The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) monitors the air pressure in your tires. The sensors transmit data wirelessly to the onboard computer, which then sends a warning on your dashboard if there is an issue. If one of your sensors fails, you will receive a “TPMS” warning light on your dash or instrument panel.
Some vehicles are equipped with a direct tire pressure monitoring system (DTPMS). This type of TPMS uses wheel speed sensors to monitor tire pressure. DTPMS does not have any specific sensors, so there are no external parts to replace or maintain.
How much does it cost to replace a tire pressure sensor?
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) monitors the air pressure in your tires. The sensors transmit data wirelessly to the onboard computer, which then sends a warning on your dashboard if there is an issue. If one of your sensors fails, you will receive a “TPMS” warning light on your dash or instrument panel.
If you see this warning light, consult your vehicle manual for how to continue safely or contact a professional mechanic. They are trained to diagnose and repair tire pressure monitoring systems.
The tire pressure sensor is a small device that attaches to the valve stem on your vehicle’s tires. It monitors the tire pressure and alerts you when it falls below or above the recommended pressure. The recommended PSI is indicated in your vehicle’s owner’s manual and it is also indicated on the tire itself.
The sensor has a maximum life expectancy of ten years, so you will likely have to replace it at some point during the life of your car.
Normally, you will only need to replace one sensor at a time because of what triggered its replacement. However, even though each sensor is usually sold separately, it is always recommended that you change all four sensors at once if one of them needs to be changed.
From RepairPal.com, it costs between $223 and $237 to replace the tire pressure sensor. The labor cost ranges from $53–$67, and you’ll pay $170 for the parts. Note that the costs are exclusive of taxes and fees.
How much does it cost to replace TPMS sensors?
Tire pressure monitoring system sensors are small devices that screw onto the valve stem of each tire. They measure the tire pressure in pounds per square inch (PSI) and broadcast the information to a receiver, which displays it on a dash-mounted monitor.
The system alerts you when one or more tires are low on air or rapidly losing air. In addition to monitoring your tires’ pressure, TPMS sensors can also provide tire temperature readings.
If your TPMS light comes on, it means one or more of your tires are low on air or have experienced a rapid loss of air. If you’re driving at speeds above 50 mph for more than a mile, it’s best to immediately pull over and check the pressure in all four tires. If the light doesn’t go off after you add air to the tires, then the sensor needs to be replaced.
Why do I need to replace the tire pressure sensor?
The tire pressure sensor is a device that transmits the necessary information to the computer of your car. The sensor detects the air pressure in the tires and sends it to the vehicle’s computer.
The sensor is located on the wheel hub, where it has contact with a spring. This is what makes it possible to achieve such precise readings. If you do not want to remove the wheel from your vehicle, you can also measure the pressure in your tires by hand.
Sensor replacements are very common for several reasons:
As stated on some of these sensors, the batteries are not replaceable, but in practice they are no problem to replace since they are located inside an enclosure and there is simply a need to open it. If you have any doubts, you can look at the sensor photo, which shows what the front part looks like.
Most sensors, after some years of use, run out of battery power and will stop working until they have been replaced. In this case, when replacing them, you will also have to replace the whole sensor or at least its enclosure because it has a cable that runs from there into the rest of the system and this part contains all the sensors together with their batteries.
How do I know if my TPMS sensor is bad?
Tire pressure sensors are designed to alert drivers when their tires are low on pressure. They use radio signals to transmit information to the in-dash display of your vehicle, which will alert you if it detects that one or more of your tires are underinflated.
If the TPMS light is illuminated on your dashboard, here are some things you should check for:
Check your tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge. Using a gauge, check that all four tires have at least the recommended PSI. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for recommended PSI levels (usually on the inside of the driver’s door).
If you find that one or more of your tires is underinflated, inflate it to the recommended level and drive your vehicle for 10 minutes. If the TPMS light stays on after inflating the tire (s) back to its proper inflation level, there may be another issue causing it.
The ECU, or PCM, which receives all the sensors’ information, triggers a warning on your dashboard indicating that something is wrong with the sensors.
How long do tire pressure sensors last?
A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is a monitoring system that ensures the pressure of tires by measuring and reporting it to the driver when it falls below or above the recommended level.
This system was installed in US production cars in order to ensure driving safety so as to avoid cases of tire explosions on the wheel hubs as a result of high temperatures and low pressure.
This system is considered an additional safety system for the driver and sends a signal within seconds when there is a change in tire pressure, thereby preventing any accidents before they occur.
How long does it take to replace a tire pressure sensor?
