Ever notice how safety systems are incorporated after a major accident that could have been prevented by common sense? For example, a few years back Ford Explorers and Firestone tires were involved in an overabundance of accidents. When it came time to point a finger at the culprit, it was decided that the manufacturers of the tires and trucks were to blame rather than the people behind the wheel who should be checking their tire pressure and driving their vehicles with care. Out of this fiasco the government ordered the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to begin enforcing some sort of tire-pressure monitoring system.
Beginning in early 2008 all passenger cars, light trucks, and vans (gross weight less than 10,000 pounds) are required to come with a tire-pressure monitoring system. This isn't really bad since most of these systems have a dash-mounted screen that tells you exactly what each tire is reading. However, problems can arise when you want to change to aftermarket wheels, as you need to swap in the tire-pressure monitors, if the new wheels can accommodate them. Plus these new tire-monitoring systems will flash warning lights if the pressure is 25 percent lower than the recommend pressure for your vehicle, such as when you air down to go off-roading, and everyone knows how fun a flashing dash light is while off-road. The fact is that tire-pressure monitoring systems are helpful, but they should not replace monthly tire pressure checks.
 There are many different types...  There are many different types of factory tire-pressure sensors (TPS). Most simply replace the common valve stem (right) with a sensor that then sends a radio message to the vehicle's computer (left). Each monitor will have the frequency it transmits stamped on the side. |  The tire doesn't need to be...  The tire doesn't need to be completely removed, but the bead must be broken to install these monitors. The sensors stick through the rim and have a nut that locks them in place. Though they will work on many wheels, be sure to ask if the aftermarket wheels you are looking to purchase will accommodate these sensors before you buy. |  Some OEMs, such as Ford, use...  Some OEMs, such as Ford, use a TPS that is strapped to the inside perimeter of the wheel with a large hose clamp. These are much more difficult to install and complete tire removal is recommended. |
 Though the TPS will add a...  Though the TPS will add a small amount of weight, they don't seem to have adverse affects on tire balancing. Also airing down tires might be slightly slower since the air must escape through the sensors, but they are built like a normal valve stem and removing the core helps airing up or down quicker. |  We've been doing some upgrades...  We've been doing some upgrades to a new '08 Toyota Land Cruiser that we'll be showing you, and one upgrade was these forged TRD 17-inch wheels. We didn't take the time to install the tire-pressure monitors when we first mounted them, so we've been living with annoying warning lights for a few months. Our solution was to take the 'Cruiser to the Tire Store in San Luis Obispo, California, and have all the stock sensors installed. |  If you have a truck older...  If you have a truck older than 2008 and/or more than 10,000 pound GVWR, you likely don't have any tire-pressure monitoring system installed. If you like the idea there are many aftermarket companies offering products. Hella offers a system that replaces the valve stem and has a dash-mounted readout display, while PressurePro offers outside-of-the-tire sensors and has systems for as few as one tire and all the way up to 34 tires in case you have a multi-axle camper, a trailer, and something on the trailer like your 4x4. We're not fond of an overabundance of gadgets in our 4x4s, but proper tire pressure can lead to better fuel economy, longer tire life, better handling, and added safety, so if a monitoring system will help you keep track of your rubber, then we'd recommend it for you. |