What are TPMS Sensors ?
 

I have been searching the forums trying to find out what are TPMS Sensors .

It seems that it has some thing to do with tires? cos its an item thats being sold together with tires or rims?

Could any one please advice me on the TPMS Sensors ?

Thanks
Morgan Oh

TPMS = Tire Pressure Monitoring System

;)

Looks kinda like this.
http://www.funtronica.com/catalog/images/Valve-tire.gif

Thanks for the info guys.

But how does it work?

Do I have to come out of the car to look at the Senor (showing any indications)?
or
Is it attach to the car ECU , when the tire pressure is low the Engine Check light will light up (like the BMW)

They monitor tire pressure. When it detects low pressure(not too sure of the psi) an indicator on the dash lights up,telling you one tire is low. It does not however tell you which tire is low. I then usually check them with a digital tire guage and add air accordingly. I've read that in colder climates they sometimes will show low psi when the car is initially started,but once the tires warm-up the sensors read more accurate.

Here's what the indicator light looks like. The orange one in the middle.
photo courtesy of expo1

5psi is what its set for. when the pressure gets 5psi to high or low (or more), the little warning light comes on (as you show in the pic) :)

Thanks frostee I wasn't sure. OK another question. When you say 5psi high, is that 5 psi over the max psi indicated on the sidewall? I'm assuming so.

Nope, 32 is the factory settings.

Anything Lower than 27ish~ or higher than 37ish~ will trigger that light.

I dont really remember but I think it checks itself every maybe 5-10 minutes.

Handy

I'm a new owner and this light came on for me today.

Here is my question?

Do all RX-8s have the TPMS? If not, I'm assuming that mine has it seeing that the light came on today. Otherwise, the light would not function, right?

Thanks, in advance.

it's an OEM standard (i believe) and i think they are trying to pass laws to say all cars should now have them. its a good idea to just check them regularly and not rely solely on the light.

i know there is also a beep at some point, but ive had the light on since november (winter tires with no TPMS), so i dont remember when it beeps (mine doesnt beep anymore, just the light). if you get winter tires and dont want to spend the extra cash on another set of TPMS, you drive around for months with that light on on your dash.

yep, so check em all ... ;)

You see, Moragn, boys and girls have different bodies. When a girl flowers into womanhood, she gets a special visitor once a month. During this time, she will not be herself. She may throw random objects at people for no reason what so ever, have freakish superhuman strength, and/or be impervious to fire. Never engage them in an argument during this time of the month...you will loose--even if you are right--you will loose.

TPMS sensors are glasses that you wear and allow you to see whether or not another person her "monthly visitor." WITHOUT a TPMS sensor, a girl who has her "visitor" will look a lot like this:
http://images.askmen.com/galleries/m...-picture-1.jpg

WITH a TPMS sensor, you'll know immediatley because she will look like this:
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0210980301/md/exorcist.jpg

TPMS sensors on sale now for $19.95
http://www.holonet.khm.de/visual_alc...es-ana-day.jpg

In the US, TPMS will be required on all 2008 model year cars. The regulation specifes that there be a warning if a tire is more than 25% underinflated and the car is driven more than 20 miles.

Interestingly, the tire manufacturers are suing for a tighter regulation. The auto makers are defending the regulation. The issue is that tighter regs will reduce tire failures (saving the tire makers money) but will require better sensors (costing the auto makers more).

The RX-8's sensors are a lot better than required by the reg. They report the tire's actual inflation pressure. If you get a good enough scan tool, you can read the individual pressures. I presume the 5 psi (both plus and minus) trigger is built into the car's computer.

A friend has an '07 Corvette with a fancy electronic display that can show the tire pressures. She amuses herself by watching the pressures in each tire change through left and right turns, hard acceleration, etc.

Ken