MK5 Golf GTI
General => Product Reviews => Topic started by: RedRobin on October 17, 2009, 01:21:59 am
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It's very easy to dismiss this gadget as something totally unnecessary and certainly not worth spending money on. However, although it's not an essential it offers more than what at first meets the eye.
WHAT IS IT?
A wirelessly operated Tyre Pressure Monitoring System - Also known as a TPMS - With digital display. It constantly displays either tyre pressure and temperature in either bar/psi and degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit and you easily toggle switch between them. After setting your own thresholds an audible alert and red light warning for the individual wheel is automatically activated.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.passionauto.co.uk%2Fimages%2Fmain%2Fproducts_l%2F402189.jpg&hash=a1c01246d67e4d9c49f573f4764fe57902e12730)
WHY BUY ONE?
No matter how powerful or extensively modified your car is, the only point of contact it has with the road are four individual patches of tyre, each no bigger than a CD disc. Not so much a problem among the performance car drivers, but it's very scary indeed the large number of drivers who neither check their tyres' condition nor their tyre pressures. They are an accident waiting to happen. Being aware of the pressure and temperature of your tyres can only be welcome and a good assistant.
If you regularly do trackdays I'd go as far as saying that this a must-have gadget. I recently did my first trackday at Spa Francorchamps and was lucky enough to have instruction. The first question the instructor asked me was how were my tyres. But, apart from trackdays it feels very reassuring to be able to see how your tyres are by just a quick glance at the display. It's also quite fascinating to see how tyre temperatures change as the system automatically updates itself every few seconds, but I expect that novelty will wear off.
Next time a wheel nut comes adrift as it did with friend Hurdy at the Nordschleife, if the wheel goes off in leaps and bounds over the nearest hedge or armco, at least you'll know which wheel you've lost!
An additional safety alert would result from tyres becoming too hot due to a problem such as worn bearings. I assume that if you were unfortunate enough to have a problem on more than one wheel, the system would alert you accordingly.
ALTERNATIVES:
TPM systems are being increasingly adopted by car manufacturers but they merely inform you of a problem existing and not which tyre and not the extent of the problem. It's far cheaper to use a good quality hand monitor to check pressures but you need to do so very regularly come rain or shine. You can say that the TyreSure kit is a luxury and indeed it is, but it's a very welcome luxury and more importantly helps keep you safe.
SOURCING:
Web: Revolution247 (http://www.revolution247.com/)
Phone: 0845 002 3000 - Keith Tyler (General Manager)
Email: keith@revolution247.com
Price: £179 inc vat but exc shipping (check with supplier).
Longstanding forum member 'The wheel man' (Ben) is the main UK importer and is more than happy to answer any queries.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2FTyreSure_temp.jpg&hash=0597bb130e33b5ce6a46268fb9db8d6bb771cfeb)
INSTALLATION:
A wireless transmitter sensor is installed in each tyre. The sensor valves need replacing when the tyres are replaced but they cost less than £4 each. The display unit can either be powered via the onboard 12v socket or hardwired. I chose to hardwire mine so it automatically fires up with the ignition. The installation instructions are all there but their print is tiny and the whole booklet seems more complicated than it needs to be.
When you rotate or change tyres, the system allows the sensors to be re-synchronised appropriately. Again, not that simple to work out first time but at least it's a useful capability.
You set your own high/low thresholds for warnings - red light and audible - to be activated. For now I'm inclined just to regularly monitor the display visually but will program my high/low settings later.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tyresave.co.uk%2Fgraphics%2Ftpmsvalvesensorb.jpg&hash=0287b9872af87e730e26e3297f2216087165e6ea)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2FTyreSure_hardwired.jpg&hash=3c6cd2735a806487b2f6ca8e1ad4b38949aed89f)
^ No holes drilled - The wiring is tucked in the flexible plastic sides of the console ^
Mine is hardwired to be automatically active on ignition - Yet another startup beep!
Please note that if you hardwire by keeping the supplied 12v male insert and not cutting it off (sensible to keep for the future), then make sure it's deeply set into the female socket and also taped up well. If not, power can get cut off to the TyreSure display, as happened to me.
Note that the display looks very bright while driving at night and so this may limit where you locate the unit. Mine is hidden from view by my forearm while driving (always both hands on the wheel at 'quarter-to-three' position but I just lift my elbow and can then see the displayed values very easily.
PLUS POINTS:
- Constantly displays useful information to increase awareness, and therefore improve safety.
