TPMS Questions

[Ezlife45]

Hi everyone,

How long should you expect TPMS to last? I have a 2014 LE with basic TPMS, only the low pressure symbol, not individual tire pressures like newer models.

What does repair/replacement look like, usually just a battery change or are the modules disposable and you simply purchase new ones?

These may sound like basic questions but this is my first vehicle with TPMS.

Thanks in advance,

 

[fkheath]

Hi everyone,

How long should you expect TPMS to last? I have a 2014 LE with basic TPMS, only the low pressure symbol, not individual tire pressures like newer models.

What does repair/replacement look like, usually just a battery change or are the modules disposable and you simply purchase new ones?

These may sound like basic questions but this is my first vehicle with TPMS.

Thanks in advance,

You just buy new ones. Any tire shop should be able too provide them and program the car computer to recognize them (the dealer will charge a fortune for the programming).

 

[flyrv9]

The TPMS sensors in each wheel contain the transmitter and battery in a single unit. The batteries are not individually replaceable - you have to change the assembly which requires removing the tire from the rim, changing out the sensor and reprogramming. Most tire shops can do this now.

Average lifespan of a sensor is about 7-8 years. Mine on my 2013 started going out about 7 years. You get the low tire symbol light but can't tell which tire is low. When I last checked about 4 years ago the cost was about $80 per wheel. My SR5 has a steel wheel spare which won't accommodate a sensor. For me the spare is the wheel I wanted to have a sensor - I can easily look at the other tires! Lame move on Toyota's part. I decided not to spend the money on new sensors. I don't even notice the light anymore.

 

[1000MPH]

14 years and counting.
I’ve got replacements that I will try to replace and reprogram myself when they go out.

 

[ArthurKotb]

The Denso TPMS sensors in my '04 lasted until 10/22; 18 years. One was bad but the other four were still reading. I bought 5 Denso sensors off Amazon and had a local tire store replace them. I bought an Autel Maxi TS501 TPMS reader to read and program them. Now I can use the Autel to check pressure, battery and tire temp just walking around the vehicle.
Sensors $34 each
Autel Maxi $200
Tire dealership $25/tire (He said if I had bought the tires from him he would have done it for free.)

A little expensive but cheaper than the dealership, they are Denso sensors and I have a TPMS reader so it's easy to tell which tire is low when the light is on.

When a sensor goes bad the light flashes. To find the bad one start with a tire, lower the pressure 5 lbs. If the sensor is on (not flashing), that sensor is good. Air it up and go to the next one until lowing the tire pressure does nothing and the light continues to flash. That will be the bad sensor.

 

[Humble Leader]

The Denso TPMS sensors in my '04 lasted until 10/22; 18 years. One was bad but the other four were still reading. I bought 5 Denso sensors off Amazon and had a local tire store replace them. I bought an Autel Maxi TS501 TPMS reader to read and program them. Now I can use the Autel to check pressure, battery and tire temp just walking around the vehicle.
Sensors $34 each
Autel Maxi $200
Tire dealership $25/tire (He said if I had bought the tires from him he would have done it for free.)

earlier this year I saw you post about this unit and I decided to buy a similar one. amazing. this unit can re-learn OEM sensors for tire swaps as well. I have a 2012 and sometimes the dealer doesn't re-learn them properly when I do a tire swap between seasons. the TPMS light won't blink until you've driven 20 minutes or so to let you know the sensors need to be programmed and there is no quick reset button. I guess it depends on the tech working on the vehicle, sometimes it still reads the tires that were on the vehicle if they were stored nearby and look OK. now i can just fix the issue myself

expensive, but hassle saving is worth it

 

[Hungryhawk]

TPMS lifespan

The battery lifespan of replacement sensors is an unknown. The battery manufacturing date is probably when the batteries are freshest. So it is a gamble when replacing. There is the cost of installing and re-balance of tire to consider.
Ideally the time to replace sensors is when new tires are installed.
I relied on my favorite tire shop to get fresh ones from their supplier when I changed them on my Accord when getting new tires.
My SR5 is still using factory original after 7 years now. I have my Scanguage2 display all 4 tire pressures, so I can read all tires at a glance, It is mounted on steering column. Comforting when driving fast or when no road shoulder exists.

 

[J.A.]

I made it 16 years and they were still working fine but when I upgraded to new wheels I decided to Bypass the TPMS rather than replacing.