TPMS new tyres

[cayman-black]

Guys do i have to worry about the tyre TPMS when fitting new tyres ? They are working fine right now.Thanks.

[Dewi 2]

My Vantage has just had its first set of new tyres fitted. PS4S of course.
TPMS still working. Possibly I am lucky, because the original batteries are now over 10 years old.

I am familiar with always having new valves fitted with new tyres.
With the TPMS sensors, are valves part of the whole unit ?
If so, do the old valves continue to be used ?

[JonnyCJ]

You can fit new valves, however, be careful which ones you buy. Some may need a bit of fiddling around with on the sensor so that they fit correctly. You will also potentially lose the seating for the coloured ring which tells you which is which.

[AdamV12V]

Yes the TPMS sensors are integrated into the valves. So if you are happy to keep the old valves then everyything will be just fine. If you want new valves then you’ll need to ensure you buy new TPMS valves and pair them to the car - I think the later generation of cars just auto pair.

I’d personally just keep the old valves unless you have reason to change them

[vernierMike]

The earlier ones (manufactured pre-2010 but need to check VIN) do not re-learn and the thread that EVR and I put together covers replacing and reprogramming those. The base of the valve stem locks into the sensor so they are a bit fiddly as described. It may be possible to replace the innards, the rubbery bits that harden over time??

At 10 years you're on borrowed time but my fitter charges £25 to remove and refit a tyre so not the end of the world when they do go ping, but on the other hand that is the price of new sensors...

I have a new set of the newer/later ones that I mistakenly ordered if anyone wants to pay the postage..???

[Jon39]

Is this system simply a regulation requirement for car manufacturers?

Is it really of practical use if we frequently check tyre pressures?

In a sudden tyre burst (Messrs Stroll and Vettel at Baku) it would not help.
A slowly deflating tyre should be felt through the steering wheel.

Please explain the practical usefulness.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

Jon39 said:

In a sudden tyre burst (Messrs Stroll and Vettel at Baku) it would not help.
A slowly deflating tyre should be felt through the steering wheel.

Please explain the practical usefulness.

Tyres do not randomly and suddenly burst unless you hit something like a massive pothole or a kerb and obviously in this case Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems are of no benefit.

Where they do come into their own is where people are now too lazy to check their tyre pressures once a year, let alone every week. They warn the driver if they have lost pressure or are losing pressure due to a puncture/corrosion on the bead/natural air loss etc and it is a rare thing nowadays to see a car drive past with a deflated tyre and a completely oblivious driver.

[vernierMike]

Well it's easy to bypass if you don't want it, there are plug in boxes that fool the car that all is fine an dandy.

They systems are useful for nails that give a slow (but not that slow!) puncture, a leaky rim or grime in the valve and for the oblivious or lazy. Weekly checks of tyres are also rarely done by most drivers, me included (and I'm not bad!) for whom 'get in and drive' seems to be the maxim. So they have a place and many cars have them, my Mum's Fiesta too, and she cannot bend down to check tyre pressures without considerable pain and inconvenience.

When the batteries on my sensors went I thought about bypassing the unit but preferred to have the car working as original, rather than me really being worried about low tyre pressures.

[LTP]

Jon39 said:

Is this system simply a regulation requirement for car manufacturers?

Yes, although some were fitting the system before it became mandated, as is often the case with regulatory requirements

Jon39 said:

Is it really of practical use if we frequently check tyre pressures?

Yes, because you usually pick up a puncture on the move.

Jon39 said:

In a sudden tyre burst (Messrs Stroll and Vettel at Baku) it would not help.

True, but catastrophic tyre failure on road tyres is, as far as I know, very rare and is often preceded by partial deflation causing stress on the carcass

Jon39 said:

A slowly deflating tyre should be felt through the steering wheel.

Not necessarily. Personal anecdote. A friend and I were driving in my 4x4 Cavalier (yes, that long ago) along the M54, at night, in the wet, at speed. I noticed that the suspension appeared to be a little harder than usual and it appeared to be getting worse. It wasn't bad, but it gave me the feeling that all was not well, so I decided to pull onto the hard shoulder to check the car over. I was amazed to see, by the light of the torch, an almost completely flat rear tyre that was so hot it was gently steaming. It can't have been long before the carcass would have separated, in which case I doubt the car would have continued driving straight and we could have gone looping across the carriageway. So I was glad I didn't take my friend's advice that "It didn't feel that bad, it's late and we're only 30 mins from home. Let's wait and check it there". Before we pulled over the car had been tracking straight and true at speeds I can't mention in writing.

Jon39 said:

Please explain the practical usefulness.

See above

Edited by LTP on Saturday 3rd July 13:14

[Dewi 2]

LTP said:

... driving in my 4x4 Cavalier (yes, that long ago) ...

Careful please - I drove mine only yesterday.
A handy sixth vehicle, now in semi-retirement.
Its only role in life is taking garden rubbish to the dump. Tailgate version, so rear seats down and plenty of carrying capacity.

For some strange reason, people make admiring comments about it. Still looks very clean though with dateless plates and pristine (what has turned out to be a very long-lasting colour) green paintwork. Probably one of the best of the very few now remaining and remarkably no rust, or paint bubbling. Remembered as the rep mobile for those preferred it to a Sierra.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Saturday 3rd July 11:36