Is TPMS Necessary
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
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From: Bakersfield, CA
Is TPMS Necessary
Good Day to All,
As the title reflects, is the TPMS necessary to have? I know that it is a luxury to be able to know the tire pressures when driving around but, way before TPMS drivers would do a walk around and check out the vehicle for anything strange. I still do that but that comes from my Air Force training. I always do a walk around and check for scratches, dings, low tires, leaks etc. So, my left front TPMS started telling me that I have 16 pounds of air when in fact it had 32. That is the only sensor that is wacky. I was thinking of changing to the newer 2001-2004 version so I could also upgrade the key fob but then I got to thinking why would I? If I continue to drive it as is, is there anything major that could happen to her? I would rather wait until I get at least 2 more sensors go wacky before upgrading but I don't know what could happen. Is there a way to have the sensor reset itself in case it's just an anomaly? Thanks in advance and cheers!!!
As the title reflects, is the TPMS necessary to have? I know that it is a luxury to be able to know the tire pressures when driving around but, way before TPMS drivers would do a walk around and check out the vehicle for anything strange. I still do that but that comes from my Air Force training. I always do a walk around and check for scratches, dings, low tires, leaks etc. So, my left front TPMS started telling me that I have 16 pounds of air when in fact it had 32. That is the only sensor that is wacky. I was thinking of changing to the newer 2001-2004 version so I could also upgrade the key fob but then I got to thinking why would I? If I continue to drive it as is, is there anything major that could happen to her? I would rather wait until I get at least 2 more sensors go wacky before upgrading but I don't know what could happen. Is there a way to have the sensor reset itself in case it's just an anomaly? Thanks in advance and cheers!!!
Popular Reply
Jun 5, 2022, 11:46 AM
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Are tire pressure sensors a necessity - no, but they do give you valuable notice when a low pressure situation exists in your tires. As stated, with runflats it is difficult to know when a tire is low. Also, should a tire get a puncture while driving, the TPS lets you know when the pressure drops down to approximately 25 psi. I prefer to have such notice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: West Virginia
TPMS is pretty much a necessity if you have run flats as you don't feel the tire going down as you would with a regular tire. And a "walk around" would not show a soft RF tire. That's why GM put it in the C5.
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If you have a competent GM dealer near you, you can turn the RPO code off in the BCM. It's a very easy process to do, then no more warning lights or anything.
As Jack said, I wouldn't do it if you're running run flats, but since I personally do not, I turned the TPMS off completely. No warnings. No messages. And they don't show up when you scroll through the options.
That said, I have a 2002. I do NOT know if it's possible to do this on 1997-2000 cars. I believe the only reason this option is available for 2001-2004s is because of the Z06, which didn't have TPMS installed from the factory.
As Jack said, I wouldn't do it if you're running run flats, but since I personally do not, I turned the TPMS off completely. No warnings. No messages. And they don't show up when you scroll through the options.
That said, I have a 2002. I do NOT know if it's possible to do this on 1997-2000 cars. I believe the only reason this option is available for 2001-2004s is because of the Z06, which didn't have TPMS installed from the factory.
Melting Slicks
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I have a ‘98 with another set of wheels I put in for cold months with no sensors and the code indication never comes on during normal city driving - just sometimes when I get on the Hwy then just a quick clear and all good.
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When I bought my car, it had the service "tire monitoring" DIC error on. I just put on new wheels/tires on today and opted to install new GM TPMS sensors to get rid of the error message and to of course monitor the tire pressure.
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I’ve had them fail sporadically, and replaced immediately. TPMS is one of the best automotive innovations since the gas gauge.
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Are tire pressure sensors a necessity - no, but they do give you valuable notice when a low pressure situation exists in your tires. As stated, with runflats it is difficult to know when a tire is low. Also, should a tire get a puncture while driving, the TPS lets you know when the pressure drops down to approximately 25 psi. I prefer to have such notice.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
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From: Bakersfield, CA
Thanks to all for your input. As stated previously, the monitor indicated that I had tire pressure of 16#'s. This morning it read that I have 21#'s. Again, I did a manual read with my tire pressure gauge and it read that I have 33#'s. So, I am guessing that it just may be a faulty TPMS. I am running RF's but will be changing them to non rf's so at that time I will also install the upgraded version of TPMS along with the key fob upgrade. Once again thanks to everyone for your input.
Instructor
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From: Succasunna New Jersey
Before you do anything...check all your tires air pressure. You may be reading a different tire pressure! At some point in the past the sensors may have gotten switched from one wheel to another or more likely the LF may now be on the RF! Happened to me a while back. Dealership wanted me to charge me $1250 to replace all the sensors. I took the car to a tire dealer who found the problem. Filled the low tire to the correct pressure and reprogrammed the TPMS sensors to read correctly and charged me $25! I gave the kid a $50 tip!
Melting Slicks
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Before you do anything...check all your tires air pressure. You may be reading a different tire pressure! At some point in the past the sensors may have gotten switched from one wheel to another or more likely the LF may now be on the RF! Happened to me a while back. Dealership wanted me to charge me $1250 to replace all the sensors. I took the car to a tire dealer who found the problem. Filled the low tire to the correct pressure and reprogrammed the TPMS sensors to read correctly and charged me $25! I gave the kid a $50 tip!
Check all the tires, they may be out of place
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Before you do anything...check all your tires air pressure. You may be reading a different tire pressure! At some point in the past the sensors may have gotten switched from one wheel to another or more likely the LF may now be on the RF! Happened to me a while back. Dealership wanted me to charge me $1250 to replace all the sensors. I took the car to a tire dealer who found the problem. Filled the low tire to the correct pressure and reprogrammed the TPMS sensors to read correctly and charged me $25! I gave the kid a $50 tip!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
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From: Bakersfield, CA
I did the suggestion that @sonicss33 mentioned but that did not work. But ha I never would have thought that the sensors may be misplaced on the wrong tire!! Good grief that's insane! Like I mentioned I ALWAYS check the tire pressures before I take her out, without fail. So when it gave me the message for the LF that is all I focused on because I had already checked the other 3. But I will do that again as soon as I finish this response. Thanks again to all. Cheers!!
Le Mans Master
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I agree with all that has been said. Make sure you check all 4 tires. Good luck resolving your issue. You will enjoy your new non runflat tires.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
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From: Bakersfield, CA
Here is an update...So I checked all the tires, and they are good for pressure. So as a last resort I did the magnet thingy to reset TPMS. It worked but I had to do it 3x. First time the LF worked fine but then the RF which was good previously said it had 14#. Second attempt same as before but then RR did not chirp the horn. On 3rd try everything went well and all is good...for now. So I think I may be looking into a new 2001-2004 set for both TPMS and fobs which is fine with me since they are readily available (read CHEAP). I just wanted to report back to all of you and thanks for all your input. Cheers!!!
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
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From: Bakersfield, CA
Thanks Jason I have been following along on that mod. Looks interesting for sure. My plan is to mod the interior but not get crazy (yet) then proceed with suspension and braking mods followed by an LS3 swap. I did want to do an A&A blower but gotta do my research on it as I see a few members here are having some issues with that setup. If I want a "thrill" I just jump into my 68 Camaro with a 671 blower or my 71 ElCo with juice. My C5 I want to keep it "normal" (for now 
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