BYO TPMS to the tire shop

[Crusher]

I plan on using Discount Tire, how does the cost of buying the at Discount Tire compare to buying them online?

Bailey28

I've got some Data for you
In August 2023 I had TPMS Sensors replaced in 2 of my vehicles at Discount Tire in Utah
They were Original TPMS Sensors

2011 Ford Expedition
(4) Schrader 33560 TPMS Sensors Installed
(1) Sensor was Dead
$50/per tire sensor=$215 total

2012 Jeep Wrangler
(5) 315 REDI Clip In TPMS Sensors Installed
(2) Sensors were Dead
$322.35

I hope this helps
Good Luck!

 

[RooflessVW]

"I bring my own. I can get quality sensors for way cheaper than the dealer".

Care to share what 'quality brand sensors' you get that worked for you?

Pierburg from eBay. Various sellers over the years.

Real or fake, I can't tell, but they have VWAG part numbers on them and they work every time.

 

[Bailey28]

When I go to Tire Rack's site and enter my vehicle info 2013 Dodge Charger R/T RWD they display TPMS compatible with Mercedes. P/N A000-905-00-30 for $40 each. A web search indicates these sensors are for Mercedes only with no mention of them fitting a Dodge.

Tire Rack also deleted Discount Tire off of their 'recommended installers' list. I have ordered several sets of tires shipped to DT and have had DT do the install in the past. Whats going on?

 

[Nukeman7]

Tire Rack also deleted Discount Tire off of their 'recommended installers' list. I have ordered several sets of tires shipped to DT and have had DT do the install in the past. Whats going on?

Discount Tire in Gainesville shows up on my search of recommended installers on the Tire Rack site (see below). FYI, DT bought Tire Rack a few years ago.

 

[NibbanaBanana]

Well, it used to be that people just checked their tire pressure regularly.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

What do you all think about these Schrader brand sensors from Rock? The Dodge takes the 433 mhz sensors from what I have read so far. The price swings are dramatic, people have had success with everything from a $40 bag of 4 knock offs to spending several hundered on sensors and install. View attachment 313534

both the BH and Schrader sensors will be fine

 

[The_Jeff]

Shops like using universal sensors. Huge JMO but they seem expensive and a kludge of a fit. Also JMO it seems like tire chain stores get sucked into a "deal" with one supplier and have to use them for everything, even when it doesn't benefit the customer.

How handy are you? Could you pop a bead and sneak the new sensors into your existing tires yourself? Do that, roll into the tire store and say, nah, they're a week old, they're fine.

 

[RooflessVW]

Well, it used to be that people just checked their tire pressure regularly.

Well, it also used to be that you'd catch a nail mid-drive and destroy a tire before you noticed.

 

[NibbanaBanana]

Well, it also used to be that you'd catch a nail mid-drive and destroy a tire before you noticed.

I've plugged dozens and dozens of tires over the years. Probably a hundred. Always noticed them getting low just by looking at the tires. A casual, common sense look over before driving. No effort, just looking at the car before I drive it. Or just checking the pressure every couple months. Never, ever have I destroyed a tire by driving a slow leak.

Only one I remember that I couldn't successfully plug because the screw went in almost tangent to the tire tread and I couldn't get the plug to seal. I had a dry rotted side wall give out about a mile from home and lost the tread off another tire. That's it in the countless miles I've driven.

 

[RooflessVW]

I've plugged dozens and dozens of tires over the years. Probably a hundred. Always noticed them getting low just by looking at the tires. A casual, common sense look over before driving. No effort, just looking at the car before I drive it. Or just checking the pressure every couple months. Never, ever have I destroyed a tire by driving a slow leak.

Only one I remember that I couldn't successfully plug because the screw went in almost tangent to the tire tread and I couldn't get the plug to seal. I had a dry rotted side wall give out about a mile from home and lost the tread off another tire. That's it in the countless miles I've driven.

I picked up a nail on the way to work and had no idea until I heard the whump-whump-whump.

Which is what I said in my post you replied to, so I'm not sure why you're going on about your "casual common sense look before driving."

