tire pressure monitoring system - Focaljet

**mscreations** · 09-01-2004, 01:32 PM

Well, I needed new tires and I've always wanted a tire pressure monitoring system, so I ordered one up from TireRack recently with my new tires. I got the Smartire system *click here for info* . All went well with the ordering (thanks go to Roger for answering my questions!) and they arrived today. Here's what I got in my package (other than the tires...) : 4 transmitters, 4 tire straps for 16" wheels (i have 17" wheels) and the full function display (which needs the basic system to function). The basic kit (which really was basic) was just some spare parts thrown into a bubble wrap bag. I was livid to say the least.

So anyways, not all is bad. I called up TireRack and since I couldn't get ahold of Roger I talked to one of the other service representatives (I can't remember her name...) but she took care of everything. She's going to overnight a new basic unit to me and in a couple of days UPS is going to pick up the old unit (eg. transmitters). Now that's customer service for you!

**DisrupTer911** · 09-01-2004, 01:45 PM

Why didn't you just buy one fo those $.99 chromed guage stix from autozone?

**mscreations** · 09-01-2004, 01:50 PM

are you talking about the valve caps? if so, they suck. they always leak and they're not accurate.

If you're talking about a regular air guage, i wanted the TPMS because I can monitor/check my tire pressure on the fly. If I catch a nail in the tire, and the air is let out of the tire while i'm going down the highway, this system will alert me of the change in tire pressure so I can get the tire checked. A regular guage can't do that.

**DisrupTer911** · 09-01-2004, 02:04 PM

Can you increase or decrease air pressure with the push of a button like on a Hummer?

**FocusinZX3** · 09-01-2004, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Can you increase or decrease air pressure with the push of a button like on a Hummer?

no. Inside the tire rack magazine, they show how it works

**MUTTLEE** · 09-01-2004, 08:41 PM

Quote:

are you talking about the valve caps? if so, they suck. they always leak and they're not accurate.

If you're talking about a regular air guage, i wanted the TPMS because I can monitor/check my tire pressure on the fly. If I catch a nail in the tire, and the air is let out of the tire while i'm going down the highway, this system will alert me of the change in tire pressure so I can get the tire checked. A regular guage can't do that.

If you can't feel a flat tire going down the highway, then you shouldn't be driving

**Nacron** · 09-01-2004, 11:52 PM

wow...$225 for that...i'll just stick to checking my pressure when I fill gas.

**Pharcyde253** · 09-02-2004, 12:17 AM

Quote:

are you talking about the valve caps? if so, they suck. they always leak and they're not accurate.

If you're talking about a regular air guage, i wanted the TPMS because I can monitor/check my tire pressure on the fly. If I catch a nail in the tire, and the air is let out of the tire while i'm going down the highway, this system will alert me of the change in tire pressure so I can get the tire checked. A regular guage can't do that.

If you can't feel a flat tire going down the highway, then you shouldn't be driving

Sometimes you cant tell, I had a nail in my tire for 2 weeks before realizing it, it didnt pop the tire, so air was just slllowly coming out of it. And hey, if you have the money, I'd say go for it.

**Steeda Boy** · 09-02-2004, 12:04 PM

It looks to be a great product. Might not be on everyone's "Mod Priority List" but I'd use it simply to monitor all 4 tires at the same time. For what it's worth, monitoring all 4 tires and maintaining the right tire presure can increase MPG ! I'm not talking about 10 extra MPG but I'm saying it can improve it by about 2 or 3%.

I'm actually gonna order one of these things as soon as I get some extra $$$.

Cheers,

**mscreations** · 09-02-2004, 01:56 PM

okay, just got the system installed (only on the front two tires cause i ran out of time to mount the back two tires. that's a project for tommorrow.) This thing is pretty cool. It allows you to check the current pressure, the temperature, and the deviation from what the pressure should be (so you know how much air needs to be added). I also played around with the transmitters that aren't in the tire yet, and this thing is loud. You can't miss the alarm when it goes off. All in all, I think that this is a pretty decent system.

