Tire pressure monitoring

[JLJBTM]

Hi all,

just been wondering if anyone has any expierience with the tire psi monitoring system "good or bad" My '05 does not have this but can be added ?
Specifically wondering if they 1) leak 2) cause balance problems 3) are they accurate? i guess they have batteries too ? etc. etc...

Thanks for any and all input,
Jack

[djc208]

There are two general types of systems, indirect (they use ABS sensors to determine wheel speed, a low tire spins faster) and direct like the Magnums use (sensors inside the wheels, I think this type is mandatory now).
Of the direct type they can either be mounted on a metal band inside the tire or some have them as an integral part of the valve stem bolted to the rim that way. I'm not sure what type the Magnum uses, but they shouldn't leak and the balance issues is solved by balancing the tire, though some band style ones have counter weights.
They are as accurate enough but remember they're ment to be a pass/fail sort of thing (they don't say the tire is one or two psi low, it's some percentage of normal inflation) so they aren't going to give you the same reading as an expensive calibrated pressure guage.
They do use batteries but they last a while and it would be cheap insurance to replace them whenever you have to replace the tires (they should easily last that long). They are designed to send signals periodically, and only when the car is in motion. They don't activate if the wheel isn't spinning. If you don't have the EVIC I don't think you can even see the actual pressure readings. You just get an idiot light on the dash when one tire is low.
As far as I know they cannot be added to an older car. The sensors and wiring is not present to support them, even though your guages have the idiot light. There are aftermarket systems available but they also require a screen to be mounted somewhere in the car, and you'd have to remove the wheels to have the sensors mounted.
Of course for like $30 you can get little valve stem caps that will show you the same thing at a glance from most auto parts stores. Not as flashy but easier than taking a tire guage to each tire.

[JLJBTM]

Djc208,

Thank you for that info !!

Jack

[SUX 2BU]

I had a tire get down to 16 psi and the tire inflation monitor never came on, which I was very suprised at. I have an 05 RT with Protection Group (self sealing tires) and Elec. Conv. Group.

[djc208]

05 Magnums don't have TPM, I think 06 was the first year for that (when the requirement kicked back in), even though our dashes have a marker for it the electronics aren't there, and from what I've heard they can't be added.

[desquirrel]

If you have a certain CCN version or above, I think you can add it. The CCN level determines if the cluster will support it. You have to add the wheel sensors and replace a control module with one that supports TP.