TPMS transmitters.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,755
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From: Sandy Utah
TPMS transmitters.
My 2001 coupe has the original TPMS transmitters. I will run them until failure. My question is are the GM units superior to the units sold by Discount Tire ( it is an aftermarket brand )? I will have Discount Tire do the replacement. Also, are the original nuts re-useable? I cannot see spending $20 for new nuts unless it is necessary. Please give me your expert advice. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
My 2001 coupe has the original TPMS transmitters. I will run them until failure. My question is are the GM units superior to the units sold by Discount Tire ( it is an aftermarket brand )? I will have Discount Tire do the replacement. Also, are the original nuts re-useable? I cannot see spending $20 for new nuts unless it is necessary. Please give me your expert advice.
Instructor
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From: Orlando, FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Southeast Missouri
My 2001 coupe has the original TPMS transmitters. I will run them until failure. My question is are the GM units superior to the units sold by Discount Tire ( it is an aftermarket brand )? I will have Discount Tire do the replacement. Also, are the original nuts re-useable? I cannot see spending $20 for new nuts unless it is necessary. Please give me your expert advice.
I can't speak to the aftermarket units, but I'd think they'd be as functional as the originals. They're mfgd by Dorman, I think, who manufactures/supplies MANY aftermarket parts for MANY automotive makes. If you re-use the originals, I'd certainly listen to the advice to replace the batteries, they're very near the end of their useful life.
My Thoughts
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: South Dakota
My 2001 coupe has the original TPMS transmitters. I will run them until failure. My question is are the GM units superior to the units sold by Discount Tire ( it is an aftermarket brand )? I will have Discount Tire do the replacement. Also, are the original nuts re-useable? I cannot see spending $20 for new nuts unless it is necessary. Please give me your expert advice.
If you are putting on new originals or Schrader's as a replacement, the nuts can be reused. (The Schrader's come with a new nut at no charge)(I bought Schrader's a year or so ago). I don't know what other brands may interchange with the nuts or not.
If you are looking for the "rebuild" kits, they are under $2 and contain the seal (Note the '01 to '04 sensors use a seal, the '97 to '00 use an oring), the nut, a valve core, and a valve stem cap.
Last edited by QCVette; Jul 26, 2014 at 03:52 PM.
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From: Orlando, FL
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From: Chandler Arizona
I went with new upsized GS wheels on my '01 with new tires. Decided to get new sonsors as well. The after market ones I purchased stopped working 1 month after install, all 4 of them 
. Tried everything to "wake" them up, reteach them, whatever, no dice! Placed a new OEM one near the wheel, trained no problem. Ended up replacing all of them with the OEM. Luckily I was able to return the others for a refund but I had to fight for it.
There are guys on here who got the "cheaper" after market ones and have had many trouble free years with them. Others, myself included, did not. FYI, I never came across a thread/post where a individual had problems buying the OEM ones. Save yourself the "possible" heartache and just get the OEM's.
I sold my original wheels with the sensors in them, they still worked fine. Went with new ones because a few years ago I got new tires on the family car and did not replace the 7 year old sensors. Wouldn't you know, the batteries started giving out just months later.
. Tried everything to "wake" them up, reteach them, whatever, no dice! Placed a new OEM one near the wheel, trained no problem. Ended up replacing all of them with the OEM. Luckily I was able to return the others for a refund but I had to fight for it.There are guys on here who got the "cheaper" after market ones and have had many trouble free years with them. Others, myself included, did not. FYI, I never came across a thread/post where a individual had problems buying the OEM ones. Save yourself the "possible" heartache and just get the OEM's.
I sold my original wheels with the sensors in them, they still worked fine. Went with new ones because a few years ago I got new tires on the family car and did not replace the 7 year old sensors. Wouldn't you know, the batteries started giving out just months later.
Last edited by Mr Russ; Jul 26, 2014 at 06:14 PM.
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I personally would just get the OEM sensors. They can be bought at a good price from our forum sponsors and I've not heard of anyone having problems with them.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,755
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From: Sandy Utah
Update: Checked with Discount Tire and their aftermarket units are made by Schrader and are $60 each installed, wheel balanced, and programmed or, $240 plus tax. If I go with OEM They will be approx $245 shipped to my house but then, Discount charges $16 per tire to install, balance and program. So, I am up to $309 plus tax. Since the Discount units are made by Schrader and are guaranteed by discount including replacement, balancing, and programming, I will go with Discount.
Note: salesman at Discount says: "There is not such thing as a road force balancer. It is a myth". However, the salesman at another Discount store says that there is but "it will be an additional $25 per tire to road force balance". Apparently, Discount uses a Sonar balancer for 'regular balancing'. Who Knew?
4
Note: salesman at Discount says: "There is not such thing as a road force balancer. It is a myth". However, the salesman at another Discount store says that there is but "it will be an additional $25 per tire to road force balance". Apparently, Discount uses a Sonar balancer for 'regular balancing'. Who Knew?
4
Le Mans Master
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From: Wisconsin
Update: Checked with Discount Tire and their aftermarket units are made by Schrader and are $60 each installed, wheel balanced, and programmed or, $240 plus tax. If I go with OEM They will be approx $245 shipped to my house but then, Discount charges $16 per tire to install, balance and program. So, I am up to $309 plus tax. Since the Discount units are made by Schrader and are guaranteed by discount including replacement, balancing, and programming, I will go with Discount.
Note: salesman at Discount says: "There is not such thing as a road force balancer. It is a myth". However, the salesman at another Discount store says that there is but "it will be an additional $25 per tire to road force balance". Apparently, Discount uses a Sonar balancer for 'regular balancing'. Who Knew?
4
Note: salesman at Discount says: "There is not such thing as a road force balancer. It is a myth". However, the salesman at another Discount store says that there is but "it will be an additional $25 per tire to road force balance". Apparently, Discount uses a Sonar balancer for 'regular balancing'. Who Knew?
4