TPMS for Winter Tyres

[perarduapropatria]

Just getting stuff ready as it's already half-way through May. November will be upon us soon, and it'll be switchover time come 7 degrees C.

Our Polo has TPMS and the others do not. The MoT is 4 November, and I don't want there to be a TPMS light on the dash, causing unnecessary questions. It's also a good system, and I'd like to make sure the wheels continue to be monitored.

1. Is the TPMS system in the 6R reliant on valve sensors, or does it get feedback through the ABS system / wheel sensors?
2. What is the correct part number for the various valve sensors required?
3. I haven't read the manual yet, as I've just thought of this while cleaning the wheels, but what is the pairing procedure for the new sensors? Is this a trip to the dealer...?

On the subject: Avoid this Steelmate TPMS system. I had to take two of the wheels to get new valves because their sensors had ceased onto the valves.

I hope this is not a "get a VAGCOM" response...

[alexperkins]

Its ABS driven as opposed to valve sensors

To pair new tyres to the car, ignition on, and press and hold the TPMS button in the glovebox till the dash goes 'bong' - its then set and ready to go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPiTQunHFe4

[perarduapropatria]

Good news.

I've already done a TPMS reset, so happy with that process.

Thanks for letting me know!

Jim

[RUM4MO]

Well that is very good news, I was prepared for adding in the cost of sensors when I order up some wheels with tyres, and mytyres did mention the need for TPMS on all cars reg'd after a certain date, but when I made my selection they did not seem to give a cost for including these sensors - and maybe this is why!

Oh, I'm assuming that this also applies to the 6C as wife's new car has not been built yet.

The question about VCDS - oh go on, with two cars it will pay for itself.

[perarduapropatria]

Well that is very good news, I was prepared for adding in the cost of sensors when I order up some wheels with tyres, and mytyres did mention the need for TPMS on all cars reg'd after a certain date, but when I made my selection they did not seem to give a cost for including these sensors - and maybe this is why!

Oh, I'm assuming that this also applies to the 6C as wife's new car has not been built yet.

The question about VCDS - oh go on, with two cars it will pay for itself.

Have you tried TyreLeader?

Consistently cheaper than anywhere else. I've had four set of tyres off them this year. Two sets of summers (Audi / XK8) and two sets of winters. I did this test a while ago, so the Euro would have been a little stronger than it is now - although the price of oil has fallen:

Black Circles: £901.18 / Pneus Online: £850.98 / Tyre Leader: £742.76

[alexperkins]

For me it's normally between tyreleader and cams kill

[perarduapropatria]

Full set of winter tyres for the price of single 285/30/20!

Happy days, this Polo ownership.

[alexperkins]

They are brilliant tyres too. Got them for my polo GTI

[perarduapropatria]

They are brilliant tyres too. Got them for my polo GTI

The SP Sport?

I run Sport Maxx on the Jag, and I'm changing to them as I need to on the A6. It went from being a bit tasty in the wet, to holding the road really well.

I used to drive with two bags of cement in the boot to stop it fishtailing when coming off a roundabout....

I've got Nokians on the XK and they're brilliant. They don't do the size for the Polo, though, which is a shame. I put Pirelli Sottozero's on the A6 and I won't buy them again as it's made the ride very harsh.

[alexperkins]

Yeah. I've been through 2 foot snow drifts with those on and didn't slip an inch. Really meaty tread pattern and they don't ice up the arches.

[perarduapropatria]

Yeah. I've been through 2 foot snow drifts with those on and didn't slip an inch. Really meaty tread pattern and they don't ice up the arches.

Bit of Granny wisdom I only started listening to recently:

Don't scrimp on anything that comes between you and the earth. Tyres and Shoes.

I'm pleased to have a real-world recommendation!

[alexperkins]

Couldn't agree more. Tyres are all between you and the road beneath. Cheap tyres are about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

[perarduapropatria]

Couldn't agree more. Tyres are all between you and the road beneath. Cheap tyres are about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

Agreed.

When I bought the XK I checked the tyre tread - but not the DOT code - and so I didn't realise that they were old tyres. I booted it in the wet and spun it out, and it scared the life out of me. Once that massive engine starts going around there's no stopping it.

P Zero's front and rear. About as much use as Anne Frank's drum kit.

[alexperkins]

I bet it did!

I had a similar experience in my Edition 30 - had some copy cat continental sports on it and they handled like they were made of pencil erasers.

Changed all four to Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric 2s and it was like night and day - good tyres those.

[perarduapropatria]

I bet it did!

I had a similar experience in my Edition 30 - had some copy cat continental sports on it and they handled like they were made of pencil erasers.

Changed all four to Goodyear Eagle F1 asymmetric 2s and it was like night and day - good tyres those.

I've some evasive driving experience, but nothing prepared me for that.

The problem was that I corrected the skid and tapped the brake, forgetting it was a rear wheel auto box. Tapping the brake shifted the weight forward and away from the driven wheels, making the back lighter and easier to spin.

Rear skid in an auto? Foot off gas, let the gearbox do the braking. Lesson learnt.

That's why on a front wheel drive car you should always have the best tyres on the rear, because a rear skid is far harder to control, in a fwd car, than a front skid.