- Constantly displays tyre pressure and temperature in either bar/psi and degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit.
- Can automatically display pressures and temperatures in turn about every 5 seconds.
- Audio alerts according to your presets.
- Compact unit with high visibility colour screen.
MINUS POINTS:
- Relatively expensive.
- Tedious printed manual and installation instruction booklet.
- No cradle attachment supplied and so limited display positions in the car.
- A brightly lit display means that display positions may be limited.
SUMMARY:
A very stylish and functional product which improves safety significantly and, very importantly, makes you feel safer. Once you are used to it you may wonder how you managed without it.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2FTyreSure_bar.jpg&hash=9ab4faef4e361fe1f32e683bb05949d045accd87)
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:congrats:
Awesome write-up RR. This is something I was seriously considering as I'm one of those people who check tyre pressures religiously. Except I find by checking, I've let a little air out so have to bring out thr foot pump and reinflate the 0.5 or 1psi so pressures are dead on.
The main reasons I held back were because of its perceived luxury (not too difficult to check pressures), visibility (need it to be easily hidden from thieves) and positioning (needs to be in a place wgere its not too intrusive but can be seen with a glance).
How do you find using it in practice? Especially given that it's not within your normal field of vision so you have to turn your head? This is the main thing I don't like about the rns - I have to take my eyes off the road for too long to see where I'm supposed to go next.
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very nice RR
you got a pic of the sensor? I assume its located in the rubber valve bit? how long does the battery in it last?
I like it a lot , but know that I couldnt have the 4 wheel psi readings showing +/- 1 out :signLOL: so Id be forever adjusting them...
whats the readings at a track day ?? can you see the front/rear go up differently?
:happy2:
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:congrats:
Awesome write-up RR. This is something I was seriously considering as I'm one of those people who check tyre pressures religiously. Except I find by checking, I've let a little air out so have to bring out the foot pump and reinflate the 0.5 or 1psi so pressures are dead on.
....This is why I haven't set my warning thresholds yet - I am surprised to occasionally see a tiny variation in the tyre pressures but they quickly settle back to the same reading. I'll try psi because the numeric value increments are possibly more accurate than bar.
The main reasons I held back were because of its perceived luxury (not too difficult to check pressures), visibility (need it to be easily hidden from thieves) and positioning (needs to be in a place where its not too intrusive but can be seen with a glance).
....Regarding 'visibility'/security, the display unit can be attached using velcro and so can be easily unplugged and removed.
Regarding positioning, there are several places it could be attached by using velcro. One position I considered was in the bottom of the rev counter as you don't need to see the needle register less than 500 revs and neither does it max out (or you've then got other more pressing problems!). Surprisingly it almost looked oem because the thin aluminium surround matches the oem dials. But I decided that the lit display would be too strong.
Consequently I have positioned it next to the handbrake - Yes, I have to look down but a very quick glance is all that's needed and not often (until I am used to it!). I would not wish to alter settings while in motion.
How do you find using it in practice? Especially given that it's not within your normal field of vision so you have to turn your head? This is the main thing I don't like about the rns - I have to take my eyes off the road for too long to see where I'm supposed to go next.
....It's early days in my using it, but I only have to move my eyes rather than my whole head. For the same reason you mention, my SatNav (built-in Alpine) is fitted in the upper position so it remains in my normal driving sightline and everything is still in my peripheral vision. I assume that "rns" means Route Navigation System.
:happy2:
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very nice RR
you got a pic of the sensor? I assume its located in the rubber valve bit? how long does the battery in it last?
I like it a lot , but know that I couldnt have the 4 wheel psi readings showing +/- 1 out :signLOL: so Id be forever adjusting them...
whats the readings at a track day ?? can you see the front/rear go up differently?
:happy2:
....My VW dealer has his own tyre bay and I wasn't there when they fitted the sensors. I'm adding a pic of just the valve and sensor unit to my original review post above.
Battery is stated to last 7 years.
Most unfortunately, because I wanted to Zaino coat my OZ's before tyres were fitted, my tyre fitting was delayed until only the day before leaving for Nurburgring and my trackday at Spa. I didn't want to rush my decision as to where to hardwire the TyreSure display and we then discovered that the front 'ashtray' 12v socket is a different size than the one in the boot! It's smaller and so I couldn't temporarily plug in my TyreSure to use it. Apparently some Golfs have different size sockets instead of them being universal - Not very Germanically organised! I've now had my front 12v socket changed.
