Review - Orange TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System)
Given that I've been on a couple of track days, and I was a stickler for checking my tire pressures manually at the petrol station every week.
(picture stolen off the internet (google image search - sorry, i didnt take photos of my unit, but everything looks the same.)
I decided to install a TPMS (Ala Tyre pressure monitoring system) to my ride. Being a "gadget" person, I thought it was going to be useful since my Z4 didn't come with native tyre pressure monitoring systems as present in the new 3 E90 series coupes, or cars equipped with the latest iDrive systems, even then, those lacked pertinent information on the specific tyre info (psi / temp).
The TPMS system I installed is from this company called Orange, a company which is based in taiwan and specializes in designing OEM TPMS systems.
That said, you can check out their website here which gives a lot more tech breakdown into the product (
http://www.orange-electronic.com/eng/03tpms/tpms01.php )
So.. what's so useful about a TPMS?
The TPMS serves a few basic functions. In fact, just 2 in my personal opinion.
1. To tell you whether you're running optimal pressures for your car. (which can improve fuel economy, mileage, etc)
2. Tell you whether your tyres are in an abnormal status (i.e. punctured/flat etc).
In all basic detail, the TPMS works by having valves and sensors being installed into your rims. You require a competent tyre shop to be able to install and fit on the sensors properly so they correlate to the position as listed on the display. Leong Seng has had experience with such TPMS installs and had my car fixed up in a short period of time (around 45 mins).
Installation of sensor/valve at Leong Seng
System was plugged in and in about 5 seconds, data is transmitted to the display unit. How very exciting.
Well, that's the point, there's nothing exciting about this product, however it did serve a few interesting nibbits of information apart from showing the difference between cold and "warm" modes (which range around 5 PSI difference).
I've set my tyre pressures to:
30 PSI FRONT TYRES
33 PSI REAR TYRES
(Tires running warm - after about 15 minutes of driving - shows 2 PSI increase from 30/33 "cold" tyres)
So what makes the system worth all the money?
Reason 1. I don't have to check manually at the petrol station to see whether my tires are exactly at the pressures that I want them to be. I used to keep checking them every 1-2 weeks, now I just give a quick peer to the side of my steering wheel and all the information is there. Sweet.
No more bending down, twisting and closing valves, sticking the pressure gauge and feeling uncomfortable next to the hot engine and brakes.
Reason 2. Not all punctures are created equal. Some are quick and fast, deflating your tyre within a few minutes or overnight (normally this would constitute a major puncture tear). Others are more sublime, taking many days, even weeks to deflate your tyre by a major measurement of PSI. Often it's almost quite impossible to see it (because your tyre isn't flat), quite impossible to feel it (unless you have a very sensitive bottom).
And, if you think you have a nail somewhere, you have to second guess by filling/equalising both of your rear or front tyres and seeing whether it deflates (in a couple of days/weeks). Good luck if you didn't note it down as well.
As for me, the true reason for me to prep this review is because....... I was planning on a trip to some part of Msia over the next weekend, when my TPMS notified me of a 3 PSI difference in my rear left tyre just THIS MORNING. That's a real sudden drop, especially when all tyres have been maintaining their difference without any form of PSI deviation (nothing more than 2 PSI difference).
Uh...crap. Not another nail. (Clearly shows 3 PSI difference in rear left tyre) (Update - there was indeed a nail. Glad to have that patched up!!)
So right now, I highly suspect there's a nail which is slowly taking off air (and i'll be arranging for a check and patch with my tyre shop before i head up north). Phew.
At least right now I don't have to second guess.
The $280 product cost definitely beats me driving at high speed, not knowing that I'm doing it with a nail embedded inside (and possibly causing more harm), and having the tyre deflate itself while I'm in Malaysia when workshops are not open. Can I say.. peace of mind and heart?
On bumpy roads/textured roads which I go through sometimes on the highway up in Msia (in the last 2 weeks), and when i hear a weird rubbing sound etc, I can instantly check to see whether my tyres have been compromised by any sort of debris or puncture, without having to stop the car and check it while I'm on the expressway. On a more paranoid front, if someone tries to fool me to stop my car by gesturing to me that my tyres had something wrong (which happened ONCE in SINGAPORE), that wouldn't be a problem any longer.
I have installed the system for over 3 weeks and so far, it has worked perfectly without issues, and has performed even on long drives. I haven't tested this on track yet, however that will come later. (will post another update to this). Will be hardwiring this to the car as well.
If you're interested in getting this system, you can call up Juzz For Cars (
http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/juzz-ca...ange-tpms.html) and tell them you're from BMW.SG. This was a helpful/crucial system for me, and it could be for you too, especially if you head up north pretty often.
It looks pretty and nothing too out of place too. Hope this has been useful
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/suspension-brake-tyres-rims-section/30789-review-orange-tpms-tyre-pressure-monitoring-system.html
