More often these days, car manufacturers pack a lot of new technology into their cars.  Usually, it's for the best--like sensors that warn you if you are straying out of your lane or the latest entertainment system that makes commuting more enjoyable.  It's difficult to keep up with all the new products out there, but we'd like to touch on a valuable piece of technology: TPMS sensors. TPMS or the Tire Pressure Monitoring System, is a small computer with multiple sensors that continually check the air pressure of all the tires, including the spare.  The system is constantly monitoring the pressure and reporting to you, so that you know your tires have the appropriate amount of air for the best fuel economy and performance. The beauty of the TPMS is that the hidden sensors are always working to ensure that you maintain proper tire pressure.  However, the sensors are constantly being used, so their battery is constantly being drained.  After 5 years of faithfully checking up on your tires, the batteries that power your  TPMS sensors have reached the limit of their useful lives. The batteries in the sensors are mandated to last five years, so if your car is getting close to 5 years old, it's about time to replace them! Unlike a flashlight, the batteries in the TPMS sensors can not be replaced, they are built into the sensor.  Ignoring your TMPS sensors once the battery has died can put your tires (and you) in harm's way. In light of this, replacing the TPMS sensors doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Our tire experts at Performance Plus Wheel & Tire are here to help and can change your TPMS sensors. Make an appointment to come in and we'll have you back on the road in no time. If you don't live close, order your wheel and tire package from Performance Plus Tire, and we'll install the new TPMS sensors for you - you just need to then link the sensors to your vehicle.