I am planning to run winter tires and wheels
...not now of course.

Wanted to know if I can run the winter tires without TPMS?

Will it impact traction control, put me in limp mode or have any other impact?

If I get another set of sensors do I have to relearn them each time I switch tires?

Thanks

 

Yes you need them or you will be in limp mode. And yes they need to relearn everytime you switch tires.

 

I was afraid of that...

Thank you

 

Huh????

Why would limp mode be a problem in the winter???

It seems to me that if you're driving a Vette in winter conditions that you'll driving it very conservatively, and on the street AH wouldn't activate unless the car was doing something really weird - like slipping and sliding on snowy roads.

On the track limp mode can be a big problem.

Even normal street driving it shouldn't give anybody problems, unless they're driving crazy. In winter conditions I wouldn't worry about it at all.

I assume these tires will be on different wheels - is that right???

If so, I'd recommend just getting a set of sensors for them - its very nice to know your tire pressures.

You can get a TPMS tool to program the sensors into the TPMS computer in the car for $63. It only takes about a minute to program the sensors every time you swap wheels!

Bob

 

Limp mode is a problem...

Not every day is a blizzard and if there is a blizzard, I'm in the Audi...

My Vette is a daily driver, for the past 15 years I've driven them year round with AS tires.

This time I thought I would keep a set of summers and winters.
Mounted on different rims and change with the season.

TPMS makes that a little more difficult, just checking in to see how difficult...

sounds like I need another set of TPMSs and a learn tool.

Thanks

 

Honestly, they're not that expensive. Even the tool is fairly reasonable.

San

 

Do you have a C6???

I looked in your profile and it says you have a C5.

If you do have a C6, what model year is it???

If we know, we can give you tire pressure part#'s (2005-2009 uses one sensor; 2010+ uses a different one).

Also, depending on model year, you'll have a different period of time before the TPMS invokes the so-called limp mode.


Nahhh.....not unless you're on the track. You may get a "Limit Speed To 55" DIC message, but it's just a message and there's no intervention that will pull power - you can go as fast as you want, at least in straight line.

If you're driving very aggressively on a road course (or slipping and sliding on wet/snowy roads), the AH will apply individual brakes very aggressively when it senses excessive yaw rates and lateral G's compared to your steering inputs.

It will also not allow you to accelerate (i.e, no throttle response) until the yaw has been reduced and the steering wheel is essentially straight.

I've experienced this on the track when I didnt program in my track wheel sensors and went out for a session. The AH was VERY intrusive and I came into the paddock, took a minute to program the sensors, went back out, and only missed a lap or so.

I've lost pressure driving down the Interstate and got the "Limit Speed To 55" message (you get that when a tire pressure drops below 23psi), but I kept running above that speed until it dropped to below 20psi a few miles from home.

I've also run with no sensors to experiment and see the results. In my 2006, I have about 60 minutes before the TPMS gives a "Service Tire Monitor" message because it has received no signals from any of the 4 sensors, so it decides the problem must be with the TPMS computer.

There was no AH intervention because I wasn't doing any spirited driving. If I had been on the track I'm sure it would have done that braking and power limiting thingy I mentioned above.

So....for street driving, the so-called limp mode shouldn't affect you. It actually should help you in slippery conditions - it will intervene more aggressively to straighten you out.

You will not be able to go into Comp or turn AH off completely if the limp mode has been invoked - but, like I said above, my 2006 with no sensors won't go into limp mode for 60 minutes from engine start, so I've got that long before I'd even have the possibility of issues.

In 2007 that time period went to 30 minutes, and in 2009 and on its only 20 minutes, but I also think the later model years are much more tolerant of running with no sensors.


Nahhh....It's not difficult at all.

The C5 used a magnet to trigger the sensors during the programming procedure.

If you do have a C6 you'll need a TPMS tool. Here's one for $62.33:

http://gmspecialservicetools.spx.com...s.aspx?id=5677


It takes about 1 minute to do the relearn procedure - see the video below.


