[oldflyer]

Just wondering about replacement options. I tow my Smart behind a motorhome, and I use an aftermarket TPMS system on it with a receiver display in the motorhome to be sure I am not dragging the car with a flaming shredded tire for miles unknowingly. The sensors for this system are small external screw-on units with replaceable battery inside. This setup has performed well for me for years.

The auxiliary receiver works well and gives me a continuous nicely lit LED display of all tire pressures and temps at the valves continuously updated. I use it in the car as well and have a much better handle on actual tire pressures than the factory TPMS does.

So my question is, if/when the OEM sensors reach their end life, can I just not install new sensors, or just use regular valve stems, and disable the Smart TPMS? I like my aftermarket one much better, and if it fails, I can replace the whole system for the price of two factory sensors. I really hate it when the manufacturers put in "improvements" that tie us to their expensive and not so wonderful systems. Kind of like ink jet printer ink is the most expensive liquid in the world, so are factory TPMS systems and entertainment systems and electronic displays when they crap out.
End of editorial.

 

[jwight]

Removing the sensors disables the system, but you will get a TPMS warning light in the dash because the car thinks TPMS has failed.

 

[oldflyer]

I suspected as much. And it appears Mercedes/Smart would have to be involved with their proprietary computer mother ship reprogrammer if they could do it, which I doubt they would. I don't have to deal with any safety inspections so the best advice I heard is to put a piece of tape over the dash warning light if/when I delete the OEM sensors, and go on in blissful ignorance.

 

[Jo e Lefors]

I suspected as much. And it appears Mercedes/Smart would have to be involved with their proprietary computer mother ship reprogrammer if they could do it, which I doubt they would. I don't have to deal with any safety inspections so the best advice I heard is to put a piece of tape over the dash warning light if/when I delete the OEM sensors, and go on in blissful ignorance.

Not really, you still have the valve stem mounted remote TPMS system on your SMART with the display in your motorhome.

PS nice talking to you on the phone about your add-on TPMS system.

 

[oldflyer]

Not really, you still have the valve stem mounted remote TPMS system with the display in your motorhome.

That's right. I meant disregarding the Smart's TPMS blissfully. Maybe I should just put tape over the whole gauge cluster. The MPH on my GPS is more accurate. The gas gauge reads full bars until it wakes up about half tank. What else can I get along without?
......kidding....

 

[stevenjb]

I like the TPMS system. Shows when there is an issue. Every season change my smart TPMS illuminates. Take into Discount Tire for an inflate and always 2 pounds under - could be a valve stem gasket issue. Will see how the valve re-kit does when i get new tires.

Sent from Tapatalk on Android

 

[Miss Mercedes]

That's normal. Tyres tend to "lose" a pound or two when the seasons change. Changes in air density can directly impact inflation like that.

Tyres technically lose air naturally too, so it's always good to keep them checked.

For the OP, sadly no way to turn it off. Electrical tape ought to do the trick of hiding it though...or maybe a strip of plasti-dip if you want something that blends in better.

 

[Hardybob]

When i installed my carllson rims i removed the factory tpms. I tow my brabus behind my motorhome as well and use the screw on sensors for mh and smart which works great. I do have the tpms light on the dash flashing for a short time, then stays on. Causes no problem. Much safer to have the add on sensors when towing. Otherwise, like you said, you don't know if you have a flat or not until everything is destroyed. I also have the magnetic wireless lights so i did not have to screw with the factory wiring. Has worked great for 5 years now. I built a small metal bracket for each side and attached to the trunk storage lid. They are inside and show up well from the outside.