How does the Tire pressure monitor work ?

Anyone know how the TPMS works ? How do you put a sensor on a spinning tire .

I believe the actual pressure sensor is in the valve stem. I'm not sure how that reading gets to the TPMS. If I had to guess, it is a wireless signal from the valve stem to a receiver located somewhere near the wheel.

Edit: Here is a link from Honda's website
http://automobiles.honda.com/models/safety_overview.asp?ModelName=Ridgeline

I know I read somewhere that it is as Rideg say in the stem, but here is what Honda says

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

The Ridgeline features a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Using a series of four sensors and four initiators (one for each tire) and a receiver to capture and relay information, the system alerts the driver when it detects that tire pressure in one or more tires drops significantly below the recommended pressure. The sensor transmitter is located inside the wheel. Should the tires be rotated around the vehicle due to normal maintenance or be replaced entirely, the new tires are "auto-located" by the system. If the system detects that tire pressure is significantly low, a low tire pressure indicator located in the meter containing the fuel level and temperature gauge will come on while a schematic of the vehicle located in the center meter housing the speedometer will indicate which tires are low.
Hope this helps

Does this mean you have to get new tires from Honda to keep the tire pressure monitoring? Or if the valve stem starts leaking, you have to go to Honda????

You can get tires anywhere, but for the rims you will have more limited choices if you want to keep TPMS. However, with more and more cars getting pressure sensors, I'm sure the aftermarket will release more rims. The sensor bolts into the rim using an enlarged stem hole. You can see it if you look at the stem on a RL rim.

The auto position seems to work with an antenna in each wheel well.

The spare is not monitored, however since the spare is the least likely tire to have it's air pressure checked, I would have wished it was monitored. A bit of penny pinching on Honda's part... that plus the fact that a full size spare is an costs extra.

Whaleya,

You are right more and more cars getting TPMS, that because it is getting fazed in by law. Starting with either the 2006, or 2007 model year 50% must have it, and all new vehicles by a couple of years later.


You can get tires anywhere, but for the rims you will have more limited choices if you want to keep TPMS. However, with more and more cars getting pressure sensors, I'm sure the aftermarket will release more rims. The sensor bolts into the rim using an enlarged stem hole. You can see it if you look at the stem on a RL rim.

The auto position seems to work with an antenna in each wheel well.

The spare is not monitored, however since the spare is the least likely tire to have it's air pressure checked, I would have wished it was monitored. A bit of penny pinching on Honda's part... that plus the fact that a full size spare is an costs extra.

My Sienna TPMS uses tire rotation to calculate air pressure and alerts when the pressure loses 20% of pressure. I think it is a better system, but more expensive. Honda system uses electronics and should be able to monitor the spare tire as well.

I saw on PBS AutoWeek there is a air pressure device that you can attach to the stem of the regular tire. When the tire loses 20% of the pressure, a red insert pops up. The host says it is THE most sensible product to buy. It cost around $10 and maybe is good for the spare tire. Does anyone here recommend this product?

I have actually seen a spare tire that is out of air because the owner never checked it. Does anyone check their spare tire air pressure?

IMO, TPMS and bluetooth phone system are 2 safety device that should be standard. TPMS is one of the reason I bought RL.

My Sienna TPMS uses tire rotation to calculate air pressure and alerts when the pressure loses 20% of pressure. I think it is a better system, but more expensive...

Actually I disagree on both points. The Sienna TPMS uses the ABS sensors which are already in place to measure the rotational velocity. This is much cheaper than Honda's way of doing it since they are tapping into an existing ABS system. It's an indirect inference of the tire pressure, if all 4 tires get low it will never alert you as it notices no difference in velocity between them. Honda has a direct measurement of the actual pressure in each tire which is by far the better system and more accurate.

