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It is always exciting to see what new gadgets are in upcoming vehicles. Each year, new technology is poured into the automotive space including sensors, radars, lights, entertainment, and safety devices. These new technologies are often a driving force for vehicle purchases. What new technology has emerged, and how can it affect repairability? Let’s take a look at tire-mounted pressure sensors.
Tire-mounted pressure sensors are like valve-mounted tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) but are built into or attached directly to the tire. According to Continental’s Intelligent Tire With Built-in Sensor article the advantages are:
- "Provides true tire casing temperature, allowing preventive actions to increase life"
- "Avoids valve damage and air leaks by mounting on the inner liner of the tire"
Continental states the benefits of tire-mounted sensors, which include:
- Improved tire runout
- Minimize irregular tire wear
- Improved safety
- Reduced roadside breakdowns
If a tire is being replaced on a commercial vehicle that has tire-mounted sensors, consider ordering the correct tire with the factory-mounted sensor.
Can the sensor be removed and reinstalled on a different tire? Yes, Continental offers sensors separately for retrofitting. However, factory-mounted sensors offer optimal sensor positioning and reduced installation time.
Today, this technology is offered on the commercial fleet and racing sides of the automotive industry. With the ever-increasing connected vehicles on the road, it’s only a matter of time before this technology will start to appear on production vehicles as well. With the added advantages of external monitoring and more data insight offered with tire-mounted sensors, OEMs and drivers could benefit from more precise tire data that can be sent directly to the driver.
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Article validated in 2026