Method for monitoring the air pressure of the tires of a motor vehicle

A method for monitoring the pressure of the tires of a motor vehicle utilizing a first tire pressure control system which includes a central unit and a plurality of tire pressure control devices on corresponding ones of the wheels of the motor vehicle for respective ones of the tires, the method comprising the steps of:

• utilizing each one of said tire pressure control devices to measure the air pressure in the tire corresponding thereto at time intervals;
• causing each one of said tire pressure control devices to transmit a data transmission to said central unit at time intervals with the data transmission containing at least the measured air pressure and an individual identifier characterizing said one tire pressure control device and with a transmission pause being present between two sequential data transmissions of a specific one of said tire pressure control devices;
• monitoring each of the transmission pauses in said central unit which elapses after the receipt of a data transmission which is transmitted by a specific one of said tire pressure control devices;
• monitoring the air pressure of the tires of said motor vehicle utilizing a second tire pressure control system at least when at least one of the transmission pauses exceeds a pregiven first limit value;
• comparing the transmitted air pressure to an air pressure stored in said central unit;
• and,
• causing said central unit to generate an air pressure warning signal when the transmitted air pressure deviates from the stored air pressure beyond a pregiven amount.