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Can I recommend Tyrepal tyre monitors to your readers?
You asked for reader experiences of Tyre Pal. I bought a set just before Christmas 2011 when on offer at a near half price. The sensors are fitted to my S-Type Jaguar. When cold (4 degrees Centigrade) I adjusted all four tyres to 31.5 PSI with a tyre gauge. The Bluetooth Tyre Pal reader in the car read 32.5 PSI each. Good accuracy.
What surprised me is how the pressures increase after about 10 miles or more driving. They read 35.5 PSI and temperature increase was about three degrees. The pressures returned to the previous reading after a cold night in the garage. Now that it is warmer, the pressure rise is reading 36.0 to 37.0 PSI, returning to around 33 PSI in +10°C air temperature in the garage. One sensor picked up a slow puncture, so probably saved me a wrecked tyre (two, as I have to buy two tyres on the same axle).
I think the sensor picks up the ambient external air temperature more than the tyre gas, and also heat up, if facing the sun. Don¹t hit or get very close to high kerbs, as the sensors stick out quite a bit.
What surprised me is how the pressures increase after about 10 miles or more driving. They read 35.5 PSI and temperature increase was about three degrees. The pressures returned to the previous reading after a cold night in the garage. Now that it is warmer, the pressure rise is reading 36.0 to 37.0 PSI, returning to around 33 PSI in +10°C air temperature in the garage. One sensor picked up a slow puncture, so probably saved me a wrecked tyre (two, as I have to buy two tyres on the same axle).
I think the sensor picks up the ambient external air temperature more than the tyre gas, and also heat up, if facing the sun. Don¹t hit or get very close to high kerbs, as the sensors stick out quite a bit.
Asked on 30 June 2012 by RH, London NW1
Answered by
Honest John
Very many thanks. It provides an answer to other readers asking about Tyrepal, and also useful information about how tyre pressures increase as temperature increases. Not many people ever think about that. Thanks also to PC, via email, who pointed out that the optional locking rings do corrode. AN of Peterborough has used TyrePal for more than 15 months on a Hyundai ix20 with great success. DJ of Palmers green is very happy with TyrePal on his Volvo V50, criticising only the poor backlighting of the display. SC of Leigh on Sea has them on an Audi TT and appreciates the way they warn of changes in pressures due to temperature variations.
JB of Upper Sapey is generally happy with his on a Volkswagen Touran, but pointed out that corrosion made them difficult to remove when he was changing from winter tyres back to summer tyres on the same rims. DH of Lymm is pleased with his on his Porsche and BMW 6 Series, though found the anti tamper Allen key fitting a bit of a struggle. The weight of the mini transmitters does not upset his wheel balance. JT of Manaton in Devon is very happy with his on both a motorhome and car trailer and reckons they saved him from a nasty accident on the M6. He rates them as essential for anyone towing a trailer or caravan.
JB of Upper Sapey is generally happy with his on a Volkswagen Touran, but pointed out that corrosion made them difficult to remove when he was changing from winter tyres back to summer tyres on the same rims. DH of Lymm is pleased with his on his Porsche and BMW 6 Series, though found the anti tamper Allen key fitting a bit of a struggle. The weight of the mini transmitters does not upset his wheel balance. JT of Manaton in Devon is very happy with his on both a motorhome and car trailer and reckons they saved him from a nasty accident on the M6. He rates them as essential for anyone towing a trailer or caravan.
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