How do flat tyre sensors work

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upup

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I guy told me his flat tyre warning came up, he did replace a tyre. Dealer told him you should have the same tyre, eg both new for sensors to work, I thought there is something measuring pressure
 
upup said:
I guy told me his flat tyre warning came up, he did replace a tyre. Dealer told him you should have the same tyre, eg both new for sensors to work, I thought there is something measuring pressure
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yes it is a sensor measuring the tyres pressure internally, he does not need to replace both tyres that is a sales gimmick
 
https://haynes.com/en-gb/tips-tutorials/how-do-tyre-pressure-sensors-work

This page ^ explains it nicely, but there are basically two ways of detecting a flat wheel.

One way is to use a rf sensor in the wheel itself in which case it does not matter if the rolling diameters are different and the other way checks through the wheel speed sensor in which case different diameters could cause a warning.
 
You generally have to reset the sensor indicator from your dashboard once you plug the leak / change tyre...
 
upup said:
I guy told me his flat tyre warning came up, he did replace a tyre. Dealer told him you should have the same tyre, eg both new for sensors to work, I thought there is something measuring pressure
Click to expand...
Depends on the method being used, but in no way do you need to be replacing both tyres... So long as the replaced Tyre is the same dimensions as the old one it will work fine.
 
DIRECT TPMS: WHAT IS DIRECT TPMS & HOW DOES IT WORK?

Direct TPMS uses pressure monitoring sensors within each tire that monitor specific pressure levels – not just wheel revolution data from the anti-lock brake system.

Sensors in a direct TPMS may even provide tire temperature readings. The direct tire pressure monitoring system sends all of this data to a centralized control module where it’s analyzed, interpreted, and, if tire pressure is lower than it should be, transmitted directly to your dashboard where the indicator light illuminates.

A direct tire pressure monitor usually sends all of this data wirelessly. Each sensor has a unique serial number. This is how the system not only distinguishes between itself and systems on other vehicles, but also among pressure readings for each individual tire.

Many manufacturers use proprietary technology for these highly specialized systems, so replacing a TPMS in a way that’s consistent and compatible with your vehicle will require an experienced, knowledgeable technician.

762404

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ToxicBunny said:
Depends on the method being used, but in no way do you need to be replacing both tyres... So long as the replaced Tyre is the same dimensions as the old one it will work fine.
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And as long as the old one is not worn. They should be ideally be of similar wear levels per axle.
 
Aftermarket External TPMS sensor units

These screw on to the tyre rim inflation valve stem & replace the usual plastic valve dust covers - they do not usually require wheel re-balancing once fitted.

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Aftermarket internal TPMS sensor units

These replace the entire OEM wheel rim inflation valve stem & have an internal transponder unit attached to the rims - they require wheel re-balancing once fitted

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Both units require their internal batteries to be replaced once they eventually become drained & lose power.
 
Just do it all the old fashioned way with a tyre pressure gauge once a week. Another example of automation that ends up dumbing down the driving population. The idea is excellent and hugely useful especially for anyone towing a trailer/caravan etc. But none of these systems should ever be seen as replacing plain old common sense, which says a walk around your car at least once a day inspecting things is required.


@OP, step one read the car manual to determine what system is installed in your car. Then take the appropriate action. But don't fall for sales BS!
 
For almost a decade now of car ownership, I have taken my car once a week to the local Caltex service station near me - usually a early on a weekend morning before I go shopping - as they have digital air pressure displays for their tyre inflation hoses - and I make it a habit to also check the spare tyre as well.

The sticker with the manufacturer recommended tyre pressures for the OEM tyres (175/60R14) is 230 kPa for the front & 190 kPa for the rear tyres, but because I have slightly higher profile tyres fitted (175/65R14) I normally bump up the pressures by another 20 kPa, which seems to improve both the ride & handling characteristics when compared to the OEM settings. I also inflate the spare wheel to 250 kPa as well.

Before I drive out to the service station, I also pop the bonnet & check all the various fluid levels - oil, coolant, power steering, brake master cylinder & windscreen washer - and top any of them up if they are lower than normal.

At the end of this month I will also be taking my car for its 10,000 km tyre condition check - which also includes rotation, balancing & wheel alignment - so that I even out the tread wear on all 4 tyres as equally as possible.
 
upup said:
Where are the, inside the tyre?
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Inside the Tyre yes, but they last a long time, wife's once are 10 years old now. Granted they activate in motion, and the car has low mileage.
 
