Aftermarket TPMS

[markjay]

Has anyone tried these - are they any good?

Do you need to re-balance the wheels after fitting them?

Not for track days, it's just that it is too cold outside to check the tyre pressure this time of year...

I currently have the EPS/ABS-based TPMS system (thanks, Alfie) but that doesn't show the actual pressure.

New Tyredog TPMS Tire Pressure Monitoring System by: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

New Tyredog TPMS Tire Pressure Monitoring System With 5: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

 

[npuk]

Not really needed if you check pressures regularly. You could just buy the tyre valve caps that give a visual indicator if the pressure drops a certain amount.

I saw a link to these elsewhere, not seen them before but they look good. Easy visual alert if the pressures low. www.tyre-pressure-alert.co.uk

Currently have the pressure guard ones that came top in the Auto Express test on one of our cars. Dont look as good as the above but do their job. Read Pressure valve Product Reviews | Air Pressure Valve | Air Checker | Pressure Control Valve

 

[markjay]

Thanks, npuk. As said, I do have the basic EPS/ABS-based system enabled, so I imagine I will be notified of significant pressure loss. I am just interested to know the exact pressure on all wheels... and also be able to see how it changes with temp etc. And yes, this is a toy... but it should still make sense

I read a few reviews online and they all complain about the bulk of the external sensors - apparently they are 2cm x 2cm, which is quite big. They are unsightly and noticeable, and can be stolen. They seem to have a tiny allen-key-secured collar to prevent theft, but it looks difficult to open when you do need access to the valve to inflate the tyres. So I am not sure about the whole thing...

The internal sensors seem to make more sense, because they are more to OE spec and look like normal valves on the outside, but that means taking the car to the local tyre fitter to have the four tyres removed and refitted. Maybe that's the way forward though...

 

[npuk]

The basic TPM system in the Merc wont alert unless there is a massive drop in pressure, whereas the above will alert from a 4 psi drop. Obviously no good if you want to know the exact pressure.

Not seen an aftermarket system that has the sensor on the alloy like the factory system, have you got a link? I guess just like the factory system the valve and sensor are expensive and will need replacing every x amount of years. Merc ones last about 5 years before they need changing and you would be looking at about £90 each wheel.

 

[markjay]

Yes, there are quite a few of those, see for example:

That's from http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0060E4RQ8/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

 

[markjay]

As said there are quite a few of these, e.g.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004CTXRRI/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006387KWY/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004VKA20I/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

 

[markjay]

Further to the above....

Does anyone know if any MB model that had factory-fitted COMAND NTG2.5, was ever offered with 'proper' TPMS?

My W203 is retro-fitted with NTG2.5 (from CLC - the W203 were not factory fitted with NTG2.5), and while I am aware that the W203 were never offered with full TPMS, I was wondering if other cars with original NTG2.5 were offered with TPMS, and if so does this means that TPMS can be retrofitted to my car?

It would obviously be nice to have tyre pressures displayed on the COMAND screen, rather than have yet another device with 12V power supply hanging around the cabin...

 

[markjay]

Alternatively, his is not bad either:

TireHawk Bright +

The tyre pressures are displayed on your phone, which is a nice idea, but it still requires having a separate 12v device in the cabin, which isn't great.