TPMS on Vehicle - Your experience
- Thread starter VaTom
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I recently went through this issue with two vehicles. Discount Tire tested the sensors and recommended replacing the one that shown defective. It was $66.00. About 1 month later I got another TPMS light on my dash. Discount Tire tested and found another sensor bad. At the age of the tires and mileage I had them replace all for tires and replaced the other 3 sensors. The sensors were $140 total for all 3.
I have noticed that when the ambient temperature drops low, the tire pressure drops and I see a light on my dash when I start the car. After about 5 miles down the freeway the TPMS light goes off.
I have pumped up all the tires to max cold, but I don't like it because the car rides rough and generates more road noise.
There's only one digital tire pressure gauge I use... ETENWOLF
https://a.co/d/7OwTlSs
I have noticed that when the ambient temperature drops low, the tire pressure drops and I see a light on my dash when I start the car. After about 5 miles down the freeway the TPMS light goes off.
I have pumped up all the tires to max cold, but I don't like it because the car rides rough and generates more road noise.
There's only one digital tire pressure gauge I use... ETENWOLF
https://a.co/d/7OwTlSs
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I had a warning light on in the wife's Explorer. Something to do with the passenger side airbag seat sensor. The light finally burnt out. Then it had a constant warning beep. Only fix was to replace the bulb. Had to replace the seat sensor harness also to keep the light off. Never knew light bulbs had warning beeps.
My '98 Corvette reports the pressure of each tire in PSI. The original sensors kept going until I replaced the tires in 2016, all 4 still worked. I replaced the sensors at the same time I replaced the tires, all 4 of the new ones still work.
I have a 2015 GMC Sierra with two sets of rims and never had to change a sensor on either set or any other vehicle, but I'm coming up on 10 years. I change the valve stems with every new set of tires. Corrosion on the aluminium wheels with winter driving (salt) is biggest cause of slow leaks for me so I clean & paint the rims as well with each new set of tires.
Sensors are one of the features that I didn't think I needed until I had them. Saved me a couple times. I also carry a tire pump in each vehicle and those have saved me a few times and I wouldn't be without one now.
Sensors are one of the features that I didn't think I needed until I had them. Saved me a couple times. I also carry a tire pump in each vehicle and those have saved me a few times and I wouldn't be without one now.
My 2010 Lexus RX 450h TPMS displays individual tire pressures. My six years' newer Lexus GX 450 TPMS only displays a single warning light. Go figure.
A couple of years ago, I replaced the tires on the RX 450h. I asked the tire dealer to change the TPMS batteries while they had the tires off the rims. Surprisingly, the dealer said new batteries weren't needed and left the old ones in. Now, of course, one of the batteries has failed, and I'm stuck with the annoying TPMS warning light constantly on. Since the tires have lots of tread left, they won't need replacing for years. Now I'll either have to have them dismounted to install new batteries, or live with the warning light. Bleah!
A couple of years ago, I replaced the tires on the RX 450h. I asked the tire dealer to change the TPMS batteries while they had the tires off the rims. Surprisingly, the dealer said new batteries weren't needed and left the old ones in. Now, of course, one of the batteries has failed, and I'm stuck with the annoying TPMS warning light constantly on. Since the tires have lots of tread left, they won't need replacing for years. Now I'll either have to have them dismounted to install new batteries, or live with the warning light. Bleah!
My F-150 is 8 years old. Just put new tires on her. Asked my tire guy to go ahead and replace the sensors.
He said no as they should last more than 12 years or so on the F-150.
The systems works very well by-the-way.
,
He said no as they should last more than 12 years or so on the F-150.
The systems works very well by-the-way.
,
I have replace a couple in my 2018. It's unfortunate you can't just replace the battery, but I was able to buy genuine Delco replacements on Amazon for under $20 each. $400 is highway robbery.
My 2008 ES had the warning light on for a long time. I was in AZ and got an unrepairable flat. They didn't have anything comparable, 4 tires later, "the TPMS light should go off in a few miles", no it won't, its been on for a year.
When I put new tires on last week, I had them replace them. Had the original spare, > 10 years old, they wouldn't touch it. Bought a new (cheap) tire for the spare. They only charged
me $40 a wheel (x5) for the sensors. Kinda miss the light, but if they'd worked before, I wouldn't have driven on the flat and destroyed that tire.
Live and learn.
When I put new tires on last week, I had them replace them. Had the original spare, > 10 years old, they wouldn't touch it. Bought a new (cheap) tire for the spare. They only charged
me $40 a wheel (x5) for the sensors. Kinda miss the light, but if they'd worked before, I wouldn't have driven on the flat and destroyed that tire.Live and learn.
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I've had these on several vehicles, my latest is a new Toyota Highlander. While the gizmo is slightly handy, it's not handy to the point I'd have one or more of them replaced if failure occurred. I've always checked tires periodically with a gauge anyway and don't often look at the tire pressures on the instrument panel.
Alk8944
US Veteran
After replacing the tire sensors a few times on my Suzuki the portion of the TPMS in the car itself failed. The light has been on most of the time ever since, I just ignore it!
