Hey all, so I cannot figure out how to see the actual tire pressure readings from the infotainment or dash screen? The only thing that I can find is how to reset the tire pressure setting and then you just get a dash light notice indicating which tire is low. Every car I’ve owned in the last 15 years has shown the actual PSI for tires. Does the ID.4 not do this? It seems like a simple, but big miss on VW’s part of it cannot display the actual PSI’s in car.
Tire Pressure Readings?
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Correct, this has been a VW AG method of Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) for some time now. It uses the ABS and computer calculation to determine rotational differences and if the pressure is above/below your threshold set point it then alarms. Case in point for resetting that threshold in the Infotainment system any time you significantly change air pressures in your tires, say with seasonal ambient temperature changes (or tire rotation, but we won't be doing that).
Given this TPMS system there are no in-tire sensors for our ID's.
Note that high performance models (Audi RS for instance) do have in-tire TPMS sensors and do discretely annunciate each tire's pressure. btw: I used to like to see my lowly 90's Jeep Cherokee discrete tire pressure but value engineering now relegates it to only high performance models of most manufacturers.
Given this TPMS system there are no in-tire sensors for our ID's.
Note that high performance models (Audi RS for instance) do have in-tire TPMS sensors and do discretely annunciate each tire's pressure. btw: I used to like to see my lowly 90's Jeep Cherokee discrete tire pressure but value engineering now relegates it to only high performance models of most manufacturers.
Tesla has it on all their new vehicles, seeing how vital correct pressures are to efficiency in EV's, I agree it's a big miss on VW's part. It's a mistake actually, VW again reverting to its DNA/parts bin. This non scientific video 🤣, shows just how important tire pressures are.
I have had a 2012 Touareg with tire pressure sensors but the car did have a spare. My 2008 Porsche 911 has tire pressure sensors and always have the display showing tire pressures. Why? Because the car has no spare. These sensors last about 7 years but I change them out whenever I get new tires for about $400 per set plus installation charge. I actually prefer TPMS without sensors for my daily drivers because of the simplicity of the system but those cars also have a spare in the trunk. When I do finally get a BEV we will use it for short drives around town, for errands and visits within an hour's drive. For me this is the best use of a BEV. Not having a spare or sensors is not a problem for me in this case.
For longer drives ( out of state, etc.) we will continue to use an ICE car equipped with a spare for trips. This is the best use of an ICE vehicle.
For longer drives ( out of state, etc.) we will continue to use an ICE car equipped with a spare for trips. This is the best use of an ICE vehicle.
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If I may, your Touareg has in-tire sensors because it's a 2012. That's just about the time VW AG was transitioning to ABS-computer TPMS.
Your Porsche (envious!) has in-tire sensors because it's a high performance sports car and such discrete tire data is especially valuable in track-performance driving.
I agree with your around town vs. road trip philosophy and do/will practice same, although our GLA has run-flat tires but pretty much the same as having a spare.
Your Porsche (envious!) has in-tire sensors because it's a high performance sports car and such discrete tire data is especially valuable in track-performance driving.
I agree with your around town vs. road trip philosophy and do/will practice same, although our GLA has run-flat tires but pretty much the same as having a spare.
When I did have the Touareg, I would have preferred the simplicity of the ABS system as it did have a spare. The Porsche cannot carry a spare because the rear tire/wheel cannot fit in the trunk ( unless you want to carry a filthy flat tire in the back seat area) so sensors provide more value there. Needless to say, the Porsche does not go on long trips but on the wonderful twisty roads in my region. I am always keeping a eye on the psi read-outs.If I may, your Touareg has in-tire sensors because it's a 2012. That's just about the time VW AG was transitioning to ABS-computer TPMS.
Your Porsche (envious!) has in-tire sensors because it's a high performance sports car and such discrete tire data is especially valuable in track-performance driving.
I agree with your around town vs. road trip philosophy and do/will practice same, although our GLA has run-flat tires but pretty much the same as having a spare.
I hate run-flats but perhaps they are not so bad if you only drive on highways.
