Advocacy

NHTSA to Conduct TPMS Public Survey

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will conduct a public survey on the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) rule. The equipment is intended to warn drivers of significant underinflation of tires installed on light-duty vehicles. The safety standard was phased-in between 2005 and 2007. A 2011 study found that the equipment was 55.6% effective in preventing severe underinflation. 

However, the study also demonstrated that the equipment was less effective in older vehicles. The NHTSA intends to focus attention on the operational status of the TPMS in the vehicle fleet, consumer knowledge, attitudes and awareness of these systems, and the causes and costs of TPMS malfunctions. 

For additional information contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.