxiliary unit, and transmission unit. They directly measure tire states like acceleration, deformation, temperature, strain, and inflation pressure. This data helps estimators assess vehicle states for control systems.¹

Friction potential, tire forces, contact patch characteristics, and contact patch dynamics could be estimated by measuring the operational states.¹

Key types of tire pressure sensors include:

• Optical sensors
• Accelerometers
• Strain sensors
• Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensors

Each type of sensor has unique advantages and challenges, making them better suited for different applications. Which type is best? That depends on the vehicle and the specific driving conditions.

Types of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

PVDF Sensor

PVDF sensors are widely used due to their flexibility, high sensitivity, and affordability. They generate voltage when pressure is applied, allowing for accurate measurement of tire strain and deformation.

By integrating PVDF sensors with friction force models, engineers can estimate slip angles and lateral forces, helping improve traction control. However, they have some limitations—distinguishing between different directional strain signals and compensating for temperature variations remain challenges.¹

Strain Sensor

Strain sensors, typically made with high-elongation foil strain gauges, are attached inside the tire to measure lateral and circumferential strain. Newer versions use ultra-flexible materials to enable wireless monitoring.

However, strain sensors come with their own set of challenges. Stress concentration at the sensor-tire interface can impact longevity, and temperature fluctuations can introduce inaccuracies. Researchers are continuously working on making them more flexible and resistant to environmental factors.¹

Optical Sensor

Curious about how optical sensors work? They use lasers, cameras, and position-sensitive detectors to provide highly accurate, real-time data about tire deformation and structural integrity. Since they are mounted on the wheel rim and not in direct contact with the tire, they don’t interfere with tire mechanics.

The enclosed environment of the tire cavity protects optical sensors from dust and debris, but they require additional light sources for precise measurement. While they offer exceptional accuracy, their high cost, power consumption, and complex calibration processes limit widespread use.¹

Accelerometer

Accelerometers are a well-established technology in TPMS. They are small, lightweight, and affordable, making them ideal for mass production. By detecting rapid changes in tire deformation, they help estimate the contact patch length (where the tire touches the road).

Most TPMS use triaxial accelerometers mounted inside the tire. These sensors track vibrations in great detail, but they can be sensitive to outside disturbances, leading to noise in the data. Additionally, alignment errors between the sensor and wheel frame can introduce measurement inaccuracies.¹

Where Tire Pressure Sensors Are Used

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) play a crucial role in multiple aspects of vehicle performance, safety, and maintenance. But where do they have the biggest impact? Let’s break it down:

1. Vehicle Stability Control – TPMS contribute significantly to vehicle stability by working alongside ABS, traction control, and electronic stability management systems. By continuously monitoring tire pressure and temperature, these sensors help prevent issues like underinflation, which can compromise grip and handling. Maintaining optimal tire pressure ensures that braking, acceleration, and cornering remain predictable and stable.
2. Performance Tracking – Racing teams and performance car manufacturers rely on TPMS to gain real-time feedback on handling, braking efficiency, and fuel consumption. By analyzing pressure fluctuations during high-speed maneuvers, drivers and engineers can fine-tune tire performance for optimal results. In commercial vehicles, TPMS help fleet managers optimize tire longevity and fuel efficiency, reducing operational costs.
3. Predictive Maintenance – TPMS aren’t just about immediate alerts; they also play a key role in long-term vehicle maintenance. By detecting early signs of uneven tire wear, gradual pressure loss, or heat buildup, these sensors allow for proactive tire servicing before problems escalate. This reduces the risk of tire blowouts, which can lead to costly repairs and accidents. For fleet vehicles, predictive TPMS data helps companies schedule maintenance efficiently, reducing downtime and extending tire lifespan.
4. Autonomous Driving – In self-driving and highly automated vehicles, TPMS are essential for ensuring that the vehicle can safely interact with the road. These systems provide real-time tire-road interaction data, allowing autonomous driving algorithms to adjust braking and steering dynamically. Without accurate tire data, autonomous vehicles may struggle to adapt to sudden road changes, such as wet or icy conditions. As autonomous technology advances, TPMS will become even more integrated into AI-driven vehicle control systems.

