Have a 2017 MDX incoming and the snow is just starting to fly.

Do I need to get TPMS for my winter tire set? I am fine with just ignoring the TPMS warning...save me $200 I can cover it up with a sticker.

But will not having TPMS sensors affect anything else....ie will the stability control still work?

 

On your MDX the tpms is a standalone system not associated with VSA/ABS. It is a convenience/safety factor, your choice to use it or not.

 

Thanks for this.

 

From experience, this statement is incorrect.

Lack of TPMS (or sensors in alarm from a deflated tire) will lock VSA on - you will not be able to turn Traction Control (aka VSA) off in the event you need to control wheel slippage with the throttle. This is also seen when you deflate the tires for sand/soft surfaces; the car's computer will not allow VSA to be turned off as well. The alternative is to pull the VSA Fuse in the kick panel.

not to mention, the TPMS alarm is annoying, every time you start the car... every. time. it's not just visual, it 'bongs' too, throws an (!) on the dash and interrupts the upper LCD with a 'TPMS Warning' ... every.time. I've got 5k miles of that, that was enough.

 

Is this experience based on a 2017 MDX?

There are currently two versions of obtaining tire pressure reading on Honda/Acura vehicles.
One system is a VSA/TPMS based which receives its reading indirectly via wheel speed sensors while the other system receives it directly via TPMS sensors with no ties to VSA unit.

His 2017 MDX uses the latter version which is has a standalone TPMS control unit as opposed to the VSA/TPMS system which has no separate TPMS control unit and everything is controlled by the VSA,

 

how would you find out what type of TPMS system my 2017 RDX would have?

 

This thread should help you out - https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rdx-...ensors-938589/

 

There's an important thing to note. The "indirect" mode of monitoring the tires' inflation level uses the VSA system largely because that's where vehicle speed, and any noted difference in speed due to low pressure, is detected and monitored. It's the only way to do it unless you have "direct" TPMS sensors. So it makes sense the VSA system is in control. What's not stated is that while the VSA system isn't managing the low pressure situations, it's not as though it's not effected if the TPMS system itself detects low pressure. AS a specific example, The lack of a sensor in the case of a spare tire will result many times in a lower diameter tire and as such, the VSA system will remain functioning assuming it's needed. Same is true with a low pressure situation with the direct TPMS system.

So what am I implying here? The above difference in "direct" and "indirect" TPMS functions makes sense. But the "direct" model, while not using VSA to monitor the situation, does not ignore the warnings that the TPMS system sends. My example was with my former Honda pilot with "direct" TPMS, and when using a spare I tried to disable VSA but wasn't able to.....

 

In case this info helps I have an '09 TSX and when one of my TPMS sensors went bad I did not get it fixed right away and can confirm that I was not able to turn off the VSA until I got the sensor fixed.