Forum Discussion

klr650goldwing's avatar
May 04, 2018

Tire pressure monitors

Can anyone recommend a Bluetooth tire pressure monitoring system? We are putting new tires on soon. Seems like that would be a good time to install such a system. Only problem is that I know little about these systems. Features?

17 Replies

  • i never have understood the reason for any tire psi sensor.
    just need to check them every so often with a tire gauge, and a visual at every stop.
    my new get around pu has way too many computer junk in it, including tire psi sensors.
    just hope no problems with tire rotations.
  • I also use the TST system. I don't have the flow-through sensors, but I do have the ones I can change the battery for. I have the range extender as well.

    The worst "feature" for me is the extremely tight O rings that you have to replace when replacing the batteries. I tend to break them.
  • Ralph Cramden wrote:
    punomatic wrote:
    I would look for a system that allows you to change the batteries in the tire sending units. I had a TST system that worked very well, until the batteries started going. Replacing them required sending the senders back to the manufacturer. Instead I replaced the system with a Tire Traker system. I can change the batteries, but I have had a lot of problems with the senders cutting out, which makes the system less than worthless.

    I may go back to TST, which now has a system with owner-changeable batteries. I am also considering a model that allows for adding air to the tires without removing the senders from the valve stems. Good luck with your search. As ryder said, now is a good time to change your valve stems to metal ones.


    TST is a great system but the flow through sensors seem to be prone to problems. I gave them a try for a season and went back to the the standard sensors that have been 100% issue free. I had two of the four flow throughs leak back through the valve, one kept dropping signal for some reason, and they all seemed to burn through batteries faster. The standard sensor batteries last all season or longer, not the flow throughs. I had to replace batteries after about 5 months. The flow throughs are also a lot heavier than the standards so if you use them be sure to balance the wheels with them installed.
    I also have the TST flow-through sensors and have had good luck with them. I do take mine off in the winter, and that might explain why the batteries in mine last several years. The sensors expend battery power as long as they are on the trailer. I have had no issues with leakage on any of my 6 sensors. I've had them for about 5 years.

    OTOH I can't really recommend the flow-through sensors. The amount of air flow is severely restricted and it takes a considerable length of time to add as little as 5 psi.

    I don't think that the few ounces the sensors weigh will throw off the tire balance enough to make much difference. But that is strictly my opinion. I had my tires balanced with the sensors installed so I cannot say for sure.

    The only thing I have bad to say about the TST system is the length of time it takes for a dropped sensor to show on the monitor. An hour is an inordinate amount of time. However I have read that the system now comes with an repeater so dropped signals shouldn't be an issue.

    Not disagreeing with Ralph Cramden, just another data point.
  • punomatic wrote:
    I would look for a system that allows you to change the batteries in the tire sending units. I had a TST system that worked very well, until the batteries started going. Replacing them required sending the senders back to the manufacturer. Instead I replaced the system with a Tire Traker system. I can change the batteries, but I have had a lot of problems with the senders cutting out, which makes the system less than worthless.

    I may go back to TST, which now has a system with owner-changeable batteries. I am also considering a model that allows for adding air to the tires without removing the senders from the valve stems. Good luck with your search. As ryder said, now is a good time to change your valve stems to metal ones.


    TST is a great system but the flow through sensors seem to be prone to problems. I gave them a try for a season and went back to the the standard sensors that have been 100% issue free. I had two of the four flow throughs leak back through the valve, one kept dropping signal for some reason, and they all seemed to burn through batteries faster. The standard sensor batteries last all season or longer, not the flow throughs. I had to replace batteries after about 5 months. The flow throughs are also a lot heavier than the standards so if you use them be sure to balance the wheels with them installed.
  • I would look for a system that allows you to change the batteries in the tire sending units. I had a TST system that worked very well, until the batteries started going. Replacing them required sending the senders back to the manufacturer. Instead I replaced the system with a Tire Traker system. I can change the batteries, but I have had a lot of problems with the senders cutting out, which makes the system less than worthless.

    I may go back to TST, which now has a system with owner-changeable batteries. I am also considering a model that allows for adding air to the tires without removing the senders from the valve stems. Good luck with your search. As ryder said, now is a good time to change your valve stems to metal ones.
  • Are you looking for one that interfaces with a cell phone or tablet? Most of the systems have their own monitors and use radio frequencies. There are several: Tire Minder, TST, some others that don't immediately come to mind.

    I have the TST TPMS: Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Other posters may chime in with their particular preference in TPMS's. Most now attach to the valve stems rather than inside the tire itself. Since you're getting new tires, and looking at a TPMS, now would be a good time to install all metal valve stems for the TPMS sensors.