TPMS - must have?
09-06-2008, 05:58 PM
#16
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
When at freeway speeds I DID get the alert that stated "Flat Tyre" (sic) and got that notice quickly enough to take that exit and then hightail it for the nearest gas station where I proceeded to plug it with own plug kit (do a search for the composition of it). Without a spare tire we have to really stay on top of these things. I applaud Dave in the Boston area not having to deal with debris in the roadways. Out west it's still fairly "wild" and I can use every trick in the book to stay out of trouble.
If what you're doing is looking at a pre-07 MY car without it, you can survive without it, and can adopt several aftermarket solutions. Some are as simple as special valve caps,--but I don't know the resolution of those.
TPMS needs to be fully understood to have utility. I generally have that display up as one of my standard, default, displays. When ever I see a TP off by 2 or more PSI (I start cold with 33 and 29) I begin to take special note of things. I will either put a puff of air in that particular tire or just watch it. Some others use it with the display showing a delta from the optimal TP. I prefer it to tell me the actual TP in real time. Obviously, TPs grow with use as the tires warm up, and I appreciate being able to watch the numbers going up evenly. There is so much accuracy potential in these things that you can sometimes tell which clock direction you're driving. If your right tires are showing higher pressures than your lefts, there is a good chance you're been eastbound for some time! (The sunny side IS wamer).
09-06-2008, 06:31 PM
#17
Instructor
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I didn't have TPMS on my last car ('05 coupe) and it cost me a couple of tires. I check my pressures frequently but not daily. On two occasions, I had a slow leak from nails. By the time I noticed that the tires looked flat (which I find difficult on 19's) they were already damaged and needed replacement instead of plugging. The new car has TPMS and I no longer worry about the issue.
09-06-2008, 11:21 PM
#18
Three Wheelin'
Actually, I like it for (1) trend analysis,--I can see if the TP is a bit low. It causes me to think,--"why is that not at 39 psi like the other rear?"
When at freeway speeds I DID get the alert that stated "Flat Tyre" (sic) and got that notice quickly enough to take that exit and then hightail it for the nearest gas station where I proceeded to plug it with own plug kit (do a search for the composition of it). Without a spare tire we have to really stay on top of these things. I applaud Dave in the Boston area not having to deal with debris in the roadways. Out west it's still fairly "wild" and I can use every trick in the book to stay out of trouble.
If what you're doing is looking at a pre-07 MY car without it, you can survive without it, and can adopt several aftermarket solutions. Some are as simple as special valve caps,--but I don't know the resolution of those.
TPMS needs to be fully understood to have utility. I generally have that display up as one of my standard, default, displays. When ever I see a TP off by 2 or more PSI (I start cold with 33 and 29) I begin to take special note of things. I will either put a puff of air in that particular tire or just watch it. Some others use it with the display showing a delta from the optimal TP. I prefer it to tell me the actual TP in real time. Obviously, TPs grow with use as the tires warm up, and I appreciate being able to watch the numbers going up evenly. There is so much accuracy potential in these things that you can sometimes tell which clock direction you're driving. If your right tires are showing higher pressures than your lefts, there is a good chance you're been eastbound for some time! (The sunny side IS wamer).
When at freeway speeds I DID get the alert that stated "Flat Tyre" (sic) and got that notice quickly enough to take that exit and then hightail it for the nearest gas station where I proceeded to plug it with own plug kit (do a search for the composition of it). Without a spare tire we have to really stay on top of these things. I applaud Dave in the Boston area not having to deal with debris in the roadways. Out west it's still fairly "wild" and I can use every trick in the book to stay out of trouble.
If what you're doing is looking at a pre-07 MY car without it, you can survive without it, and can adopt several aftermarket solutions. Some are as simple as special valve caps,--but I don't know the resolution of those.
TPMS needs to be fully understood to have utility. I generally have that display up as one of my standard, default, displays. When ever I see a TP off by 2 or more PSI (I start cold with 33 and 29) I begin to take special note of things. I will either put a puff of air in that particular tire or just watch it. Some others use it with the display showing a delta from the optimal TP. I prefer it to tell me the actual TP in real time. Obviously, TPs grow with use as the tires warm up, and I appreciate being able to watch the numbers going up evenly. There is so much accuracy potential in these things that you can sometimes tell which clock direction you're driving. If your right tires are showing higher pressures than your lefts, there is a good chance you're been eastbound for some time! (The sunny side IS wamer).
