History suggests most don't check tire pressure any longer. They don't even check to see if their tires have sufficient tread, damage, or if the lug nuts are still snug.
IMHO, most don't like to be bothered by such routine tasks and willingly delegate those things to someone or something else.
I had a nail in my Subaru. Tire pressure was OK when I left for a trip. About 100 miles into the trip the TPMS alarmed. Had to check pressures to find the offending tire. It still had 25 psi so I was able to drive to the nearest tire shop. Without the TPMS I would not have known the tire was losing pressure and possibly ruined a tire plus having to install a spare.
1. No. Most people have a life, places to go, and better things to do than constantly unscrew valve stem caps and kneel in the dirt. TPMS is valuable for the same reason that most processes are automated: no human, no matter how much they wish it were different, can be vigilant every day and throughout every minute behind the wheel. TPMS can - it's always watching as the last line of defense before a potential catastrophe. If I never had to get out my tire gauge again, I'd be a happy man.
2. For the same reason people choose different paint colors. Some people like their cars to look unique. I bought my Limited in spite of the 18" wheels and their limited selection of tires. So I bought a set of 17" wheels and use my 18" wheels for winter tires.
I took my original TPMS sensors and stuck them in a pressurized capsule and leave it in my trunk so the TPMS light doesn't bother me.
I wash my car every few weeks and check everything around the car at the same time; tires, scratches, dents, chips, whatever. I wanted one less thing inside my wheels so there you have it.
I got wheels because the factory 18's, 16 OB, are too big to get a decent tire that is somewhat offroady.
Sorry, I've got to ask - what's the point here? You still have to carry them around in the car. You still have to (eventually) change them out when the battery runs down. You still have to maintain pressure in the container you put them inside. And (per the point above) even if you're pretty vigilant about maintaining tire pressures in spec, you now won't know if you incur a slow leak or moderate tire damage en route.
I could certainly understand not replacing the sensors when they broke and just putting electrical tape over the TPMS light - I wouldn't do this myself, but I would understand. They're expensive, don't last forever, and throw-away instead of serviceable. But why go to the trouble of pulling them out of the tires, only to have just as big a hassle maintaining them anyway? Why not just leave them in place?
Most mundane tasks are best handled by automation, as humans are not always reliable. Once embedded computers became ubiquitous in cars, it has been a steady progression of turning over such tasks to sensors and computer. Even though I am still vigilant, I welcome it, as it provides another level of redundancy.
I would expect that we will also at some point see engine oil, coolant, gearbox, differential, brake, etc. fluid levels monitored directly - as opposed to just telling the driver symptoms after the disaster has happened, e.g. oil pressure, oil temperature, coolant temperature, etc.
New designs tend to do this from the outset - e.g. my wife's Prius has quite a bit of embedded code dedicated to battery pack well-being. Older designs such as IC engines need a push to do this, as it's usually safer and cheaper for the manufacturer to maintain the status quo.
I love all the electronic gizmos and technology in modern cars. It's part of the reason I bought my new Outback. I wish there were more sensors. The more diagnostic capability the better, IMO. I used to drive a heavy duty truck that had an oil level sensor. I'd love that feature in my car.
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