Since this I have done things the old way, look at the tires, kick them to see if the rebound and sound is equal, and have tire pressure checked frequently by Discount Tire. Just like semi-truck drivers do, that's why they have tire clubs.
Most tire shops will check your pressures just by asking them.
Overall I don't see the advantage of the TPMS unless you are the kind who just puts gas in the car and drives until something breaks before checking anything.
Since this I have done things the old way, look at the tires, kick them to see if the rebound and sound is equal, and have tire pressure checked frequently by Discount Tire. Just like semi-truck drivers do, that's why they have tire clubs.
Most tire shops will check your pressures just by asking them.Overall I don't see the advantage of the TPMS unless you are the kind who just puts gas in the car and drives until something breaks before checking anything.
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Yendor357
Member
How did we ever survive without all the Nannie’s to tell us what’s going on, or when to apply the brakes, etc. Gee, I wonder why a pick-up truck costs $70,000 and “mechanics” can’t fix them.
My newest vehicle is a 2014 Wrangler. I won’t buy a new anything. Too much electronic stuff. You can be driving down the road, and they can shut off your new car, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
No thanks.
My newest vehicle is a 2014 Wrangler. I won’t buy a new anything. Too much electronic stuff. You can be driving down the road, and they can shut off your new car, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
No thanks.
Grayfox
US Veteran
I had this happen about a year or so ago on a 2011 Ford Escape. Took it to a local tire store and had them checked. One completely dead and two more reading low battery. It only made sense to replace all four.
Unfortunately for me, only the local Ford dealer had the correct sensors. The tires do have to be dismounted and rebalanced. Then the new sensors have to be calibrated. IIRC, it cost me about $800.
Unfortunately for me, only the local Ford dealer had the correct sensors. The tires do have to be dismounted and rebalanced. Then the new sensors have to be calibrated. IIRC, it cost me about $800.
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I had a bad one. Discount Tire had a deal if you replace all four, they guarantee them for life. I took that deal. Don't really remember the price but I want to say it was barely over $300. $150 for one, one year warranty. No brainer.
You can remove them, but then you get a never-ending error.
You can remove them, but then you get a never-ending error.
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An Engineer's Fix:
When you get your next set of new tires; have new short rubber valve stems installed on all 4 rims (it is probably free), buy a quality tire pressure gauge (You do know how to use it?), and most importantly apply black vinyl electrician's tape over the Tire Pressure idiot light.
Continue to happily drive your vehicle tha same way you did for 40 years before tire pressure monitors.
Oh by the way, according to my son (30 years of automotive mechanic experience) new Chevrolet tire pressure sensors are $50 each wholesale to repair shops. I driven 60K miles without tire pressure sensors.
When you get your next set of new tires; have new short rubber valve stems installed on all 4 rims (it is probably free), buy a quality tire pressure gauge (You do know how to use it?), and most importantly apply black vinyl electrician's tape over the Tire Pressure idiot light.
Continue to happily drive your vehicle tha same way you did for 40 years before tire pressure monitors.
Oh by the way, according to my son (30 years of automotive mechanic experience) new Chevrolet tire pressure sensors are $50 each wholesale to repair shops. I driven 60K miles without tire pressure sensors.
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Yes, pure gimmick. Good post-
I'm curious as how you all's sensors are held in place.
On my Vette, the senors were held in place by a giant stainless hose clamp opposite the valve stem. The clamp was about .5" wide.
A tire shop broke the clamp removing the tire and man it was a pain trying to find someone who could weld thin stainless. I was lucky to find someone who knew someone who did work on the side.
On my Vette, the senors were held in place by a giant stainless hose clamp opposite the valve stem. The clamp was about .5" wide.
A tire shop broke the clamp removing the tire and man it was a pain trying to find someone who could weld thin stainless. I was lucky to find someone who knew someone who did work on the side.
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My 2019 Rav4 just has the idiot light, but my 2018 Tacoma has the air pressure for each tire.
I really like having it, wish it was set up to read the spare tire too.
Had an older 4x4 Explorer that had them too. Tire shop had some kid changing my tires and he broke one off. They charged me $55 to replace it, plus I had to wait over an hour for them to get one from the dealership.
I really like having it, wish it was set up to read the spare tire too.
Had an older 4x4 Explorer that had them too. Tire shop had some kid changing my tires and he broke one off. They charged me $55 to replace it, plus I had to wait over an hour for them to get one from the dealership.
Great replies to my original post. My advice after researching and going through replacement of all 4 yesterday is this. If your vehicle is approaching ten years old and you are getting new tires and plan on keeping the vehicle go ahead and have the sensors replaced while the tires are off the rim. Have your tire folks check the battery life on them. They can tell is it is low. The cost of the actual sensors is reasonable, the labor to take off the good tires, put the sensor in, put good tires back on and balance is what runs up the cost.
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OK the tape would drive me nuts, every bit as much as the light just being on.
There are emulators that make your car think it's getting a correct signal. It's a wireless signal after all. They don't have one for mine.
US TPMS - Tire Pressure Monitoring System Dash Light Reset Emulator
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