I must admit my personal experience with run-flats was from 2008 to 2011 when I drove a BMW 535. I purposely went with the normal suspension and all-season tires to avoid the run-flats that they were in the process of promoting. My colleagues at work warned me about BMW and their run-flats. Many bent rims and destroyed tires!
But as my BMW ( worst car ever!) was spending many visits to the dealer for unending repairs, I was exposed to many BMW loaners with run-flats. They were simply awful.
I understand that run-flats have improved somewhat but I am still in the "no run-flats for me" camp. I still prefer normal all-season tires for daily drivers ( and a bottle of goo and an air pump if there is no spare). I also keep a tire plug kit in every car, regardless of tire setup.
Happy motoring!
I certainly don't consider run flats pretty much the same as having a spare. For example, side wall damage on a run flat will not allow it to run flat. Also, I understand that tire shops will not repair a run flat with a simple puncture.
Our GLC has TPMS and also came with run flats. Our run flats lasted only about 20k miles, a common issue with other GLC owners. I couldn't wait to replace the OEM set with non-run flats. I also bought a donut spare on eBay.
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I would much rather have a run-flat over any but a full size spare. Counterpoint to your counterpoint.
They all have a TPMS. I presume you meant your GLC has in-tire sensor type TPMS.
Our GLA has an ID-similar ABS-computer TPMS.
They all have a TPMS. I presume you meant your GLC has in-tire sensor type TPMS.
Our GLA has an ID-similar ABS-computer TPMS.
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I'm not necessarily an academic fan of run-flats either, but when we extensively test drove the GLA in January 2018 we didn't even know it was so equipped and felt the ride overall was Germanic yet compliant. We did opt for replacing the stock 19" black rims for 18" silver however, so a bit more sidewall height.
My wife's car and we made sure she hit every pothole and ice pack (not much of a stretch) in a lengthy highway/byway drive and she felt the comfort was very good or we never would have bought same.
The GLA tires are Continental ProContact TX SSR A/S Run-Flats btw. Brand & model may very well matter?
My wife's car and we made sure she hit every pothole and ice pack (not much of a stretch
) in a lengthy highway/byway drive and she felt the comfort was very good or we never would have bought same.The GLA tires are Continental ProContact TX SSR A/S Run-Flats btw. Brand & model may very well matter?
I am sure that the brand of run-flats will make a difference but I am not able to intelligently comment on different brands. As I said my experience was with run-flats that were on cars several years ago but those loaner 3 series BMWs then had a hard ride but..... not sporty hard ride..... rather pickup truck hard ride. My 97 year old father-in-law did not want to deal with changing a tire so he equipped his Subaru Forrester with new run-flats. He only drives around town but he noticed a significantly harder/harsher ride. ( I did check the pressures for him)I'm not necessarily an academic fan of run-flats either, but when we extensively test drove the GLA in January 2018 we didn't even know it was so equipped and felt the ride overall was Germanic yet compliant. We did opt for replacing the stock 19" black rims for 18" silver however, so a bit more sidewall height.
My wife's car and we made sure she hit every pothole and ice pack (not much of a stretch
The GLA tires are Continental ProContact TX SSR A/S Run-Flats btw. Brand & model may very well matter?
It is good to hear that the ride with your GLA is acceptable with run-flats. My bet is the ride would be even better with regular all-seasons. But you would need, of course, to immediately deal with any flat that may occur. Also, as previously stated by Neil, run-flats generally do no last as long and cannot be repaired.
The important thing, though, is that we have some choices.
I’m not sure that my 2018 Honda Ridgeline qualifies as a “high performance vehicle”, but it does have a mini-spare and individually registering tire pressures. My 1996 Ford Explorer had the idiot light version of TPMS, which also included the full-size spare. Until I knew that, it was very confusing when the warning light came on, and all four tires had proper pressure.
