Chinese Tire Failure

[MyPrevost]

Maybe others have had better luck with tire pressure monitoring systems, but I haven’t had much success! On my previous setup, I used sensors that mounted on top of the Schrader valves. They leaked, failed to communicate with the computer, and were an overall nuisance. Plus, that bulky display on the dashboard looked like a flour sack dress!

I also have a big German sedan with sensors mounted inside the wheel. I’d get a false alarm about once a month—a big red triangle would appear on the dashboard with an exclamation point and a warning to stop the vehicle immediately. I’ve replaced so many of those sensors, and they’re often affected by moisture and debris inside the tire. Using nitrogen helped a bit by reducing false alarms, but they still occurred regularly. Eventually, I had the system disabled.

The only smart system I’ve found effective is on my Mini, which uses ABS wheel speed sensors to detect low tire pressure. When a tire loses pressure, it slows down slightly, and the system lights up to indicate low tire pressure. No moving parts!

If I were to design a system (though that’s a bit beyond my expertise), I’d use a laser or infrared to monitor tire or wheel temperature and trigger an amber light when a temperature delta is detected. It should be simple and, again, have no moving parts. Remember, sensors inside the tire or on the wheel involve moving parts, which can be problematic.

[MyPrevost]

Looks like John is singing from the same page I am. That single seal and the failure to report low pressure I previously mentioned is enough to concern me.

[MyPrevost]

I haven’t had issues with false reports or air loss with the Pressure Pro system. I don’t see any downside to having continuous tire pressure monitoring, with instant pressure checks at the touch of a button and audible alarms for multiple pressure loss stages. All this for the price of a Michelin tire!

When you stop at a rest area, instead of thumping your tires or using a temp gun, you can simply push a button to get instant pressure readings with the Pressure Pro. It makes checking tire pressures a quick part of your routine. You can also monitor your Toad tires easily.

If A-1 had used the Pressure Pro, he would have immediately known his Chinese Maypop was losing air, whether it was in the garage or on the road, thanks to the system’s alarms.

[MyPrevost]

Truk,

There’s no downside to having a properly functioning TPMS, but there are concerns about relying completely on a system you don’t use daily. My coach sits for long periods, and I’m not ready to just push a button before a trip and trust the pressure readings it provides. I prefer to do my own pressure checks to ensure accuracy. A seal that worked before might leak when replaced, and I’ve had issues with Schrader valves failing to seat properly in the past. I don’t want to go back to a single seal setup.

While having a notification for a tire leak while driving would be great, my primary concern is still the reliability of the system. Additionally, I tow two different vehicles with varying tire pressures, so I’d need sensors for both toads. This raises the question of whether I’d have to re-program the device each time I switch toads.

I’m interested in a TPMS, but so far, I haven’t found a solution that fully meets my needs.

[MyPrevost]

Believe it or not I saw some Amish folks using electricity.

[MyPrevost]

I had Newell install a Smartire system in October 2008, and it has been trouble-free with no false readings. Shortly after installation, a large hose clamp band broke inside the tire, but Smartire sent a replacement at no charge. Since then, I’ve had no issues.

I currently have the system only on the front tires, so I still manually check the rear tires each morning when traveling. I double-check the front tires as well, and they always match the Smartire display readings precisely.

Previously, I used the Tiremate system, which attached to each Schrader valve and used small watch batteries. It was problematic with frequent false alarms.

If I win the lottery, I’d love to install Smartire on my rear tires and my Toad as well.

[MyPrevost]

After nearly 5 years of using Pressure Pro, I can confidently say that I’ve had no false alarms or issues with the system. I do believe having a repeater is crucial to ensure the signal is transmitted effectively to the receiver. I agree with Truk—Jon, it’s time to get a TPMS.

[MyPrevost]

I think we should rally up our in house engineer type, Mr John Klopp for his input as to reliability and/or construction

[MyPrevost]

Count me among the satisfied Pressure Pro users. I’ve had my system for about 6 months with no pressure leaks or communication failures. It’s reassuring to watch the tire pressures adjust while driving and return to normal when stopped. I still stay vigilant for any changes in this pattern.

I agree that the display can be a bit awkward to handle and view. That’s why I’ve just installed a Silverleaf VMS330. This unit shows a range of engine data on my Alpine display and also integrates Pressure Pro data and alarms. It’s great not to add any new eyesores to the dashboard.

Just my $0.02!

[MyPrevost]

It seems Jon and I might be in the minority here! I do have a few questions, but first, I want to clarify that no tire pressure monitoring system will prevent a blowout. A blowout will be obvious to anyone paying attention. If a tire starts losing pressure while driving and the alarm goes off, what do you do? Pull over immediately and call for roadside assistance—though that’s not ideal in the Nevada desert in July or on a busy freeway. If you catch the issue at your next stop, you might have to replace a tire, but at least you’ll be doing it from a rest area instead of a remote location.

With a TPMS, instead of performing a manual pre-trip inspection, you can check pressures at the touch of a button. However, this doesn’t replace the need for a thorough inspection, as you might miss other issues like an axle seal leak. Calibration is another concern; just as in aviation, where tools like torque wrenches and scales need regular certification, TPMS systems also require calibration to ensure accuracy. And, despite the advantages of technology, there’s something to be said for the simplicity and reliability of manual systems like roll-up windows and three-on-the-tree transmissions!

[MyPrevost]

That’s a good perspective. TPMS can definitely add another layer of safety by alerting you to potential issues early, but it’s always smart to keep up with regular inspections and maintenance. It sounds like you’re using the system as part of a comprehensive approach to vehicle care.

[MyPrevost]

I don’t know about how Pressure Pro works, but Smartire has 2 little facts you need to be aware of:

When you first start up in the morning, the Smartire needs to “wake up”. It does this when you drive forward for a short way. This may be a disadvantage if you slept in a rest stop on the interstate highway, as you would be a half mile down the road before you could use the Smartire to check your pressures. Of course, you could still manually check your tires before you depart.

The second disadvantage is that you cannot use Equal inside the tire.

That notwithstanding, the Smartire is a good “warning system” to notify the driver when a tire begins to lose air. It does an excellent job and is very reliable.

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