As far as sensors, I have purchase a couple sets of used ones on eBay for around $100-$120 and they haveworked great for several years.

I just looked, and for a 2010+ there are several sets of 4 available for about $70.

Forum vendors sell a set of 4 for a 2005-2009 for around $250, and a 2010+ for about $220.

I said above that I don't think running without sensors will cause any problem for street driving - however, I think the system is great and think it's very important to know your tire pressures, especially with run flats.

The stiff sidewall of run flats just doesn't give you handling feedback when going straight, but you can have big problems when a side load develops on an off ramp.

So....I highly recommend getting a set of sensors for your winter tires/wheels!!!

Bob

 

Great price!

San

 

You can find the 2005-2009 sensors new (all 4 for $200) shipped online.

 

Do you HAVE to use this tool once you swap wheels/TPMS sensors?

I just reset them via the nav in my BMW.

 

Yes - you must use this tool on C6 tire pressure sensors.

EXCEPT - on very early 2005's (built in about Aug 2004 or before) there was a sensor that could triggered by a magnet , like in the C5.

EXCEPT - for the 2010 and a 2011 built in Dec 2010 or earlier. For these cars the sensors can be triggered during the relearn programming procedure by changing air pressure in the tire.

In Jan 2011 they started putting in a different sensor that once again REQUIRES a TPMS tool.

Bob

 

Hi San

It is a very good price, and a good tool. But, it's a very basic tool. It really doesn't do much in the way of diagnostics.

If anybody wants a much higher end tool, I've got one like this available for $250 shipped:



CLICK PICTURE ABOVE FOR A VIDEO OF IT IN USE

You can see it has a screen that displays some info about the sensor (battery strength, ID#, tire pressure) so you can check a sensor in a wheel before you get new tires installed so the shop cant BS you and tell you it was inop when you cMe in. Or you can check one your holding in your hand to make sure it's working properly before you install it.

Bob

 

You sell them or just that one? Just curious.

For what it's worth, you seem to be the "Spin" of TPMS. High praise.

San

 

Great, I have to waste more $.

 

Yes you need them or you will be in limp mode.

 

I have my own personal OTC 3833.

I just bought a used one several months ago off ebay because it was a low price, then saw another one a few weeks later. They usually go for $400 and up, but the sellers couldn't confirm that they worked, so nobody was bidding on them and I got them cheap - average price of about $225.

I got them and checked them out and they both work perfectly. They both have a 2008 software load, but they are upgradable. They'll work with all year C6's up through 2013 with that software.

They come in a nice plastic box, and I'll have to see if it will fit in a flat-rate box.

Actually, I just checked in the garage and the box I got one of them in was mailed for $16.38, so I'll drop my price to $240 shipped for anybody that wants one.

It's a high-end tool, and any tire shop would like to have such a nice piece of gear. But, it's expensive and not necessary for most C6 owners.

Bob :Flag:

 

Is there anyway to make the 2010+ sensors work with a 2005 computer? I just bought a set of 360 mesh wheels and it seems like it's going to be a pain getting new sensors. I don't want anyone touching these rims....

LA

 

That doesn't make sense. You won't have to touch the rims for anything except the initial TPMS sensor install.

Having nice wheels just means you need someone qualified to work on them. It isn't like you'll never need tires, wheel weights, TPMS sensors, etc.

San

 

with San.

And NO - there is no way to make 2010+ sensors work on a 2005-2009 C6!!

Bob

 

I think my choices for experienced and qualified vendors in my neck of the woods might be more limited than yours. Would you let tires plus spin your rims? I just need to find a good vendor. Just don't know where to look. Thanks for the info tho.

Btw, if it wasn't clear, these rims I have a used with the 2010 sensors installed already. So I need to find someone capable of disassembling? Is that how you get the tire off a 3 piece rim? Maybe I can do this? Still need someone to balance tho....