TPMS SENSOR RANT!

IBTL...

 

Case closed.

 

you know i was kidding about the backwards sensors right? jesus..
im a toyota tech. How would I ever recommend something like that!?



im kidding about being kidding. i know it actually works. i just havn't actually done it.

 

2.7 suggests otherwise.

 

Have the spare wheel drilled and mount all the sensors to it? The system will be happy - and you can check your tire pressure the old fashioned way like you like. You will know when the spare is low so you don't have to climb under to check it

 

But if the spare is found to be low ... which valve stem do I put new air in..?? Do I have to add some to each of the 4 stems..?? That sounds like a lot of work...!

 

Brilliant!

 

The "a few people s#it their pants, and everyone has to wear diapers" philosophy of TPMS is a little nutty...

 

I was always told it was to help vehicle owners keep their tires properly inflated, increasing fuel economy (very minor) and tire life (also very minor)

Not to mention driving with an under inflated tire can get dangerous.


So we get tire pressure sensors in the wheels to improve fuel economy. Transmissions that shift early to improve fuel economy, lower torque engines to improve economy, air dams and fins to improve aerodynamics for economy...

I think I see a trend here

Also, stop bitching about having to deal with the light once every 5 months.

I deal with them 5-8 times a day. Every day.

"What's the horseshoe light on my dash mean?"

It means you should open your owners manual, ma'am.

 

FWIW, I realize you guys ridicule people who buy the KO2's, but I've been using the bfg all terrain on jeeps and Toyotas since the 90's, and other than mud performance, I've been happy with them.
Full disclosure, the manufacturing plant I work for is somehow related to the BFG manufacturing facility, and I get BFG tires at half price. So I get KO2's for what you guys pay for the Walmart Uniroyal Liberator tires, at $450 a set. I'd be stupid to pay more for an inferior tire because millennial frat boys get their parents to pay a grand for them.
I was ridiculing that group myself by calling them Mall-Terrains and Bro-tires.
If you'll judge a guy by the tires he gets a steep discount on, then you're a tool yourself.
Thanks for the help, those of you who did.
I will likely buy the correct tpms sensors when the hurt of spending $800 on wheels and tires fades a bit. In the meantime, I have my wheels and tires mounted, and they look and drive nice, and I don't have a light on my dash reminding me that the commies are winning.
Thanks again, and have a great day!

 

I'm only still here because you called them Mall-Terrains.
It's brilliant.

Someone buy me an extra bigass one and a bed mount so I can display it to the world.
I can use it when I go Urban-wheeling and flex my shit out on a parking stop!

 

Not really a fan of TPMS, however it forces me to crank down the spare once in a while and check the pressure. Also helps keep the crank mechanism working. I tend not to do it when it's below zero, and that's exactly when air pressure goes down and trips the idiot light. So if/when the light comes on, I check/air up the 4 on the ground and reset. If the light stays on after that, I have a neat little reminder that the spare is low, which I'll fix when it warms up a bit.

If you want to check the spare with the others, turn it over next time you crank it down and position the stem so you can reach it. A leaky valve stem extender on the spare only makes it worse, and could damage the valve stem threads. They can strip out with only hand tightening! Nothing but a plastic cap for me.

 

After almost 9 years my tpms sensor batteries finally gave up and the light's been blinking for a year. I thought it wouldn't pass inspection either, but at least here in VA, they dont care. Hopefully the light will burn out soon.

I wish more car manufacturers would do what GM did years ago and display the pressure in each tire. Much more helpful than a light coming on.

 

Havent see the light in 4 years!