When to replace TPMS
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Their designed to last 10 years. So some will last 10+ years, while others will begin to die in 7-8 years.
The ones on my 2004 Yukon started dying at 7 years. (one)......then months later a second. So when I had new tires put on they repld all of them.
They used aftermarket sensors. Two of them lasted 8 MONTHS or less. So, finally Discount Tire ordered GM sensors and I've not had any more issues.
So, figure 7-8 years likely life span of most.
The ones on my 2004 Yukon started dying at 7 years. (one)......then months later a second. So when I had new tires put on they repld all of them.
They used aftermarket sensors. Two of them lasted 8 MONTHS or less. So, finally Discount Tire ordered GM sensors and I've not had any more issues.
So, figure 7-8 years likely life span of most.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
If you want to spend the money, go for it, but they should last a lot longer than that. The only thing I can think of that could damage them sooner is using something like fix-a-flat. The stores will probably try and get you to buy them or even try to sell you the TPMS rebuild kits, but I always pass. Between my C5 that I've replaced the tires 3 times, and my C6 that I've replaced the tires twice, never a problem with TPMS.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 515
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
NEVER WAS IT CORRECT ,
I ignored it for a few days . When I cycled through the display on tire pressure the right rear was zero pressure for days and the warnings stopped . After 4 days its back on line ...working great for the last month
. I'm not worried if I have a flat , it's not a ford explorer roll over crash danger . Its in the same Box as check engine light warnings .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 7
From: Pottsboro; Sometimes Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '12
1) it will put the car in 'limb' mode when going into corners-which can be dangerous because the car will do it whether you want it to or not;
2) some Z06 owners report cannot turn off nannies such as AH/TC.
BEZ06 is the expert in this area.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
"tims" pretty much got it, and when a sensor goes bad, I'd get it fixed right away. The system is pretty nice to have, as trashed a nearly new rear tire on my daily car a few years ago, not equipped with TPMS. Throw in the added cost of replacing only one tire, and isn't cheap. Know there was somehow mention of fix-a-flat, but wouldn't know. No way any of that goop, is ever going into any of my tires.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
But on these larger Corvette tires I am sure it will take longer.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Those sensors are the devils invention . I have had 2 or 3 warnings in 6 months " slow to under 55 mph low tire pressure " . I normally do a soft steering wiggle L / R to feel for a flat corner , pull over to check the wheel .
NEVER WAS IT CORRECT ,
I ignored it for a few days . When I cycled through the display on tire pressure the right rear was zero pressure for days and the warnings stopped . After 4 days its back on line ...working great for the last month
. I'm not worried if I have a flat , it's not a ford explorer roll over crash danger . Its in the same Box as check engine light warnings .
NEVER WAS IT CORRECT ,
I ignored it for a few days . When I cycled through the display on tire pressure the right rear was zero pressure for days and the warnings stopped . After 4 days its back on line ...working great for the last month
. I'm not worried if I have a flat , it's not a ford explorer roll over crash danger . Its in the same Box as check engine light warnings .
"If it ain't broke don't fix it"
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Since I've had an OEM sensor go bad after 3 years, I'm taking a different approach. When I get new tires and my sensors are 4+ years old, I'm going to buy new sensors.
I have purchased good aftermarket TPMS sensors (Orange Electronic brand) on Amazon.com for about $30 each...so that's roughly $120 for a set. When you have your new tires installed, the shop should "rebuild" your existing TPMS sensors (which basically means they install a new rubber grommet and replace the installation nut). This service costs $5-$10 per wheel and is considered to be good preventative maintenance.
So I figure it's at least $20 to rebuild your existing sensors...or $120 to go with new aftermarket sensors. That means the new sensors really are costing you $100 more than you will already spending to reuse your existing sensors. That's not a huge expense when you are dropping $1,000 on a set of tires. And there's a reasonable chance of selling your used sensors for at least $50 because someone is always looking for a cheap set of OEM sensors.
Hey...there's nothing wrong with rolling for 10 years on the same sensors if they last. But the cost of installing new ones isn't that great if you approach it the right way. Just a thought...
I have purchased good aftermarket TPMS sensors (Orange Electronic brand) on Amazon.com for about $30 each...so that's roughly $120 for a set. When you have your new tires installed, the shop should "rebuild" your existing TPMS sensors (which basically means they install a new rubber grommet and replace the installation nut). This service costs $5-$10 per wheel and is considered to be good preventative maintenance.
So I figure it's at least $20 to rebuild your existing sensors...or $120 to go with new aftermarket sensors. That means the new sensors really are costing you $100 more than you will already spending to reuse your existing sensors. That's not a huge expense when you are dropping $1,000 on a set of tires. And there's a reasonable chance of selling your used sensors for at least $50 because someone is always looking for a cheap set of OEM sensors.
Hey...there's nothing wrong with rolling for 10 years on the same sensors if they last. But the cost of installing new ones isn't that great if you approach it the right way. Just a thought...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
I've heard of the possibility of some sensors being cloned, but curious of how this is done, as the car is programmed to the sensors, not the other way around. I have a Bartec tool, and really think this is the best way. Have track tires for my Vette, and just got a winter set for my daily car from the Tire Rack, with sensors included. Only takes a minute to program them in. Plus, need to program, when doing a tire rotation on my daily cars. All newer cars 08' up, are TPMS now.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Yep ............. I carry a can in each car. Never had an issue with the stuff. It is an old wife's tale about it messing up the TPMS
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Yup, every thing fits neatly in the cubbies. Don't know how much night driving you do but I also carry a light weight mesh reflective vest.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021