I am shopping for new tires to replace the stock Dunlops, and may end up at NTB (for instance). Do they know how to change the tires and keep the TPMS working and intact? What do I need to tell them up front?

This, along with potential wheel scratches, has me a little worried.

Is it worth it to just buy the tires from the dealership (assuming they have what I want -> Michelin CTs), to avoid headaches?

Most reputable tire shops have knowledge of this system. I would be sure o tell them hat you have TPMS and it is in good working order and you expect the same when you leave with your new tires.

Most shops are careful because they do not wish to buy new sensors.

Thanks - I see on NTB's web site that they charge $4/tire for "TPMS", so they do know about. I'll call my local NTB...

I have never had a shop charge me extra, and I am in Southern California where nothing is cheap.


When they install they just need to be careful. IMHO they extra charge is just extra profit!

If you really want to avoid headaches, just buy your tires online from Mavis Discount Tire (or Mavistire.com) for a good price and bring them to your local Toyota dealer to mount and balance them. I just did that with my new wheels/tires, and I was surprised that the dealership price for mounting and balancing my tires was cheaper than any local tire shop. They charged me $93 to mount and balance four tires. Most tire shops charge $25-30 per tire. Plus, you 'll have the added benefit of getting your tires balanced properly because the dealership will have the correct adapter to balance your wheels.

BTW, there's nothing special they have to do to mount new tires to your wheels. They shouldn't even touch the tire pressure sensor monitors.

The $4 charge may be for a replacement seal kit. If so, it is a fair price.

Yes, I have seen prices on Mavis and they are pretty good. The freight to the West Coast sometimes makes it cheaper to buy from the Tirerack.com.

As far as mounting at the dealer, that's great. But most local tire shops will give you "life of tire" rebalancing when needed for the initial price of mounting and balancing. And it's a lot easier to get in and out of those places than dealers.

They do have to remove the valve stem to take the air out of the old tires. I understand the sensor is located at the bottom of the stem? If so, this accounts for some shops that maybe over tighten the stem or not putting it in straight and breaking the sensor.

That's the thing - NTB gives lifetime tire service (rotation, free fixes, prorated $ on new tire if one blows).

Here's what it comes down to:

Dealership: buy from Tirerack/Mavis, knowledge of TPMS, but no lifetime service.

NTB: Buy at NTB (almost the same price as above once you add shipping), hopefully good TPMS service, lifetime tire service.

Do you have any local Mavis Tire centers in your area? If so, they offer similar pricing to their website.

As far as the valve stem....yes, they remove it to let the air out of the tire. But removing the valve stem is done from the outside. It simply unscrews and comes right out. Putting it back in is just as simple and easy. The actual sensor is attached to the bottom of the valve stem, but the tire guy would have to be a real hack to cause any damage by just removing and installing a valve stem!

If you are going to use a local tire shop, make sure they have the Haweka adapter for their balance machine. That's really your best bet if you want perfect balancing of your tires.