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Hey all,
Just recently got a 2011 Grandsport and I am in desperate need for new tires. I purchased the car knowing the TPMS light was on (believed to be a flaky TPMS in the LF tire), and drove about 1000 miles with no issues at all. But just the other day at a very reasonable speed, the Service Traction Control and Service Active Handling warnings came on. After doing some digging, its obviously very common and could potentially be caused by the TPMS reading zero on all 4 tires. My question is, if I get these new tires and just choose to not run TPMS at all, will this become a more prevalent issue?
I dont really care to spend $200 on new TPMS, I can just check my pressures manually. I have seen the death threads (exaggeration) about SAH locking up wheels and stuff but nothing in the car seemed to be affected other than the warning message and light. I even did a few spirited pulls to make myself feel better.
Thanks guys for the help
Since 2007 TPMS systems have been NHTSA required on all light-duty vehicles sold in the USA. As I understand, it is also tied into the ride handling system "nannies" that are used in the later C6 models. You may also have a problem with any reputable tire service center replacing your tires and NOT requiring that you have them install working TPM sensors, as they are prohibited by law to allow this to leave their shop. See below. You should just accept the additional cost of TPMS replacements (you could purchase at best price and bring them to the service center for installation). You should consider this part of the cost of ownership and a safety issue as well.
49 USC 30122(b). That’s the “Make Inoperative” provision of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. It states that, “A manufacturer, distributor, dealer, or motor vehicle repair business may not knowingly make inoperative any part of a device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment in compliance with an applicable motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter…” Violators of the provision are liable for a civil penalty of up to $6,000 for each violation, with a maximum penalty of $17.35 million.
According to NHTSA, “a service provider would violate the ‘make inoperative’ prohibition of 49 USC 30122(b) by installing new tires and wheels that do not have a functioning TPMS system. To avoid a ‘make inoperative’ violation, the tire dealer would need to decline to install the new tires and wheels, use the TPMS sensors from the original wheels (if they are compatible), or convince the motorist to purchase new TPMS sensors and ensure that the sensors are properly integrated with the vehicle’s TPMS system.”
Get your new tires and TPM sensors and enjoy your Corvette...GD
There is validity to the "death threads"; and to me, it does not make sense not to have a working TPMS.
Sure... you can check the pressures manually, but the car does rely upon the TPMS data for the active handling and IIRC the ABS systems.
On a RWD car with 400+ HP, these systems can be your friend, no matter how good of a driver you are.
It is possible to buy the sensors online to get a better price than the tire dealer wants to charge fir them.
There is validity to the "death threads"; and to me, it does not make sense not to have a working TPMS.
Sure... you can check the pressures manually, but the car does rely upon the TPMS data for the active handling and IIRC the ABS systems.
On a RWD car with 400+ HP, these systems can be your friend, no matter how good of a driver you are.
It is possible to buy the sensors online to get a better price than the tire dealer wants to charge fir them.
I guess what I meant to say is if I ran without TPMS all together, would the nannies be disabled entirely? In my mind, Id like to avoid ALL possibility of the "locked wheel" or whatever from the active handling system. To me, if there is even the slightest possibility of it taking control of the car and putting me into a wall or ditch, I'd like to not have the system at all. I understand the safety and convenience of having TPMS, and I would obviously like to keep that feature, but with the active handling system being so...unpredictable... it seems more dangerous than anything.
I appreciate the feedback guys and I ordered Shrader TPMS sensors from RockAuto for a decent price. Hopefully it will keep me from ever seeing that warning message again...
UPDATE: Installed brand new Shrader TPMS with the new tires today, TPMS light is now gone and stays gone. Sensors are reading fine. However, one spirited pull later and the "active handling" light came back on as well as the "service traction control" warning. So I'm thinking now maybe a wheel speed sensor is bad? I will note that when these warnings come on, I have no issues like wheels locking up or anything, so that is good.
Join the club, having the same issue. I ordered the 19179794 Steering Angle Sensor Lead Clip in the hope that it cures the issue. I would rather disable the entire system. If anyone knows how, please let us know.
Join the club, having the same issue. I ordered the 19179794 Steering Angle Sensor Lead Clip in the hope that it cures the issue. I would rather disable the entire system. If anyone knows how, please let us know.
I wanted to disable the system entirely also. It seems to do more harm than good. Let me know if that sensor ends up fixing it, that may be the route I go also..
You could be having misfires.
have you changed your plugs and wires lately ?
Haven't changed plugs or wires yet, but for some reason now after a week and another 100 miles, no lights at all and no issues. Very strange.
Originally Posted by 2008 Corvette
How old is your car battery ?
It is a relatively new battery purchased early last year, but with these cars being notorious for eating up batteries I guess that is always a possibility.
OEM Tire size? The car wants to see a specific difference of diameter F/R, if it is outside of the parameters the car will not be happy. The most you can do to “disable” the Active Handling is to unplug the swps however it still lurks. I would not recommend removing the ABS fuse unless you run into more problems than just a warning. -05 who had wheel lock up, turned out to be the swps (according to dealer).