When to replace TPMS? - Toyota 4Runner Forum

philsey · 08-28-2016, 09:18 AM

I'm going to buy new tires soon, and I was thinking about the TPMS sensors.

I can't recall any thread on here about one needing to be replaced. I know they contain a battery, and I know it is not replaceable, and I also know if one fails it's a tire dismount/remount/rebalance to replace it.

I found this, here: Is it necessary to replace all of the TPMS sensors when a vehicle needs new tires? -

"The lithium ion batteries inside TPMS sensors may last anywhere from five to 10 years. Five to six years is a more typical lifespan for older TPMS sensors. TPMS sensors don’t broadcast a continuous signal but only broadcast when the vehicle is in motion. Even then, the signal is intermittent to conserve battery life..."

Not sure I believe the bolded part, as my TPMS light reset itself when I parked next to my summer wheelset with my winter wheelset on (no TPMS) - so they had to be transmitting.

Anyway ... mine are 6 yrs old. Tempted to replace them with this set of tires as preventive maintenance.

Thoughts?

catrains · 08-28-2016, 09:32 AM

cost is too much IMO . some may like this option of tire pressure monitoring so then pay $$$ for new sensors when vehicle has 100K or more or if your in a corrosive environment. the TMPS mod posted here has worked for many if you plan on using old style valve stems that will never break off.

my issue with these on other vehicles up here in the rust belt is they fail by breaking off due to de-icing chemicals. which IMO makes this very dangerous when the tire looses pressure rapidly.

oljedi11950 · 08-28-2016, 12:43 PM

I know on 4th gens they figured out a solution but have never seen one for ours ?

philsey · 08-28-2016, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oljedi11950

I know on 4th gens they figured out a solution but have never seen one for ours ?

Solution to what?

96r50 · 08-28-2016, 03:51 PM

I'd go with the old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach on this one. You may get another 6 years out of the sensors or they could all give up the ghost in 6 minutes. I haven't seen any posts on other Toyota forums (Tacomas, FJC, 4th gen 4Runners etc) about TPMS sensor batteries dying and they would have had them in longer than any 5th gen 4Runner.

It might be worth getting new mounting kits (the nuts that hold the sensors in from the outside of the wheel, plus O-rings and other small pieces) just as preventive maintenance to avoid any valve stem leaks. I don't remember the mounting kits being very expensive either.

fffgb · 08-28-2016, 06:53 PM

I took me 5 years to get new tires, I ended up changing them out, I didn't want to deal with them when they go dead. It gave me piece of mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96r50

I'd go with the old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach on this one. You may get another 6 years out of the sensors or they could all give up the ghost in 6 minutes. I haven't seen any posts on other Toyota forums (Tacomas, FJC, 4th gen 4Runners etc) about TPMS sensor batteries dying and they would have had them in longer than any 5th gen 4Runner.

It might be worth getting new mounting kits (the nuts that hold the sensors in from the outside of the wheel, plus O-rings and other small pieces) just as preventive maintenance to avoid any valve stem leaks. I don't remember the mounting kits being very expensive either.

oljedi11950 · 08-28-2016, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philsey

Solution to what?

As opposed to buying new ones just blocking the signal to its little ecu .

shahsmerdis · 08-28-2016, 07:45 PM

Huh strange, I thought I was the only one. We had to replace all 4 on our 4th gen because they all were giving a slow leak. Costco replaced it for free for us, just had to pay the part. parts were a little costly. oems were pretty penny back before i knew we could by pass. I think ours gave out around the 8-10 year mark.

If you do live in the rust environment, you might want to have the shop, sand the inside where the tire mounts, ours had a caked layer of rust. helps prevent a slow leak given the time of your truck.

wsgoat · 08-28-2016, 08:02 PM

I'm still running the original Panasonic starting battery and TPMS in my '05. I think a lot depends on where you live. The southern (hotter) states seem to need battery replacement more frequently than the cooler northern states. When it comes time to replace the TPMS in my 4th gen, I will bypass the TPMS indicator and go with conventional valve stems.

desertred · 08-28-2016, 08:14 PM

Trade in on the 2018 redesign to avoid a TPMS repair bill?

off-road runner · 08-28-2016, 08:43 PM

I run without TPMS sensors. That little light doesn't bother me a bit, and if it would I'd put tape over it. I visually inspect the tires on occasion and put a pressure gauge to them maybe once a month. Just like I did before Firestone and Ford had their court battles, which, I believe, is the sole reason for this regulation. FWIW there is nothing illegal to run w/o tpms.

NorthwoodsRunner · 08-28-2016, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philsey

I'm going to buy new tires soon, and I was thinking about the TPMS sensors.

I can't recall any thread on here about one needing to be replaced. I know they contain a battery, and I know it is not replaceable, and I also know if one fails it's a tire dismount/remount/rebalance to replace it.

I found this, here: Is it necessary to replace all of the TPMS sensors when a vehicle needs new tires? -

"The lithium ion batteries inside TPMS sensors may last anywhere from five to 10 years. Five to six years is a more typical lifespan for older TPMS sensors. TPMS sensors don’t broadcast a continuous signal but only broadcast when the vehicle is in motion. Even then, the signal is intermittent to conserve battery life..."

Not sure I believe the bolded part, as my TPMS light reset itself when I parked next to my summer wheelset with my winter wheelset on (no TPMS) - so they had to be transmitting.

Anyway ... mine are 6 yrs old. Tempted to replace them with this set of tires as preventive maintenance.

Thoughts?

I would not replace the sensors yet but would buy rebuild kit (~$6-7 per sensor) for all the sensors with the new tire replacement. Your Toyota sensors are likely to be good for 10 years. So I would just use them until the battery goes out on one of them then replace them all.

Victor_inox · 08-28-2016, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by off-road runner

I run without TPMS sensors. That little light doesn't bother me a bit, and if it would I'd put tape over it. I visually inspect the tires on occasion and put a pressure gauge to them maybe once a month. Just like I did before Firestone and Ford had their court battles, which, I believe, is the sole reason for this regulation. FWIW there is nothing illegal to run w/o tpms.

Until you crashed and insurance denied claim based on modifications to the vehicle.

mrevilandy · 08-28-2016, 09:49 PM

Every 20k can never do enough preventive maintenance 😳😳😳😳😳

catrains · 08-29-2016, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victor_inox

Until you crashed and insurance denied claim based on modifications to the vehicle.

so your saying when the TMPS breaks off due to corrosion that the insurance company will not pay for damages when the air is suddenly lost ?

I guess that may mean sue Toyota for TMPS valve stems that corrode .

TMPS is a safety issue when it breaks off . valve stems are replaced on every tire change but not the TMPS.

my last set of tires 11 yrs old 85K miles no TMPS system I never had any tire problems 11 years of use. rotated/inspected every 10-13K miles.

It is true that many owners of vehicles today have an attitude of its a new vehicle I do not have to check my tires ITS NEW !

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