If your tire pressure light is on, it’s probably because of a bad sensor in one of your tires. In order to keep track of tire pressure, each tire has an air pressure sensor built into the valve stem. These sensors can go bad and need to be replaced.
The amount of time it takes to replace a tire sensor depends on how long it takes you or the technician to remove the bad sensor and install the replacement.
It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the tools needed and the ability of the individual.
The recommended way to replace a faulty TPMS valve stem is to use a TPMS tool. This makes it much easier than trying to do it by hand.
If you have never removed a TPMS stem before, it is recommended that you bring your vehicle in to have this service performed by a professional as there is some risk involved in damaging the wheel or metal valve stem if improperly removed.
It’s important that you always drive with properly inflated tires for better gas mileage, safety, and to extend the life of your tires.
How much does it cost to replace 4 TPMS sensors?
Your car’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) senses when one or more tires are low on air and alerts you via a dashboard warning light. A TPMS can be direct or indirect.
A direct TPMS is part of the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS) and uses wheel speed sensors to determine the tire pressure.
An indirect TPMS uses the speed sensors in the ABS system but compares front and rear wheel rotation rates to indirectly calculate tire pressure.
The average cost of a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor replacement is between $198 and $249. Labor costs are estimated between $53 and $67, while parts are priced between $145 and $182.
This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
An American manufacturer of tires, wheels, brakes, and suspension components, TRW Automotive operates over 65 facilities in 23 countries with over 51,000 employees worldwide.
The company was formed in 1901 as a bicycle brake manufacturer, later expanding into other automotive parts. Today it’s owned by German automotive parts maker ZF Friedrichshafen AG.
Does Walmart install tire pressure sensors?
No, Walmart does not install tire pressure sensors.
Walmart offers three tire installation packages: basic, silver and lifetime.
- Basic tire installation package, $12 per tire. This plan includes standard mounting, lifetime balance of the tires and free rotation every 7,500 miles. It also includes a 30-day road hazard warranty that covers damage caused by nails or other debris.
- Silver tire installation package, $15 per tire. Includes all of the basic services plus lifetime balancing and rotation and lifetime flat repairs.
- Lifetime tire installation package, $20 per tire. Offers all of the basic services plus a road hazard protection warranty that covers repairs and replacements caused by nails or other debris.
Why are TPMS sensors so expensive?
The federal requirement that automakers use tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) was introduced to help car owners avoid driving with tires that are dangerously underinflated.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires all new cars to be equipped with a TPMS system, but the law has proven troublesome for consumers and automakers alike.
Part of the reason is that the requirements for TPM systems are very specific, yet the law is silent on what technology automakers can use to achieve acceptable results.
This means that every automaker has developed its own proprietary TPM system. As a result, each automaker’s system only works with its own tires and wheels. Automakers can also charge whatever they want for them.
TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and they are safety devices that are designed to monitor the air pressure in your tires. The sensors on your car will monitor the pressure level in all four tires, including the spare tire.
If there is a loss of pressure in any of these tires, then a warning light will illuminate on your dash. This warning light will be labeled as “TPMS”, and this symbol looks like a horseshoe with an exclamation point in the middle of it.
The TPMS sensors are designed to run on batteries, much like remote key fobs, which means that they will eventually need to be replaced.
When this happens, you will have to have the battery within the sensor replaced by a professional mechanic at your local auto repair shop or dealership.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I install TPMS sensors yourself?
In most cases, all you do is screw on the sensors in place of the valve stem caps. Avoid cross-threading the sensors because you need a tight seal for the system to work correctly.
2. Where is the TPMS sensor located?
It is situated in inner part of the rim.
3. What does a TPMS sensor look like?
The TPMS indicator is typically located in the center of the instrument cluster, which is the area behind the steering wheel. It’s a low-light indicator that looks like a horseshoe with an exclamation point in the center.
4. Can you turn off a tire pressure sensor?
Yes, you can turn them off if you wish, though that is not advised, and to do so, you must first reprogram them for your vehicle too. The easiest way to disable them is by removing the red wire from pin 2 and replacing it with the blue one from pin 6.
Conclusion
The average cost of a tire pressure sensor replacement is about $195, although the part could cost as little as $30 or as much as $300.
Other factors can affect the price, including your location, whether it’s an emergency repair, and what time of year it is.
If a TPMS sensor fails and your vehicle has a direct system, you will need to replace the ECU (or IMV on some Toyota models) as well, which would be an additional cost.
It’s possible to replace the sensors yourself if you have basic automotive knowledge, or you can take your vehicle to a technician.
