I have TPMS sensor questions.

Okay, first question. Does it make any difference at all to the car (14 Focus ST) if I don't get TPMS sensors for my winter wheels? I'm thinking the light just stays on or some such and that's all.

Also, separate from that question, how does one identify a bad TPMS sensor? I have a Lincoln Navigator and it keeps popping a message saying "tire pressure sensor fault". Should I not even bother dealing with this and just take it to the tire shop and have them fix it? Or is there some cheap equipment for fiddling with these things?

If it is safty equipment you need to keep it in good repair. If it is not then you don't have to worry with it.

I don't see TPMS as a safety device, Do keep in mind that I think that a Yugo is a safe reliable daily driver.

TPMS in production cars was first used with runflats because you couldn't tell easily that one had lost air. I think the Corvette was the first to use them for this reason. Now they are being mandated by the Gummint due to the Firestone tires that were blamed for the fiery deaths in Ford Exploders. Underinflation was cited as a possible cause of the failures.

If you have runflats, which are much more common now, you need working TPMS. Otherwise, if you check your tire pressures regularly, it is only a convenience.

Most any well-equipped tire store can tell you which sensor is bad and replace it. They might send you to the dealer to recode the cars computer, though. My Toyota is like that. Of course, the dealer is going to gig you for the reprogram.

I run my winter tires without TPMS. Light comes on, put tape over it.

No problems after 3 winters.

I got second set on eBay for $50 so I don't have to look at the light.

Something that might present a problem: on some newer cars if the TPMS light comes on it disables the traction and stability control systems but it will leave the ABS alone. The stability light (little car with wiggly lines) will come on till it's fixed. If you know how to drive then it's not a problem.

I had a shop turn off the TPMS system. No sensors, no light.

really? what kind of car. didn't know that was an option.

Porsche.

Like stated before, any good tire shop should be able to scan all 4 and tell you which ones bad in seconds. The shop I'm at we also have programmable sensors we install ourselves for far less than an OE ford tpms sensor. My guess you should be able to fix it for ~$70

are there less expensive sensors for Chevy products … a-la the OE ford tpms ?

wbjones wrote: are there less expensive sensors for Chevy products … a-la the OE ford tpms ?

This is just the shop I'm at, but yes we call them EZ sensors, we scan and duplicate the old sensor that's bad, program the new sensor and it works in GM, Ford, dodge/Chrysler. We simply don't stock the sensors for KIA/hybdai/ etc...you don't even need to relearn the system because it duplicates the old sensor.

Good info. Thanks!

lets assume for a moment that the OEM sensors are still good .. do the EZ sensors make the OEM obsolete ? … i.e. could you get 4 of the for the second set of rims … and then be able to just swap out rims/tires as needed ?

wbjones wrote: lets assume for a moment that the OEM sensors are still good .. do the EZ sensors make the OEM obsolete ? … i.e. could you get 4 of the for the second set of rims … and then be able to just swap out rims/tires as needed ?

Yes, but you may need to have the car look for the sensors some way. Both of the sets of wheels I have for the Cadillac have sensors. When I swap wheels I use a $75 tool and the sensor relearn procedure that's in the owners manual. I like the sensors in my car. I push a button and the cluster tells me what the pressure in the tires is. It's not perfect in comparison the a good gauge, but it's consistent with itself.

I won't be using them to tell me the pressure … just to keep the light off …LOL

Yes, they will do that. All your car is looking for is four sensors that are reading ok. It needs to figure out which four sensors to look at so it doesn't look at the ones on the car next to you and freak out. Search TPMS relearn for your car on google and there will undoubtedly be a host of information. Tire Rack is also very good at selling you the proper generic sensors for the vehicle that you ask them to look for.

I'm such a cheapskate, I don't want to pay the extra $125 or 150 or whatever it is for the TPMS sensors, but I might end up doing it.

mazdeuce wrote: Yes, they will do that. All your car is looking for is four sensors that are reading ok. It needs to figure out which four sensors to look at so it doesn't look at the ones on the car next to you and freak out. Search TPMS relearn for your car on google and there will undoubtedly be a host of information. Tire Rack is also very good at selling you the proper generic sensors for the vehicle that you ask them to look for.

a set from TR of vehicle specific TPMS are ~ $250

In reply to wbjones:

Your car sucks? I paid $120 for all four for the Cadillac. Which car are you looking for?