TPMS Group Buy Interest Thread

[bar10dah]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a Tire Pressure Monitoring System for my HAH and Escape, and maybe my motorcycle. I've looked at several different websites and manufacturers. This unit seems pretty good, and this vendor is the cheapest: http://www.vulcantire.com/smartire_sys.htm

If you don't know what a TPMS is, check out the site and view the demo to understand what this unit does.

Basically if we get at least 5 units, we can get a 10% discount. $179.10 each unit. I'd be in for one, maybe two, at this point. Is anyone else interested enough in getting a TPMS?

Looking at their installation instructions, you'd have to take the wheel kits to a tire shop. The shop would have to take your tires off the rims and use the enclosed huge hose clamps to attach the sensors onto each rim. After re-mounting the tire, it would have to be balanced again. Installing the display unit is as simple as plugging the power cord into the cigarette lighter and using the suction cup mounts to attach it to the windshield. Or, (what I would do) for a more permanent mount, hardwire it into a switched power source under the dash and attach the display to the dashboard somewhere. The only shop I've talked to about installing the wheel sensors have said if you buy tires from them, they'll install the sensors for free. But if your tires are new (like mine, and don't need to replace them yet) then you're looking at standard mount and balance fees. I think it was $10 per tire.

I'll run this poll for 30 days to see if there's any interest.

[tigerhonaker]

Hello Keith;

I am not trying to talk you or anyone else out of doing this. I personally have seen to many of the Vettes in for a Tire Sensor Problem and thankfully they were covered under Warranty. Also with the Vette which has really Large Wheels and tires on it. If the Tech is not really good with the tire Machine you end up with a Scratched Wheel or in some cases an out of Balance tire.

The Honda more than likely will not have a problem mounting the Sensors in the wheels because the wheels are smaller.

When they work they are okey but trust me they do give problems and I am only doing a Heads-Up with everyone before you spend your money. I think be informed and then you can make a better decision.

I chose not to answer Poll because this is just information only.

HTH;

Terry

[bar10dah]

What sort of problems are you talking about? With the sensors themselves?

[tigerhonaker]

Originally Posted by bar10dah

What sort of problems are you talking about? With the sensors themselves?

Keith;

Alot with the Sensors going bad and giving (False-Information) to the Computer telling the owner their is a Tire Pressure Problem. See your dealer to have system checked.

Also the Electronics but not nearly as offen as the sensors themselves.

Do you know why the Vette and some of the other vehicles really have that tire pressure system in the 1st place?

No-Spare Tire.

So the manufacture had to come up with something to Warn the owner that their was a problem with Low-Tire Pressure on their "Run-Flat-Tires". You Cannot-Look At-Tire and Tell if it's Low.
If the system is not very expensive and you want to try it, why not I have believe me wasted money on alot of things that just did not work as I thought they would or advertised to. If you never try anything how are you or anyone going to know if you llike it or not?

I'm just letting you know that they do give problems and the other thing their real good at is not giving correct readings back to the display in the dash.

HTH;

Terry

BTW; I guess the thing is when they work they are great and when they don't they are a real pain.

[bar10dah]

Originally Posted by tigerhonaker

Do you know why the Vette and some of the other vehicles really have that tire pressure system in the 1st place?

No-Spare Tire.

Have you seen the trunk of a HAH??

I don't know of anyone that has had a TPMS added to their car, so I'm kind of reluctant to get one. But like you said, at $180 it would only be a minimal investment. I too have wasted far more money on aftermarket parts in the past that did nothing for performance/payback.

[tigerhonaker]

Originally Posted by bar10dah

Have you seen the trunk of a HAH??

I don't know of anyone that has had a TPMS added to their car, so I'm kind of reluctant to get one. But like you said, at $180 it would only be a minimal investment. I too have wasted far more money on aftermarket parts in the past that did nothing for performance/payback.

Keith;
Thats exactly my point.

The problem is if the system starts giving problems you will very quickly get tired of paying a tire place to break down your wheels over and over again and then have to send back the Failed Part to wherever you order the system in the 1st place to get the New Part back. If it is from the Factory under Warranty that is one thing, but to have to trouble shoot the system your self and get replacement parts from the company sells the kit is not (IMO) going to be what I would call "FUN".

It would get real old real quick.

HTH

Terry

[bar10dah]

IIRC, TPMS is coming as standard equipment on '06 Acura TL and maybe the '06 HAH? The fed is making TPMS mandatory on all new cars. I've got to think the longevity of this product has got to be improved from previous years.

Does anyone have a TPMS on their car already? Have you had any problems with it?

[tigerhonaker]

Originally Posted by bar10dah

IIRC, TPMS is coming as standard equipment on '06 Acura TL and maybe the '06 HAH? The fed is making TPMS mandatory on all new cars. I've got to think the longevity of this product has got to be improved from previous years.

Does anyone have a TPMS on their car already? Have you had any problems with it?

Keith;

I have had 3-New Vettes with the Tire Sensors and not problem one. I was letting you know what I have seen come through the Dealership Shop. The customers that paid $42,000 to $62,000 Dollars for their New Vette were not what one would say real Pleased or Happy about the Failure of the system and it being in the Shop instead of on the road and them in it.

I'm sure that percentage wise the Failure Rate or Problems with the System Nation Wide would be Small to the production numbers produced.

I Do-Not want to discourage someone from adding the system to their vehicle if they want it.
I was simply "As-A-Favor" since we are all on GreenHybrid together letting you and others know, that they can and do cause problems sometimes. Once again if the vehicle is under Warranty then it may be aggravating to take the vehicle back to the dealer but it is their problem to make the necessary repairs. Thats different than an individual having to mess with trouble-shooting the failure and then getting replacement components back from the seller. Keith, I really am not trying to beat you up on this, but I hate when I ask for information on something and No-One says anything. I then purchase the thing and then when it gives problems, people come back and say well I could have told you that. I did not want this to be like that.

HTH

Terry

[bar10dah]

No sweat Terry, I took it as such. Feedback is a good thing.

I can't find any information on people that have used the SmarTire product to know if it has any reliability problems. Even at TireRack.com, their customer reviews are only limited to tires. None of their other products have a review section.

Guess I'll have to be the guinea pig on this. Afterall, it's only $180 + maybe $40 installation.

[bar10dah]

So far, between this board and my motorcycle board, we have six votes for yes. I'll place another email to VulcanTire to nail down a price.