However, in spite of not fully testing it on a trackday (yet!), I can report that the rear tyres take longer to warm up than the fronts and also that even driving fast on an A-road the temperatures don't rise as quickly as you might expect ("Well, Officer, Sir, I was testing my tyre temperatures"). The temps registered very much matched to axle pairs. Next week I have a 500-mile round trip and will report what I see.
I think that tyre temps may be according to tyre rubber type as well and I plan to talk to Goodyear Technical about this next week too.
Hurdy will be out testing his TyreSure on Snake Pass aka The English Nurburgring, and so he will have useful info to report as well.
:happy2:
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Great review as usual Robin :happy2:
Mine is up and running, but isn't hardwired in yet. At first it is quite unnerving watching the temps and pressures alter as you drive the car. The fact that the readings are dynamic is an excellent feature and gives great feedback on how the wheels/tyres are performing under any conditions. My tyre temps went up over 20oC and pressures by 4-5psi after just a small "spirited" run, which was surprising, but I'm told normal. :smiley:
Yes they are a luxury item, but one that I believe will be well worth it over the coming winter months. Others will be checking their tyres in the damp and cold, whilst with this little gem you can simply fire up the car and check from the comfort of the driving seat without losing that little bit of pressure at each check too. :happy2:
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^^^^
It'll be very interesting, and useful for you John, to see the info the TyreSure gives you for quarter-mile sessions.
It does sound as if this mod is one which we'll grow to appreciate and like more and more.
:happy2:
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Great Review RR! :congrats:
I'd like this little 'gadget' but I fear with the amount of wheels I have and wheel changes I tend to make during the course of the year it could turn out to be expensive. Or alternatlively I get three sets! :laugh:
:happy2:
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^^^^
Nath, I'm wondering that it's probably possible to buy just the 4 valve+battery units. In which case you could buy extra sets - One set per set of rims and the display would simply recieve data from whichever rims you put on the car. You'd doubtless have to reset as you do for tyre changes/rotation, but that's easy (once you've mastered the instructions!).
I think I'll ask Ben/Keith about this - It would be useful for people to know.
:happy2: 8) :happy2:
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Just had an interesting thought: What happens when two cars, both with their own TyreSure's installed, are parked next to each other (Hurdy and me) - Do the display units get confused?
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FTrack%2FREDHurdy_pitlane.jpg&hash=b6a9f026c1e93ff7d7629c4afc8f0d21d991af02)
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I suspect the transponder in the wheels have a frequenct that's tied to the receiving head unit much like the remote locking on your car using the key fob.
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Just had an interesting thought: What happens when two cars, both with their own TyreSure's installed, are parked next to each other (Hurdy and me) - Do the display units get confused?
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FTrack%2FREDHurdy_pitlane.jpg&hash=b6a9f026c1e93ff7d7629c4afc8f0d21d991af02)
Fear not RR, each sensor has a unique ID in its signal so you could have 5, 10 or 1000 cars all next each other without any interferance....
^^^^
Nath, I'm wondering that it's probably possible to buy just the 4 valve+battery units. In which case you could buy extra sets - One set per set of rims and the display would simply recieve data from whichever rims you put on the car. You'd doubtless have to reset as you do for tyre changes/rotation, but that's easy (once you've mastered the instructions!).
I think I'll ask Ben/Keith about this - It would be useful for people to know.
:happy2: 8) :happy2:
Seperate sensors can be purchased but like RR said, to use these with a single display they will need to be programmed in each time they are swapped over.Great review as usual Robin :happy2:
Mine is up and running, but isn't hardwired in yet. At first it is quite unnerving watching the temps and pressures alter as you drive the car. The fact that the readings are dynamic is an excellent feature and gives great feedback on how the wheels/tyres are performing under any conditions. My tyre temps went up over 20oC and pressures by 4-5psi after just a small "spirited" run, which was surprising, but I'm told normal. :smiley:
Yes they are a luxury item, but one that I believe will be well worth it over the coming winter months. Others will be checking their tyres in the damp and cold, whilst with this little gem you can simply fire up the car and check from the comfort of the driving seat without losing that little bit of pressure at each check too. :happy2:
The difference in temperature / pressure at this time of year is MUCH slower than in the summer months. I would expect that a 30 - 40 min drive in the summer (ambient 20 / 25 degrees) would result in tyre temps to get to 40 degrees, more on the twisty stuff.... Its surprising to see the temp drop once in rain also, ive had a temp of around 35 on a motorway and within 20 mins in the rain this has dropped to 25. doesnt mean much but still interesting to watch none the less.
the main benefit to this system was the pressures. I needed to top up pressures on all 4 tyres once a month to keep them within 3psi of my settings (i run ran on the high setting for a laden vehicle as i found the car ligher in its toes)
The main reasons I held back were because of its perceived luxury (not too difficult to check pressures), visibility (need it to be easily hidden from thieves) and positioning (needs to be in a place wgere its not too intrusive but can be seen with a glance).