Vertrkr is right! Honda's system is the most advanced (and expensive) available today. It has large benefits vs. the ABS sensor type found in most other makes. It is a 'direct' type vs.'indirect'

Here's the suppliers page --> http://www.siemensvdo.com/default.aspx?menu=CC_tire_guard

Here is a place to find more info about the legislation regarding TPMS --> http://www.citizen.org/autosafety/nhtsa/tread/tpms/index.cfm

Cheers

Anyone know how the TPMS works ? How do you put a sensor on a spinning tire .


Conchflats --- Sorry, you did ask how it works.

Here's the Ultra-Nerd explanation --> http://www.sensorsmag.com/articles/1101/40/main.shtml

Jeffro,

Since then the the NHTSA has put forth a new proposal, it was put out for comment 09/15/04 it can be seen here.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.9fa154a4d39f02e770f6df1020008a0c/

And search for this NHTSA 40-04

Or you can type in this Docket number NHTSA-2004-19054 at this web site and get all kind of new information right up to GM,s comment dated today.

http://dms.dot.gov/search/document.cfm?documentid=321436&docketid=19054

If this all passes faze in begins Sept 1, 2005 with 50%, with all new vehicles coming on in Sept 2007.



Vertrkr is right! Honda's system is the most advanced (and expensive) available today. It has large benefits vs. the ABS sensor type found in most other makes. It is a 'direct' type vs.'indirect'

Here's the suppliers page --> http://www.siemensvdo.com/default.aspx?menu=CC_tire_guard

Here is a place to find more info about the legislation regarding TPMS --> http://www.citizen.org/autosafety/nhtsa/tread/tpms/index.cfm

Cheers

I would like to get a full sized spare. Can I get one with TPMS?

Looking at the service manual there are sensors at each wheel well to pick up the RF signal from that wheel. The service manual goes on to say that if you have a flat and place the flat in the trunk the tire pressure warning light will continue to stay lit but the light for which tire it is will not light so the customer isn't confused into thinking the spare is flat.

So far, so good, but the service manual doesn't mention if the system can handle 5 tires or only four in the system.

My other option would be to get rim without TPMS but in that case I need to know the specs (backspacing, offset, ect). It doesn't look like I can just buy the RT steel rim in this case since the rims for the RL seem to have built in weights to compensate for the weight of the sensor.

Any help would be appreciated.

I would like to get a full sized spare. Can I get one with TPMS?

Looking at the service manual...

Service manual? or perhaps you mean the owners manual that came with the truck. If not, where did you get it? helminc.com doesn't even list it yet.

I was looking at the online service manuals for the Ridgeline.

www.serviceexpress.honda.com

Service manuals, TSB, all sorts of stuff. No parts listing yet though.

Now for the depressing part, $50 for 30 day access.

I am a bit of a nerd and like to know how things work.

I was looking at the online service manuals for the Ridgeline.
www.serviceexpress.honda.com
Service manuals, TSB, all sorts of stuff. No parts listing yet though.
Now for the depressing part, $50 for 30 day access.
I am a bit of a nerd and like to know how things work.

Thanks, not aware of that. Price is a little step for me though being a time limited access. Think I'll wait for the paper copy and buy that. The 'O5 Ody manual is 2000 pages, I love browsing thru it.

Whaleya correct me if I'm wrong but if you want to put aftermarket wheels on your truck the wheel has to have a valve stem hole big enough to accomodate the sensor. Also is the sensor that's mounted inside the wheel is it all one piece and how does it mount to the wheel/valve stem.

The sensor mounts to a special valve stem and the stem is bolted through the wheel.

I am wondering about replacing my mini spare with a full sized spare with TPMS.

www.tirerack.com

You can order wheels and tires seperately, remove your sensors off your stock wheels, then mount them on the new wheels...what a hassle. Tirerack has all the OEM TPMS sensors in stock and can have them added to your new wheels, mount the tires, balance and ship in a day! Then your stock wheels can be sold or kept for later when you eventually sell the truck (never!!!).

