Thinking about buying a car (2nd hand) that has pressure sensors in the valves. However, for the last 10 years or so on the old car I've run 2 sets of wheels - Winter and summer.
The dealership were a bit underwhelming with advice other than I would risk driving with warning lights all the time (not the biggest issue TBF).
Has anyone any experience of a 2nd set of wheels like this? (Specifically a Skoda, but any info will be more than none). Can they be obtained/paired etc?
Ta
There was a thread on here fairly recently, I remember that they could be purchased so that spare wheelsets would conform. I’ve done a search but without luck but you may do better?
Does the car have actual tyre pressure sensors? I think most use the ABS or traction control system. When your wheels start rotating at slightly different speeds it'll give you a tyre pressure warning.
Assuming your tyre pressures are all correct, you wouldn't see warning. That's how our Yeti worked anyway.
I am not a mechanic.
The thread is about TPMS, I’ve found it on a search - just over 3 months ago. It’s very informative but for some reason I am unable to paste the link!
@littlerob worth looking for as I think it’ll answer all your questions.
I don’t know whether it’s a STW copy and paste problem or my IPad!
The thread is about TPMS, I’ve found it on a search - just over 3 months ago. It’s very informative but for some reason I am unable to paste the link!
@littlerob worth looking for as I think it’ll answer all your questions.
I don’t know whether it’s a STW copy and paste problem or my IPad!
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/off-topic/anyone-know-anything-about-tpms-tyre-sensors/
😀
Yep I did this on my car (Lotus not Skoda) which has TPMS sensors (not a ABS derived system) but it is the same system used by a few other car manufacturers, don't know if all TPMS systems are like this...
On my car the TPMS sensors are programmed to the car's control box id, so in theory you can program any number of sensors to your car. All sensors programmed with the same id and the control box figures out whats left/right/front/back by signal strength/direction magic so again you can swap your tyres round and after a bit of driving the system will work it out and self correct the position of the sensors.
The sensors are sensitive to movement and go dormant when the tyre is still and once the tyre starts to rotate it wakes up the sensor and eventually connects to the car's control box and tyre pressures are displayed. When I swapped tyres I had to drive for a couple mins before the system worked things out.
Thanks for the answers I'm not sure I'm much further forward other than I may, or indeed may not, require special valves, they may or may not pair, and I may or may not get warnings 😉
I would have thought that if the dashboard shows an actual pressure for each tyre then it's a sensor system rather than an ABS type system.
All sensors programmed with the same id and the control box figures out whats left/right/front/back by signal strength/direction magic
That's interesting, when I had new tyres and wanted them rotated to the rear the garage said it was a major faff because of programming and having fronts on rears and v/v would cause a load of errors. Was I being fobbed off? and in honesty as long as it works WGAS, I can work out which is which even if it says FR is flat to know that really means RR
We do make things over complex at times - my daughters Kia Picanto system works just fine by telling you that you have 'an' underinflated tyre and if you can't then work out which it is after the prompt you probably shouldn't be in charge of 1.5T of dangerous goods.
I have 2 sets of wheels for my kuga, both have the TPMS fitted. On my summer wheels one of the sensors started to look like the battery had gone flat just before I had the winter wheels fitted, so I will have to have them replaced when they are refitted in spring. I think it should be about 50 per wheel I will get them all done as once one battery fails they all are likely to do so soon. and it is a TUV failure to have them faulty if fitted (apparently dealers will charge multiples of that) but my local independent tyre fitter will be much cheaper.
My car is about 10 years old, I don't believe they are "matched" to the wheels for programming, and can't see a reason why they should be, other than complicating the process and keeping work in the manufacturers dealer networks, when I was googling the error I was getting I think I saw that Volvo need the dealer to reprogram theirs. Mine also just says you have tyre pressure error, not which tyre it is.
I think on the UK forums wallmart tyre fitters were recomended as a good cheap place to have them done if you have one close by.
Possibly no help whatsover but I have a 2016 toyota with in valve tpms - i rotated the tyres for tread longevity and had no problem with the tpms working correctly afterwards.
Recently I had new tyres (2) fitted and asked mechanic guy to rotate, he said he wouldnt as it would mess up the tpms. I just said, ok, no worries. I did it myself at home.
AFAIK, VAG cars use the abs system, 'everyone else' uses in valve sensors.
AFAIK, VAG cars use the abs system, 'everyone else' uses in valve sensors.
There is far, far more variation than that. There are manufacturers who have used both types of system at different points.
As proper in tyre sensors, you need to research into your specific vehicle. Many Mercedes for instance, use in valve sensors, but require absolutely no programming or setup. You simply buy some aftermarket sensors for your spare wheels, bolt the wheels on, go for a drive. Within half a mile the car has worked it all out and shows your live tyre pressures.
even within manufacutrers theres no consensus .... ive 2 peugeots .... 1 is abs the other is sensor based.
as for tpms ... when i found out sensors for my spare wheels were costing more than the wheels and winter tires .... we just live with the warning light - for me its far safer to have the right tires on than the light out .....
AFAIK, VAG cars use the abs system, 'everyone else' uses in valve sensors.
Wife's car is VAG and uses sensors. As I said above, if the display shows an actual pressure then it's likely to be a sensor.
On her car if you swap wheels around or fit new sensors you tell the car to reset the TPMS, go for a short drive and it works it out for you without programming.