How do you find using it in practice? Especially given that it's not within your normal field of vision so you have to turn your head? This is the main thing I don't like about the rns - I have to take my eyes off the road for too long to see where I'm supposed to go next.
I went for the position below the rev counter as i found it too distracting in the previous place (In the ash tray)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi38.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe127%2Fben1980%2FTPMSDisplay001.jpg&hash=501d7f39169a3c77283bcc10f0c1aa4aa1f5e991)
At night i diddnt find the display too bright so thats were it stayed. I also chose not to hardwire the system in, with a little positioning the wire was hidden from view so this ment that when leaving the car anywhere i could store the unit in the glove box.
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I decided against that position Ben. Mainly because I tend to use the rev counter visually a lot and the wire covers the time buttons (which I'll need in about 5 days time) :smiley:
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^^^^
Thanks for that very useful info, Ben :drinking:
Although mine is hardwired and active on ignition, I can unplug and remove the display. No holes have been drilled for my installation.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2FTyreSure_hardwired.jpg&hash=3c6cd2735a806487b2f6ca8e1ad4b38949aed89f)
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does the wire just charge a battery?
nice review robin
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does the wire just charge a battery?
....No, AFAIK the only batteries are with the wheel sensors. I think the wire provides power to the display unit because it always has to be plugged in to work - Either via mini USB connection or 'cig-lighter' style via 12v socket.
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Fairy muff.
If i had one of these i would probably hard wire it out of sight but so it is audible. It would be absolutely fantastic if someone like Kufatec could develop something like this that worked with highline.
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....
I popped down to my local free air pump today to make sure I had enough air for a 500-mile journey tomorrow.
Result was that 36psi on the machine = 35psi on the TyreSure.
I had originally set the machine to deliver 35psi but my TyreSure displayed it as 34psi, so I decided to believe my TyreSure's readings and reset the machine to deliver 36psi. Hence 35psi on my TyreSure.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FReview_Pics%2FTyreMachine_36psi.jpg&hash=168290ee434bad505aee83bb4d10cb2945a2ae91)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FReview_Pics%2FTyreSure_35psi.jpg&hash=668a710b61263c94498b40e99a25cd2d10ba7fd4)
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Fairy muff.
....Has she? I always thought it was Furry Muff :evilgrin:
If i had one of these i would probably hard wire it out of sight but so it is audible. It would be absolutely fantastic if someone like Kufatec could develop something like this that worked with highline.
....Would you want it to be able to permanently display either pressure or temperature in the Highline window? Quite a tall order methinks.
For me, the whole point of the TyreSure kit is that you can visually monitor at any time.
As cmdrfire pointed out on another thread, the VAG oem systems only alert you to a problem but not what the problem is nor which tyre has the problem, and it takes its time to do just that. In line with authorities encouraging vehicle manufacturers to provide tyre safety features to the consumer, the oem provides a system which they can add as a marketing feature but it doesn't actually do very much, especially as most drivers forget to reset the button everytime they put air in their tyres.
I'm really enjoying this little TyreSure gadget - It brings peace of mind by continually answering the question "How are my tyres?" [as opposed to "Does my bum look too fat in this?"]
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Yeh, I'd want all the live functionality of the tyresure system but displayed on the highline window. It's not that much of a tall order really, I already have my phonebook on there in a window. Also can see things like realtime speed, realtime rpm and boost. Also how many litres of fuel I have left, all thru a clever box of tricks!
If I am running low on fuel, I get a warning. If I get a low tyre pressure, I want a warning. Don't get confused thinking I want the Vw one, just one that integrates the Vw highline
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Yeh, I'd want all the live functionality of the tyresure system but displayed on the highline window. It's not that much of a tall order really, I already have my phonebook on there in a window. Also can see things like realtime speed, realtime rpm and boost. Also how many litres of fuel I have left, all thru a clever box of tricks!
