Question about tire pressure sensors and winter tires.

eljay

eljay

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So it's time to switch over to winters on the car. I need to buy new tires, was thinking about getting them on a second set of wheels, but then the guy at Crappy Tire tells me I need to get new TPMS sensors too (about $240 for the set) or will trigger the sensor and might not work properly when I put the all seasons back on in the spring. I guess it's better to just do tire swaps on my existing rims? Then instead of paying for new rims/sensors I have to pay for swapping/re-balancing every year?
I don't have the facility to do swaps myself so...
 
I also had to get new winter tires for my Mazda 6 and there were tire sensors on my all seasons. We checked with the dealer and they said the only thing that will happen if you get winter tires on new rims is the sensor light will stay on when you drive the car. So, we get new tires on steel rims, put them on and guess what, no light on the dash. So, not sure why no warning light but we will just monitor the tire pressure ourselves and when at the dealer next time, ask why no light. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
 
Not true.
Without your TPMS sensors, it will throw up your TPMS light on, on your dash.

Most people either just use the winters without the sensors, or pay extra for additional sensors in their winter sets.
 
I wouldn't worry about it. All it will do is just keep the light on the dash anyway.

For years we've gotten along with no TPMS sensors and a winter should be fine.

In the end it comes down to cost.
 
Just priced 4 wheels and then with TPMS - almost doubled the cost of a $300 dollar set of 4 steel rims.
 
Just like everyone else mentioned, if you don't care that the light is on and you can check pressure yourself then no need for em.
 
eljay said:
So it's time to switch over to winters on the car. I need to buy new tires, was thinking about getting them on a second set of wheels, but then the guy at Crappy Tire tells me I need to get new TPMS sensors too (about $240 for the set) or will trigger the sensor and might not work properly when I put the all seasons back on in the spring. I guess it's better to just do tire swaps on my existing rims? Then instead of paying for new rims/sensors I have to pay for swapping/re-balancing every year?
I don't have the facility to do swaps myself so...
Click to expand...

Do you already have two sets of sensors? If you do, can they (incompetent monkeys at Canadian Tire) move the sensors from the old set of winters wheels to the new one?

I bolded the part above because I believe it is not true.

  • If you remove a set of wheels with TPMS sensors, and install winters with no sensors, the warning light on your dash will turn on.
  • When you re-install the original set (all-seasons) back on in the spring, the light will go off
  • There is absolutely no reason for it to not work properly again

Also... Depending on the car, if you have two sets of sensors (summer and winter) you need to reprogram the car computer to work with the different sensors, which have different codes. Toyotas are like that, requiring a manual reprogram.
Some cars are different, like Mazdas, they pick up the new sensors automatically.
 
Is there any legal requirement to keep the TPMS operating, either here in Canada or in the US? This is not a stupid question as it's legislated to be there in the first place.
 
TwistedKestrel said:
Is there any legal requirement to keep the TPMS operating, either here in Canada or in the US? This is not a stupid question as it's legislated to be there in the first place.
Click to expand...

There is no legal requirement. There was talk about insurance companies refusing to pay in case of a winter accident, because the driver disabled on purpose one of the safe guards of the car. I don't know if that ever happened (claim denied) or if it was just speculation.
 
Depends on the car, I think with Hondas no tpms causes the vsa function to go into default.

Most 2013 onwards cars are no longer using tpms sensors, using technology through abs wheel sensors to determine low pressure
 
In the dark dismal eternal ****ing canadian winter we have any source of brightly coloured light is welcome....I love my TPS sensor warning light. What I don't like is the annoying ****ing beep from the nanny computer system that wants to remind me at start-up that there's a problem with the sensor.
 
Is it so hard to buy your sensors from rockauto? Ive bought parts from there and so does my friends. Get a set of 4 for your new/used set of rims. Rockauto is awesomely cheap that even with shipping, itll still come down cheap(of course it has to be a reasonable amount to coer the cost of shipping)
 
Jimsun said:
Is it so hard to buy your sensors from rockauto? Ive bought parts from there and so does my friends. Get a set of 4 for your new/used set of rims. Rockauto is awesomely cheap that even with shipping, itll still come down cheap(of course it has to be a reasonable amount to coer the cost of shipping)
Click to expand...

+1
At the end, I got a second set of sensors - got them with a set of wheels from Kijiji. Practically free.
Just keep an eye on kijiji
 
Update!! I just got home from a drive to Waterloo. Scored 4 wheels with nearly brand new rubber 17" and sensors for $500!! Yeahhhhhhhh buddy
 
TPMS are not all that great unless they display the exact pressure maybe. People are driving around on under inflated tires, that nevertheless, are inside the range and don't trigger the warning light.

They corrode at an alarming rate, the metal ones that is.
Valve cores also rot inside. It's crucial to have caps on the valves to slow down the internal corrosion. Rubber stems are much better. More manufacturers started using those but not all. If you have metal stems on your TPMS then be prepared to spend some money in few years. New sensors typically range between $30-200 (each) depending on a car.

Swapping TPMS is not recommended as the are easily damaged, especially when already corroded. It will also cost you extra. Having a 2nd set on your winter rims is neither a law nor a necessity as long as the warning light doesn't bother you. Certain vehicles may require for sensors to be reset after the swap, most will reset automatically.

The only car I ever had with TPMS was a Lincoln Continental, I took them all off after one started malfunctioning and luckily there wasn't even a warning light on the dash. That is a rare exception though.

BTW, if anyone absolutely needs them, send me a message for the price. I work Dixie/Dundas area.
 
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DemonPig said:
TPMS are not all that great unless they display the exact pressure maybe. People are driving around on under inflated tires, that nevertheless, are inside the range and don't trigger the warning light.

They corrode at an alarming rate, the metal ones that is.
Valve cores also rot inside. It's crucial to have caps on the valves to slow down the internal corrosion. Rubber stems are much better. More manufacturers started using those but not all. If you have metal stems on your TPMS then be prepared to spend some money in few years. New sensors typically range between $30-200 (each) depending on a car.

Swapping TPMS is not recommended as the are easily damaged, especially when already corroded. It will also cost you extra. Having a 2nd set on your winter rims is neither a law nor a necessity as long as the warning light doesn't bother you. Certain vehicles may require for sensors to be reset after the swap, most will reset automatically.

The only car I ever had with TPMS was a Lincoln Continental, I took them all off after one started malfunctioning and luckily there wasn't even a warning light on the dash. That is a rare exception though.

BTW, if anyone absolutely needs them, send me a message for the price. I work Dixie/Dundas area.
Click to expand...

Same here. I put snows on my factory 18's (left sensors on them) and bought dedicated summer tires/wheels (tire shop forgot to ask about sensors and I forgot to inquire). No warning lights on the dash.
 
My '09 Tribute has a TPMS that is the type that does not display pressures. I have used Ford Escape rims with snows (no TPMS) for the past three winters. The annoying dash light comes on after driving about 20 minutes. Strangely enough, it resets itself over night when I park in the driveway, which is close to where the summer wheels are stacked in the garage. Each spring when the summer wheels are back on the truck the system works fine and the light does not come on.

If these sensors were less expensive I would have bought a set when I picked up the Ford rims. However, at $50 to $60 per sensor I can live with the dull orange glow of the TPMS dash light. Fortunately my truck does not have an annoying buzzer to go with the light.
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