TPMS Sensor bit the dust, worth giving Walmart a shot?

[R18Civic]

I just got back from a Drive in 19 degree weather and one of my TPMS sensors bit the dust. Keep in mind this car (2019 Malibu LT) was likely produced in late 2018, and that makes 7 years which is average.

I've had experience with discount tire before and I'm not willing to give them business after an exchange with one of their former employees, (Told me to take my car to Walmart after I purchased tires on sale from them) so I'm wondering what everyone's experiences were with Walmart. They installed my two tires last year (took the guy at DT's advice) and they did a good job.

Are their cheaper sensors any good or should I shell out some cash for a good sensor?

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I haven't had any issues with the sensors provided by Costco or my local tire shop. I presume Walmart would be the same. Most of them use a generic sensor with correct frequency. My daughters CRV got a rubber stem version instead of the metal ones. Hers doesn't have pressure display on dash so I can't compare to the others but she has not had any issues either.

 

[dnewton3]

I've had very good luck with several sets of tires purchased/installed via WalMart.

Of the TPMS sets I've needed upon occasion, I have done myself, because they were installed on bare wheels prior to taking to Walmart. It's easy to find good TPMS units at TPMS.com (or Amazon, if you feel lucky).

I've always felt that Walmart tire centers are a crap-shoot; ya never know what you're going to get until you try one, and even then, given the turnover they have, what it will be from one experience to the next. But so far so good, for my local Walmart.

 

[shortyb]

Are their cheaper sensors any good or should I shell out some cash for a good sensor?

You can get your own sensors and have Walmart install them. Most of the WM tire shops will do this or you can have them supply the sensors. Good place to get some at decent prices:

https://www.tpmsdirect.com/

Schraders are good , solid quality sensors and won't break the bank.

 

[Gyro Gearloose]

WM replaced the complete set for me with their sensors when I got new tires about a year ago. Tires and sensors have been good for a year anyway.

 

[55hambone]

I had Walmart install sensors on my Rav4. It was the usual Walmart experience. Waited for 45 minutes only to be told that they only had 2 sensors in stock. Had them installed and they used the rubber valve stems instead of the aluminum ones that Toyota uses. They argued that they didn't have the aluminum stems even though the manager had confirmed that they did. They checked their stock and miraculously they found the right ones. They were installed a few days later when they did the other two wheels. That's been two years ago and everything works fine. If I recall correctly, it was $29 a wheel.

 

[Jay73]

You'll probably pay $30ish versus $60ish by going to Walmart instead of DIscount so you'll save $120 if doing all four but your wait time might be longer. Discount I've had good luck at all of the ones I've been to (3) where Walmart it's more of who works there as the closest one to me is actually pretty decent manager and worker wise.

 

[Rand]

I'm not willing to give them business after an exchange with one of their former employees, (Told me to take my car to Walmart after I purchased tires on sale from them) so I'm wondering what everyone's experiences were with Walmart.

While poorly spoken that's actually good advice.. if there was a bad tire you would have had to do alot of running around because of purchasing from walmart.

Since DT pricematches walmart it seems partially user error. (and I'm not trying to be mean)

I had this happen once when bought some nokian WRG2 SUV tires online and the dealer(didnt sell nokians) needed 6 tires to get 4 good tires.
alot of work on my part... Never again I buy where I am having them installed 100% of the time now.

 

[Wingo]

There's nothing wrong with a Walmart service center. The list of things they do is pretty short, tires and oil changes taking up most of their time, which means they get quite a bit of practice at it, and do a pretty good job.

 

[Fitter30]

Same as post 5
One thing that they didn't tell me when i picked the car up that the new sensors might take up to 20 minutes to read. Went back in then told me about the 20 minutes took 5 minutes.
Don't know about other tire shops take rotate tires after 5000 mile went back in for rotation picked up a nail couple weeks later found that they didn't reprogram sensors for position.

 

[Johnny248]

I wouldn't let Walmart within 100 feet of one of my vehicles. I've seen too many vehicles brought in to "fix" things that Walmart did messed up, tired to do and made worse, or simply couldn't do.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

The one time I tried there they used a universal sensor on my KJ and it never worked, had to take it back like 5 times for it them to keep trying and they just said "keep driving it". Ended up going to my usual shop and we needed to use the right scanner to delete the old info out and input the # from the new sensor in. Walmart never even attempted that.

 

[JTK]

I don't think you're going to find a place that will install TPMS sensors for a lower cost than WM. Like said, you can bring in your own to have them install them, but if they don't program for some reason, you're back to square one.

 

[R18Civic]

$116 for Walmart to install new sensors.

 

[R18Civic]

It's alive!!!!

The sensor turned back on today while I was out and about.

 

[Drifter]

It's alive!!!!

The sensor turned back on today while I was out and about.

That just happened to my sons car. Light came on and flashed (I think points to sensor). A day later the light is off. I say run it until the light it comes back on. I have a 2010 Sonata with original sensors and still functioning