Tire Pressure Monitoring System

[JDJones]

Hi everyone, new to the forum, expecting my Explorer this week. My previous cars didn't have Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, and I have a few questions and concerns. Someone told my wife that every time you replace a tire, you have to get a new TPMS, and the devices are not cheap. Reading a bit on the subject and techie information seems to say the TPMS should not have to be replaced if handled correctly. So here are my questions I need some guidance on please:

• Is it true that the TPMS is/should be replaced with each tire change?
• If so, is it true these things cost $150-$175 for each tire to replace?
• Any expectations on the battery life for TPMSs?
• Any real life examples of going back to Ford dealer (and pay higher price) vs going to a tire center and hoping they know how to deal with TPMS?

Thanks in advance for the advice for a new Explorer owner

[Bill #4 Explorer]

I've replaced tires numerous tmes on the Explorers with TPMS, and have never required replacement.

I buy quality tires from quality shop, who can do road force balancing. I've also purchased tires from Tire Rack, and had them droped shipped to the shop for install.

[tmilicia]

TPMS is not a new technology and any good tire center should know how to handle them. It is NOT true that they need to be replaced with each tire change. One of our company vehicles went through 3 tire changes all around and all the original TPMS sensors stayed in the wheels.
When you get your tires rotated though, you will have to reprogram them so that the computer knows which position on the vehicle each sensor is monitoring. I believe the reprogramming instructions are in the manual.

[paulfrank285]

Originally Posted by JDJones

Hi everyone, new to the forum, expecting my Explorer this week. My previous cars didn't have Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, and I have a few questions and concerns. Someone told my wife that every time you replace a tire, you have to get a new TPMS, and the devices are not cheap. Reading a bit on the subject and techie information seems to say the TPMS should not have to be replaced if handled correctly. So here are my questions I need some guidance on please:

• Is it true that the TPMS is/should be replaced with each tire change?
• If so, is it true these things cost $150-$175 for each tire to replace?
• Any expectations on the battery life for TPMSs?
• Any real life examples of going back to Ford dealer (and pay higher price) vs going to a tire center and hoping they know how to deal with TPMS?

Thanks in advance for the advice for a new Explorer owner

jdjones: i don't have my XLT yet, but I have TPMS on my current Xterra; they should work about the same, so let me try to answer your questions:
1).No, you don't have to replace them at each tire change or rotation.
2).N/A, not at each tire change or rotation. But if you did need to replace them, yes, it's going to cost about $100 for the sensor and about $75 to reset (the new sensor needs to reconnect with the TPMS system).
3).I have my Xterra for almost 6 years now and so far don't need to replace any batteries yet.
4).I can't speak of Ford. I accidentally broke mine last year (WARNING: with the TPMS sensor on each tire, make sure you only use PLASTIC valve cap not those fancy metal ones!); i was trying to unscrew the metal valve cap from one of the tires; too tight because of rusting, and i was in a hurry, so i used too much force to unscrew it then i broke the valve tube. so, i had my Xterra towed to a nearest tire center, they replace the sensor n stuff, however, they were not able to reset the TPMS in order to communicate with the new sensor, so i had to go back to a Nissan dealer. I have extended warranty with Nissan, the TPMS should be covered but i didn't have the sensor replaced at a Nissan dealer, so they won't reimburse me. Even so, it's still cheaper for me since I saved money on having my Xterra towed to the nearest Nissan dealer by me.

[w1kedz]

Originally Posted by paulfrank285

2)But if you did need to replace them, yes, it's going to cost about $100 for the sensor and about $75 to reset (the new sensor needs to reconnect with the TPMS system).

Tire rack quotes 180$ for a set (4 sensors) .. and I thought the programming instructions were in the manual, however don't quote me on that.

[Glen4X4]

You do not need to replace your TPMS sensor everytime you change a tire. What you maybe hearing is, some vehicles like GM and Foreign brands have a TPMS that requires a rebuild kit when a tire is replaced to make sure that no new leaks arise because the TPMS is attached to their valve stems whereas Ford straps their TPMS to the wheel which is located directly across from the valve stem. The only time it will need replaced is if someone breaks it while changing your tire or the battery life is done for which they are suppose to last for a long time.

