Installing Tire Pressure Monitoring System w/ screen

[caineroad]

My car originally didnt come with TPMS, I found a kit that includes the 4 sensors, wires to my aftermarket touch screen HU and a button to activate turn on the screen. About $180 all in.

http://www.autodvdgps.com/tpms-tire-...mpaign=dp_tpms

Is it a good deal?

btw do most american yaris have TPMS?

[edmscan]

I had a system like you have shown here .... and it really didn't work well at all. In fact the store (Canadian Tire) that used to carry them stopped doing so .. as people just returned them once they found out that they just didn't work.

The sensors in particular didn't work well in winter. So seeing as how you are in Ontario .. I would be cautious.

[jpmck03]

Originally Posted by caineroad

... btw do most american yaris have TPMS?

I think from 2010 onwards we do. Personally, I find it annoying. Every summer, I put my summer wheels and tires on and have to deal with that little (_!_) icon blinking because I didn't feel like wasting $$$ on remounting the tires after putting in those special (read: expensive) TPMS valve stems. Heck, there's a pretty large thread on here for people wanting to disable the system altogether.

Is there a reason why you want to install an aftermarket TPMS? Just curious... A tire pressure gauge works just as well.

[Chuck G]

I really wish my car didn't have it!!

[caineroad]

Originally Posted by edmscan

I had a system like you have shown here .... and it really didn't work well at all. In fact the store (Canadian Tire) that used to carry them stopped doing so .. as people just returned them once they found out that they just didn't work.

The sensors in particular didn't work well in winter. So seeing as how you are in Ontario .. I would be cautious.

what you mean they dont work well? too cold?

[Betrivent]

Probably froze the sensors.

[caineroad]

ive never installed one in my life, do I visit a tire shop and they will know how to install the sensors for me?

[Betrivent]

They should, but as to the wiring of an aftermarket kit, they will likely nto be able to help you.

[edmscan]

Originally Posted by caineroad

what you mean they dont work well? too cold?

From what I remember .. the sensors were very intermittent and virtually useless in the winter time. I just said forget it after a period of time and just used a tire gauge.

I have found that manual tire testing works just fine, even if it is a little inconvenient.

[why?]

Why on earth would you want this? These things are way too sensitive, and most of them are absurdly hard to set to begin with. It is just a horrible idea.

I totally agree with jpmck03, just check your tire pressures on a weekly basis and you will be more than fine, and won't have to deal with headache after headache because the sensors decide that .25 lbs lower than normal is somehow worth bothering you about.

[DebbyM46227]

Those aftermarket ones are horrible....the sensors are HUGE and UGLY....don't do it! I'd give you my factory TPMS if I could, I hate it with a passion!

How did we EVER live without the TPMS?

Just use a tire gauge. Geez!

[Hamster]

A tire pressure gague will set you back only $5 (that is, if you get the one that shoots the white plastic ruler thing out, the digital ones will cost more). That's a lot less than $180!

[kimona]

For most of us, TPMS is absolute nonsense!

[edmscan]

I guess TPMS doesn't have too many fans. I am happy that I don't have it in my car.

[why?]

Originally Posted by edmscan

I guess TPMS doesn't have too many fans. I am happy that I don't have it in my car.

Every car I've been near that has it it only causes massive problems. The sensors are hard to adjust, they randomly go off for no reason, if it gets too warm or cold they go off, if you want to switch wheels you need to either switch them or have the stupid system whine at you constantly. Unless you are driving a hummer and have a system that automatically inflates your tires as well, it is more problems than it is worth.

[caineroad]

I thought it will be cool to look at the tire pressire on my screen, lol. I am kinda scared to risk cuz everyone is saying it is bad. Then why on earth would Audi and BMW still put these systems in their fleet if they have so much hate? They are not cheap either so there must be a reason.

[edmscan]

Originally Posted by caineroad

I thought it will be cool to look at the tire pressire on my screen, lol. I am kinda scared to risk cuz everyone is saying it is bad. Then why on earth would Audi and BMW still put these systems in their fleet if they have so much hate? They are not cheap either so there must be a reason.

Like DRL's .. TPMS (tire pressure monitoring systems) are mandatory on some vehicles (in some countries). I believe that Europe will make it mandatory in Nov 2012.

They may not be loved by all users .. but TPMS is considered a safety feature (particularly to guard against under inflation) and as such manufacturers build them into our vehicles as they are mandated to do so.

[why?]

Originally Posted by caineroad

I thought it will be cool to look at the tire pressire on my screen, lol. I am kinda scared to risk cuz everyone is saying it is bad. Then why on earth would Audi and BMW still put these systems in their fleet if they have so much hate? They are not cheap either so there must be a reason.

I wouldn't be surprised if the systems Audi and BMW use are better. They should be considering how much those cars cost. In 20 years all the systems will be fine, but just like how portable phones started off the size of a car trunk and horrible, these systems start of terrible but will eventually get better.