09-06-2008, 11:45 PM
#19
Nordschleife Master
I entered the 1st reply and soon found others claiming it was extreme. I disagree. In these days of stiff low-profile tires it's difficult to tell you have a leak. TPMS tells you that. I read here many hang up on TPMS accuracy - that is not the issue; it may not be absolutely accurate i.e., it may tell you it's 37 when it's 39 , but more importantly it will tell you if it changed. Yeah...essential! 
09-06-2008, 11:46 PM
#20
Nordschleife Master
Actually, I like it for (1) trend analysis,--I can see if the TP is a bit low. It causes me to think,--"why is that not at 39 psi like the other rear?"
When at freeway speeds I DID get the alert that stated "Flat Tyre" (sic) and got that notice quickly enough to take that exit and then hightail it for the nearest gas station where I proceeded to plug it with own plug kit (do a search for the composition of it). Without a spare tire we have to really stay on top of these things. I applaud Dave in the Boston area not having to deal with debris in the roadways. Out west it's still fairly "wild" and I can use every trick in the book to stay out of trouble.
If what you're doing is looking at a pre-07 MY car without it, you can survive without it, and can adopt several aftermarket solutions. Some are as simple as special valve caps,--but I don't know the resolution of those.
TPMS needs to be fully understood to have utility. I generally have that display up as one of my standard, default, displays. When ever I see a TP off by 2 or more PSI (I start cold with 33 and 29) I begin to take special note of things. I will either put a puff of air in that particular tire or just watch it. Some others use it with the display showing a delta from the optimal TP. I prefer it to tell me the actual TP in real time. Obviously, TPs grow with use as the tires warm up, and I appreciate being able to watch the numbers going up evenly. There is so much accuracy potential in these things that you can sometimes tell which clock direction you're driving. If your right tires are showing higher pressures than your lefts, there is a good chance you're been eastbound for some time! (The sunny side IS wamer).
When at freeway speeds I DID get the alert that stated "Flat Tyre" (sic) and got that notice quickly enough to take that exit and then hightail it for the nearest gas station where I proceeded to plug it with own plug kit (do a search for the composition of it). Without a spare tire we have to really stay on top of these things. I applaud Dave in the Boston area not having to deal with debris in the roadways. Out west it's still fairly "wild" and I can use every trick in the book to stay out of trouble.
If what you're doing is looking at a pre-07 MY car without it, you can survive without it, and can adopt several aftermarket solutions. Some are as simple as special valve caps,--but I don't know the resolution of those.
TPMS needs to be fully understood to have utility. I generally have that display up as one of my standard, default, displays. When ever I see a TP off by 2 or more PSI (I start cold with 33 and 29) I begin to take special note of things. I will either put a puff of air in that particular tire or just watch it. Some others use it with the display showing a delta from the optimal TP. I prefer it to tell me the actual TP in real time. Obviously, TPs grow with use as the tires warm up, and I appreciate being able to watch the numbers going up evenly. There is so much accuracy potential in these things that you can sometimes tell which clock direction you're driving. If your right tires are showing higher pressures than your lefts, there is a good chance you're been eastbound for some time! (The sunny side IS wamer).
09-07-2008, 12:29 AM
#21
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did not have it on my previous 997 and never missed it. As a matter of fact, it wasn't on any of the cars I've driven between 1983 and now, and I was just fine with that.
Now, sadly, it is indeed essential, because I've gotten soooooo used to it... it's my default display and actually pointed out a near-flat tire, so it has helped me once. That being said, I think it's not very accurate and I've already had it recalibrated at the dealership once.
Now, sadly, it is indeed essential, because I've gotten soooooo used to it... it's my default display and actually pointed out a near-flat tire, so it has helped me once. That being said, I think it's not very accurate and I've already had it recalibrated at the dealership once.
09-07-2008, 10:34 AM
#22
I entered the 1st reply and soon found others claiming it was extreme. I disagree. In these days of stiff low-profile tires it's difficult to tell you have a leak. TPMS tells you that. I read here many hang up on TPMS accuracy - that is not the issue; it may not be absolutely accurate i.e., it may tell you it's 37 when it's 39 , but more importantly it will tell you if it changed. Yeah...essential!
It's essential on my cars.
