In December 2011 I bought one of these on offer and it has worked very well in the past and been reassuring on a journey,however one of the sensors has failed and I did all the resets that Tyrepal suggested with no luck After 15 months it looks like the only solution is to pay an eyewatering £35 for one sensor.I dont know whether to pay out and give it another chance but if another sensor goes then am I chucking good money after bad.I think with hindsight I wish I hadnt bothered.
Tyrepal
- Thread starter DeliDave_
- Start date
Hello Dave,
I have wondered about the reliability of these devices, and on balance decided not get any.
For years we have managed quite well with out them, and in fact by having to check teh tyres by hand at the begging of a trip, you cna learn a lot more than just the pressure is ok.
A quick look tells you if you have any cracks or bulges, and if you have enough tread,
If all the tyres are up to pressure - then you know you dont have any significant leaks.
If all the tyres are a little soft especially after a long lay up, then that might be expected but if one or more is signifcantlt down you know theres more to the problem and it should be investigated further.
As far as I can think the only advantage a wireless pressure emonitoring system has is if a tyre starts to go soft whilst traveling. It won't stop a catestophic failure. which will be evident from other senses you get whilst driving.
I put them in the same class as tyre rim bands, No real harm in fitting them if you have the spare cash, but they dont replace doing the proper pre-jouney checks, and maintenance.
I have wondered about the reliability of these devices, and on balance decided not get any.
For years we have managed quite well with out them, and in fact by having to check teh tyres by hand at the begging of a trip, you cna learn a lot more than just the pressure is ok.
A quick look tells you if you have any cracks or bulges, and if you have enough tread,
If all the tyres are up to pressure - then you know you dont have any significant leaks.
If all the tyres are a little soft especially after a long lay up, then that might be expected but if one or more is signifcantlt down you know theres more to the problem and it should be investigated further.
As far as I can think the only advantage a wireless pressure emonitoring system has is if a tyre starts to go soft whilst traveling. It won't stop a catestophic failure. which will be evident from other senses you get whilst driving.
I put them in the same class as tyre rim bands, No real harm in fitting them if you have the spare cash, but they dont replace doing the proper pre-jouney checks, and maintenance.
Thanks Prof for your input,I am with hindsight thinking the same.Bearing in mind this sensor has cost over £2.00 a month its an expensive way of checking your tyres
As someone who has had a tyre explode due to a slow puncture picked up on a German motorway, I wish I had had them fitted. At least I would have had time to pull over before the tyre left the rim.
Having a tow car that is very stable, I had no advance warning until the shredded tyre overtook me up the inside.
Fortunately, no real damage was done, but it could have been a disaster if it had been the offside tyre that came off.
Steve W
Having a tow car that is very stable, I had no advance warning until the shredded tyre overtook me up the inside.
Fortunately, no real damage was done, but it could have been a disaster if it had been the offside tyre that came off.
Steve W
As one that is fastidious on my pre-towing checks including tyre pressures and one that has over the 35 odd years suffered three tyre failures, two as blowouts, I really dont agree with your assertion.Prof John L said:
I at least were not aware that the tryes had on route picked up punctures and lost sufficient pressure for the tyre sidewalls to have suffered irrevocable overheating damage from running at pressure below that required for the carried load. It is not a case of needing to be way under inflated so becoming apparent, on sustained long runs the damage is happening I suggest way before the increased drag is felt. Unlike punctures in car tyres there is little other feedback of a trailer tyre running soft than drag, and two kWs extra, plenty to wreck a tyre has near zero influence on even a 100kW vehicle engine.
Even so I have not invested in these monitors, as the OP reports, I am aware of others failing so not convinced they are that reliable for a quite costly item.
I decided to replace sensor this time and hope for the best so rang up Tyrepal and they agreed to discount it for me because of its short life but they were all sold out which doesnt sound good.He offered to sell me a complete new one for £99 which I declined.Am ringing back at the end of the month before we go to Holland and if no luck I'll scrap it and hope for the best.I really dont think it was the best recomendation I've had from PC
Hello Steve and JTQ
Each to their own, based on your own experiences. all I would add is that if you do fit these monitors, don't forget the real value of continuing to carry out regular proper manual checks.
Just because it's digital doesn't mean its accurate!
Each to their own, based on your own experiences. all I would add is that if you do fit these monitors, don't forget the real value of continuing to carry out regular proper manual checks.
