Last weekend I changed the tyres on my SM to Vector 4 Seasons. I then spent the rest of the weekend happily driving around, with a mix of about 50 miles of city and highway driving. Then on Monday morning, while on my way to work, the TPM warning chime and light were activated, after I had driven for 10 miles or so. I reset the warning and then proceeded to check all pressures (once the tyres had cooled down) and found everything in order.

 

In the past I have also had a weird experience with the TPMs when I had gotten a flat tyre. Not having noticed it I drove off, and then immediately realised that the tyre was completely flat - no TPM warning though. I stopped and fitted the spare, and the TPM then came on after a couple of miles of driving.

 

I am therefore inclined to wonder how reliable the Yeti's TPM system is. I realise that it relies on the ABS / ESP accelerometer sensors and thus uses changes in the wheel's balance as a proxy for loss of pressure, but it doesn't seem to me that it is really useful if (a) it fails to detect a tyre that I could immediately feel was flat, ( needs 2 or 3 miles to detect the difference between my normal tyres and the (non-full-size) spare, and © brings up a warning 3 days after I have changed tyres and while the pressures are all ok.

 

Has anybody's experience been any different? The cost of the TPM as an option wasn't that steep, but I still think that given the degree of (in)accuracy that I have experienced, there is no added benefit in having them.

I found the Skoda TPM system notifies you of a quicker pressure loss quite well, normally coming on at around 20psi against a correct pressure of 32psi.

 

If you change the tyres you should reset the system.

This is because of the different rotational weight/dimensions/differences between different tyres can cause the system to activate.

I've always found the TPM useful.

 

I'm also glad it doesn't alert you to which tyre it is as it makes you check them all.

I found the Skoda TPM system notifies you of a quicker pressure loss quite well, normally coming on at around 20psi against a correct pressure of 32psi.

 

If you change the tyres you should reset the system.

This is because of the different rotational weight/dimensions/differences between different tyres can cause the system to activate.

I totally hear what you are saying - and indeed I should have reset the system. What strikes me as odd, however, is that it took 3 days and several miles for it to "notice" the change, and the alarm was activated at a seemingly random moment.

 

I guess I can see the value in detecting a leak in between manual pressure checks (such as the one you describe). I would hope that the deformation cycles as the tyre spins would trigger the system quicker than, say, with a spare fitted, where the overall masses and dimensions are different but still balanced as the wheel rotates.

Living in same generic area I'd suggest that one other culprit can be non calibrated tyre pressure gauges in some (most?) gas stations around the city. I dont think its the case here as from what was described it could well be due to faulty TPM sensor but dont rule out above said gauges. Silly maybe as it might be still can mean faulty TPM warnings.

When I got a full blowout near home and not realising I drove that mile home quite quickly. One pleasant surprise was the stability of the vehicle while inadvertently driving at speed with a flat. The other surprise was no warning from the TPM. That is one reason that I did not stop, knowing that I might have damaged the tyre - which was indeed shredded after being massively kerbed. However with a slow puncture it did eventually tell me. I now know to stop immediately if I suspect major tyre damage and not wait for the TPM to warn me.

Living in same generic area I'd suggest that one other culprit can be non calibrated tyre pressure gauges in some (most?) gas stations around the city. I dont think its the case here as from what was described it could well be due to faulty TPM sensor but dont rule out above said gauges. Silly maybe as it might be still can mean faulty TPM warnings.

You are certainly correct, just looking at the state of some of them makes it pretty clear that they probably haven't been calibrated since their initial installation. As you say, probably not the case here, but I still usually try to double-check with my trusted pencil-type pressure gauge from Halford's (though did not do so on this occasion, in too much of a hurry!)

I totally hear what you are saying - and indeed I should have reset the system. What strikes me as odd, however, is that it took 3 days and several miles for it to "notice" the change, and the alarm was activated at a seemingly random moment.

 

I guess I can see the value in detecting a leak in between manual pressure checks (such as the one you describe). I would hope that the deformation cycles as the tyre spins would trigger the system quicker than, say, with a spare fitted, where the overall masses and dimensions are different but still balanced as the wheel rotates.

 

My previous Roomster did exactly the same, fitted new tyres on the front, drove to Poole and back. Part way back the TPM came on but pressures were checked and OK. Took the car back to the tyre fitters  and their Master Tech found no problem. In desperation I read the manual(!) and found out how to reset it and all was cured!

As a result I decided against TPM on the Yeti.

Fred

Had TPM on my last Octavia - it 'alerted' me twice in the 2 years I had it, and both were false alarms.  I know it's cheap, but I wouldn't bother paying extra for it (and didn't on my Yeti).

I think it's greatest benefit is removing a blank switch from the dash 

I had TPM on my VW warned me when a rear tyre was down in pressure which was caused by a nail.

Similarly on the yeti a few years later warned me of front wheel tyre pressure down because of another nail.

Dammm nails, Grr!

but TPM has been well worth the extra £100 or so.

Always need to reset it though each time tyres are pumped up or changed.

Personally think it is useless.  I paid for it just to get that button filled inside my car to have a full row.    I had a puncture right front recently. It was down quite a lot recently and it only beeped after about 3 miles of driving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Then I inflated it and it was down to the same level the next time I drove and no ping.  So utterly useless in my book.

