To illustrate just how useless TPM is, I suffered a double blowout on the off side, and it didn't even notice.

I can go one better - just had a flat after ripping the side of a tyre (sod's law that this happens 900 miles after I've put new tyres on all round, and not 9,000!) and the TPM didn't even blink an eyelid.

It did of course go off as soon as I drove away with the spare wheel on.

That really cheered me up.

(Yes, I'll grant that maybe within the specifications the spare did make sufficient difference to trip the system, but I'd have thought the puncture would too - it lost a damn sight more than 3psi, what with an inch long gash in the tyre, just where the sidewall meets the tread).

I always check my tyre pressures as soon as possible (i.e. morning after having them fitted) every time I have new tyres fitted. When they inflate them, despite me telling them to inflate to the correct pressure they never do. Last time I had 2 new fronts on was one was inflated to 28psi and the other 35psi.

I dread to think what the number of people who must be driving around with new tyres on and the pressures all over the place is.

I always reset my TPM for peace of mind every time I check the pressures (once every 2 weeks).

Isn't the whole point of TPM to alert you to the pressure differences that would be difficult to detect without actually measuring the pressure? So to say it is useless as it didn't detect the sudden deflation of a tyre is akin to measuring the temperature of boiling water with a thermometer that doesn't go over 25c and then complaining it hurt when you put your hands in it.

I can go one better - just had a flat after ripping the side of a tyre (sod's law that this happens 900 miles after I've put new tyres on all round, and not 9,000!) and the TPM didn't even blink an eyelid.

It did of course go off as soon as I drove away with the spare wheel on.

That really cheered me up.

(Yes, I'll grant that maybe within the specifications the spare did make sufficient difference to trip the system, but I'd have thought the puncture would too - it lost a damn sight more than 3psi, what with an inch long gash in the tyre, just where the sidewall meets the tread).

Maybe you have a fault in your abs sensor/s (which is what the TPMS uses) ?

Been searching and found this (if people are not happy with TPM)

Drivers | Hella Limited.

Gone off Twice on my Occy II and on both occasions they were punctures. Would I pay £60 for it again, Defo! Never had one false alarm! I reckon it's saved me ruining 2 tyres and to be honest a really good safety feature in my opinion. Sometimes I'll be bored in traffic and probably press and hold the button every 3-4 months to "recalibrate" so this may help guys if you're getting false pings.

I dread to think what the number of people who must be driving around with new tyres on and the pressures all over the place is.

I always reset my TPM for peace of mind every time I check the pressures (once every 2 weeks).

im not suprised really, as i checked mother in laws the other weekend and noticed only one was correct, the lowest was 15 and the rest around 25psi, no wonder she had problems with economy and steering. it doesnt suprise me at all. Perhaps a major garage network next time they advertising their latest offer should mention tyre checks and get it into peoples heads.

As for the TPM i always reset once i check the tyre pressures, so guess thats why i too have never had a false warning (or even a warning).

Hi!

Does anyone know.... can TPM be turned on (I guess its just some programming, that uses ESP sensors). I have ESP, but I guess I don't have the sensors - I ruined a tire a couple of weeks ago, when I did not notice it went flat for a couple of km (slow drive). I noticed when I accelerated on the main road. So if its just a flag that could be turned on using VAG-COM, the info about it would be really usefull.

Cheers, Leto

vrstu would be the man to ask, he would know if it could be done.

Didnt Stu say you need a loom and button, and something turned on in VAGcom?

IIRC the post mentioned Audi's

Hi!

Does anyone know.... can TPM be turned on (I guess its just some programming, that uses ESP sensors). I have ESP, but I guess I don't have the sensors - I ruined a tire a couple of weeks ago, when I did not notice it went flat for a couple of km (slow drive). I noticed when I accelerated on the main road. So if its just a flag that could be turned on using VAG-COM, the info about it would be really usefull.

Cheers, Leto

Actually, TMP uses the ABS sensors (you have these), and is fully software based (there must be installed the key "TPM" also, missing this makes the system unusable). But I don't know, if it is able just to be activated, or this software have to be installed.