I agree the system is a joke. As applied by Honda, it serves no useful purpose and I now drive as if it doesn't exist. Fortunately the random alarms after fast motorway driving (it was that and only that that set mine off) have ceased. They went off for no reason and they have stopped going off - also for no discernible reason.
The better ones have a sensor on each wheel.
Maybe they tinkered too much with the MK3 system, I have never had a problem, alerted me when I had alloy corrosion and wheel was losing about 4 psi a week. also when I picked up a woodscrew, and when I swap from winters to summers and back on Civic I have to recalibrate, on my wifes Jazz I don't have to.
The 'better ones' are expensive to maintain, my bro has a Suzuki Vitara with 'a sensor in each wheel' and he bought new steels and winters ( against my advice, I told him if you have sensors in the wheel get all season tyres - if you get new wheels it will cost you for sensors and for programming them in every year) - he put the steels on and his dash lit up like a christmas tree - he had to take them off and will put them back on when he has time to go to dealer to get the sensors 'programmed in' to his ECU, reverse when he swaps wheels in spring £££'s - worst thing is batteries last 3 years. Lots of makers use ABS system.
The system is a Joke
Last week I got a puncture with a screw, from a standing start. I was alerted to it by the fact that it was driving strangly, well I knew I had a puncture instantly, from experience. The tyre was totally deflated
Maybe I am old school but I always do a quick check of tyres before I start the car, especially if it has been parked for a while 1. to check I still have 4 wheels. 2. to check no tyres looks under-inflated ( ie flat at the bottom'.
I agree the system is a joke.
Only for some people, for most it works perfectly.
I don't have a mark 3 but never had a problem on our Jazzes or Civic.