tire pressure monitor systems

[Serenity]

not necessarily. the system cannot possibly warn you of a catastrophic failure. it will only warn you of low pressure....which the cars handling will tell you on its own.

 i've had 3 in the last week with false positives.....

True, and I've only ever had catastrophic failure, lol. But nonetheless, right now I know I have a screw going through one of my tires, and I won't have the money to replace it until January. I always take a look at the tire before driving to make sure it's still fine, and I keep an eye on the dash to make sure it doesn't get low while driving.

[CAP1]

True, and I've only ever had catastrophic failure, lol. But nonetheless, right now I know I have a screw going through one of my tires, and I won't have the money to replace it until January. I always take a look at the tire before driving to make sure it's still fine, and I keep an eye on the dash to make sure it doesn't get low while driving.

find a local shop....should only cost $20 TOPS to hacve that tire plugged/.

[Big Rat]

Another fun thought for us poor bastards that work on these things.  Battery life , these things don't run forever.  I have 4 dead ones on my 2000 vette, am I spending 160 bucks plus my time and effort to replace them, nope.  That's what the "reset" button is for . Plus the vettes get checked out before every drive anyway.

The problem with modern cars is in their complexity and the amount of electronics needed to support systems that in the past were simply "hard wired".  Remember when your power windows simply were a manual switch, a motor and a regulator.  Now you have a manual switch, a door control module, a body control module, possibly a security controller, and then a motor and regulator.  Almost all cars of today will be impossible to restore to perfect working order 20 years from now (if they have been used all those 20 years).  Why you may ask, simple after about 10 years, the auto manufacturers stop stocking inventory for a car, what's sold after that is not replaced.  After a car is 10 years old, most salvage yards scrap them out.  The aftermarket isn't going to have a high demand for a right rear door contol module for a 2002 grand am in 2022, but without it your right rear window won't work.  There are exceptions to this rule for cars that are normally collected, corvettes, mustangs, etc.  But for most they are doomed.  My 69 big block convertible however will be able to be rebuilt as many times as I want.  Why, becouse everything is hard wired and mechanical in nature.  Oh well 2012 is almost here anyway

 
BigRat

[CAP1]

Another fun thought for us poor bastards that work on these things.  Battery life , these things don't run forever.  I have 4 dead ones on my 2000 vette, am I spending 160 bucks plus my time and effort to replace them, nope.  That's what the "reset" button is for . Plus the vettes get checked out before every drive anyway.

The problem with modern cars is in their complexity and the amount of electronics needed to support systems that in the past were simply "hard wired".  Remember when your power windows simply were a manual switch, a motor and a regulator.  Now you have a manual switch, a door control module, a body control module, possibly a security controller, and then a motor and regulator.  Almost all cars of today will be impossible to restore to perfect working order 20 years from now (if they have been used all those 20 years).  Why you may ask, simple after about 10 years, the auto manufacturers stop stocking inventory for a car, what's sold after that is not replaced.  After a car is 10 years old, most salvage yards scrap them out.  The aftermarket isn't going to have a high demand for a right rear door contol module for a 2002 grand am in 2022, but without it your right rear window won't work.  There are exceptions to this rule for cars that are normally collected, corvettes, mustangs, etc.  But for most they are doomed.  My 69 big block convertible however will be able to be rebuilt as many times as I want.  Why, becouse everything is hard wired and mechanical in nature.  Oh well 2012 is almost here anyway

 
BigRat

dood......don't even get me started on stuff like this. it makes skuzzy's having to babysit us here look like a walk in the park.......and i would easily get myself skuzzified should i go on a real rant about this crap. 

[Belial]

You can't tell if tires are at a safe pressure by "looking at them" yea you can tell if it looks a bit low but...

When you drive 75 MPH down the highway 1 tire being 10 lbs. low can cause a fatality.

It's not likely but can happen, check your tire pressures with a gauge don't trust the scensor

[CAP1]

You can't tell if tires are at a safe pressure by "looking at them" yea you can tell if it looks a bit low but...

When you drive 75 MPH down the highway 1 tire being 10 lbs. low can cause a fatality.

It's not likely but can happen, check your tire pressures with a gauge don't trust the scensor

10 lbs low is actually very easy to see.

 that being said, your last line is what everyone should do.

 i truly think that new drivers should be taught a basic "preflight" to go through before they get in their car.

[Dichotomy]

Okay all of you teenage pilets go back, read every page of this thread, and follow the advice of the gents who know what they're talking about.  It beats the heck out of standing by the side of the road waiting for mom or dad to get there. 

[Serenity]

find a local shop....should only cost $20 TOPS to hacve that tire plugged/.

I've got $6 in the bank after getting my oil changed today (Fortunately, I think I get paid in 4 days... though honestly I'm not sure if we get paid while on holiday...). Interestingly, when I was at the shop getting the oil changed, one of the techs came in and said "Hey, the screw in your tire was loose, so we tightened it for ya!" I laughed my rear off.

[Jayhawk]

10 lbs low is actually very easy to see.

 that being said, your last line is what everyone should do.

 i truly think that new drivers should be taught a basic "preflight" to go through before they get in their car.

As a mechanic, what do you suggest as "preflight" checks before driving?

[CAP1]

I've got $6 in the bank after getting my oil changed today (Fortunately, I think I get paid in 4 days... though honestly I'm not sure if we get paid while on holiday...). Interestingly, when I was at the shop getting the oil changed, one of the techs came in and said "Hey, the screw in your tire was loose, so we tightened it for ya!" I laughed my rear off.

funny you should say that.

 a long time friend of mine had an old ford e350 van. had a nail in the passengers side rear tire. every 2 or 3 weeks, he'd go out to his van with a small tach hammer, and hammer it back in, then bring the tire back up to pressure. 

[CAP1]

As a mechanic, what do you suggest as "preflight" checks before driving?

within cap, we have a form that is used every time one of our vans is used for the first time on a day....complete walk around. all lights, back up alarm, tire pressures, engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, belts, etc.

 for the average driver though.......

once a week, check engine oil level, transmission fluid level, brake fluid level, power steering fluid level, and use a gauge to check your tire pressures. check your lights too.

 every morning, a quick visual.....tires look ok. it's ok to kick them, as you really can tell if one is low. it'll feel different than the others.

 i tend to look at my brake lights reflect off of the garage door window as i pull outta my driveway, and cycle the turnsignals as i head up the road.

 also, since it's cold in a large part of the country now, you should keep some bottled water in the car, a blanket, and possibly an extra sweater. spare battery for your cell phone, some flares, and check your spare tire.

 i'm sure i've missed a few things.........

[Serenity]

funny you should say that.

 a long time friend of mine had an old ford e350 van. had a nail in the passengers side rear tire. every 2 or 3 weeks, he'd go out to his van with a small tach hammer, and hammer it back in, then bring the tire back up to pressure. 

lol. I've made it a week and a half without losing any pressure so far, so I'm honestly not too worried about it.

[Dichotomy]

get it fixed as soon as you can..

you crack me up too much on the boards so I don't want you in the hospital.  <S>

[Serenity]

get it fixed as soon as you can..

you crack me up too much on the boards so I don't want you in the hospital.  <S>

As I said, I think I get paid in 4 days so it's on the top of my list. Fortunately, I'm on leave and hunkered down with my girlfriend, so i'm not really driving anywhere.

<S> sir! And thank you!

[Penguin]

i'm sure i've missed a few things.........

A rifle to shoot the deer that cross the highway...

A bag of medical supplies (bandages, epi-pens, inhalers)

And if you get really desperate for food:



-Penguin