I am planning getting another set oem wheels for track use only. Do I have to use the TPM's? Can I use something else and is there a way to disable the sending unit/warning readout?

 

You can not disable the system. If you are not using them you will not be able to put your car into competition mode in the active handling selections.

You should consider getting a second set of TPM sensors for the new wheels and a handheld activiation tool that way you can swap them at will and re-register when you swap them back and forth.

 

I've heard some guys leave their street wheels (with sensors) alongside their mounted track wheels right up until they hit the track. This supposedly buys them enough time before the system discovers their are no sensors.

I wouldn't do this. I suggest you buy another set of sensors to use with your track wheels and having a TPMS tool is a wise idea as well. You might check the parts for sale section. I recall someone selling a set of TPS's for around $100.00.

I replaced my OEM wheels some time ago. I'm finally ordering another set of CCW wheels for track use today so I pulled the sensors from my old, stock wheels to use in my track wheels. I bought a Schrader-Bridgeport TPMS tool some time ago.

 

no...you can't...I'm going through this right now because of mounting issues with my new wheels....

I have no front sensors at the moment and the readout is annoying...

I actually stuck my two front sensors inside a small wheelbarrow tire and have it in my rear hatch area for the time being.

 

You don't have to put sensors in your track wheels/tires. If you're interested in running in Comp mode or turning AH off completely you may run into problems. Some owners have problems, some don't, and there are some work-arounds. The best way to avoid any problems is to probably just put sensors in your track wheels - plus the pressures are a nice thing to know.

You can't use anything else other than the Schrader sensors made for the car.

There's no way to disable the TPMS.

There's a forum vendor that is gauging interest in an attempt to do away with TPMS problems associated with running without sensors. Word is they think it will probably cost some $20,000 to try to rewrite the code in the BCM. If successful, they would then sell you a new BCM for around $1000. I don't know where the BCM is in the car, but I don't think it will easy to get to it to swap it out.

I'm not even sure they'll be able to rewrite the code. GM is very secretive about these systems and much of the code is proprietary.

Easiest solution - run sensors, get a TPMS reset tool.

If you need sensors, I've got a set of brand new ones for $30 each.

Bob

 

Thanks for the update Bob. I didn't know that anyone was working on trying to re-write that. Man, I wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole.. That amounts to intentionally disabling a federally mandated safety device. I just don't see that ending well.

 

This is the best way to go

 

Is that right if I don't have sensors, I will have traction controll and AH on at all time?
What TPMS tool you suggest, and pricing?
My CTS-V allow me to use the key fob to reset the TPMS. I've just bought the C6, don't know if the key fob will do the same.
Thanks.

 

With no sensors, you'll be able to turn off TC without any problems.

With no sensors at all in your track wheels, you may run into problems - some owners have problems and others don't (it may have something to do with when the car was built).

If you do something like a drag racer might do, which is just swap only the rear wheels to DR's with no sensors but you still have sensors in the front wheels, you'll get messages within a couple minutes of starting to drive. You'll still be able to turn off TC, but you won't be able to go into Comp mode or turn AH off completely - but you don't want to do that drag racing anyway.

If you have no sensors at all you'll probably have about an hour before you get messages. The owner's manual says that after approximately one hour with no sensors you'll get a "Service Tire Monitor" message, probably followed a short time later with "Limit Speed To 55" (the so-called "limp mode" message).

What the manual means is that, after approximately one hour of steady driving without turning off the ignition you'll get the message. If you were in Comp mode or had AH completely off, AH will automatically come back on. If you shut down the car, restart, and clear messages, you should have another one hour before the same thing happens again. Most track sessions don't last an hour, but many racers don't want to have the system come on while on the track so they just run sensors in their track wheels - plus it's a great system and pressures are good to know.

I had a screw in a tire a couple months ago. I was on the interstate about 30 miles from home late on a Friday night when I got a DIC message of low pressure (that comes on below 24psi) and "Limit Speed To 55". I was still able to go 70 or 75, but I slowed down when the pressure got below 20, but I was getting off the interstate by then and close to home.

So, even though I got the "limp mode" message I was able to go as fast as I wanted. However, many racers (both drag and road racers) report that power is actually reduced if the accelerometers and yaw-rate sensors exceed certain G-loads or turning rates when driving aggressively. Again, something a racer doesn't want in the middle of a session.

That's why many owners have sensors in their road race/HPDE/auto-x wheels. Drag racers that run low pressure (below 24 psi) in their DR's on the rear may still have problems. Some have made a pressure cannister and put sensors in it and store it in the car so they don't get any messages.

Sorry.....but that's the system we're dealing with, and it's federal law that ALL cars from 2008 model year on have sensors and a TPMS. Part of the law is that the system must not be able to be deactivated.

Best solution - put sensors in your track tires and get a TPMS reset tool.

If you need sensors I've got a set of brand new ones for $30 each.

Bob

 

Hey Bob,

I will take the 4 sensors if you still have them. How do you want to handle the deal. Just let me know, I am located in North Alabama.

Thanks

 

PM sent - I've got a set for you.

After that I'll only have a few left.

Bob

 

You still have those sensors available... and are they good on a C5 ??