Nobody likes a flat tyre and a slow puncture can be a real irritant, especially if you don't notice it until it's too late. Sure, it's always a good idea to carry around a tyre pump for such an emergency, but surely prevention is the best course of action.
Regularly checking your tyres is a great way to not only stay safe but also save you money at the pump. Problem is, it can be a time-consuming affair. Thankfully, technology has a solution that will give up-to-date readings without you even having to get out of your car. Smart tyre safety monitors will give you all the important information you need to make sure your tyres are healthy. We've found the best examples on the market so you can drive with total peace of mind.
The best smart tyre safety monitor
1. TireMoni Tyre Pressure Control System
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Monitor all four tyres from a simple screen with this option from TureMoni. Attach the monitors to the tyre valves and the screen will display the temperature and pressure of the tyres. A handy (but dated) smartphone app can also be used to monitor your tyres (only use the app when it's legal to do so, however).Pros:Reads pressure and temperatureEasy to understand screen Cons:Doesn't work with longer valves or aluminium valves
2. Nonda Zus AccurateTemp Smart Tire Safety Monitor
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This is a seriously impressive piece of technology (when it works). Real-time tyre monitoring from your phone sounds like a brilliant idea and the Nonda Zus monitor does just that. Taking just 10 minutes to set up and recording your tyre temperature and pressure on a very smart looking app, this product sounds excellent. There are noted quality issues, but if these are ironed out, this would be a no-brainer.Pros:A very clever monitoring system Cons:Rather unreliable currently (be prepared to reset this system a lot)
3. AstroAI Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge
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If you're not fully convinced with a smart tyre safety monitor, then you can always buy a simple digital pressure gauge like this one. It's a small gadget you can keep in your glovebox and use to test your car's tyre pressure when required. It's simple, but effective, but will take time to do. Pros:Simpler to use for the more technologically illiterateCheapCons:You have to do it all yourself
4. Garmin Tyre Pressure Monitor Sensor for Zumo 390LM Motorbike
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Motorcycles get flats, too, so Garmin offers a smart tyre monitor designed for two-wheel vehicles. There is no screen supplied (where would it realistically go?) but it will feed information to your Garmin Zumo sat nav. Pros:Quality brand Cons:You only get two sensors (no good for cars)Requires a Garmin Zumo 390 to get a reading
5. WholeFire Car Tire Pressure Monitoring System
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A budget option that will still get the job done, this tyre monitor will check the temperature and pressure of all four tyres and display the information on a screen you simply place on your dashboard. Powered by either a solar panel or USB port, this monitor is a great basic option. Pros:Godo value for moneyAutomatically turns on and off Cons:There is a noticeable delay in the data
6. Jansite USB Android Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
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A smart and stylish monitor designed for use with Android navigation systems, this smart tyre safety monitor works the same as the other ones but displays the information in the form of an app on your car's Android display. It will even send notification through if something happens to your tyre while you're driving. Pros:Reliable Good quality Cons:Your car needs an Andriod DVD navigation system or it will not work
What you need to know about smart tyre safety monitors:
How do they work?
Smart tyre safety monitors work using sensors that are mounted to your car's tyre valves. These record pressure and temperature and send this data wirelessly to a receiver.
How this data is presented varies, some offer a small monitor you can place on your dashboard, others offer smartphone apps which to show this information. They will usually emit an alarm if the temperature or pressure changes significantly in your car's tyres, an indication of a puncture.
Do they need charging?
Yes, they do. The sensors will come with long-lasting batteries, but these will eventually need replacing. In most cases, they are button cells. The receiver and optional screen will need some form of power, usually a USB cable. If you have a monitor that offers an app, you'll obviously need some phone charge for it to work.
What vehicles are they suitable for?
Most smart tyre safety monitors come with either two or four sensors, making them perfect for motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles. They simply screw onto your tyre valve and that's it, although it's important to check that they will not cause any damage to your wheel (aluminium valves, in particular, can be damaged by these sensors).
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