Ivan Leon said:
For almost a decade now of car ownership, I have taken my car once a week to the local Caltex service station near me - usually a early on a weekend morning before I go shopping - as they have digital air pressure displays for their tyre inflation hoses - and I make it a habit to also check the spare tyre as well.

The sticker with the manufacturer recommended tyre pressures for the OEM tyres (175/60R14) is 230 kPa for the front & 190 kPa for the rear tyres, but because I have slightly higher profile tyres fitted (175/65R14) I normally bump up the pressures by another 20 kPa, which seems to improve both the ride & handling characteristics when compared to the OEM settings. I also inflate the spare wheel to 250 kPa as well.

Before I drive out to the service station, I also pop the bonnet & check all the various fluid levels - oil, coolant, power steering, brake master cylinder & windscreen washer - and top any of them up if they are lower than normal.

At the end of this month I will also be taking my car for its 10,000 km tyre condition check - which also includes rotation, balancing & wheel alignment - so that I even out the tread wear on all 4 tyres as equally as possible.
Click to expand...
Not that fastidious. There was a guy at work that checked his pressures every day at lunch - gave us a huge chuckle. One week, we removed some air from his tyres just to make him fell that his daily check was worth it. Probably will go to hell for that.

For me , once a month, at home with car being left overnight to check tyre pressures/fluid levels . I have a 12V compressor in all my car's and also never trust anyone else to check it
 
my polo gti used to use diameter or something primative. Tiguan has actual pressure sensors. its actually very useful. and great piece of mind when my mrs is driving and im not around.
 
nazmo said:
my polo gti used to use diameter or something primative. Tiguan has actual pressure sensors. its actually very useful. and great piece of mind when my mrs is driving and im not around.
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My Mokka has pressure sensors. Only problem is that I rotated the tyres last month when I replaced two and now the front are reading as back and vice versa. :o
 
Easy, drive the car backwards, then th
Ivan Leon said:
For almost a decade now of car ownership, I have taken my car once a week to the local Caltex service station near me - usually a early on a weekend morning before I go shopping - as they have digital air pressure displays for their tyre inflation hoses - and I make it a habit to also check the spare tyre as well.

The sticker with the manufacturer recommended tyre pressures for the OEM tyres (175/60R14) is 230 kPa for the front & 190 kPa for the rear tyres, but because I have slightly higher profile tyres fitted (175/65R14) I normally bump up the pressures by another 20 kPa, which seems to improve both the ride & handling characteristics when compared to the OEM settings. I also inflate the spare wheel to 250 kPa as well.

Before I drive out to the service station, I also pop the bonnet & check all the various fluid levels - oil, coolant, power steering, brake master cylinder & windscreen washer - and top any of them up if they are lower than normal.

At the end of this month I will also be taking my car for its 10,000 km tyre condition check - which also includes rotation, balancing & wheel alignment - so that I even out the tread wear on all 4 tyres as equally as possible.
Click to expand...


I also pump my 4 x 4 tyres to 20 kPa above the recommended values for the same reason as you. I don't go near the garages -- use my own gauges and my own compressor - built into the vehicle.

I don't rotate the tyres --- great for even wear but it means ALL the tyres are buggered at the same time.
I have two spares and rotate the tyres Spare to back, back to front, front into spares --- means I replace only two at a time. (Left stays on the left, even the spare are marked LHS or RHS).
And besides, I can pick up abnormal wear on a tyre within about 2 000 km. ( every 15 000 km works for me).
 
Ivan Leon said:
For almost a decade now of car ownership, I have taken my car once a week to the local Caltex service station near me - usually a early on a weekend morning before I go shopping - as they have digital air pressure displays for their tyre inflation hoses - and I make it a habit to also check the spare tyre as well.
Click to expand...
You should check your tyre pressure when they're cold, iow before you go to the petrol station.
 
bwana said:
You should check your tyre pressure when they're cold, iow before you go to the petrol station.
Click to expand...

The filling station is literally just over a kilometre up the road from my home, so not much chance of the tyres heating up considerably before then - that's why I do it early in the mornings as well, BEFORE the sun gets a chance to heat up the tarmac!
 
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