View Full Version : Tpms


pineapplesoymilk
09-11-2009, 03:44 PM
hey i have been learning alot from you guys since i joined but i have a question may sound stupid but i want to gain as much knoledge of my car as possible. the tpms what is it and what does it do? i have learned alot about my 05 8 and love it been working on cars for years but this is my first rotary and newest and nicest car lol so please and thank you and im not dumb just courious.

Jedi54
09-11-2009, 03:49 PM
Never fear, Jedi is here!
The TPMS is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Basically, there is a sensor attached to the inside of the wheel (between the tire and wheel), that can sense if your tires are under inflated.

If it senses that one or more tires is below the given parameters, you'll get a yellow light that comes on in your dash. The only downside to this system is that it has a pretty forgiving "range" so by the time the light comes on, you're tire is already VERY low on air and you should address it immediately.

The sensors are wireless, in case you were wondering. I'll see if I can find you a picture.
The Owners manual actually goes into this subject in detail, even explaining what it means if your TPMS light is flashing (I had this happen once) and how you can reset them. If you don't have a copy of the owner's manual, go to www.mazdausa.com and register under the 'owners' section where you can download the entire manual in pdf format.

pineapplesoymilk
09-11-2009, 03:50 PM
lol i wont just wondering you no and another question to ask what happens when you get rims that arnt compatabe with it and still what is tpms lol

The Reverend
09-11-2009, 03:51 PM
I put my tpms in the bathroom --- toilet paper management system :)

StormyWankel
09-11-2009, 03:53 PM
Let me google that for you (http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=what+is+tpms)

Jedi54
09-11-2009, 03:54 PM
this is what the sensor look like when they're removed. The valve stem should look familiar as it's the only part of the sensor you normally see


http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/calilove4L/IMG_1366copy.jpg
(picture borrowed from a F/S thread I spotted today)

Jedi54
09-11-2009, 03:55 PM
lol i wont just wondering you no and another question to ask what happens when you get rims that arnt compatabe with it and still what is tpms lol

if you buy wheels that aren't compatible with TPMS (we'll use Volks as a popular example) then the TPMS light just comes on when you drive. the car is perfectly drive-able, just gets annoying having that yellow light.
Expo1 has a brilliant D.I.Y. on how to solve that
Oh, and before the Volk crowd linches me, there IS a thread on how to possibly make the sensors compatible. A quick advanced search should find it.

pineapplesoymilk
09-11-2009, 04:56 PM
well thank you and one more question what happens if you remove it? i plan on getting diff rims soon and is their a way to get the sensor to turn off if you uninstall them?

Jedi54
09-11-2009, 05:37 PM
nope, the car will notice that the TPMS Sensors aren't in the wheels and you'll get a yellow light.
See Expo1's DIY on how to fix this. ;)

btw: the reason you see so many sets of TPMS's for sale is because MANY people opt to take them out in order to run certain aftermarket wheels.

pineapplesoymilk
09-11-2009, 08:34 PM
ahh i see