Is Built-in or External Tire Pressure Monitoring Better for Sedans?
2 Answers
From the perspective of safety and stability, built-in tire pressure monitoring is better for sedans. The advantages of built-in systems and the impacts of low tire pressure are introduced as follows: Advantages of Built-in: External tire pressure monitors are simple to install, but their sensors are exposed to the external environment year-round, facing more complex environmental challenges, making them prone to being dislodged or stolen. Therefore, for car owners who frequently drive long distances, a built-in tire pressure monitoring product is more suitable. Moreover, when a car tire is in high-speed motion on the highway, the convection speed of gas is very fast. Thus, external tire pressure monitors may have a 1 to 2-degree error in temperature readings compared to built-in products, which is normal. Impacts of Low Tire Pressure: From a driving perspective, lower tire pressure offers more comfort, but this comes with an issue: the degree of extension on the tire sidewalls decreases. Over time, the sidewalls, being continuously compressed, may deform and detach, eventually leading to tire blowouts. Excessively low tire pressure can also cause uneven tire wear. The contact area between the tire shoulder and the ground increases, while the middle part of the tread may bulge and not wear properly.
As a DIY enthusiast car owner, I think external tire pressure monitoring is great—installation is super simple and can be done by yourself without needing to visit a shop, saving both time and money. However, external sensors have quite a few drawbacks: they’re exposed and can be easily stolen, high-pressure car wash jets might damage them, and long-term use could affect tire balance, causing steering wheel vibrations at high speeds. In contrast, internal sensors require tire removal for installation, costing around 100-200 yuan in labor fees, but they’re hidden inside the tire, protected from scratches and theft, and provide more accurate readings since they directly measure internal air pressure. I ultimately chose external ones mainly for convenience—they’re good enough for city driving anyway.
