If you have a TPMS sensor on your car, then you know that it’s important to keep it in good condition. If the sensor gets damaged or stops working, it will cause the low tire pressure warning light to come on. In some cases, you may need to remove the sensor in order to replace it or send it for repair.
In this article, we will show you how to remove the TPMS sensor without removing the tire!
A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warns a driver when one or more of their tires drops below the recommended PSI level, which all cars should have between 30-35.
Properly inflated tires keep your car from skidding in wet weather and reduce wear/tear on the brakes, suspension, and other parts by making them work less to move the vehicle.
Many new cars come with TPMS sensors already installed within a wheel well that alert a dash-mounted light or speaker when a tire’s pressure is off by 25%. These systems are often tied into an ABS system for more accurate detection of tire slippage.
Piezoelectric ceramic disks will beep three times every time your car goes over 10mph if they’re functioning properly.
TPMS systems detect when your tires are low (usually around 25%), and an alarm will sound to inform you to stop the car so you can check your tire pressure. If this warning is ignored, the TPMS system will assume that a flat tire has occurred and activate your car’s brakes so there won’t be any accidents caused by runaway wheels!
Prices vary depending on where you live in the world, but here in Canada, I’ve seen them range from $20 – $100 for just the sensor alone. Installing one costs between $50 – 100 depending on what kind of wheels you have.
This price includes labor for removing/installing your old sensors because your new sensor will not fit in your old wheel well if you have non-TPMS replaceable wheels.
However, if you have TPMS-compatible wheels and can reuse your old sensors it is a fraction of the price. If you’re having the dealer do this install, plan on $100-$150 per sensor because they must program the car to recognize them and recalibrate all of its systems accordingly which takes about an hour for each one.
I did my own installs last summer and it only took me less than 30 mins for both of them (tire rotation + sensors).
It’s really easy to get new sensors! Just go to any auto store or even Wal-Mart, buy some TPMS tools ($5 – $15), buy new sensors ($20 +) and you can put them on your car in 30 to 45 minutes!
Some shops charge upwards of $400 for this same service which is outrageous. Installing TPMS sensors really isn’t that tough, but if you’re interested in learning more about how they work the video below should be of great interest!
Since the tire pressure monitoring system was mandated on all new cars starting with the model year 2008, it seems that there have been more and more TPMS sensor failures reported in both online forums and by our customers here at Tirerack HQ.
When a customer comes into one of our stores because their low-pressure light just came on, it’s usually not long before we find out that one (or more) of their TPMS sensors has failed, and needs to be replaced.
The usual cause for this is water intrusion into the sensor housing. All TPMS Sensor housings are required to be vented in order to release any moisture that may accumulate inside while the vehicle is being driven.
However, if you park your car outside during cold weather, these vents will collect frost over time because they’re located on the bottom of the sensor where water tends to run toward when draining off windshields, etc…
Since many vehicles now come with 4 or more TPMS Sensors installed (2 per wheel – front and rear), replacing all of them at once can get quite expensive!
So when faced with having to replace one sensor, here’s a trick that may save you some money (and time).
Note: We are not encouraging you to remove your TPMS sensors in order to renew them yourself. The following is simply an option for those of you who wish to attempt this procedure yourself, or do not want the added expense of removing and reinstalling all 4 wheels from your vehicle.
Just be forewarned that if you choose this option, there is a chance that your Tire Pressure Monitoring system won’t work properly afterward because the pressure readings from each wheel could be off by as much as 2 psi after performing this work.
So make sure to check your tire pressures regularly if you decide to take this path. If any of your tire pressures are significantly off after completing this procedure, we recommend having a professional specialist inspect and/or reinstall the sensors.
TPMS sensors store tire pressure data for each wheel. When a vehicle owner purchases new wheels the TPMS sensors have to be transferred from the old ones to the new ones in order to be able to read their current pressure and monitor them after installation. This article will explain how this is done.
The process of transferring TPMS sensors begins with removing them from an existing wheel, mounting them on the new one, and then activating it. If you want to transfer the TPMS sensor to your car or truck, take into consideration that if not done properly, may result in damage to either system (old or new).
That’s why we strongly recommend seeking professional assistance instead of attempting the do-it-yourself method described below:
NOTE: If your TPMS light stays on after following these instructions, take your vehicle to a qualified service center for assistance. Wheels and tires may also require re-balancing, which could be another factor causing the DTCs not to clear.
Please keep in mind that this article applies mostly to cars having pneumatic tires with metal valve stems and TPMS sensors that screw into them. If your car is using a tire pressure monitoring system with wireless or direct TPMS sensors, then you will need to refer to the vehicle owner’s manual for further instructions on how to properly transfer them.
There are many aftermarket sensors available on the market. However, we always recommend using OEM parts to avoid any compatibility issues.
If your car is using a tire pressure monitoring system with wireless or direct TPMS sensors, then you will need to refer to the vehicle owner’s manual for further instructions on how to properly transfer them.
If your car has pneumatic tires with metal valve stems and TPMS sensors that screw into them, then it may be possible to use a sensor from another vehicle as long as they have the same frequency. In order to do this, you would need to purchase an activation tool and follow the manufacturer’s specific instructions on how to program them.
Each car manufacturer has its own specific procedures for clearing codes and activating the TPMS system. It is always best to consult your vehicle’s service manual for more detailed information.
There are many aftermarket tools available on the market, but we always recommend using OEM parts to avoid any compatibility issues. If you’re looking to purchase an activation tool, be sure to check with the sensor’s manufacturer to make sure it will work properly.
If your TPMS light stays on after following these instructions, take your vehicle to a qualified service center for assistance. Wheels and tires may also require re-balancing, which could be another factor causing the DTCs not to clear.
Removing a TPMS sensor without removing the tire can be done, but it’s important to take into consideration that if not done properly, may result in damage to either system (old or new).
That’s why we strongly recommend seeking professional assistance instead of attempting the do-it-yourself method described above. If you’re looking to purchase an activation tool, be sure to check with the sensor’s manufacturer to make sure it will work properly.
Each car manufacturer has its own specific procedures for clearing codes and activating the TPMS system. It is always best to consult your vehicle’s service manual for more detailed information.
There are many aftermarket tools available on the market, but we always recommend using OEM parts to avoid any compatibility issues. If you’re looking to purchase an activation tool, be sure to check with the sensor’s manufacturer to make sure it will work properly.
If your TPMS light stays on after following these instructions, take your vehicle to a qualified service center for assistance. Wheels and tires may also require re-balancing, which could be another factor causing the DTCs not to clear.
Removing a TPMS sensor without removing the tire can be done, but it’s important to take into consideration that if not done properly, may result in damage to either system (old or new). That’s why we strongly recommend seeking professional assistance instead of attempting the do-it-yourself method described above.