 

Also remember if you change pairs of tyres or all four (as in winter tyres) it will NOT detect ANY change since all it (supposedly) checks is the RELATIVE speed of one tyre to the others.  As it deflates the circumference changes meaning the speed of that wheel alone will change relative to the others which the ABS sensors SUPPOSEDLY pick up on. So if you fit four 14" wheels with a 20% change in size and not reset the TPM it will not pick this up as a flat.  This also means the system exactly knows which wheel is deflated, yet it is too obtuse to tell you that "Right front tyre pressure is too low!!! Check now!"  Doh. 

 

Still better than nothing I suppose but I would never rely on this as a means of checking your tyre pressure.

I've always found the TPM useful.

 

I'm also glad it doesn't alert you to which tyre it is as it makes you check them all.

 

does it alert you when one of your wheel is being stolen?

 

After reading this thread I have decided against TPM in my new FL yeti.

does it alert you when one of your wheel is being stolen?

After reading this thread I have decided against TPM in my new FL yeti.

Perhaps read what I said again... I said it's mostly useless yes, BUT for what it costs I'd rather have it than not. Contradiction I know but all relative to the option's cost and the fact it has beeped at me twice in three years of which one was a real puncture as described above (albeit it beeped only one of the times I had said puncture). The option cost in terms of the cost of the whole car is peanuts and about the same as some dealers charge to fit mudflaps. So if I was to order another Yeti (which I won't) I will tick this option box again.

I've had it on three Octavia vRS models and now the Yeti.

 

Had  a few false alarms, one during the extremely cold weather in 2010 and a few when towing (always when going round the Edinburgh bypass alarmingly!).  However when I did have three punctures in a quick succession on my last vRS it picked them all up very quickly.

Perhaps read what I said again... I said it's mostly useless yes, BUT for what it costs I'd rather have it than not. Contradiction I know but all relative to the option's cost and the fact it has beeped at me twice in three years of which one was a real puncture as described above (albeit it beeped only one of the times I had said puncture). The option cost in terms of the cost of the whole car is peanuts and about the same as some dealers charge to fit mudflaps. So if I was to order another Yeti (which I won't) I will tick this option box again.

Can we have a new Topic.

"What will Johann order next ?"

A bit like a new Harry Potter novel.

. So if I was to order another Yeti (which I won't) I will tick this option box again.

 

so you don't like yeti anymore ?

so you don't like yeti anymore ?

No no no!!! I'll order another Yeti in a heartbeat. I just meant there is nothing wrong with MY Yeti and I'm not going to upgrade to a FL Yeti for the little it gives me more. My car has only 28,000 miles on the clock. It's brand new. I'll do a Yeti 2 in three years.

No no no!!! I'll order another Yeti in a heartbeat. I just meant there is nothing wrong with MY Yeti and I'm not going to upgrade to a FL Yeti for the little it gives me more. My car has only 28,000 miles on the clock. It's brand new. I'll do a Yeti 2 in three years.

28000 miles? Driving at my current rate of 2200 miles in the first month of ownership, Harvey will have covered that much in a little over a year! I'm kind of glad that the only option I went for was Auto lights/wipers and dimming rear-view mirror. Of course, I might have changed my mind in a few weeks when the temperature drops and I haven't got heated seats like my Accord had!

TPM worries me. Not the simple ABS based system but this stupid complicated sensors in tyre pressure valves.

I read that all cars made after 2014 has to have it. But the document I read said that it has to be the pressure valves system.

At the moment you are talking £60 for each sensor (unless they are standardised between manufactures I can't see prices plummeting). And well according to Hyundai they are wear and tear so even if you buy new they are only going to change them for free once before quoting the wear and tear act.

The batteries in the valves are designed to last 5 years, so again affecting 2nd hand car buyers.

I read you can't move tyres around as sensors will report issues and only garage can recode. Although I can't believe this and expect there must be a dash reset switch.

The other thing I can see again for the 2nd hand owner. You get a tyre changed and then it is that whole dilemma of if you should get the pressure sensor replaced (either batteries will need replacing or sealing gaskets perishing). If you don't replace and it goes wrong it is back to tyre fitters for tyre to be removed and all extra cost.

Morning rant over. :-)

Yeti tpm isnt the type which so bothers you

And they haven't been made compulsory.

Well my TPM came up trumps today. Must have picked up a screw in the edge of my winter tyres yesterday on the first long journey with them this season. About 1 mile into the paper run this morning the TPM warning light came on. Stopped immediately but could see nothing on quick inspection. So proceeded cautiously to collect paper and returned home where tyre pressure gauge indicated a loss of 3/4 bar on rear near side tyre and right on the edge of the tyre was a screw embedded. Now I always keep a spare winter tyre in my shed and this is the second time in three years that I have needed one as I knew immediately that it was not repairable. Went to the tyre fitter I trust who carefully jacked the vehicle where he was supposed to using jack plus hockey whatnot pad. Changed the tyre and torqued the nuts properly and asked me what pressures I wanted. As always with this place (not a national chain) I was very impressed. Charged me £8 for fitting and balancing. I have immediately put in an order with Mytyres for a replacement tyre to once again adorn my shed just in case. An annoying but satisfying morning and YES I WILL now order a TPM on my next vehicle.