How Do I Know? (Re: TPMS)

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

In fact, it was before plastic cars; some of it was before plastic was invented. Yup, I'm old.

I'll say. That makes you at least 100 years old. That's only if you consider bakelite to be the first plastic (debatable).

[Chris Smyth]

After reading the posts and some of the background info, I have a question: Is there an aftermarket add-on that will provide a dashboard read-out of the individual tire pressures detected by the Smart TPS? Such an add-on would be very helpful in co-relating the tire pressure gage readings observed when physically checking the tires and the pressures simultaneously detected by the TPS.
I understand that such systems are available, but I don't know if the Smart TPS system has this capability.

Chris

[jwight]

Originally Posted by Chris Smyth

After reading the posts and some of the background info, I have a question: Is there an aftermarket add-on that will provide a dashboard read-out of the individual tire pressures detected by the Smart TPS? Such an add-on would be very helpful in co-relating the tire pressure gage readings observed when physically checking the tires and the pressures simultaneously detected by the TPS.
I understand that such systems are available, but I don't know if the Smart TPS system has this capability.

Chris

Seems like it could be done. According to Tire rack the smart uses Schrader TPMS sensors, and Schrader makes a TPMS retrofit kit [ http://www.schraderelectronics.com/P...aspx?product=7 ] which has readouts for temp and pressure. How hard that would be to adapt to a smart I don't know.

[cowancom]

Here is the link....
Schrader Altavista, Schrader France, OE Validated Sensors, Snap-in sensor, OE approved sensor

[cowancom]

When I put proper rims and tires on our smart I used this system-
Orange Electronic Retro-Fit Tire Pressure Monitoring System

[Chris Smyth]

Thanks jwight & cowancom for your quick replies. I've emailed my SmartCar dealer to see if I can install one of these monitors without voiding my warranty. I try to regularly check my tire pressure anyway, but this is one of those cool guy toys that we all love to spend our money on.

Chris

[jwight]

You might check with Tire Rack and see if the Orange Electronic monitor works with the stock smart TPMS sensors. If so, you're off and running. Let us know.

[Chris Smyth]

I've had several email exchanges with Jay (a product engineer) at Schrader. He doesn't know if the TPMS in the Smart Car can "learn" the sensors of the retrofit kit. When I pointed out that the Smart Car OE installed sensors are Schrader #28214 sensors transmitting at 433.9 mHz and that the retro fit sensors also transmit at the same frequency, he agreed but still didn't think the Smart Car would be able to "learn" the new sensors. I've contacted my dealer and asked him to ask his service people if there would be a problem.
More to follow.....
Chris

[fortow]

Originally Posted by Chris Smyth

Thanks jwight & cowancom for your quick replies. I've emailed my SmartCar dealer to see if I can install one of these monitors without voiding my warranty. I try to regularly check my tire pressure anyway, but this is one of those cool guy toys that we all love to spend our money on.

Chris

Why on earth would you think it would "void" the warranty? There's far too much misunderstanding of what warranties are and how they apply.

The only thing that would be affected by making changes to the TPMS would be that the factory would not warranty any aftermarket parts or installation. All other warranty provisions would continue to apply.

Warranties are government mandated to cover materials and labour of factory installed components for specific periods of time due to faulty parts or manufacturing. If you abuse the car and your abuse led to a specific part failure then the warranty would not apply to that part - or if lack of maintenance led to failure of a part affected by that lack of maintenance then the warranty would not apply to repair of that part. Otherwise, the manufacturer is obliged to warranty parts and labour. Warranties are always "limited" however with time restraints that vary for different aspects of the vehcle and some other conditions.

Dealerships love to intimidate owners with warning about voiding warranties which scares owners into taking the car back to them for service etc. You have warranty rights and they have warranty liabilities.

[Chris Smyth]

Thanks FORTOW,
You're right about the public (including myself) being intimidated about voiding their product warranties. I'm trying to overcome that in myself.
I've had my Smart Car for about 1 1/2 months now and everything works fine - I'm very happy with the engineering and the quality of the workmanship that's gone in to building this car.
That said, I'm going forward with my dashboard customization project. I'll be installing a gauge cluster in the space my stereo/CD player now occupies. I don't listen to music when I drive, so scrapping the stereo is no loss for me. If anyone wants a new stereo (model 9) that's only been turned on once or twice (by my grandkids) - let me know.
I'll be installing four ISSPRO 2 1/16" [electrical] dial-type gauges (amps, volts, temp., and oil pres.) plus the Schrader hard-wired TPMS retrofit kit display in the guage cluster. I may also include a fifth gauge (fuel pres.) but I'll have to see how the guage spacing works out before I decide about it. I know that a ScanGauge can supply much of this information, but I like the "retro" look of the analog gauges and I'd like my gauge package to be a redundant system to the car's OE warning lights and sensors. When I finish this project I'll post some pictures. Until then I'd welcome any comments or suggestions.
Chris