In short, TPMS are more than just a simple safety feature—they’re an essential component in modern vehicle intelligence, offering benefits across performance, safety, and cost efficiency.^1,2

Smarter Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

Most current TPMS only alert drivers when tire pressure drops below a safe level. But a study published in the IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering suggests an upgraded TPMS that does much more. This enhanced system not only monitors tire pressure but also tracks temperature and wheel alignment, giving drivers a more complete picture of their tire health and overall safety.^2,3,4

The system uses an electronic unit attached to each tire, which sends real-time data to an in-vehicle display. It’s equipped with sensors, microcontrollers, a radio frequency transmitter, and a battery, all working together to alert the driver when tire conditions go beyond safe limits.

Here’s how it works:

• Sensors collect data on tire pressure, temperature, and alignment.
• A microcontroller processes this information.
• An accelerometer checks if the car is properly aligned.
• A temperature sensor monitors heat buildup from friction.
• The system uses amplitude shift keying to transmit data wirelessly.
• The receiving unit inside the vehicle, powered by an Arduino UNO, processes the incoming data and displays it on an LCD screen. A potentiometer allows the driver to adjust the screen’s brightness for better visibility.

Successful experiments have shown that this smarter TPMS effectively helps drivers maintain their tires, improving both safety and driving comfort. With more comprehensive monitoring, drivers can catch potential issues early—before they turn into major problems.^2,4

Key Players

Leading companies in the tire sensor market include Continental AG, Sensata Technologies, Denso Corporation, NXP Semiconductors, and Sumitomo Rubber. These industry leaders are actively pursuing strategic collaborations to strengthen their market presence and drive profitability.

Continental AG is at the forefront of tire sensor innovation, developing advanced solutions such as ContiSense^TM and ContiPressureCheck^TM. These systems go beyond traditional tire pressure monitoring by providing real-time data on tread depth,

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temperature, and road conditions. In India, the company is introducing cost-effective intelligent technologies, including the ContiPressureCheck system for CombineMaster tires, which continuously monitors both tire pressure and temperature.

Sensata Technologies and Denso Corporation are also major players, focusing on cutting-edge sensor technologies that enhance vehicle safety and performance. Meanwhile, NXP Semiconductors N.V. plays a crucial role as a leading provider of automotive semiconductors, including those used in tire pressure monitoring systems.

Sumitomo Rubber has launched proof-of-concept testing for a new Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) service designed to enable remote tire condition monitoring. This innovation has the potential to transform fleet management and vehicle maintenance by providing real-time insights.

Collectively, these key players are shaping the future of the tire sensor market, prioritizing safety, fuel efficiency, and comprehensive tire health data for vehicle operators and fleet managers.

Want to Learn More?

As tire sensor technology continues to evolve, its impact on vehicle safety, efficiency, and maintenance is becoming more significant. Whether you're an industry professional, fleet manager, or automotive enthusiast, staying informed about the latest advancements can help you make better decisions.

For further insights, explore topics such as:

• How Pressure Mapping Advancements Will Change the Face of the Tire Industry
• What Are Automotive Sensors and How Do They Work?
• The Tire Industry Project: Addressing the Environmental Impacts of Tires

References and Further Reading

1. Xiong, Y., Yang, X. (2018). A review on in-tire sensor systems for tire-road interaction studies. Sensor Review, 38(2), 231-238. DOI: 10.1108/SR-07-2017-0132, https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/sr-07-2017-0132/full/html
2. Abbi, A., Ramakrishnaiah, T. (2021). Tyre pressure monitoring system. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1042, 1, 012024. DOI 10.1088/1757-899X/1042/1/012024, https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/1042/1/012024/meta
3. Fernanda, M., Díaz, V., Olatunbosun, O. (2020). A Strain-Based Intelligent Tire to Detect Contact Patch Features for Complex Maneuvers. Sensors, 20(6), 1750. DOI:10.3390/s20061750, https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/6/1750
4. Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) [Online] Available at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OCP/Resources/Files/OCP_brochures/TirePressureMonitoringSystems.pdf (Accessed on12 February 2025)

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