TPMS accuracy
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,623
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
TPMS accuracy
Recently purchased a 2014 Nissan Rogue and it has TPMS display showing TP in each tire. However, when I check with two gauges, they read about 4 lbs. higher for all four tires. One gauge is a four year old dial type and the other is brand new pencil type. They both agree.
I then compared with my 2010 E350. Noticed the same thing. I check TP with gauges about every couple of months and have never noticed this disparity before in E. Always check when cold.
Tried driving both vehicles and then checking TP's. Pretty much same results.
Current temps. are in upper 40's but I had kept gauges inside before checking.
Is it normal to have this much disparity? Is it possibly due to temps?
I then compared with my 2010 E350. Noticed the same thing. I check TP with gauges about every couple of months and have never noticed this disparity before in E. Always check when cold.
Tried driving both vehicles and then checking TP's. Pretty much same results.
Current temps. are in upper 40's but I had kept gauges inside before checking.
Is it normal to have this much disparity? Is it possibly due to temps?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 3
From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
Recently purchased a 2014 Nissan Rogue and it has TPMS display showing TP in each tire. However, when I check with two gauges, they read about 4 lbs. higher for all four tires. One gauge is a four year old dial type and the other is brand new pencil type. They both agree.
I then compared with my 2010 E350. Noticed the same thing. I check TP with gauges about every couple of months and have never noticed this disparity before in E. Always check when cold.
Tried driving both vehicles and then checking TP's. Pretty much same results.
Current temps. are in upper 40's but I had kept gauges inside before checking.
Is it normal to have this much disparity? Is it possibly due to temps?
I then compared with my 2010 E350. Noticed the same thing. I check TP with gauges about every couple of months and have never noticed this disparity before in E. Always check when cold.
Tried driving both vehicles and then checking TP's. Pretty much same results.
Current temps. are in upper 40's but I had kept gauges inside before checking.
Is it normal to have this much disparity? Is it possibly due to temps?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 126
From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
On my wagon, the TPMS is about 0.5 to 1lb higher than what my other gauges say (2 digital, 1 analog).
The digital gauges I have do say they have a margin of error of +/- 1lb so really they could all be the same ball park.
The digital gauges I have do say they have a margin of error of +/- 1lb so really they could all be the same ball park.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 3
2014 E250 BlueTec RWD, 2015 GLK250 (Sold), 2025 GLE450E (On Order 4 May)
While the inaccuracy between the gauge and sensor does not bother me (much), but I found the difference between the sensors on each corner is interesting.
I have a racing digital gauge which is stated for .1 psi with .5% accuracy (1/2 of 1%). http://www.longacreracing.com/produc...Gauge+0-60+psi
I find that when setting the air pressure to the desired level, the TPMS is usually off by 1-3LB between sides, since front to back is set for a different level.
This is when checking cold tires right after starting to drive on the display. When the tires are quite warmed up (40-60 miles later), the reading usually are equal per or only 1lb different between sides. If I check the tire pressure upon arriving home, the PSI are within .1 -.3lbs if not equal each side per the gauge.
I do not believe that anyone ever filled the tires up with nitrogen either for a difference of reading between cold and hot temps considering expansion rates between the gases or the possibility of slight amount of water in the tires induced by putting air into them.
Is this a real issue, not now that I would trust my gauge (same reading for other digital gauges I have) more than the TPMS sensor readings. Still close enough to let me know if there is an issue with a loss of air.
I have a racing digital gauge which is stated for .1 psi with .5% accuracy (1/2 of 1%). http://www.longacreracing.com/produc...Gauge+0-60+psi
I find that when setting the air pressure to the desired level, the TPMS is usually off by 1-3LB between sides, since front to back is set for a different level.
This is when checking cold tires right after starting to drive on the display. When the tires are quite warmed up (40-60 miles later), the reading usually are equal per or only 1lb different between sides. If I check the tire pressure upon arriving home, the PSI are within .1 -.3lbs if not equal each side per the gauge.
I do not believe that anyone ever filled the tires up with nitrogen either for a difference of reading between cold and hot temps considering expansion rates between the gases or the possibility of slight amount of water in the tires induced by putting air into them.
Is this a real issue, not now that I would trust my gauge (same reading for other digital gauges I have) more than the TPMS sensor readings. Still close enough to let me know if there is an issue with a loss of air.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,854
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Tire pressure increases as you drive due to temperature increase. Even ambient air temperature affects tire pressure. For every 10 degrees increase (ambient or tire from driving) I believe the increase is 1 lb. of tire air pressure. Always test tire pressure cold. The TPMS sensors are calibrated to alert when X lbs. air pressure is lost so it's possible to set tire pressure spot on when warm and trip the alert when cold. My TPMS sensors read accurately to the lb.
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
I have checked my tires manually several times over the past few months and have always gotten a reading within 1psi of the tpms. Sometimes when cold, sometimes after driving for some time. So I consider them pretty reliable.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,142
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
My front left tire pressure reads 2 psi below the actual pressure. I have verified this with three different gauges. I use 39 psi in all tires and the front left reads 37 psi cold when the actual pressure is 39 psi.
As long as I know this it is fine.
As long as I know this it is fine.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 269
Likes: 3
2014 W212 E350 4M
I used three dial type analog gauges and a digital to check the differences amongst them. All read within 1 psi of each other. My 2010 E350 TPMS were within 1 psi of the gauges and all 4 monitors were consistent.
My 2014 E350 has one monitor that reads 2 psi high. I know where it is (LF presently) and compensate accordingly.
My 2014 E350 has one monitor that reads 2 psi high. I know where it is (LF presently) and compensate accordingly.
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