How Do I Know? (Re: TPMS)

[jdlynch99]

OK How do I know my TPS is reading my tires, and not the TPS sensors that are in the guy's tires in the lane next to me????

I Know I Know tooo much time to think today.

[fpage77]

... why fools fall in love?

I don't think many cars have TPS standard yet so I wouldn't worry.

[Karl Roth]

Tire-pressure monitoring system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
karl

[jdlynch99]

Originally Posted by fpage77

... why fools fall in love?

I don't think many cars have TPS standard yet so I wouldn't worry.

I don't know all my cars have them, my neighbors car has them, my son in law's truck has them..... there might be more of them out there then you think.

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by fpage77

... why fools fall in love?

I don't think many cars have TPS standard yet so I wouldn't worry.

Soon all will have tps.

[Woody14619]

I worried about this when I got a new set of rims and TPMS for my winter tires. I asked the smart tech about it when I had it in for service, since I planned on storing the other set in the garage where my car lives. Here's the story I was told, which seems to match the explanation in the service manual:

The SAM remembers the last 4 TPMS serial numbers it saw and expects those. When the tech puts the new tires on the car, they generally reset the SAM. It's not required, but it forces the system to start up in re-train mode. (This can also happen if you've disconnected the battery for more than 20 minutes.) When service is done, they take it out for a spin and then to be safe they hold the cockpit button down for 10 seconds, even if the light doesn't come on. They then usually drive it around for another 2 or 3 minutes to make sure the light doesn't come back on (eg that it got the right sensors).

It's important to note that this can be done at any time, and doesn't explicitly require a dealer visit. You can force a re-train any time by holding down the cockpit button for 10 seconds. So if in doubt, find a country road and hold the button down for a bit.

[fortow]

Originally Posted by jdlynch99

OK How do I know my TPS is reading my tires, and not the TPS sensors that are in the guy's tires in the lane next to me????

Each sensor has a code that is transmitted to the processing unit which identifies the sensor and also indicates the wheel that it is installed on.

The receiver/processor unit won't react to sensors that it is not programmed to recognize.

So be assured, that you are getting information only on the sensors installed in your tires, or for older systems, on your tire stems.

[RVGRINGO]

Ho hum. We always looked at our tires and, sometimes we used a guage. Of course, that was before TPS or anything else that wasn't spelled out in whole words, instead of initials that nobody else knows. In fact, it was before plastic cars; some of it was before plastic was invented. Yup, I'm old. All airplanes had propellers and some had open cockpits. My first car had wooden spokes; a 1931 Plymouth.

[Woody14619]

Actually, the OEM smart TPS from the factory are installed on the stems too, just inside the wheel. That's part of why you'll find a large wheel weight on the opposing side of the stem most times, to counter the weight of the sensor.

[fortow]

Originally Posted by Woody14619

Actually, the OEM smart TPS from the factory are installed on the stems too, just inside the wheel. That's part of why you'll find a large wheel weight on the opposing side of the stem most times, to counter the weight of the sensor.

TPMS is new to most people. The systems can be complicated and if treated improperly can easily be damaged. Direct systems require specialized training and service procedures as well as specialized tools. The smart pressure monitors are a direct TPMS which combine the sensor and stem.
Some valuable information about servicing tires with this type of sensor can be found here - Schrader USA - TPMS Installation Guide

and here - Tire Tech Information - Servicing Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors

I recently bought a clearance item - TPM's that screw onto the tire stems, that's the reference I made. They do the same job but are external, not internal to the tire as TPM systems are commonly designed now. There were also counter weights for the wheels in the package.

Unfortunately, the batteries in the sealed sensors I bought are only rated for three years use. I have no idea how long they were sitting on the shelves. The first one I bought had one non-functioning sensor, all the sensors in the second sample bought worked.

I bought them to use on the motorhome. They are limited to 87 psi but that's close enough to the recommended pressure of 90 lbs for the RV tires. It was a cheap buy at about $45 for four sensors and a receiving display so it wasn't much to lose if they stop working.