TPMS: No Pressure To Buy

Tire Pressure Management Systems (TPMS) are a great idea for every vehicle – even trucks.  Truck TPMS require individual sensors for each tire – and a system that can keep track of the pressure and temperature of 8, 10, 18 or more tires at one time – receiving a wireless signal and doing the calculations on the fly.

But there are few systems out there that are up to snuff… actually, I’m going to say that there are NO truck systems that are truly great – they all have their faults.  Here are a few things to think about:

1.       Baseline Systems – These systems usually have a round cap that screws on each tire.  The problem can be that, when you unscrew a tire sensor, you only have a few minutes until the cap must be replaced.  After that, the cap needs to be recalibrated.  The work-around to this is to consider a TPMS that either installs inside each tire or one that allows you to put air through the sensor.  However…

2.       In-Tire Sensors – Placing the sensor inside the tire is a great idea, however, the steel belting around the tire can lessen the efficacy of the signal, making it difficult for the system to collect all of the data.  It also becomes more difficult to change tires, depending upon how the sensors are mounted (some mount on the tire itself – others attach to the wheel or the valve stem). 

3.       Latency – Because TPMS must collect, calculate and report all tire data and attempt to report it as soon as possible, most systems collect data every few minutes.  Your tire can be “alligatored” across the 405 well before you know a critical even has occurred. Some systems claim to collect information every few seconds.  Make them prove it!

4.       Battery Life – Several TPMS tire sensors allow you to replace the batteries.  This makes sure that you aren’t stuck with a $60 or $120 paperweight, should they lose power.  Ask for a guarantee – in writing – that their clamed tire sensor battery life is the actual battery life.

5.       Testing – There are a few new tire pressure management systems out there that haven’t been tested on more than a dozen trucks for much more than 6 months.  Ask some serious questions before you buy!  Find out:

a.       When the new make and model was initially released

b.      For how long the system was tested before it hit the market

c.       Get names of the trucking companies that did the testing and contact them

d.      Check on any UL or other certifications the manufacturer claims – remember, auto TPMS weren’t regulated up until last month (November 2013) – not truck TPMS.

Have you ever used truck TPMS?  Do you have other things to look out for?  Are you happy with your TPMS?  We’d love to hear from you.

The folks at www.DriverSheets.com are concerned about your safety – which is why we offer weekly – and bi-weekly subscriptions to our safety posters… and also why we keep rambling on about various aspects of driver safety.