The problem with very low profile tyres is that they hold a smaller volume of air than the higher profile types. In consequence a small air loss causes a proportionally larger drop in pressure than it would in a higher profile tyre. I also agree that because the sidewall is stiffer and shallower it is less easy to notice a small pressure drop - the sidewall doesn't 'bulge' as much.
As regards the Renault electronic tyre pressure indicators - well, the words 'Renault' and 'electronic', when put together, usually spell trouble!
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We have low pressure warning indicators on our C5 and, whilst they will warn of very low pressure, they will not indicate a significant drop, which would be enough to affect the handling of the car.
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>>they will not indicate a significant drop, which would be enough to affect the handling of the car
So, what is a significant drop? On my car, provided I only have 3 people in the car, the rear tyres run at 28psi.
The moment one of them buys a ham sandwich & puts it on board, I have 3 passengers + luggage, so the handbook requires 42psi.
When he's eaten the ham sandwich, I have to let them down to 28psi again. :0
I think you can get too hung up on exact tyre pressures. (Like the recent debate on the accuracy of garage forecourt machines & the effect of having driven a mile to the garage to top up.)
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A significant drop would be one that causes a marked deterioration in a car's handling, I would suggest. This might vary from car to car, I suppose, but in the C5 it is very noticeable if the pressure in the front tyres is below 30psi. They should be at 36psi. A significant drop will also cause uneven tyre wear, of course, and increased rolling resistance.
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>>>>>I suspect that the indicators that fit the valve would remain in place for about 5 minutes if you have the sort of thieving pink fluffy dice we have round here!
Absolutely! What's the point of the things?
Pressure gauge in the glovebox for the cars (once per month) and similar inside pocket of riding jacket for the bikes (especially the bikes -- handling can be drastically affected by wrong pressures) -- before every ride. Aged but reliable foot pump to hand.
Who on earth needs a fancy gadget? Pure laziness.
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