I mean- anything that communicates wirelessly could be used to track an owner/user of a thing.. Is it likely? No, but is it possible someone puts radios under the pavement at intersections to log TPMS sensors? Sure- fuck now I'm messing with my own head. Never mind.
this post was submitted on 03 Mar 2026
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It seems easier to set up a camera and scan the license plate for identification instead of using radios for logging TPMS sensors.
Would it be an advantage to identify a car by logging the TPMS sensors?
It would certainly be of interest to know the "where" and "when" of where someone is - to FLOCK or the government. I don't like where this is going in my brain.
Oh, I meant what the advantage would be of tracking TPMS sensors instead of using a camera to read the license plate. I can see the advantage of tracking people.
Ah. My bad. Outside of "stolen plate" I don't know what reason could be.
All these "unintentional" tracking devices begin to look intentional.
Build a large enough catalogue of bulk data and anything can be used to track you.
We bought "It's just so we can catch the terrorists!" hook, line, and sinker post-9/11.
But when "terrorism" is redefined as "making people in power upset," we're in big trouble.
So don't say anything rude about Donald Trump or the FBI will seek you out:
I never bought it, I was raising immortal hell then. But as a collective, yes we did, and as a collective, we're sitting around moaning instead of doing something, anything, effective.
Wait till you see how many Bluetooth devices still do this. Or better yet, Ant+.
O no. And this whole time I've been mailing my phone to my destination every time I have to drive somewhere so they can't track me!
The bastards!
My Wi-Fi also logs all the cars that pass that have built in WiFi. Kind of crazy how many ways cars can be tracked.
Your car has a series of numbers and letters on the back of it that are unique to the vehicle, and can be used to track you as well. There are even automated cameras that can do this.
Tracking a vehicle is easy, and always has been.
However, the researchers found that these tire sensors also send a unique ID number in clear, unencrypted wireless signals, meaning that anyone nearby with a simple radio receiver can capture the signal, and recognize the same car again later
Its not quite the same ball game. Sure its not great that the government can track easily with ALPRs, but this type of tracking is available to nearly anyone and could be used for significant crimes like stalking or human trafficking. It can also be done without a sightline of the car, unlike a camera system.
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Jokes on them, those tire pressure sensors are the first thing I don't replace. I just visually check my tires and put a pressure gauge on them if they look suspect.
As someone who has gotten a flat and not noticed until the tire was destroyed multiple times, I love TPMS systems. They save me money in the long run as the tire can be patched instead of replaced.
How can you not feel it driving? That is kind of scary that you are that absent minded while driving.
Rear tire of a FWD vehicle both times and a small leak while driving on dead straight roads. I was surprised it took me so long to notice as well, but I guess when you're driving straight and it's the rear of a FWD vehicle, it's difficult to notice.
That makes sense.
Or just replace your tyres with ones with non sensor.
That said it is a little annoying. My dash is forever telling me it can't talk to the tyres.
License Plates, Vin Numbers clearly available on the dash, Tire Sensors, Bluetooth MAC, WIFI MAC, Cellular IDs for most even if you don't pay for the service.
It's an interesting thing to point out, but we're mostly driving around with much higher power sensors than the pressure sensors.
So far I have had success in getting my new car unable to blast out all sorts of uniquely identifiable RF except for this TPMS thing. Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with this one? Is there maybe a specific brand of sensors that doesn't send out beacons like this once already paired?
They're operating on a standard and they're federally mandated since 2007. It is likely possible to remove them, but it's going to f with your other safey systems and leave errors all over your dash.
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Dude, my car has GPS and a 4G internet connection as well as my android phone and my work required iPhone ... In a world like this, Tyre sensors are probably not required to track me.
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Theres a spy device in your pocket.
People that care about that have already controlled for that to the degree of their concern and/or ability. This is now one more door that needs to be locked.
Its good to remind people of the various ways they could be tracked as you have done, but I prefer to try to frame these challenges in ways that encourage taking whatever steps we can toward privacy goals, rather than give up and figuratively lay down and die.
I don't think its productive to think in terms that diminish people's efforts to try to maintain their privacy as best they can.
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