Dont use metal valve caps.

[mightymousetech]

Weird - Toyota uses metal valve caps stock on nearly all Lexus models from the factory. It was the case with a 2018 GX(Tahara, Japan) and a 2019 RX(Cambridge, Ontario in Canada).

The valve stem on TPMS sensors is aluminum or magnesium(for the clamp-in types - snap-in types still use a rubber-clad brass body) - the valve cores are plated brass or stainless steel. I think the big no-no is when an aftermarket metal acorn cap made from chrome-plated mild steel is used on a clamp-in sensor.

Can not use brass valve cores in aluminum TPMS sensors, they come with nickel plated cores.

Again, see this all the time where someone doesn’t know any better puts a brass one in, and out comes the drill again.

I have had to drill out hundreds of sensors in my day.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I remember the first time I ever broke a TPMS sensor. That’s how I did it the valve stem caps were on and I couldn’t get them off tried a socket tried everything then I heard it snap when I tried turning it with a wrench and holding it with a set of pliers then all of a sudden the whole stem started turning.

 

[nthach]

I remember the first time I ever broke a TPMS sensor. That’s how I did it the valve stem caps were on and I couldn’t get them off tried a socket tried everything then I heard it snap when I tried turning it with a wrench and holding it with a set of pliers then all of a sudden the whole stem started turning.

I did a DIY TPMS sensor replacement(IMO not worth it unless you’re close to getting new tires, breaking beads is scary without the right tools). I used a 5nm torque key for fastening carbon fiber bike parts - it was close to Toyota’s spec for torque. I didn’t want to risk breaking a sensor.

 

[billt460]

If it's not vacuum forged Titanium, pressure tested to 20,000 PSI, with the threads single point cut in zero G to assure perfect roundness, no BITOG poster worth his salt will have anything to do with it.

 

[Traction]

If you drive in salt do not use metal caps on aluminum tpms stems. Years ago, some cars used aluminum caps but not anymore. They are supposed to plastic caps with an O-ring seal to keep the core from seizing up also. Do not use the standard black plastic valve stem caps that do not have a seal. I've seen chrome plated plastic caps corrode the threads completely off the aluminum stem, and then nothing will stay on. The chrome plated brass ones will just weld themselves on and not come off without breaking the stem. Most new cars now use a rubber pull-in tpms valve stem now. Or even better yet are the cars that use wheel speed to calculate pressure and do not use sensors at all.