mmarshall

I agree. The only reason wheel-rotation sensors were used for TPS is that they are cheaper. They do come in handy, though, for traction control, which compares front/rear rotation-speeds before cutting back on the engine power or applying brakes to the drive-wheels.

SW17LS

The technology just didn't exist then for reliable battery driven and wireless transmitting pressure sensors like it does today.

Wilson2000

Like most tech, necessity is the mother of invention, and improvement! As soon as the law was passed, and a timeline set for implementation, the manufacturers scrambled to improve on the early TPMS which was introduced as a non-required safety upgrade. For instance, the TPMS system in the SC430, 2000 to 2005, was not nearly as good as the refreshed system in 2006 to 2010 SC models.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

I might rate brakes even more important.

tex2670

My '04 Pilot did not have it.

mmarshall

Yes, to some extent, but remember that brakes (even ABS), no matter how good they are, can only stop as fast as the rubber on the tires will grip the road.

geko29

Agreed. From a purely safety perspective, it's impossible to have too much tire. You will certainly hit a point of diminishing returns, but a better tire or one more appropriate for conditions will always result in shorter stopping distances and more secure handling. It's quite easy however, to have brakes that exceed the grip of the tires, at which point adding more brake just makes it easier to lock them up (or engage ABS).

Tires are also involved in acceleration, cornering, and other handling aspects, whereas brakes are almost entirely involved in slowing/stopping.