Another winter tire question - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

paroyboy · 12-03-2008, 12:17 AM

I've been thinking of having snow tires put on my stock wheels (passion) and then having the stock Contis put on another set of rims this spring. Dont want to spring for 4 tire pressure sensors. Can I run the stock wheels with snow tires without the sensors? What will the result be on the dash? Rather not look at the tire symbol all winter. ideas?

**jwight** · 12-03-2008, 06:35 AM

Sorry, no sensors = TPMS light on the dash. You could carry one of your stock wheels in the car at all times to avoid this...

**jimvw57** · 12-03-2008, 07:22 AM

A piece of black electrical tape could do the trick. Cut it just big enough to cover the light and....Works on check engine lights too. My wife's truck has the check engine light on and the dealer can't seem to find the problem. The code is for a plugged cat converter and replacing it and the sensor didn't work.

Poleposition · 12-03-2008, 07:27 AM

Why wouldnt you want tpms in the winter? It's there for a reason.

Padawan · 12-03-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poleposition

Why wouldnt you want tpms in the winter? It's there for a reason.

If you're buying a second set of wheels for winter usage, the sensors are an added and unnecessary expense. The only "downside" is the little orange light and having to keep track of your tire pressure the way the majority of other car owners do - with a pressure gauge.

mvaldes · 12-03-2008, 08:58 AM

The warning light only flashes for a few minutes after you start the car. After that it becomes a steady, non-distracting light.

paroyboy · 12-03-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poleposition

Why wouldnt you want tpms in the winter? It's there for a reason.

Even from Tirerack, four sensors run $288! For $288, I'll make sure to look at my tires for the four months the tires would be on.

tigerwong58 · 12-03-2008, 10:20 AM

I think the tires will be fine without TPMS Sensors, the weight of the car isn't that heavy an should allow you to drive off the road. You should be able to feel the tire being low, typically more vibration or sloppy steering. I currently run Lorinser Speedys, but at the first sign of snow I am putting on my stock rims without sensors. I saw that Tirerack removed their Pirelli Snowtire offering for Smart Cars. I drove the Smart this past January in light snow and it did fine with the stock tires.