Also, whenever I started this thread, I didn't intend for it to be a thread regarding the pros/cons of having something like this. I was simply posting about how well the customer service at TireRack handled the situation. They had a problem with shipping my order, but they made sure that I was happy and sent out what I needed to get the job done and made sure it was overnighted so that I had it the next day from when I called.

**RogeratTireRack** · 09-02-2004, 07:48 PM

Sorry I missed your call however, our Customer Rep did call me to let me know what happened and that she was going to "Overnight" the replacement kit to you - sorry for the mix up! I am also, glad to hear you are pleased with the system. I know some folks may fail to see the value in running a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, however, when you add up all of the savings, longer tire life, better gas mileage, early warning to prevent tearing up a tire or worst yet blowing a tire and having an accident, it very well be money saved in the long run! Once again, I apologize for the mix up and thanks again for your order!

**jack1949a** · 11-27-2007, 05:45 PM

You sound like and are a very knowledgeable tire guy. However, you have been though the TR /auto industry/D.C. brainwashing program. There is no proof that these systems save money. Heck , they cost an arm and a leg. Yes, you do get better tire wear and milage, but, they recommend you ck the pressures often,,,MANUALLY. My nice $ 20 pressure tool is just right for saving money . The margins on these systems must be just grand.
For someone who was born into a car family and has/have many neat cars/tactors,,, this story is a load of ,,,,,,.. This is not like seat belts, air bags or stability control.... This was a result of the chaos from the Firestone event (s). That poorly designed tire was ,apparently , prone to failure due to owners not keeping the pressure correct. I guess all of the other brands had owners who ck'ed their own pressures. You likely know much more about that crazy awful event . When the systems are easy,cheap,accurate, reliable and transferrable,,,and ,sync up to your car,,,all of the time,,, then, and only then, would I consider the "option". As a fan of TR,, I am disapointed with the amt of information you have, the story that is not complete and the lack of information at the dealer.
Keep up the good work but, please listen to the folks who are buying the TPMS systems for their cars.....All is not right in mudville.

jack1949a
1936 fordoor Ford Deluxe
1990 Miata
1991 BMW 325i convert
2002 Lincoln LS V8
2006 Porsche CS
2008 Milan AWD V6 P
1987 John Deere
1999 Kubota

09-01-2004, 01:32 PM	#1
mscreations TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: (Jon) Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 515	tire pressure monitoring system Well, I needed new tires and I've always wanted a tire pressure monitoring system, so I ordered one up from TireRack recently with my new tires. I got the Smartire system click here for info . All went well with the ordering (thanks go to Roger for answering my questions!) and they arrived today. Here's what I got in my package (other than the tires...) : 4 transmitters, 4 tire straps for 16" wheels (i have 17" wheels) and the full function display (which needs the basic system to function). The basic kit (which really was basic) was just some spare parts thrown into a bubble wrap bag. I was livid to say the least. So anyways, not all is bad. I called up TireRack and since I couldn't get ahold of Roger I talked to one of the other service representatives (I can't remember her name...) but she took care of everything. She's going to overnight a new basic unit to me and in a couple of days UPS is going to pick up the old unit (eg. transmitters). Now that's customer service for you!

09-01-2004, 01:45 PM	#2
DisrupTer911 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey Posts: 14,967	Re: tire pressure monitoring system Why didn't you just buy one fo those $.99 chromed guage stix from autozone?

09-01-2004, 01:50 PM	#3
mscreations TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: (Jon) Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 515	Re: tire pressure monitoring system are you talking about the valve caps? if so, they suck. they always leak and they're not accurate. If you're talking about a regular air guage, i wanted the TPMS because I can monitor/check my tire pressure on the fly. If I catch a nail in the tire, and the air is let out of the tire while i'm going down the highway, this system will alert me of the change in tire pressure so I can get the tire checked. A regular guage can't do that.

