of tire pressure monitoring. I plan on ordering an 05, which I just noticed has the tire pressure monitor. I never thought it was that important of a feature but I guess if Nissan finds the need to include it on all levels of trim for the Z then it must be. Am I missing something here??

 

In a word, yes. 1st of all check the Nissan web site nissanusa.com or any other information you have and see that it is not a feature available on all trim levels. Second it thing to decide is what type of person you are. If you are very good at maintaining a car including checking the tires often, which even the most die-hard enthusiasts amongst us probably don't do as often as you should, the monitors will tell you when you should be adding (or removing I guess) air to your tires. Exact tire pressure is important for your safety and the handling of your car and the life of your tires. Tires pressures will change 1psi for every 10 degree change in the weather and sometimes a tire will not seal on the rim 100% etc. so this feature will just be another 'idiot light' to help you maintain your car properly. Hope that helps.

 

Well I use to have the tire pressure system on my 92 Corvette and I liked it. I have a 2004.5 DB 350Z touring and wish I had it, but I don't.

I think the reason for Nissan adding the TPMS is so there is more of a reason to get an 2005. If options stay the same every year then people don't see a need to get the new model car right away.

 

sorry, pj550v12 I read your post before this one:https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=89846
apparently the pressure monitor system is standard on '05 coupes so your trim level statement was correct. Sounds like if it is standard there is no real 'cost' so you won't have to decide if you want it or not. Note in the other thread that there are a few upgrades for '05 and this now explains the approxiamtely $287 price increase in MSRP from '04 to an '05 that I was quoted at my dealer last night. It's a great feature just be careful when you get tires they know what they are doing so they don't damage the sensors.
Anybody know what a system like this does when the wheels are removed and say some steel wheels and winter tires are put on? I would guess that the display just reads an error or somehting, it can't possibly be integrated into the car that the sensors have to be installed all of the time right?

 

If I am not mistaken I think federal government regulations require all new cars to have it in the near future. I guess with the Ford/Firestone deal new regulations are going to be enacted soon.

I am going to say that since most trim levels had it anyway, so it was easy for Nissan to make it standard in all the 350's.

 

I think the real issue with sports cars is that with such low profile, stiff-walled tires, it would be easy not to notice that you're running dangerously low pressure in one tire (if you're not paying attention). The TPS kicks off an alarm below 26 PSI, and I can tell you from experience that in this car, at 25 PSI under normal casual driving, it's hard to notice a difference. TPS is a cool feature in my book.

 

Keep in mind that if you go with aftermarket rims or rubber, the sensor may have to be removed. If you're going for a 2005 Z and it's standard on all models, then this is a moot point.

 

with such a small volume of air in these tires, the outside temperature causes a wide fluctuation in tire presure. In the winter my tire pressure will be 27psi on a cold morning and will then be about 34psi after an hour of driving.

If the wheels are replaced with wheels that don't have TPS, it doesn't do anything funky, just doesn't register a psi reading. You CAN get the monitors switched to aftermarket wheels.

 

agreed. I had a buddy of mine who nearly blew out a tire on low profile tires and could barely tell. it is a nice feature and convienient but not really neccessary if you check your tires every once in a while