Hoping this the easy, cheap and effective TPMS set I’ve always wanted

Post by **jtp** » 14 Dec 2017, 11:02

I looked into retrofitting an aftermarket TPMS set in the past for my last wagon but they were $200 plus and had clunky looking monitors that go on the dash so I never bit the bullet.

But with my recent propshaft replacement and the gen1 AWD system’s overall fragility I checked Amazon again last night and found these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074JVQK ... VD0R&psc=1

By the look of the equipment and browsing Amazon its a Chinese manufacturer with multiple US vendors of the same kit. You screw on the sensors and some associated hardware and connect them via Bluetooth to your phone. Then the app updates tire pressures every 3 minutes.

For 60$ and install that doesn’t require a tire machine I’m gonna give it a try.

Ordering today and will report back, hopefully they prove to be a good investment for those of us who drive the AWDs and still run them as AWDs.

Post by **abscate** » 14 Dec 2017, 14:56

$60 for those of us who boat trailer and always have this issue...excellent.

Post by **erikv11** » 14 Dec 2017, 15:23

Looks cool. I would be interested to hear what you think.

Post by **jtp** » 18 Dec 2017, 21:01

Got home from work and errands and installed in like ten minutes. If it wasn’t for getting gas this might be the easiest thing I’ve ever done to a vehicle.
Pretty sweet, only real question for me is durability at this point. Only way I’d regret the purchase is if they’re finicky and I have to mess with them regularly. Batteries in the sensors are replaceable and they seem solid enough but time will tell.
When it’s light out I’ll grab some pics of what they look like on the wheels, I’m guessing a bit clunky but that’s fine by me if they work.

Post by **matthew1** » 18 Dec 2017, 21:12

I’m following this thread. Interesting for sure.

Post by **jtp** » 02 Jan 2018, 07:47

Just to follow-up after a few weeks of running the sensors:

- Each tire is read separately and updates once every 2-3 minutes it seems. Can update at 30-40 feet away from the tire it seems.
- Sensors won’t work without these little golden colored screw on washers that go on the valve stem before you screw the sensor on.

PROs:
1) Nothings broken yet and I’ve been driving a lot in all sorts of conditions, build quality seems decent.
2) Definitely makes me better about keeping good air pressures in my tires, and makes that easier since you know which tire to fill. When it’s 10 degrees outside only having to check/fill one tire is a big benefit.

Cons:
1) As far as I can tell you’ve basically got to have your phone live with the app up to get readings. Obviously Messi g with your phone while you are driving is bad so it would be nice if the app was fully operational in the background and with the phone in sleep mode.

My takeway:
-Very useful for me personally. Between the AWD drivetrain and gas mileage I see a lot of value in maintaining proper tire pressures, but without this tool I’m too busy to think about them often enough.

- Setup would be less useful for those that either don’t care about their tire pressures that much or are already into it enough to check it once to twice a week.

Post by **precopster** » 03 Jan 2018, 05:03

Thanks for the update. Definitely going to investigate further.

Post by **j-dawg** » 03 Jan 2018, 09:07

this seems really valuable for, like, a track day. keep a live reading of tire pressures so you can see how the vehicle responds as the tires warm up, keep your fingers clean while checking pressures between sessions.

Post by **abscate** » 03 Jan 2018, 09:46

j-dawg wrote: ↑03 Jan 2018, 09:07 this seems really valuable for, like, a track day. keep a live reading of tire pressures so you can see how the vehicle responds as the tires warm up, keep your fingers clean while checking pressures between sessions.

Why do I want to know my tire pressures during the 440 hurdles??