Aloha,
Keoni

PS. I do not represent Tirerack, just a happy customer. Must...resist......need...22s................. ;)

Guys,

You are making life much more complicated. Just get a valve stem visual monitor for $5 and put it on in one minute. I.E.

http://www.accu-pressure.com/cgi-bin/Store/index.cgi

http://www.motorcyclelighting.com/tire-valves.html

Do a search on valve visual tire monitor and you will find one for $5. I would put it on the spare.

Like I mentioned before, Autoweek says this is THE best investment you will ever make in life.

I visually check my tires everytime I fill up the gas. but when I am not in Califonia, I know that I do not venture out of the car due the weather elements. And my cars have TPMS. I do this because I had a major tire blow out once on the highway, fortunately, no one was hurt.

A separate question: I plan to eventually replace my truck tire with Michelin cross-terrain tire because I do not carry heavy loads or go off road, can any tire store replace the ridgeline tires with the same size tires?

I want a tire that drives well in rain to avoid hydroplaning. Yes, I also had a experience once I hydroplaned for about 100 yards. That was scaring.

Don't waste your money. Several people have tried them and all were very inaccurate. To the point that you could visually see the tire deflating before the red button popped up.

My Sienna TPMS uses tire rotation to calculate air pressure and alerts when the pressure loses 20% of pressure. I think it is a better system, but more expensive. Honda system uses electronics and should be able to monitor the spare tire as well.

I saw on PBS AutoWeek there is a air pressure device that you can attach to the stem of the regular tire. When the tire loses 20% of the pressure, a red insert pops up. The host says it is THE most sensible product to buy. It cost around $10 and maybe is good for the spare tire. Does anyone here recommend this product?

I have actually seen a spare tire that is out of air because the owner never checked it. Does anyone check their spare tire air pressure?

IMO, TPMS and bluetooth phone system are 2 safety device that should be standard. TPMS is one of the reason I bought RL.

I picked up a couple TPMS Valve Stems at my Honda Dealer and stamped on them is TRW Automotive. I did a search and came up with a Michelin Press release. Is Honda and Acura using different systems???
http://www.michelinman.com/difference//releases/pressrelease01042004b.html Vertrkr is right! Honda's system is the most advanced (and expensive) available today. It has large benefits vs. the ABS sensor type found in most other makes. It is a 'direct' type vs.'indirect'

Here's the suppliers page --> http://www.siemensvdo.com/default.aspx?menu=CC_tire_guard

Here is a place to find more info about the legislation regarding TPMS --> http://www.citizen.org/autosafety/nhtsa/tread/tpms/index.cfm

Cheers

Maybe Honda & Acura are using different systems. Here's the TRW system --> http://www.trwauto.com/productsandtechnologies/main/0,1083,9_23_41_114^4^114^114,00.html

Just last week, the NHTSA finally ruled on the legislation regarding TPMS. It will be required in all cars from 2008. They decided to require the (more accurate and expensive) direct type, which Honda has also chosen. At least something good came out of the Ford Exploder fiasco...

Cheers

The TPMS came in handy for me. For 3 days the indicator showed my left rear tire low. I aired it up all 3 days. On the third day I decided to look at the tire and found a nail embedded in it. This caused the air to slowly leak causing the indicator light to come on. Cool! In the past, I wouldn't discover a slow leak until the tire was almost flat. I had a plug kit in my trunk. I pulled out the nail, plugged it, aired it up with my mini compressor and away I went.
Good system!!!:cool:

Yeah. A system I know only too well. :mad:

Apparently the aluminum rims on the Ridgeline will cause slow leaks if the vehicle sits in one place for too long (and 'too long' is apparently only a couple of weeks).

I left my vehicle sitting in the drive for a few weeks when gas prices hit a real high, and used my Civic whose tires never seem to go low from just sitting for months at a time, though the rims appear similar. I wonder if tire/rim size or vehicle weight make a difference there.

