Tire pressure warning?

No, not in the US as far as I know...

See this thread for adding your own:

http://www.priuschat.com/forums/tire-monit...ors-vt7100.html

And this is about National Highway Traffic Safety Admin wanting to require pressure monitors:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/nhts...e_pressure.html

As for the cheaper tire pressure monitors:

http://www.brookstone.com/shop/product.asp...ory&prodtemp=t2

But, it looks like they have some limitations:

http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0.../b04-250060.htm


Cheers,

-bob

 

I think the tire pressure monitor is very good at detecting leaks at highway speeds, hopefully before a catastrophic failure occurs.

Otherwise I spend every Sunday morning going over the car: check the oil, washer fluid level, coolant level, tire pressure, turn signals and running lights operating, etc etc.

It's a *very* good habit to get into keeping an eye on things.

 

It is unusual that the Prius doesn't have one.It is so high tech and has everything else. The other Toyota's that have it will usually come on when the pressure is about 5lbs difference,I believe(give or take a few).I have also heard of the feds going to make it mantatory for all vehicles to have it installed. The Toyota's either read by the wheel speed sensors of the ABS/by different harmonics a low tire would put out/or by sensors which are part of the air valve(new 4-Runners are this way). Maybe the new Prius will have them? :roll:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer\";p=\"70687)</div>

:lol: :lol: Never thought of it that way,Tony.

 

Also the tire pressure audio warning will come on, going, thump, thump, thump

 

I got a flat just before Christmas. Didn't even realize it but considering I hit a hole, I thought I'd check. Yup, flat. Actually, it still had some pressure, as the puncture was still hissing.

So, no low pressure sensor, and ABS doesn't detect the flat either. My parents' Saturn L300 has given a Check Engine light (pretty generic light) when a tire was low.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanMan32\";p=\"70921)</div>

Hi Dan:

Well, *that* must be helpful for your parents!

"Hmm, Check Engine is on, better swing by the dealer again."

"Wonder what it is dear?"

"Could be something with the motor, maybe a loose gas cap, maybe low oil, low tire, sunspots ..."

At least my parents' 2003 Buick LeSabre Celebration Edition spells it out for them.

 

a tire pressure sensor would be nice. i had a nail in one of my tires and because the leak was so inconsistant, i actually had the tire pressure down to the low 20's without any noticable change in handling. being on the right rear im sure had a lot to do with that, but i now get into the habit of kicking the tires about once a week or so.

one thing that was surprising to me was that visibly, the pressure had to be very low before you could actually see anything. this was surprising to me since these tires were supposed to be LRR and ect...

 

Ugh. Sore spot for some of us.

The 2004 Prius was originally to include an on-board tire pressure warning system, at least on VSC models. The theory of operation is that a deflating/deflated tire will roll at a different rate than the properly inflated tires; the VSC, which monitors this information anyway, decides the difference between a limited slip and a flat.

Sadly, although this feature is present in the Japanese model (I think - someone correct me if I'm trippin' here), it is most decidedly missing on the U.S. models.

Along with the audio system DSP. I want my DSP, dammit! The Japanese can keep their auto-parking system - I just want an audio system that equalizes volume to ambient noise conditions.

 

I think when you have a *great* product, the minor shortcomings really become apparent. I have to admit that in city traffic I really miss the Speed Compensated Volume from my 2000 GMC Sierra 1500.

 

Granted, but when one has a really great product, one must find *something* about which to complain.

 

My dad is a former mechanic, but before engines were drastically computer controlled. He asked me if there was a trick to get the error code. Since it was a 2000, I said, Nope, not without a scanner.
So, they indeed went to the dealer.
He, like the rest of us, doesn't like an idiot light that gives you no clue as to the problem.

 

The auto manufacturers have to design a car for the average person. So when they came up with the "Idiot"light,they must have surveyed and found more idiots,then us smart/knowledgeable folks :lol:

 

Rick:

That's very sad ... but true.

Ever notice one thing about high quality mechanical temperature (Bourdon tube) and mechanical pressure gauges? Especially those Autometer Pro Comp? They report the *real* temperature and pressure, so they're always changing.

You expect that, right? Depending on ambient temps, engine load, etc, you expect the temp gauge to go up and down, and you expect the oil pressure gauge to quiver a bit due to pulsations from the oil pump.

All perfectly normal.

I can only imagine a bunch of dimwit drivers pulling into the dealership: "my oil pressure gauge is always quivering, and when it's real hot in summer with the A/C on and my foot on the brake while in Drive, I only have 18 psi, but when I start it at -20 F it registers 75 psi ...."

You'd go crazy in no time.

Though I sure would like to put in an Autometer Pro Comp oil pressure and temp gauge. Yes, I'm dropping strong hints.

 

i agree with the idiot light concept and just as gauges were available in the auto aftercare market, hopefully the Prius will have the same.

When we had our WA State meeting, Frank was nice enough to demo his scanner device he had for his classic. it provided a huge range of very valuable info.

what gets me is that all the readings are readings that are gathered for the car anyway. his scanner just tapped into those circuits. that tells me that there might be a way where we can get those readings onscreen by simple modification or programming change.

what impressed me most with Franks scanner is the info that comes from the battery and charging controls. it had real time current readings, also real time regen, etc. with that info, it would be easy to learn exactly how to acelerate and brake for optimum efficiency.

also i hate the fact that basic monitoring info is not available namely oil temp, water temp, oil pressure, etc. the scanner had all that and more.

 

David:

Tell me about it.

I find it rather embarrassing that my parents 2003 Buick Lesabre Celebration Edition allows you to access that date. You just use the dash button to access the data and you can scroll through things like instant oil pressure, instant voltage, and instant temperature.

I mean, come on Toyota, if a BUICK can do this trick ???

It would be too easy to just add one more touch box on the MFD to access this.

 

I use those screw-on caps that show red when down more than a couple of pounds. I just walk around the car for a look every time I fill up. That way I'll catch the slow leak before it gives out entirely.

 

Well guys,from all the Toyota's I've seen(and previous GM's) if you want the extra gauges,they come on the sporty models usually. Most of the other models are built for the general public. So if you want to see all that,I guess a stop at the speed shop for some Auto Meter gauges. Now if they only had a pillar pod for the Prius :roll:
By the way,I have a Auto Meter Boost gauge in my MR2 and it is working long before the factory one starts to move.Now all I need is a Boost Controller to crank in some more :lol: