How Do I Know? (Re: TPMS)

[smart fortimo]

DOH! Wrong galaxy

[Chris Smyth]

Just an update on my last post in this thread two years ago. I installed a guage package in place of my stereo which included 2 1/16" back-lit ISSPRO electric dial guages for coolant temp, oil temp, oil pres and volts. I also installed a Schrader TPMS continuous display tire pressure/temperature display in the center of the four guage grouping.

I also had under-dash and under-seat lighting installed as well as a 5.3" Garmin GPS navigation dashboard display. Since the backighting for all the guages is green with red pointers and the under-lighting is also green, I had the customizing shop change out the factory dash (yellow) LED's with green LED's so that it all looks like an original factory set-up.

I'm very happy with the results. I have all the engine and navigation information I need at a glance, and now I don't have to feel around for my cup-holder when I'm driving at night.

I think it looks kinds cool!

Chris

[dennyrex]

do you have any more information about this display?

"Schrader TPMS continuous display tire pressure/temperature display"

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by Chris Smyth

Just an update on my last post in this thread two years ago. I installed a guage package in place of my stereo which included 2 1/16" back-lit ISSPRO electric dial guages for coolant temp, oil temp, oil pres and volts. I also installed a Schrader TPMS continuous display tire pressure/temperature display in the center of the four guage grouping.

I also had under-dash and under-seat lighting installed as well as a 5.3" Garmin GPS navigation dashboard display. Since the backighting for all the guages is green with red pointers and the under-lighting is also green, I had the customizing shop change out the factory dash (yellow) LED's with green LED's so that it all looks like an original factory set-up.

I'm very happy with the results. I have all the engine and navigation information I need at a glance, and now I don't have to feel around for my cup-holder when I'm driving at night.

I think it looks kinds cool!

Chris

WE NEED PIC's !!!

Don't make be break out the BOYS !!!

[jwight]

Originally Posted by chieftmc

WE NEED PIC's !!!

Don't make be break out the BOYS !!!

+1! Thanks for the update Chris, now show us some pictures of all of this neat stuff.

[tablist180]

Originally Posted by dennyrex

do you have any more information about this display?

"Schrader TPMS continuous display tire pressure/temperature display"

Yes, could you tell us the model you used

[Chris Smyth]

The aftermarket TPMS I used is a Schrader AirAware TPMS (Mfg #20257). There are a number of web retailers that carry this kit. One such retailer is Quadratec ( 20257 - Schrader® AirAware™ Hard Wired Tire Pressure Monitor System - Quadratec ).

Apparently, the sensors in this kit don't play nice with the electronics of the Smart Car and the idiot light on the dashboard remained lit after the kit and matching sensors were installed.

This problem was resolved by simply blanking out the tire icon on the Smart Car dashboard display. This wasn't a problem for me since I had the dashboard display removed to change out the back-light LED's from the standard amber color to teal green in order to match the back-lighting of the guages I installed. The TPMS display has a warning light and an audible alarm for low tire pressure (in addition to the pressure readout) so blanking out the dashboard idiot light doesn't defeat any safety aspect of the manufacturer's TPMS.

When I researched this unit I couldn't get any information from Smart Car or from Schrader about whether this display unit could "learn" the original equipment sensors (even though the Smart Car uses Schrader TPM sensors). I just replaced the stock tire sensors with the sensors in the kit.

I'll try to get my granddaughter to show me how to download a jpeg file from her digital camera into my computer that I can attach to a post here. I'm clueless about stuff like that.

I forgot to mention in my previous post that I also had an aftermarket cruise control installed. It works great. I use it almost all the time when I'm on the expressway in fifth gear.

In case anyone is wondering, I didn't do any of this work myself. I had all of the guages and the cruise control installed, and all of the dashboard modifications and the under-seat lighting done by a customizing shop here in Cincinnati called Audio Advantage. My total cost for the equipment, installations and dashboard modifications was about $4,000.

Chris