Acceptable tire psi loss per month?

[supton]

I've found both my Toyota's to have lousy TPMS. I didn't drive the truck with one tire at 13psi low; but I drove it the prior week. No indication of a problem. Will check psi this weekend, but I doubt it lost 13psi in the coarse of a week. The Camry OTOH loves to set the TPMS trouble light after driving for 30-45 minutes. It will then go out if you wait long enough (like 3-4 hours).

That reminds me, I've never actually check the Camry tire pressures, between TPMS (I never have to check, right?) and the fact that it goes in for prepaid maintance every 5kmiles, which is like every 2.5 months I've never thought to do so...

 

[Garak]

The TPMS is so finnicky on the G that if I have it in the garage in the winter (steady 10 C temperature) and set it to the 33 PSI cold pressure in there and then park it outside for any length of time when it's really cold out, the light kicks on for being underinflated.

The TPMS actually encourages me to check the tire pressure more regularly, since I absolutely despise warning lights.

 

[supton]

I own a VW. I wouldn't make it out of the driveway if warning lamps bothered me.

At first I thought the Camry was just humoring me, as if it could tell that my other car was an older VW.

 

[DBMaster]

Mine TPMS light (complete with beep) kicked in when the car was just a couple of months old. Had a nail in a tire. The manual said it was set to do that at 25% below recommended pressure. That is what I had in that tire.

What I don't like about TPMS is the guaranteed expense of replacing the sensors when the batteries wear out. It's not exactly something most of us can do at home so about the only way you can save money is to go aftermarket on the sensors.

 

[NateDN10]

Our Subaru has one tire/rim that leaks about 10 psi/month, with both winter & all-season tires. I haven't had the inclination yet to figure out what the problem is, though.

The Cobalt, on the other hand, loses practically no air at all. I can not check them for a few months and they're still within 1 psi of where I left them.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: DBMaster
What I don't like about TPMS is the guaranteed expense of replacing the sensors when the batteries wear out. It's not exactly something most of us can do at home so about the only way you can save money is to go aftermarket on the sensors.

Fair enough. It's actually even more galling to me, since I used to have my own tire changer and balancing machine. Of course, the advances in wheel technology made them obsolete some years ago.

 

[DBMaster]

I intend to decline the "TPMS service" when I buy my replacement tires. To me, that is pure profit for tire dealers. I don't know if I can tolerate a set of burned out batteries and an always-on TPMS light like my brother has done on his 2006 Xterra, but I might not rush out to have the sensor(s) replaced when it happens. My research has revealed that the life span of the TPMS batteries is 4-7 years. How's that for precise?

This is, mostly, thanks to those Ford Explorer blowout/rollover accidents at the tail end of the 90's. Questionable tire construction, low pressure recommendations, and owner negligence combined in a once-in-a-lifetime confluence that caused a few deaths and resulted in the TPMS requirements. Honestly, I don't think it's a bad idea since many never check their tires. But, like many other lowest common denominator inspired requirements, there are plenty of negatives involved.

 

[Garak]

Yep, unfortunately that's true. Because some people can't drive, we get something new foisted up on us. And you're right, it's not a bad idea at all, but those who are most vigilant get punished the most. That is, those who check their tires all the time end up having to have TPMS. Those who are very cautious about getting proper maintenance done end up paying for service.

 

[supton]

Didn't get to calling dealer yet. This time, after two weeks, three were down by two psi, but either I put in that much or it was due to temps. The fourth one was down by 12 or 14, and I think it was not the one down so much last time.

However, the warning light did come on!

 

[supton]

Got new tires today. Tire shop showed me a few corroded sensor, all four were that way. Almost had to buy one new sensor, as they had problems removing. The orings were very disintegrated. Rebuild kits applied.

Need to find an oil to put onto the core though, as one would not come out.

 

[skulldrinker]

Originally Posted By: supton
Got new tires today. Tire shop showed me a few corroded sensor, all four were that way. Almost had to buy one new sensor, as they had problems removing. The orings were very disintegrated. Rebuild kits applied.

Need to find an oil to put onto the core though, as one would not come out.


You could spray some PB Blaster on it and let it soak for a day or two repeat spraying couple times a day. If the core won't budge then just leave it in there and move on or buy a new sensor. I have had some luck using those "freeze" sprays on them. The sudden change in temperature may be all that's needed to break it free.