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Sep 17, 2007 7:51 pm US/Eastern
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Tire Pressure Sensors Now Standard On New Cars
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
As part of a new safety requirement, new model cars are now coming with sensors that gauge the air pressure in your tires.
"It reads the tire pressure every 30 seconds and sends a message to the computer every 60 seconds," said Jack Sable of Sable Chevrolet.
The tire pressure monitoring systems have, up until now, been high-end options giving drivers advance warning of dangerously low tires.
Now, after a series of high profile tire recalls, automakers must offer the tire system standard in all 2008 cars, trucks, and SUVs.
AAA's Bob Eyrolles spent 30 years as a mechanic.
He calls the systems a must… especially for drivers who don't take care of their tires.
"It's surprising the number of people who don't do that," said Eyrolles. "You figure 25-30 percent of the cars on the road have low tires."
But there is a warning.
If you do get a flat you cannot use products like "Fix A Flat".
The sealant in the tire will destroy the sensors, which run about $50 to $100.
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