TPMS kit when changing tires
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Morganton NC
TPMS kit when changing tires
Answer may be on the forum but my eyes are tired! Considering getting 4 new tires for my 2001 Vette from Discount Tire Direct. On-line info says it is recommended to install a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) kit when tire is replaced. Any thoughts/experience with this recommendation? Also I am considering the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110 tire. Any thoughts on this choice? Reviews were good, price is good and there is a $50 rebate. Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
I've bought tires from Discount and the kit is basically a new valve stem, a new metal cap and a new metal nut that holds the TPMS into the rim. Locally they get about 5 bucks per kit. A little pricey in my estimation but I asked for the old nuts back and at least in my case they had a significant abount of oxidation because they appear to be untreated aluminum.
I wouldn't bother ordering the kit. Most tire joints will have them on hand and will just charge a few bucks to service the TPMS sensors. The Tire Kingdom I use (for my TireRack tires) charges $4 a corner for "TPMS service".
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
The America's Tire Co(Discount Tire Co) out here tried to force me to buy them for $7 each kit saying they've always been doing this. Considering I had bought several sets of tires from them in the past for my Corvettes and they never said a thing till this last time, I didn't think it was too important and refused it. Gee, my TPMS still seem to work just fine too. On top of that, the ones in my super high mileage '99, still work just fine as well with the exception that one failed years ago. But not a single TPMS kit ever went in. My son has that car now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 13
From: Kinston North Carolina
The America's Tire Co(Discount Tire Co) out here tried to force me to buy them for $7 each kit saying they've always been doing this. Considering I had bought several sets of tires from them in the past for my Corvettes and they never said a thing till this last time, I didn't think it was too important and refused it. Gee, my TPMS still seem to work just fine too. On top of that, the ones in my super high mileage '99, still work just fine as well with the exception that one failed years ago. But not a single TPMS kit ever went in. My son has that car now.
dgrant is exactly right. They are selling a lot of 
. I've changed tires and wheels and moved sensors around lots of times, $0 spent on sensor kits. If the sensor works, no corrosion, and no dammage, why would you want to spend money on it??? Maybe CORVETTE TAX.