Just because it's digital doesn't mean its accurate!
As a slight aside to this my wife has just purchased a new car that as standard features tyre under inflation warning.
I think the way this is achieved exhibits brilliant thinking. It piggybacks on the ABS/traction control technology using the individual wheel speed sensors and electronic processing; should a wheel be found to persistently rotate faster than the others it flashes up an on console indicator.
We were picking up a couple to dine out and 5 to ten minutes after they got in the warning came up; initially baffling me and getting me out checking pressures. Then the penny dropped we had the vehicles tyre pressures set to two up, not the significantly higher pressures the rears required for the higher number on board. So it works; note to self need to carry pump with this rear pressure sensitive vehicle.
Such technology could be applied to caravans though the kit unlike the car is not already there; its simplicity would bode well for achieving better reliability and at the same time not be a potential balance issue.
I think the way this is achieved exhibits brilliant thinking. It piggybacks on the ABS/traction control technology using the individual wheel speed sensors and electronic processing; should a wheel be found to persistently rotate faster than the others it flashes up an on console indicator.
We were picking up a couple to dine out and 5 to ten minutes after they got in the warning came up; initially baffling me and getting me out checking pressures. Then the penny dropped we had the vehicles tyre pressures set to two up, not the significantly higher pressures the rears required for the higher number on board. So it works; note to self need to carry pump with this rear pressure sensitive vehicle.
Such technology could be applied to caravans though the kit unlike the car is not already there; its simplicity would bode well for achieving better reliability and at the same time not be a potential balance issue.
My old Mercedes had sensor valves fitted in the wheels for the pressure sensors.
I had a warning late one night and got out and did all the checks at the side of the road and could see or feel no issues, i reset the system as i had no means of checking pressures to see it if alerted me again.Next day at home 1 tyre was 1 bar out , never had a puncture, but caused me too worry all the way home!
I had a warning late one night and got out and did all the checks at the side of the road and could see or feel no issues, i reset the system as i had no means of checking pressures to see it if alerted me again.Next day at home 1 tyre was 1 bar out , never had a puncture, but caused me too worry all the way home!
Michael E said:
I don't know how Steve W knew it was a slow puncture but I know how I knew mine were.
The condition of the tyre sidewall and thread to carcass bond give very telling information; a low running pressure leads to overheating with consequential break down of the material and the bonds which even to the untrained is very evident.
My blow outs, and the one I caught before it blew were classic examples of overheating prior to failure.
The caravan was brand new, with less than 1000 mile on it. There was no side wall damage prior to the blow out.
I do not drive with my wheels in the gutter so I do not damage my tyres on the kerbs.
Steve W
I do not drive with my wheels in the gutter so I do not damage my tyres on the kerbs.
Steve W
I purchased one of these tyrepal systems, bit complicated on setting up but finally got it going, however after about 10 months one of the sensors started to play up, after the caravan is stationary for a short while the sensors go into sleep mode to conserve battery, but the one stayed on and after 3 new batteries in 3 days as it was staying on 24/7 rang tyrepal, within 2 days brand new sensor in post, excellent after sales wouldn't be without it now.
I did in fact replace the sensor,(this is an oldish thread) but now the rear O/S sensor has started to be very slow to register.They have apparently redesigned the sensors but that doesnt help me.
Deli Dave_ said:I did in fact replace the sensor,(this is an oldish thread) but now the rear O/S sensor has started to be very slow to register.They have apparently redesigned the sensors but that doesnt help me.
Pity existing systems in many cars cannot be updated to register additional sensors.
I have been a qualified motor mechanic for 42 years, I know the importance of checking my vehicle every time I use it.
No check of any kind can prevent a puncture, especially one picked up some 5hrs into a journey.
Steve W
No check of any kind can prevent a puncture, especially one picked up some 5hrs into a journey.
Steve W
Old post but on Wednesday afternoon this week,rush hour on M1 in middle lane overtaking a lorry I heard the alarm from tyrepal monitor pressure dropping ,slowed and pulled onto hard shoulder and within 10 seconds van was undriveable with a flat n/s front tyre.RAC changed wheel after 1/2 hour wait so very pleased and tyre repaired so £100 saved.Before anyone says change it yourself,van was shaking everytime a lorry went past,thought it would fall off jack.
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