Tire Dealers Pushing TPMS Service Kit

[00328]

Been out looking for tires and getting prices. Man, what a tough decision.
Anyway some of the dealers are really pushing their tpms valve service kit. Never heard of this.
It's only $6. a tire, not that big a deal, but just wondering if this is necessary or dealers just trying to get a few more bucks out of you.
Anyone have any insight on this??

 

[Kmvreter]

Anyway some of the dealers are really pushing their tpms valve service kit. Never heard of this.
It's only $6. a tire...

That's a rip. Never heard of it. What is there to service? Any specifics? Is this from a Toy stealership or the tire shops?
The only "serviceable" item is the disposable O-ring. The kit for this sure isn't $6/tire.

 

[00328]

Discount Tire and Firestone were two of the dealers that included it in their quote. I didn't really take a good look at the quote until I got home, so I really didn't even notice it.
Definitely seems like "fluff" to me.

 

[T?@\7]

i vote fluff.

 

[toto]

Toyota sensors don't allow you to change the battery inside - you would destroy the sensor in the process of opening it.

All the tire place could do is change the o-ring. Sounds like a rip-off to me.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

So,why doesn't one of you call and find out what it actually is and post a fact since specualting isn't advancing this thread at all? :bash:

 

[nated05]

I just bought a set of tires from a local Firestone dealer last March and I dont remember them saying anything about this "kit". I will check my receipt when I get home and see if it is on there. As far as deciding on what tires to buy I know how you feel, i spent a good month getting quotes and doing research. You just have to find a balance between performance, looks, and price (maybe not in the order).

 

[toto]

So,why doesn't one of you call and find out what it actually is and post a fact since specualting isn't advancing this thread at all? :bash:

When is the last time a service place told you the truth?

Found this through a Google search.
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/ste96239.html

I guess the idea is to replace all of the working parts of the valve stem. Without TPMS, you'd just replace the whole valve stem when you changed the tires.

 

[Kmvreter]

So,why doesn't one of you call and find out what it actually is and post a fact since specualting isn't advancing this thread at all? :bash:

Partznet shows the "repair kit" (sorry, no part # on their site.) It looks to be the spacer, O-ring and nut set for $4.36 (MSRP $5.63) for one wheel. You don't need the entire kit. That's a rip. My tire shop did just the O-rings for $0.50/tire when I ditched the Doneflops. Be very specific with these guys that you just want the O-rings (as Toy recommends as a disposable item) if you even want them to do that. My shop went ahead and did them and tacked the $2 to the bill but I didn't get a formal quote and I didn't mind (I've been dealing there for years.)

 

[00328]

If I need to get the O-rings changed, I don't have a problem with that. I just can't stand when they start piling on charges.
I guess they just figure that most people will say, 'oh it's only $5. I'm not going to worry about it'.
They play the percentages and it's profitable for them.
When I go out looking at tires again I'll get a more detailed explanation.


nated05 - how do you like your Destination ATs? I'm looking seriously at these in 275/70.

 

[nated05]

So far so good. I have only been on paved roads but they are much more quiet than the old dunlops. Wet traction is also good, and they look similar to the revo's but not quite as expensive. There is another member on the forum who has the same tire with pics, do a search if you havent allready. I would recommend them though.