Our 2016 GLA had Goodyear Eagle ROF on it. Ran over a sign that had come off a wall in our parkade and punctured the front passenger side tire. Drove the the nearest Goodyear shop and they were able to fix for $40 it after assessing the damage. Fast forward to 2020 and our 2018 GLA equipped with Continental had a flat, this time took it to Kal Tire, which was quite likely a mistake, and had to replace all 4 for the modest sum of $2k CAD...I'm not necessarily an academic fan of run-flats either, but when we extensively test drove the GLA in January 2018 we didn't even know it was so equipped and felt the ride overall was Germanic yet compliant. We did opt for replacing the stock 19" black rims for 18" silver however, so a bit more sidewall height.
My wife's car and we made sure she hit every pothole and ice pack (not much of a stretch
The GLA tires are Continental ProContact TX SSR A/S Run-Flats btw. Brand & model may very well matter?
Run flat do work for us, most of our driving is within 50km and they provide peace of mind knowing my wife could, in most cases, just slow down and drive it back home or to the nearest shop. We'll have to see how that goes with the ID.4, road side assistance may be her new best friend.
EV friendly ROF would be something we would consider should they become available.
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Our 2006 MB CLK 350 has the same system as our ID4. I would rather have the in tire sensors. MY Ioniq hybrid had in tire sensors and individual readouts for each tire. The Ioniq is not what would call a high end vehicle! VW decided to cut a few corners on this one. A Nisan Ultima I had a few years ago would beep the horn when adding air when the pressure was correct. Cool feature. It also had read outs for tire pressure for each tire. Again not a high end vehicle!
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All of my Audi's from MY2011 on had the ABS-computer system, including one S model. Only the RS models now have in-tire sensors as a track-focused consideration. So if VW AG "cut corners" they did so well up the premium line.
The other side of this coin is not having to buy/install sensors when you swap wheels/tires.
The other side of this coin is not having to buy/install sensors when you swap wheels/tires.
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In the almost 60 years of vehicle ownership I have never swapped wheels. I have always felt comfortable with the wheels that come on the vehicle. With all the vehicles that had sensors, I have only replaced one sensor.
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I'm ~in your age group and I've had dedicated Winter wheel/tire sets. I've also had dedicated track sets. So ....
I even once swapped purely for aesthetics, but later wished I hadn't as it adversely impacted steering agility, so I do agree that the designers typically do a very good job.
I even once swapped purely for aesthetics, but later wished I hadn't as it adversely impacted steering agility, so I do agree that the designers typically do a very good job.
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FWIW my 2019 VW Arteon has tire pressure monitoring and it shows the actual tire pressure on each tire. Someone said VW has been doing this rotational differential calculus thing "for some time" but my car is only two years old. If VW really did go away from tire pressure monitors, I think it's a big misstep. How can they compute the rotational difference if there's ice, snow, or mud on the wheels and tires? and how can they use rotational difference to measure whether or not the tire is inflated correctly for a given temperature?
I'm still in awe that rotation difference as a concept works with different sized tires F & R.
The ABS based systems work quite well actually. After adjusting the cold tire pressures for any given season and then going into the menu to update the tire pressure setting/memory, the system is prepared to detect if all of the tires are low ( due to outside temps getting significantly lower) or if one tire is suddenly lower in pressure( e.g. a leak). These warnings are based on either all of the tires spinning faster compared to the most recent menu settings or one tire spinning faster than the others. The system knows if the rotational difference of a tire is from pressure loss because it can see the difference when you are coasting or cruising rather than losing traction upon acceleration. The computer is constantly overseeing the data coming from the ABS sensors and compares them.
The cars that I have owned over the years that use the ABS system have always given my tire pressure warning on the first cold morning and I then know bring the pressure up on all of the tires for the changing season and update the tire setting in the menu. These cars all had spares, by the way. My Porsche uses individual sensors but it has no spare ( or the capacity to carry one) but I do not change out the summer UHP tires and I do not drive it in the winter months.
The ABS based system does work and it is much simpler....plus no need to replace wheel sensors or the individual pickups ( yes, sometimes they do fail) in each wheel well.
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