Predicting TPMS Life
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Predicting TPMS Life
Our 2017 has a set of wheels with sensors that are now about 5 years old/30k miles.
As you would expect, the sensors are working fine.
Next month I will be replacing the tires with A/S4 runflats. That's rather early to replace the sensors, but by the next tire change the sensors will have something like 10 years/60k miles. They may last that long, but certainly not guaranteed. Since we take long trips in the boonies, waiting to replace them on the road is not appealing.
Is there any way to check the condition of the sensor batteries and predict the remaining sensor life? I'd like to replace them when it's convenient, not when I have to. Especially in the middle of a trip.
Ideas?
As you would expect, the sensors are working fine.
Next month I will be replacing the tires with A/S4 runflats. That's rather early to replace the sensors, but by the next tire change the sensors will have something like 10 years/60k miles. They may last that long, but certainly not guaranteed. Since we take long trips in the boonies, waiting to replace them on the road is not appealing.
Is there any way to check the condition of the sensor batteries and predict the remaining sensor life? I'd like to replace them when it's convenient, not when I have to. Especially in the middle of a trip.
Ideas?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Land of the free, home of the brave...
I've had my 2014 TPMS for 8 years now. I believe 10 years would be the limit. AFAIK there is no "test', so better to have them changed while the tire is off the rim rather than breaking the tire bead to replace them in a year or two.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
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From: Denver, NC
Personally I would bet that they will outlast your second set of tires. I regularly see those batteries live 10+ years. After 8-10 I consider it all borrowed time. I also personally know of many that went longer than that but when they die at that point, they all seem die within a couple weeks of the first one.
You will see a lot of stuff that says 5-10 years, but you also have less than average mileage on the car so that's a plus in the longer lasting column.
There are tools that check the batteries. I do not know to what level of accuracy they are. Also, a bad TPMS sensor would not for a second hinder my trip - especially since you are getting run flats.
You will see a lot of stuff that says 5-10 years, but you also have less than average mileage on the car so that's a plus in the longer lasting column.
There are tools that check the batteries. I do not know to what level of accuracy they are. Also, a bad TPMS sensor would not for a second hinder my trip - especially since you are getting run flats.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Indiana
I just got 12 years out of the TPMS's on my winter snows. Were still working fine when I replaced them due to buying new tires. The tires were only in use 5 months each year; don't know if that is a factor in battery life.
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I have not heard of a way to test the remaining battery life for the tire pressure sensors. Your current sensors may last for another 5 or so years, but as you say, if you are getting new tires now, just might be worth the extra $200 or so to replace the sensors now. I would probably do it that way.
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My '08 ('07 build) had one sensor get flaky around 4 years and 80K. It totally quit in another year, but came back to life for a few months a couple years later. I kept forgetting to change it during a tire change, since the other 3 sensors still work fine after 14.5 years and 161K miles. Full disclosure: I did drive for a while (about 10K miles) with tires/wheels with other sensors and with no sensors. Obviously, you can drive without one or more functioning sensors, so if they fail, it's not a panic to get them replaced.
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My next tire change will get new sensors. I'm at 8 years now and that's long enough for a tire pressure sensor for me.
Elmer
Elmer
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Not a direct answer to your question but I have had two GM vehicles now with TPMS up to 12 years and in each car, one of the four sensors failed ~ the ten year mark but the other three were going strong.
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
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Did a little research
Dealer 13581560 $72.94 (2014 - 2017)
Cultrag 13581560 $45.59
Shrader 20223 for 2014 - 2019. Rock Auto $22.79 (Probably Not OEM)
Also, curiously, the 13598775 which was for the 2018 - 2019 now shows to fit the 2014 - 2019. I put a message into Cultrag to clarify the correct part number for my 2014. I'm going to guess the 13598775 will be used for the full C7 line. I'll edit if I find out differently.
Elmer
Dealer 13581560 $72.94 (2014 - 2017)
Cultrag 13581560 $45.59
Shrader 20223 for 2014 - 2019. Rock Auto $22.79 (Probably Not OEM)
Also, curiously, the 13598775 which was for the 2018 - 2019 now shows to fit the 2014 - 2019. I put a message into Cultrag to clarify the correct part number for my 2014. I'm going to guess the 13598775 will be used for the full C7 line. I'll edit if I find out differently.
Elmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Sunnyvale CA
My C5 sensors were still working when I sold my car after 18 years. Occasionally one would be flakey for awhile but all were fine when I sold it.
I'm surprised they don't use some kind of piezoelectric method based on tire rotation to power them. Must either be too expensive or not feasible.
I'm surprised they don't use some kind of piezoelectric method based on tire rotation to power them. Must either be too expensive or not feasible.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2020
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From: GSO, NC
Owned 6 vehicles with TPMS since 2004.
4 lasted more than 8 years without any need for TPMS change until vehicle was sold or traded in. One was traded in after 3 years, so I don't know when it needed a TPMS change.
1 lasted more than 13.5 years before needing first TPMS change.
Based in my personal experience and the experience of friends and family, they are good for 10+ years.
I would personally weight for 10 years before changing, however, if you are not comfortable with waiting that long, change it with tires. It is your car and you need to do what is comfortable for you.
Best regards,
Vip.
4 lasted more than 8 years without any need for TPMS change until vehicle was sold or traded in. One was traded in after 3 years, so I don't know when it needed a TPMS change.
1 lasted more than 13.5 years before needing first TPMS change.
Based in my personal experience and the experience of friends and family, they are good for 10+ years.
I would personally weight for 10 years before changing, however, if you are not comfortable with waiting that long, change it with tires. It is your car and you need to do what is comfortable for you.
Best regards,
Vip.
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Drifting
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From: Miami
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I just ordered and replaced all mine from Rockauto. Genuine OEM.
I wish I had replaced them on my daily when they were 5 years old. Now they are useless at 7 years old.
All things considered, it's cheap peace of mind.
I wish I had replaced them on my daily when they were 5 years old. Now they are useless at 7 years old.
All things considered, it's cheap peace of mind.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Sunnyvale CA
A friend just told me his car has TPMS which uses ABS to detect slower tire rotation of a soft tire. I hadn't heard of that. Seems like it would also be affected by different tread wear.