At any rate, the next time I took the Ridge out, one tire tripped the 'low pressure' indicator. I pulled into the first gas station down the road and found that all the tires were almost 10 lbs low, though only one was low enough to trigger the warning.

I am glad the warning came on, and once I recover from all the heart attacks the extensive warning system in the Ridge has induced due to warning lights and bells coming on when I least expect or want them to, I am sure I will enjoy the extensive electronic systems Honda invested in even more.

I picked up a couple TPMS Valve Stems at my Honda Dealer and stamped on them is TRW Automotive. I did a search and came up with a Michelin Press release. Is Honda and Acura using different systems???
http://www.michelinman.com/difference//releases/pressrelease01042004b.html

Yup, I understand from the folks at Michelin (I have a good friend who works at their corporate HQ) that Michelin and TRW developed this, and then made it available to other manufacturers in the tire/auto industry.....

Speaking of tire pressure, when I picked up my new Ridge, all of the tires were 10 lbs overinflated (my neighbor's wife found the same thing on her new CRV, and my wife had the same issue with her 5 series BMW).

I was told that new cars are shipped with over-inflated tires. New owners need to check the tire pressure to make sure the dealer made the adjustments.

Over and out,

Speaking of tire pressure, when I picked up my new Ridge, all of the tires were 10 lbs overinflated (my neighbor's wife found the same thing on her new CRV, and my wife had the same issue with her 5 series BMW).

I was told that new cars are shipped with over-inflated tires. New owners need to check the tire pressure to make sure the dealer made the adjustments.

Over and out,The dealer is supposed to adjust the pressure during their prep work, but many seem to miss it.

I find all too often around here the dealerships are over eager to check your tires and seem to love to drop the pressure in my tires. But definitely you should always check your tires after you have service done.

The dealer is supposed to adjust the pressure during their prep work, but many seem to miss it.

Wonder why the Tire pressure monitor did not pick up the 8 lbs over fill?

Am I missing something here?

TL

Wonder why the Tire pressure monitor did not pick up the 8 lbs over fill?

Am I missing something here?

TL
It only detects low pressure. Not sure why since it is a direct measure of the tire pressure. Maybe it eliminates the complexity of factoring heat from driving?

I've seen advertised on EBay (can't find any now) a module that will (supposedly) convert the signal to actual tire pressures. Anyone know anything about it? I don't think it was real expensive.

I've seen advertised on EBay (can't find any now) a module that will (supposedly) convert the signal to actual tire pressures. Anyone know anything about it? I don't think it was real expensive.
I remember seeing it. Supposedly displays pressure and temperature for each tire. I wouldn't want to mount the display though.

Talk about bad luck, within the last 3 days, two Hondas with nails in the tire!

My wife while leaving for work this morning came back and said there is something wrong with the car (05 Pilot) about 2000 miles on it. we went to investigate, she showed me two warning lights came on, one was showing which tire was low, the other was the TPMS warning light.

I found a sheet rock screw right in ther center of the tire and the pressure at 25PSI.

I can tell you that without tpms warning system she would have never noticed the low tire, it was preety obvious. to her credit she would have called me when she got to work to say the ride didn't feel just right.

In the end, I'm glad we both have the TPMS and that it works.!

Just mt 2 cents

My red ridge, I found a 4" spike bent over on the right rear a couple of days ago, the TPMS didn't alert me, but the tire had not lost enough air yet, I guess I found it right after it happened.

Has anyone re-installed TPMS sensors on original (steel) wheels? Do the tpms units just hang/spin there from the bolt-in on the filler? I was told they click into the rims, but there is no where to click into. Was I just misinformed? Thanks!

Also, it seems the sensors wouldn't make a good seal on the rim - hard plastic. Am I missing a gasket?

Edit: I have the wrong sensors, started a thread on that here: http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3400

P.S. Hello everyone! Our RL is an RTL with moonroof and no Navi; Silver over gray.

Read the sensormag article! Great info thanks for the link