TPM Dilemma
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 136
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From: Farmington Maine
TPM Dilemma
It's time to replace the 27K (original) mile tires on my '02. Here's my dilemma. I know that I SHOULD do regarding replacing the TPM sensors at the same time as tire replacement but I'm curious what my fellow fanatics think. My current TPMs work fine but they are 14 years old. This seems to be one of those pay now or pay me later deals. What do you think? 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,736
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From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
It's time to replace the 27K (original) mile tires on my '02. Here's my dilemma. I know that I SHOULD do regarding replacing the TPM sensors at the same time as tire replacement but I'm curious what my fellow fanatics think. My current TPMs work fine but they are 14 years old. This seems to be one of those pay now or pay me later deals. What do you think?
Pay me now or pay me more later!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 252
Likes: 12
From: Fredericksburg Va.
It's time to replace the 27K (original) mile tires on my '02. Here's my dilemma. I know that I SHOULD do regarding replacing the TPM sensors at the same time as tire replacement but I'm curious what my fellow fanatics think. My current TPMs work fine but they are 14 years old. This seems to be one of those pay now or pay me later deals. What do you think?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
I have two sensors that are 18 years and two that are 16 years. The last tire change was 09. Will be buying tires shortly. And yes i will change them. I have 01-04 kit. Fobs, sensors, Receiver.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
Went out to move my 04 this morning and found 3 out of 4 of my sensors are in the process of going out. Hello Rock Auto.
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If it were me, I would just go ahead and replace the TPS when the new tires go on.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 16,507
Likes: 84
From: Southern Indiana
At 14 years, all my original TPMS are still working. IMO, I will change them (individually) when they fail. Why spend the $$ now to change something that is not broken?
As an aside, I think it's asinine that the entire TPMS sensor has to be replaced when its battery fails. Why does no-one make them with replaceable batteries? If they did, it would be a much easier decision to proactively replace the batteries on every tire change.
As an aside, I think it's asinine that the entire TPMS sensor has to be replaced when its battery fails. Why does no-one make them with replaceable batteries? If they did, it would be a much easier decision to proactively replace the batteries on every tire change.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
At 14 years, all my original TPMS are still working. IMO, I will change them (individually) when they fail. Why spend the $$ now to change something that is not broken?
As an aside, I think it's asinine that the entire TPMS sensor has to be replaced when its battery fails. Why does no-one make them with replaceable batteries? If they did, it would be a much easier decision to proactively replace the batteries on every tire change.
As an aside, I think it's asinine that the entire TPMS sensor has to be replaced when its battery fails. Why does no-one make them with replaceable batteries? If they did, it would be a much easier decision to proactively replace the batteries on every tire change.
I also replace my car battery when it gets old, I don't wait for it to fail. Just like belts, hoses, tires and other components.
.
Last edited by JR-01; Mar 31, 2016 at 01:35 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 359
From: Iowa
I'm with the majority. They're 14yrs old why not replace them? It's more money up front but you will also save money in the long run. If you wait to have them replaced you'll have to pay to remove the tires and replace them vs replacing them when the tires are off to begin with.
Not to mention if you want to sell your car some buyers may be turned off knowing the TPMS is original and a future hassle/expense and low ball you.
Not to mention if you want to sell your car some buyers may be turned off knowing the TPMS is original and a future hassle/expense and low ball you.
Last edited by Macleod52; Mar 31, 2016 at 02:25 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I had a couple of mine fail at 14 years and the other two were still working. I replaced them all. I think at that age you are living on borrowed time and lucky they are still working.
The Rock Auto price is pretty good on the Schrader's. Schrader made the ones the factory put in as OEM. So the Schrader's are exactly like the originals (except the plastic color that you can't see inside the wheel is orange on the Scrader's and black on the OEM.) I bought my Scrader's from Rock Auto a couple of years ago.
The Rock Auto price is pretty good on the Schrader's. Schrader made the ones the factory put in as OEM. So the Schrader's are exactly like the originals (except the plastic color that you can't see inside the wheel is orange on the Scrader's and black on the OEM.) I bought my Scrader's from Rock Auto a couple of years ago.
