TPMS Life Span
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 729
Likes: 97
From: Lancaster NY
TPMS Life Span
I'm going to install new wheels on my '06 base and was wondering if I should replace the original TPMS sensors while I'm at it. What is the life expectancy of these sensors?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 255
Likes: 41
From: Lake Charles LA
Advertised life of the TPMS batteries is about five years. Having said that, when I replaced tires on my '06, the OEM batteries were still going strong. This was just a month ago.
Definitely replace the TPM units w/ new ones.
Definitely replace the TPM units w/ new ones.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The average battery life is claimed to be 10 years. Of course, it doesn't die that fast if you never use the car, so the time of use is the best guess for battery life. If your annual mileage is low, you might take the risk that they'll last through the current set of tires or your ownership, which ever comes first. The car can still operate without working sensors and sensors can be easily changed by simply breaking the bead loose without losing the tire balance. So there are a few options to consider.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 20
From: FLORIDA
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,810
Likes: 5,635
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have 05, with 56,000 miles, and the front sensors kept going on and off with 0 PSI, then it would go away, and come right back on again. Drove me crazy, so I had them all replaced before the back start doing false reading.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 526
I believe 10 years is the more accurate figure. If your talking an 06 I would definitely have them replaced. Mines an 06 and i've replaced one. Should have done them all but it caught me off guard when I needed the car in a hurry. Will do them all when the next one goes out. Heres a tip....be sure you see what they are gonna install and are happy with the way they look.....the one that they replaced on mine did not match the others. It was a regular black stem that doesn't go well sticking out in chrome. I had to J-rig a stem cover to match the others....PITA.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 729
Likes: 97
From: Lancaster NY
Seems like a roll of the dice from all the different replies! Some seem to last forever and others crap out after a few years. Where's the best place to buy them? Preferably with black stems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 108
From: Arlington Texas
I've seen them for sale on EBay for reasonable prices. Shopping around helps as I've seen the prices vary widely. It's also possible to refurbish the old ones if you're handy digging out the battery and soldering a new one back in its place, then silicone it back in there.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,025
Likes: 1,656
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
as far as I know if yours start to go they can replace the sensor without removing the tire - I have an 07 and will probably do them one by one as they go - I have one on the fritz for the last six months!!! still haven't replaced it as it only acts up once in a month
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 4,362
From: Chirper Island
If they are the original sensors, I would replace them now, because they are at the extreme end of their life expectancy, and it will be much cheaper to do it now while the tires are unmounted, than wait another year, maybe, when you will have to have them at least partially unmounted to install them, which will cost a separate charge.
I still have one original good one after 11 years, so I would say the range is between 3 years (my first one) and my next one?
I still have one original good one after 11 years, so I would say the range is between 3 years (my first one) and my next one?