Ford did have valve stem mounted TPMS in some of the early 2000 vehicles but it doesn't pertain to yours.

[w1kedz]

Originally Posted by w1kedz

Tire rack quotes 180$ for a set (4 sensors) .. and I thought the programming instructions were in the manual, however don't quote me on that.

Correction: Tire rack quotes 160$ for a set of 4...

[1995E]

Also note that the gunk that you would spray inside when you have a flat is going to destroy the TPMS so just plug the hole and pump it up instead when you have a flat.

[Glen4X4]

Yes, do not use fix-a-flat or anything of that sort when you have TPMS.

[tucker_bmd]

Originally Posted by Glen4X4

Ford did have valve stem mounted TPMS in some of the early 2000 vehicles but it doesn't pertain to yours.

Pretty certain this new explorer has the TPMS right on the valve stem, it's the same as the F-150 and Edge. If you check the motorcraft catalog you'll see.

[w1kedz]

Originally Posted by tucker_bmd

Pretty certain this new explorer has the TPMS right on the valve stem, it's the same as the F-150 and Edge. If you check the motorcraft catalog you'll see.

Correct, the sensors are attached to the valve stem

per the manual
"Each road tire is equipped with a tire pressure sensor located inside the tire/wheel cavity. The pressure sensor is attached to the valve stem. The pressure sensor is covered by the tire and is not visible unless the tire is removed. Care must be taken when changing the tire to avoid damaging the sensor."

[JAZNY]

For those of us with the tow package, we have a bad choice in the case of a flat tire while towing. Fix-a-flat to get moving again - and ruin the TPMS, change to the space-saver spare and ruin more than the TPMS, get a tow (which means leaving your trailor(etc) behind, or carry a full size spare somewhere outside the vehicle.

What will the fix-a-flat gunk do to the sensor?

[Elessar65]

2010 and newer ford vehicles have the shrader snap in style tpms sensor, the stem kind. Earlier than that they had the banded kind. The sensor itself should be good for quite a few years, although eventually the battery in it will die. The only thing that needs replaced are the rubber grommets on it that seal it to the wheel. These SHOULD be replaced every time you replace the tires, just like a valve stem. They are exposed to the same elements and stuff that everything else on the exterior of the tire is exposed to, water, chemicals, salt, etc, and they deteriorate over time.

Don't use fix a flat or slime or any of that other worthless stuff unless its an absolute emergency, I.E. you don't have a spare for some silly reason and you are on the roadside in the middle of the night. That stuff will kill TPMS sensors. When you get a flat, put the spare on and take the tire to get fixed. Us tire guys freaking HATE fix a flat. It doesn't fix anything, but it does get all over everything, including your wheels. And us if you use too much.

[w1kedz]

Originally Posted by JAZNY

For those of us with the tow package, we have a bad choice in the case of a flat tire while towing. Fix-a-flat to get moving again - and ruin the TPMS, change to the space-saver spare and ruin more than the TPMS, get a tow (which means leaving your trailor(etc) behind, or carry a full size spare somewhere outside the vehicle.

If what will the fix-a-flat gunk do to the sensor?

Changing to the spare shouldn't ruin anything, if you are using it to drive the regular tire to a shop to be fixed.

[Elessar65]

Originally Posted by JAZNY

For those of us with the tow package, we have a bad choice in the case of a flat tire while towing. Fix-a-flat to get moving again - and ruin the TPMS, change to the space-saver spare and ruin more than the TPMS, get a tow (which means leaving your trailor(etc) behind, or carry a full size spare somewhere outside the vehicle.

If what will the fix-a-flat gunk do to the sensor?

There isn't a full size spare? WTF? (muttering and shaking head) IMO, if you don't have a full size spare, then you shouldn't be towing. For just this reason.

It will gum up the sensor and destroy the delicate parts that sense the pressure. Its an electronic device, and fix-a-flat is wet chemical stuff. Do the math.