PRODUCT REVIEW
Steelmate TP-S9 Solar powered TPMS (External sensor) yre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are an essential piece of kit when travelling and they are becoming more common on new vehicles. But what if you want to fit a pressure monitor to your older 4x4 that has taken you all over the world? The problem is the aftermarket systems with internal sensors require your tyres to be removed to insert the sensor inside each wheel. These systems generally require a power source as well. Steelmate Automotive has the answer to this problem with their TP-S9, a four80 SA4x4
wheel wireless and solarpowered TPMS. It features external screw-on sensors and a wireless solar-powered colour display. The display provides a continuous readout of the pressures of each tyre and both a visual and audible warning for low or high pressure and temperature. All of these can be set to user specifications depending on your vehicle. The display, in addition, adjusts its brightness according to ambient conditions, so is always easy to read. For testing purposes, I fitted the TPMS on a
Report & pictures Jacques Viljoen Toyota Prado and on an Isuzu D-Max double cab. Installation was a breeze and took me less than 45 seconds per wheel. Simply remove the standard plastic valve cap then put on the rubber dust cover provided, followed by the brass nut. To ensure there are no air leaks through the sensor, make sure you screw the nut to the end of the valve stem thread, then screw on the TPMS sensor as you would a normal valve cap. Each is clearly labelled for its destination wheel. Next, use the included mini spanner to turn the brass nut counter-
clockwise so it is fast against the TPMS sensor. This ensures the sensor doesn’t come loose under vibrations. Due to the TP-S9 being solar-powered, the best place to mount it is on top of the dashboard using the included 3M double-sided tape. It does, however, have a USB charging port if you would like to mount it somewhere else or if you have concerns about the unit remaining charged when the car is parked inside. Note that the USB charger and micro USB plug is not included in this particular TPMS kit. March 2020
