As my SM was not fitted with the TPM, I looked around to see if there was an aftermarket solution that was simple to use. I came across this system at

http://www.tyrepal.co.uk/

I purchased one, not cheap , but it works very well. The replacement chunky dust caps contain pressure/temperature sensors a transmitter and a replaceable battery. The information is sent to the receiver which displays the pressure values in a number of different units (psi, bar or Kpa).

What the system gives is a constant readout of the individual tyre pressures, so you can see how they change as the tyres warm up, and monitor them over time. The main unit has a vibration sensor in and shuts down when the car is not moving and wakes as soon as vibration is detected (opening the door is sufficient).

Speaking as one who has historically not been very good at maintaining the tyre pressures, I am really happy with it, I can see pressure readings every time I get into the monster and know my pressures are spot on.

That looks like a cool device Yetinother, but I have some concerns:

1. as the dust caps contain a transmitter and a tiny battery, do they also affect the tyre balance?

2. I can see these little dustcaps being attractive to 'little Johnny hoodie' to show his mates at the local skatepark.

Apart from that GREAT.

You can of course get more basic TPM dustcaps that have a red or green indicator. they are more basic than the TPM on your link,

Edited 22 August, 201015 yr by Macdemon

That looks like a cool device Yetinother, but I have some concerns:

1. as the dust caps contain a transmitter and a tiny battery, do they also affect the tyre balance?

2. I can see these little dustcaps being attractive to 'little Johnny hoodie' to show his mates at the local skatepark.

Apart from that GREAT.

Good points mac.

They are actually really light, the manual states that they are within weight tolerances achieved for wheel balancing, the wheels should not need re-balancing. After fitting them I have had no wheel vibration at high speeds, so it looks like they are ok.

The caps are also supplied with a tiny locking collar (anti-theft device) so you need a small allen key to unlock them. I have not put these on, but now you mention it it might be a good idea to do so. :yes:

At £230 it seems expensive whereas the factory supplied unit is around £85.

It doesn’t give the individual pressure but it does come on when one of the tyres is low.

You then have to check with a pressure gauge which tyre is low.

Obviously the tyre pal system gives an individual readout which is quite useful.

Does the indicator unit fit on you dash or do you keep it in the door pocket?

At £230 it seems expensive whereas the factory supplied unit is around £85.

It doesn’t give the individual pressure but it does come on when one of the tyres is low.

You then have to check with a pressure gauge which tyre is low.

Obviously the tyre pal system gives an individual readout which is quite useful.

Does the indicator unit fit on you dash or do you keep it in the door pocket?

I got the one that goes up to 60 ps1 at £195 (the £230 job goes up to 180 psi) it is still expensive I know (had to think long and hard before buying it). I am hoping that it lasts and can be transferred to the next car and so become more cost effective. I started to look for these systems as my SM was a demonstrator and didn't have the factory fitted option.

The indicator fits nicely into the front part of the door pocket where it is a bit wider. I use a velcro pad to hold it in place, facing up. This way it is tucked away but I can glance down when I open the door.

Edited 22 August, 201015 yr by Yetinother

The latest Autoexpress mag has just product tested the Nikkai TPM system for £129.99 from Maplin.co.uk. Sounds O.K. to me, if you really want that sort of thing?

Edited 23 August, 201015 yr by bilun777

The latest Autoexpress mag has just product tested the Nikkai TPM system for £129.99 from Maplin.co.uk. Sounds O.K. to me, if you really want that sort of thing?

Now shown at £99.99 with free delivery. Me. I just kick the tyres every morning.

I looked around for a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and got it off the guys at PerformanceAlloys.com as i just got alloy wheels from them. Og it cost £170 delivered... The other system i looked at was much bigger and needed power from the cigarette lighter this one is very small and used 2 AA batteries.

The main reason i got this one was the company who makes it makes all the tpms for cars which have them fitted from new in the factory eg Mercedes, BMW, Toyota etc etc....

So far i have been using it for 3 weeks now and its great, very easy to install and setup with the option to even monitor my spare tyre.

I will try and get some pictures up tomorrow.

Edited 20 September, 201015 yr by Rory2000

I looked around for a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and got it off the guys at PerformanceAlloys.com as i just got alloy wheels from them. Og it cost £170 delivered... The other system i looked at was much bigger and needed power from the cigarette lighter this one is very small and used 2 AA batteries.

The main reason i got this one was the company who makes it makes all the tpms for cars which have them fitted from new in the factory eg Mercedes, BMW, Toyota etc etc....

So far i have been using it for 3 weeks now and its great, very easy to install and setup with the option to even monitor my spare tyre.

I will try and get some pictures up tomorrow.

It looks interesting. So the blue part of that valve is actually on the inside of the wheel and the tyre fitter has to fit that instead of a normal valve? I like this since there are no bits on the outside that stick out and can be stolen. How much does this system cost if I may ask?

At one point I had Golf V valve caps fitted to my A2. They have tops that go down when you inflate the tyres without having to take the cap off. BUT they stuck out just a few millimeters more than normal caps. Then one day I drove to close to a kerb when parking and the valve got sliced off completely! Instant flat tyre and no way to fix it there and then! Had to call Audi Assistance out. So any system that has valves or caps that stick out further than the outter edge of the wheel is a no-no in my book.

It looks interesting. So the blue part of that valve is actually on the inside of the wheel and the tyre fitter has to fit that instead of a normal valve? I like this since there are no bits on the outside that stick out and can be stolen. How much does this system cost if I may ask?

At one point I had Golf V valve caps fitted to my A2. They have tops that go down when you inflate the tyres without having to take the cap off. BUT they stuck out just a few millimeters more than normal caps. Then one day I drove to close to a kerb when parking and the valve got sliced off completely! Instant flat tyre and no way to fix it there and then! Had to call Audi Assistance out. So any system that has valves or caps that stick out further than the outter edge of the wheel is a no-no in my book.

Yes this system is made by Schrader who make TPMS for all the big car companies, the blue part is the sensor. As shown in the picture its all inside the tyre and the only part which you see is the rubber valve which is the same as a normal one (you can’t tell you have it just by looking at the tyre valve) the valve is a standard length rubber one so it operates just the same as any normal valve. I picked this system because I can buy replacement sensors, and new valves if they need to be changed but the company offer a lifetime warranty on the sensors / 100,000 miles !

The kit I got had 4 sensors and I was thinking about buying a spare one for the spare tyre as it can display readings from 5 tyres on the screen….

Will let you know if I do….

I bought my kit from the guys at www.PerformanceAlloys.com and they charged me £170 delivered.

Edited 21 September, 201015 yr by Rory2000

I bought my kit from the guys at www.PerformanceAlloys.com and they charged me £170 delivered.

Thanks Rory. I ordered my car with the TPM but this does sound like a far better option that Skoda should offer instead of the TPM that works only via the ABS sensors. It is better than nothing but I'd prefer to see each wheel's readout on the Maxidot.

Thanks Rory. I ordered my car with the TPM but this does sound like a far better option that Skoda should offer instead of the TPM that works only via the ABS sensors. It is better than nothing but I'd prefer to see each wheel's readout on the Maxidot.

Yep ideally its better if it comes up on your dash board all integrated with the car but as this feature only comes with new cars this is a good retro fit kit.