Ford provide in-car tyre pressure check

Advanced systems alerting the driver to a loss of pressure in a tyre are being provided by Ford in their latest cars.

The system detects when a tyre is deflating, triggering in-car warning systems that enable the driver to stop and check on the situation. It monitors the tyres at all times when the vehicle is in use, helping to draw attention to a problem before it becomes a safety issue.

"Tyres play a critical role in the car's performance, providing that vital link between the vehicle and the road," explained Michael Kremer, Ford wheel and tyre engineer. "Tyre pressure monitoring systems can help make motoring safer by giving drivers an instant alert when a tyre is losing pressure, so that immediate action can be taken."

"These automated systems are not a substitute for regular tyre pressure checks but they do provide an important additional safety measure in cases where a tyre becomes damaged or punctured and the driver isn't aware of the problem.

"Keeping your tyres correctly inflated can also reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, so these systems can help provide cost and environmental benefits too."

The Ford Focus and Kuga can be given a Deflation Detection System (DDS), using the same sensors as the anti-lock brake/electronic stability programme systems.

The Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy can be fitted with a Typre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), more useful for larger vehicles. Sensors in each wheel measure the actual pressure in all four tyres, comparing these figures to the recommended settings.