No TPMS sensors, but no warning??
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 164
Likes: 9
From: Stamford CT & Weeki Wachee FL
No TPMS sensors, but no warning??
Hey y'all--
I chose to buy winter tires/wheels without sensors, as my wife said she wouldn't mind ignoring the warning light if we save $200+ and a trip to the dealer.. So I put them on yesterday, drove to the gas station and the bank, then home (maybe 2 miles) and didn't get a warning light. Was that not far enough to cause a light? I'm not complaining... I don't mind if it stays off til it's time to swap tires again, then I'll get it fixed...
Thanks
kevin
I chose to buy winter tires/wheels without sensors, as my wife said she wouldn't mind ignoring the warning light if we save $200+ and a trip to the dealer.. So I put them on yesterday, drove to the gas station and the bank, then home (maybe 2 miles) and didn't get a warning light. Was that not far enough to cause a light? I'm not complaining... I don't mind if it stays off til it's time to swap tires again, then I'll get it fixed...
Thanks
kevin
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 55
From: Ohio
It reads sensors from my tires stored in the basement. Then the light comes on a few miles down the road. We just ignore the light. Eventually, I will either find a wire to cut for the the light, or will pull the bulb from the cluster.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 903
Likes: 173
From: SC
I've seen people with aftermarket wheels create a container out of PVC to house the sensors in. Make a container with a standard valve stem, put sensors in container, pressurize to 35psi and keep in the back of the car.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 55
From: Ohio
Pulling the bulb from the cluster is a lot easier, never mind a few electrical modifications that can completely remove TPMS functionality.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 280
Likes: 6
From: NY
I am not sure how "easy" it is to pull the bulb out of the cluster...
Last time the TPS light came on one of the tires was low but not to the point where it was easily visible. If I did not get the light in the morning I could have gotten stuck "in the middle of nowhere"... Not to mention that an under-inflated tire can overheat easily at high speeds
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 55
From: Ohio
Sensors are a part of mandatory safety regulation that the Gov't put in place when Ford had Firestone tires inflated to 24PSI to cover-up for poor engineering.
Firestones overheated, tread separated, people died. Ford got a slap on the hand, Firestone took the blame, Gov't solved the problem the way it always does - having all cars fitted with TMPS.
If anything, it's a convenience feature. It's cool to get a pressure read with a flick of the switch (3RX 450h) rather than getting out of the car. Or seeing how it goes up on a road trip from cold to warm.
As a motorist, you should be aware when your tire is running low. The car will start to walk left and right. It is a very distinct feeling.
TPMS will not help with quick leaks or blow-outs, as it won't trigger fast enough.
But that's whole another topic we've covered in the past.
Firestones overheated, tread separated, people died. Ford got a slap on the hand, Firestone took the blame, Gov't solved the problem the way it always does - having all cars fitted with TMPS.
If anything, it's a convenience feature. It's cool to get a pressure read with a flick of the switch (3RX 450h) rather than getting out of the car. Or seeing how it goes up on a road trip from cold to warm.
As a motorist, you should be aware when your tire is running low. The car will start to walk left and right. It is a very distinct feeling.
TPMS will not help with quick leaks or blow-outs, as it won't trigger fast enough.
But that's whole another topic we've covered in the past.
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