TPMS

[HowAboutThis]

Corolla is about 8.5 years old. Driving in the last weeks the TPMS light flashes many times and then stays on. Then it'll go off for a couple days. Come back on, go off, etc. Been off the last few days. Tires are I inflated and fine. Assuming it's the batteries in the sensors given the age. I priced them out and $850 if the dealer does it or $250-300 if tire shops do it. Are the aftermarket brands from places decent and reliable (i.e. will they last 7-10 years)?

Thoughts, ideas, and $0.02 appreciated. For now, I just pretend like I'm driving an old car where we somehow lived without TPMS.

 

[melk]

Yeah I can’t bring myself to drop that kind of cash just to turn off a dashboard light.

 

[JTK]

Sounds like one or more dead sensors due to age. If you have a Walmart tire/lube you can tolerate, they are as inexpensive as it gets for replacement TPMS sensors. Other than that, most non dealer shops are in the $50-70/ea range for new sensors. Usually Autel brand.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Do you need new tires yet? Just replace the sensors along with the tires when it's time

If you buy the sensors with the tires, tire shops usually won't charge any extra beyond the price of the sensors. Walmart and DT/AT usually have fair prices on the sensors, and of course the upcoming Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales.

If you have new sensors installed without getting new tires, they have to remove the tire from the rim, and of course that incurs regular mount/balance fees as if you were getting new tires, because they have to that any time they remove the tires and reinstall them.

The orange BH/Huf TPMS sensors from Rock Auto that are $18 each will be fine. You can buy them from Rock Auto and then bring them to Walmart when you get new tires, and they will not charge you any extra charges beyond the regular tire installation fees.

 

[Kira]

So you're saying you drive a 2017 Corolla?

The first one listed on RockAuto claims their 315kh units will work with the "OE learning procedure".
They're under $20 each!
No personal experience.

When the TPMS light came on in my 2015 I expected to have to buy and install transmitters.
I also figured that buying a recalibration tool was in my future.
After some reading, I learned my system uses "wheel revolution counts" to conclude the tire is going around too many times.
All I had to do was air up my tires...ALL OF WHICH simply bled down a bit.

 

[HowAboutThis]

Do you need new tires yet? Just replace the sensors along with the tires when it's time

If you buy the sensors with the tires, tire shops usually won't charge any extra beyond the price of the sensors. Walmart and DT/AT usually have fair prices on the sensors, and of course the upcoming Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales.

If you have new sensors installed without getting new tires, they have to remove the tire from the rim, and of course that incurs regular mount/balance fees as if you were getting new tires, because they have to that any time they remove the tires and reinstall them.

The orange BH/Huf TPMS sensors from Rock Auto that are $18 each will be fine. You can buy them from Rock Auto and then bring them to Walmart when you get new tires, and they will not charge you any extra charges beyond the regular tire installation fees.

Ah, ok. So if I wait for my next set of tires they'll install for the cost of sensor at, say, DT?

 

[HowAboutThis]

So you're saying you drive a 2017 Corolla?

The first one listed on RockAuto claims their 315kh units will work with the "OE learning procedure".
They're under $20 each!
No personal experience.

When the TPMS light came on in my 2015 I expected to have to buy and install transmitters.
I also figured that buying a recalibration tool was in my future.
After some reading, I learned my system uses "wheel revolution counts" to conclude the tire is going around too many times.
All I had to do was air up my tires...ALL OF WHICH simply bled down a bit

I check the psi every week or two and they're all about 2 over the door placard. Which is where I keep them since we're heading into colder weather.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Ah, ok. So if I wait for my next set of tires they'll install for the cost of sensor at, say, DT?

correct

 

[dubber09]

Autel sensors can be bought at $25 each on Amazon and they claim about 5 years of life.
I bought a kit containing tool and 8 sensors when I need sensors, they were easy to program, still have the tool and 4 sensors left, replaced dead ones myself at buddy's shop. The tool should last me lifetime.

 

[Elkins45]

Walmart will do them for $30 a wheel.

 

[cheech279]

Ah, ok. So if I wait for my next set of tires they'll install for the cost of sensor at, say, DT?

Yes, that's what I did at Discount Tire in April, 2019. They charged $60 per sensor and used the Dill brand. Now after 6.5 years one sensor is acting up, but I don't need new tires yet. Your dealer quote of $850 is an outrage unless it includes new tires.

 

[HowAboutThis]

correct

Yes, that's what I did at Discount Tire in April, 2019. They charged $60 per sensor and used the Dill brand. Now after 6.5 years one sensor is acting up, but I don't need new tires yet. Your dealer quote of $850 is an outrage unless it includes new tires.

I know. I laughed on the phone when he said "can we schedule you this week?" If other places weren't cheaper I would've just put a little piece of tape over the dashboard where the light is

 

[FowVay]

My $0.02 suggests that you check the air in your spare. If this was already suggested then give me back my change.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I know. I laughed on the phone when he said "can we schedule you this week?" If other places weren't cheaper I would've just put a little piece of tape over the dashboard where the light is

Buy the sensors from Rock Auto and bring them to DT or Walmart

 

[shortyb]

Check here.

 

[Trav]

^ +1 I would go for the Schrader EZ Sensor.

 

[HowAboutThis]

My $0.02 suggests that you check the air in your spare. If this was already suggested then give me back my change.

I did last spring. But not certain if it was low now it would do the intermittent things it's doing. Wouldn't it just stay on?

 

[FowVay]

I did last spring. But not certain if it was low now it would do the intermittent things it's doing. Wouldn't it just stay on?

I don't know. It might vary with temperature and come and go as the temperature in the trunk varies. I don't know if this is causing the problem or not but it's certainly an easy check.

 

[Marcozi]

My $0.02 suggests that you check the air in your spare. If this was already suggested then give me back my change.

I ain't got no stinkin' spare!