How to Monitor Tyre Pressure Remotely For Fleets | Telematics

Not every driver wants to think about tyre pressure and in reality, many simply don’t. Whether it’s due to time constraints, forgetfulness or the perception that everything is “probably fine,” manual checks are often skipped or rushed. Unfortunately, this can lead to underinflated tyres going unnoticed which in turn leads to higher fuel consumption, faster tyre wear and increasing the risk of dangerous failures on the road.

That’s where telematics-enabled TPMS changes the game. Instead of relying on drivers to manually inspect tyres, modern systems can automatically transmit real-time pressure and temperature data directly from the vehicle to a central platform. This means tyre health can be monitored remotely - whether the vehicle is across town or across the other side of the country.

By shifting the responsibility of tyre management to your maintenance team, you create a more efficient and structured workflow. Drivers can stay focused on operating the vehicle safely while dedicated personnel handle monitoring, alerts and preventative maintenance. This clearer division of labour not only improves operational efficiency but also ensures potential issues are identified and addressed early.

How TPMS Works

A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is built around a simple but effective process of measuring and transmitting tyre data in real time.

At the source are small sensors fitted to each tyre. These sensors - either mounted externally on the valve stem or installed internally inside the tyre - contain small pressure and temperature gauges. They continuously measure the air pressure and heat inside the tyre to ensure even small changes are detected early.

This data is then beamed wirelessly from each sensor to a display unit inside the vehicle. The transmission happens automatically and in real time. Due to this, it provides a live view of each tyre’s condition without needing to stop or manually check pressures.

When telematics is introduced, the system becomes even more functional. Instead of the display unit acting as the final destination, it acts as a gateway - forwarding all tyre data to a centralised platform. From there, fleet managers or maintenance teams can remotely monitor every vehicle’s tyre from their office. They receive alerts and can take action immediately if any tyre experiences issues.

The result is a seamless, automated monitoring system that removes guesswork, reduces manual checks and ensures tyre issues are caught before they become costly problems.

How TPMS Data is Transmitted: Telematics, CANbus and RS232

Modern TPMS systems can utilize a network of communication technologies to move that data from the vehicle to where it needs to be analysed and acted upon. This is where telematics come into play.

Telematics: Long-Range Wireless Data Transfer

Telematics is the system that enables TPMS data to be sent wirelessly over long distances to a central platform. In simple terms, it takes information collected on the vehicle such as tyre pressure and temperature and transmits it using mobile networks (like 4G/5G) or other wireless communication methods.

This means fleet managers or maintenance teams can view live tyre data from anywhere. Instead of relying on manual checks or on-site inspections, telematics creates a continuous, real-time data stream that supports remote monitoring, alerts and fleet-wide visibility.

CANbus: The Vehicle’s Internal Communication Network

CANbus (Controller Area Network bus) is a type of telematics that functions as the vehicle's digital nervous system. It allows different electronic components - such as the engine control unit, brakes, sensors and dashboard systems - to communicate with each other without needing a central computer to coordinate everything.

In the context of TPMS, CANbus can be used to integrate tyre data directly into the vehicle’s existing system. This means tyre pressure and temperature readings can be displayed on the dashboard or shared with other vehicle systems. CANbus is highly efficient because it reduces wiring complexity and allows multiple units to share the same communication network reliably and in real time.

RS232: Direct Serial Communication

RS232 is another type of telematics and is a long-established communication protocol used for direct data transfer between devices. Unlike CANbus, which is a multi-device network, RS232 is a point-to-point connection - meaning it sends data from one device directly to another.

In TPMS applications, RS232 is often used to transmit data from a receiver or control unit to external devices, such as computers. While it’s an older technology, it remains widely used because of its simplicity, reliability and compatibility with many industrial and automotive systems.

Remote Monitoring Made Simple with the Mata 7S

The Mata 7S is ideally suited for integration with telematics systems - making it a strong choice for operators who want full visibility of tyre health without relying on manual checks. Its specialized design supports real-time data transmission seamlessly. This makes it a practical foundation for fleets looking to move toward smarter, data-driven maintenance.

By pairing the Mata 7S with telematics, fleet operators can effectively remove the day-to-day monitoring burden from drivers. Instead of expecting drivers to check tyres or respond to warning signs, the responsibility shifts to a central monitoring system where maintenance teams can track conditions across the entire fleet in real time.