09-01-2004, 02:04 PM	#4
DisrupTer911 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey Posts: 14,967	Re: tire pressure monitoring system Can you increase or decrease air pressure with the push of a button like on a Hummer?

09-01-2004, 11:52 PM	#7
Nacron Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Repostville... Posts: 3,678	Re: tire pressure monitoring system wow...$225 for that...i'll just stick to checking my pressure when I fill gas.

09-02-2004, 12:04 PM	#9
Steeda Boy TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 259	Re: tire pressure monitoring system It looks to be a great product. Might not be on everyone's "Mod Priority List" but I'd use it simply to monitor all 4 tires at the same time. For what it's worth, monitoring all 4 tires and maintaining the right tire presure can increase MPG ! I'm not talking about 10 extra MPG but I'm saying it can improve it by about 2 or 3%. I'm actually gonna order one of these things as soon as I get some extra $$$. Cheers,

09-02-2004, 01:56 PM	#10
mscreations TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: (Jon) Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 515	Re: tire pressure monitoring system okay, just got the system installed (only on the front two tires cause i ran out of time to mount the back two tires. that's a project for tommorrow.) This thing is pretty cool. It allows you to check the current pressure, the temperature, and the deviation from what the pressure should be (so you know how much air needs to be added). I also played around with the transmitters that aren't in the tire yet, and this thing is loud. You can't miss the alarm when it goes off. All in all, I think that this is a pretty decent system. Also, whenever I started this thread, I didn't intend for it to be a thread regarding the pros/cons of having something like this. I was simply posting about how well the customer service at TireRack handled the situation. They had a problem with shipping my order, but they made sure that I was happy and sent out what I needed to get the job done and made sure it was overnighted so that I had it the next day from when I called.

09-02-2004, 07:48 PM	#11
RogeratTireRack Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: South Bend, Indiana, USA Posts: 1,146	Re: tire pressure monitoring system Sorry I missed your call however, our Customer Rep did call me to let me know what happened and that she was going to "Overnight" the replacement kit to you - sorry for the mix up! I am also, glad to hear you are pleased with the system. I know some folks may fail to see the value in running a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, however, when you add up all of the savings, longer tire life, better gas mileage, early warning to prevent tearing up a tire or worst yet blowing a tire and having an accident, it very well be money saved in the long run! Once again, I apologize for the mix up and thanks again for your order!

11-27-2007, 05:45 PM	#12
jack1949a Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MN Posts: 1	Re: tire pressure monitoring system You sound like and are a very knowledgeable tire guy. However, you have been though the TR /auto industry/D.C. brainwashing program. There is no proof that these systems save money. Heck , they cost an arm and a leg. Yes, you do get better tire wear and milage, but, they recommend you ck the pressures often,,,MANUALLY. My nice $ 20 pressure tool is just right for saving money . The margins on these systems must be just grand. For someone who was born into a car family and has/have many neat cars/tactors,,, this story is a load of ,,,,,,.. This is not like seat belts, air bags or stability control.... This was a result of the chaos from the Firestone event (s). That poorly designed tire was ,apparently , prone to failure due to owners not keeping the pressure correct. I guess all of the other brands had owners who ck'ed their own pressures. You likely know much more about that crazy awful event . When the systems are easy,cheap,accurate, reliable and transferrable,,,and ,sync up to your car,,,all of the time,,, then, and only then, would I consider the "option". As a fan of TR,, I am disapointed with the amt of information you have, the story that is not complete and the lack of information at the dealer. Keep up the good work but, please listen to the folks who are buying the TPMS systems for their cars.....All is not right in mudville. jack1949a 1936 fordoor Ford Deluxe 1990 Miata 1991 BMW 325i convert 2002 Lincoln LS V8 2006 Porsche CS 2008 Milan AWD V6 P 1987 John Deere 1999 Kubota

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