 

[nthach]

Brought in four Max Sensor brand TPMS sensors I just so happened to impulse buy the tool(a locked version of an Ateq VT41) for. Cloned the existing sensor IDs to the new ones. America’s Tire(DT in CA/OR/PA) installed no questions asked but I had to do a OBD relearn when I saw the TPMS light slow blink - they sent me off with 50psi in one wheel. Adjusted tire pressures and relearned. My locked Ateq can program Max Sensor only(no Schrader or Alligator), but it can trigger and relearn almost all known sensors - I can do OEM and preprogrammed aftermarket(BHSens and VDO/Conti Redi-Sensor, as long as they are “unlocked”).

I’ve seen someone bring in an Autel sensor to the local AT. But only Autel tools can program those - someone said Pep Boys told a customer to buy one off Amazon.

 

[nthach]

What do you all think about these Schrader brand sensors from Rock? The Dodge takes the 433 mhz sensors from what I have read so far. The price swings are dramatic, people have had success with everything from a $40 bag of 4 knock offs to spending several hundered on sensors and install. View attachment 313534

Schrader is OEM for Ford, GM, older Subaru(I think current ones are using Pacific or TRW sensors as Toyotas do) and maybe Mopar. I’d use them. Make sure they’re programmed and ready to install. If they’re the EZ-Sensor ones, you will need an unlocked or Schrader-branded Ateq TPMS tool - Bartec and Snap-On also works - those sensors are blank and will need sensor IDs written as well as the communications protocol.

BHSens is Huf(Hulsbeck und First) and Baofeng Electronics, also another OEM supplier but for the Europeans.

 

[Bailey28]

I have been driving for almost 40 years at this point and remember when you were the TPMS light lol. You figured out those vertical slots in the chrome bumper were for that rickety pole jack in the trunk that helped you get that full size spare tire on. There were no locking lugnuts and that bent 4 way lug nut wrench was a lesson in patience, balance, and the bottom of your foot hurt when you were done.

Fast forward to someone's idea of making more money on dumb ideas and we have the TPMS system. I can't stand a dashboard with any lights on it so this endeavor has led me to Walmart, where I can get their TPMS sensors purchased and installed for $29 each as of today while doing new tires at the same time. DT is $60 for the new sensors each.

 

[jetman]

I plan on putting tires on the '13 Dodge Charger. One of the TPMS sensors is not reporting data at this time and my guess is that all of them are original.

Prior to going to the tire shop should I

A: buy new sensors and bring them with me to the shop

B: Let the shop sell me sensors

I have never purchased a TPMS before for any vehicle I have owned. How does this work?

I brought my own to Discount Tire and had them installed with the new tires I bought from them. Saved some $.

 

[rstsco]

Fast forward to someone's idea of making more money on dumb ideas and we have the TPMS system.

I'm pretty sure TPMS became mandatory after the Ford/Firestone debacle with under inflated tires blowing out, causing the Explorers to roll over in crashes. Making more money off it being mandatory is just an added bonus.

 

[BobsArmory]

I'm pretty sure TPMS became mandatory after the Ford/Firestone debacle with under inflated tires blowing out, causing the Explorers to roll over in crashes. Making more money off it being mandatory is just an added bonus.

Yep, I recall that as well

 

[jetman]

My 07 Toy FJ Cruiser did/does not have TPMS.
When was the Firestone deal?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

My 07 Toy FJ Cruiser did/does not have TPMS.
When was the Firestone deal?

The law itself was passed in 2000, but it didn't take effect until the 2008 model year, so 2008 is the first year where TPMS is required.

Some cars use indirect TPMS, so no expensive sensors to worry about

Honda and VW/Audi used indirect a lot (though Honda recently went back to direct on some cars), and some Mazdas are also indirect.

 

[Nukeman7]

My 07 Toy FJ Cruiser did/does not have TPMS.
When was the Firestone deal?

1990 -1999 (see linked article below).

Under Pressure: The Story of Ford-Firestone Controversy

 

[nthach]

I'm pretty sure TPMS became mandatory after the Ford/Firestone debacle with under inflated tires blowing out, causing the Explorers to roll over in crashes. Making more money off it being mandatory is just an added bonus.

Before that, TPMS was a requirement to use run-flat tires - the C4 Corvette was the first production car to introduce those to the consumers. The Hummer H1 also used TPMS with the CTIS system so the driver can deflate and inflate tires on the go. Mercedes and BMW also had it as an option on the S-Class/7 Series of the 1990s in Europe, if you ordered versions that would be upfitted by an armorer.