Several
people have called asking about Aftermarketwheels.com. Well,
we all know about the joys of getting up a web page especially
a back end design web page. We're scheduled to launch mid-February
now. The page is up but not final edit. If you get a chance,
take a peek and tell me what you think at [email protected].
Remember
you can still get snow and ice tires: The advantage of Nokian
tires are that you can get them all year round as opposed
to most winter tires which are already out of stock. Not
to mention the fact that they last years longer and are,
in our humble opinions, the best snow and ice tire in the
world (and sold worldwide).
  Â
Quick Links...
Rim And Wheel Works Homepage
Aftermarketwheels.com
BMW Car Club of America
Boston Chapter
This
info-email is the first in a series of three on the
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Law, it's background
and it's impact on you.
 Introduction to TPMS
Â
According
to a Federal law newly in effect, as of 2007,
all new vehicles of 10,000 pounds GVW or less
must include a tire pressure monitoring system.
If your vehicle is older, you don’t have to
retrofit it. However, every vehicle you buy
will need to have one of the systems. It’s important
you understand the law and how it works and
how much it’s going to cost you. I have prepared
this article; the first of a three-part series,
to give you the information you need to know.
What is a tire pressure monitoring system? A
tire pressure monitoring system is a system
that allows communication between your tires
and an on-board computer in your car. What is
being measured is the pressure in your tire.
Under inflated tires are the cause of many traffic
accidents, injuries, and deaths annually. The
intention of the law is to prevent these accidents,
injuries and deaths. Historically, the first
vehicle that used this system was the 1986 Porsche
959. Systems such as these have been in use
in many high high end vehicles, such as BMW,
Porsche, Corvette or Mercedes, often in conjunction
with “run-flat”tires.
Â
Types of Tire Pressure Monitoring
Systems
There
are presently two major types of TPMS systems,
Direct and Indirect. In the Direct system, a
sensor (which senses your tire pressure) with
a battery built in, is in constant communication
with your vehicle. If any tire is under or over
inflated by 25%, a signal is sent to the car
and a light somewhere on the dash (depending
on the make) indicates to you exactly which
tire is under-inflated.
The Indirect system has the tire communicate
through your ABS (Anti-lock Braking System).
With the indirect system, you only know that
at least one tire is under-inflated, but you
don’t know which one(s). The final system is
a hybrid system which uses the your ABS system
but has some of the features of the Direct systems
and is mostly still under development.
Â
FYI and VIP
Â
FYI:
The sensors on the Direct System are expensive
and not well constructed. They can cost between
$80 and $250 (most closer to $80) As a result,
it is smarter for you to carry a couple in your
car. Most installers (us included) are unwilling
to be responsible for the monitors and so far
very few stock them. See if you can’t negotiate
for a couple of extra when you purchase your
vehicle, or keep one or two in your car’s glove
compartment or tool kit.
VIP: (Very Important Point!!!): The valve core
for the Direct System sensors is nickel plated.
You cannot use the older non-nickel plated cores
in your sensor. If you do, it will freeze and
you’ll have to buy/ install a new one. Whenever
anyone changes your tire(s), make sure they
use the nickel plated cores – and be sure to
remind them in advance of their changing your
tire(s).