If I am running low on fuel, I get a warning. If I get a low tyre pressure, I want a warning. Don't get confused thinking I want the Vw one, just one that integrates the Vw highline
That would be cool :evilgrin: the company that makes this system is owned by Mitsubishi so its on the Carisma but is displayed in the rear view mirror... super cool
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thats pretty cool! get them to sort it with the Vw highline and ill buy 20! lol
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I decided against that position Ben. Mainly because I tend to use the rev counter visually a lot and the wire covers the time buttons (which I'll need in about 5 days time) :smiley:
Can't you alter the clock times in the highline?
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I decided against that position Ben. Mainly because I tend to use the rev counter visually a lot and the wire covers the time buttons (which I'll need in about 5 days time) :smiley:
Can't you alter the clock times in the highline?
Only if I had it :ashamed:
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....
I've just updated the original review post having used it for a few weeks in both day and night conditions: One plus point and one minus.
Overall, I'm very happy indeed that I spent some money on yet another mod which some will say is entirely uneccessary :evilgrin:
I was without it for about 3 days because the connector came adrift (we retained the supplied 'ashtray-style' plug for a 12v socket) and I really missed it.
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looks like a good bit of kit. good review :happy2:
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missed this thread earlier - on my last car between my mkiv and mkv golfs I had a Saab Aero which had tyre pressure monitors for all tyres and would let me know whcih was losing/lost pressure - which was 4x better than the almost useless one factory fitted (winter pack?) tyre pressure sensor.
Anyway I'm all for buying gadgets but I think 179.00 (even for me is to much) - if it came down to £100.00 I'd probs grab it
I love the fact it displays temperature as well - for me that's a real feature nice review - let me know if they bring the price down! :happy2:
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Just seen this review. As always great review Robin! Looks like a fantastic piece of kit!
Bit confused where the pressure/temperature sensors go though? Do they plug into the valve?? :confused: :confused: :confused:
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Just seen this review. As always great review Robin! Looks like a fantastic piece of kit!
Bit confused where the pressure/temperature sensors go though? Do they plug into the valve?? :confused: :confused: :confused:
The sensors are placed inside the tyre and the valve is built into it. You have to remove the tyres to fit them. :happy2:
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....
I can't emphasise enough how reassuring it is to be able to see your tyre pressures every time you start the ignition. And the TyreSure updates the info every 5 seconds and you can toggle it with the tyre temperatures.
It might look like a bit of a toy but it's damned useful!
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RR, I wanted to ask: how do the tyre pressures and temps change in these snowy conditions? How long does it take to get the tyres up to optimal temp? Do the pressures stay below optimum throughout?
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RR, I wanted to ask: how do the tyre pressures and temps change in these snowy conditions? How long does it take to get the tyres up to optimal temp? Do the pressures stay below optimum throughout?
....I've been out as little as possible (not for 10 days now) but tyre temps started at zero 0º last time but started to rise after only a few hundred yards. Tyres stayed cold but not at any level to be over concerned about: Late teens.
Pressures too started off low (26 psi) but re-adjusted to correct level within yards.
Extremely useful to be able to automatically toggle between pressure and temperature updating itself every 5 seconds and then be less concerned when everything up to normal.
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Looks a good piece of kit, and great review aswell :happy2:
One question though, how does the main unit tell which corner the sensor is at?
Say if you were swapping your tires round or forgot which tire went where can it tell what corner it's at? (does that make sense? :wink:)
Luke
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The sensors are programmable and even if you swap the fronts to the rears and side to side, you can re-programme the sensors to read them correctly :happy2:
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^^^^
Yep, as Hurdy says - Program it in Setup mode so that upper left corner in display is front left tyre etc. The trick is to have one tyre already low pressure so you know which is which and then pump to correct pressures all around. You can see the monitor change as you change each pressure. Hope I'm making sense!
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.
Today I'm very unhappy with TyreSure! :fighting:
A couple of weeks ago one of the tyre sensors stopped working. Keith at Revolution, who supplied it, was as helpful as ever and organised a replacement sensor. But, the replacement appears to be faulty!! This is deduced following over an hour on the phone with TyreSure's UK agent testing and trying to sort out the problem. Apparently I'm not the first to have a faulty sensor and the agent's response (not Revolution's) is merely to say that they buy them in large batches and I should return the faulty one before replacement or buy another one.
Feckin' middle men! They only care about their dollar! :fighting:
So I now have to go the extra inconvenience and expense of a tyre fitter swopping to sensor #3 when I receive it. I miss not having the TyreSure and am not a happy bunny. I can't run it with the fault because of a constant alarm beep.