Dealer Won't Change Tires

Time to find a new dealer. They are just using it as an excuse to try to sell you something.

 

OP, different states have different laws. NEI.

 

Could be a liability thing too.

If I read this correctly, you have tires and wheels that will go right on, with no need to dismount the snow tires from the steel wheels and put them on the alloys? If that is the case, why not do it yourself?

 

If your tires are on wheels already why not swap them yourself?

If you are totally adverse to using a jack take it to your nearest friend who isn't and let them do it.

 

So was the dealer telling you that they no longer do this at all or just in this specific case?

Were you expecting them to do it for free or were you willing to pay if need be?

 

Hmm...so basically the dealer didn't want to put sensorless tires that you define as at the "end of their life" on your vehicle? Why don't you just wait and deal with this when you buy your needed new snow tires?

There might be liability issues, either with them mounting the tires without sensors and/or if you are asking him to put tires on that are "at the end of their life".

Quite frankly, I don't think I would do it if I was in the dealers position either.

 

Last year when I decided to run snow tires on a separate set of rims
without TPMS sensors, I poked around the "Net. My research indicated
that the requirement for a working system on new cars after 2007 is
perfectly clear. However, as to folks in the the auto repair/maintenance
industry doing anything to render a TPMS non-working, under 49 U.S.C.
30122(b):

"A manufacturer, distributor, dealer or motor vehicle repair
business may not knowingly make inoperative any part of a device or
element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle
equipment in compliance with an applicable motor vehicle safety
standard."

As the TPMS is a "system," implying more than one element, it is not
even clear whether installing tire-rims with no TPMS sensors on post-
2007 cars is an outright violation.

In real world situations involving replacement tires and after-market
rims things get murky. Depending on a dealership/tire shops perception
of/concern for potential liability in the event of a subsequent accident
with tire/rim contributions, they have the latitude to do whatever they
are comfortable with from mounting any tire to any rim with no TPMS
sensors, up to mounting only OEM recommended tires to OEM model
specific rims with TPMS sensors. There doesn't appear to be any way to
anticipate where the company will be in the range. And there doesn't
appear to be any firm basis on which to ask them to change their
position.

This website seems to suggest that they feel they need to install
sensors in all tire-rims they accept for work:

In accordance with applicable law, all vehicles manufactured after
September 2007 have TPMS. Applicable law may require TPMS sensors
to be rebuilt and/or re-calibrated at the point of installation of new
tires. There may be an additional charge at the dealer to service TPMS
sensors in accordance with applicable law. When purchasing new
wheels through this Website, it may not be possible to re-use existing
TPMS sensors, and additional fees may be required to purchase and
install replacement TPMS sensors for accurate fitment for the new
wheels at the point of installation.
TireBuyer Purchase Terms | TireBuyer.com

This website acknowledges potential liability concerns for shops that do
tire/rim work:

The 57-page Tread Act Final Rule only requires TPMS be installed and
operational on new vehicles. It does NOT require the TPMS system to
be functional if the original tires or wheels are replaced. Consequently,
if a vehicle has its original tires and/or wheels replaced, there is no
requirement to keep or maintain the TPMS system...

On direct TPMS systems with sensors mounted inside the wheel at the
base of the valve stem, there is no reason why the sensors could not
be removed from the OEM wheels and installed in the aftermarket
wheels (provided the valve stem fits the hole in the rim). But this may
create a liability issue for the tire dealer who does the swap. Probably
need a lawyer to figure this issue out. The tire dealers association has
filed a petition asking NHTSA to revise the rule so replacement tires
and wheels will be included.
Tire Pressure Monitor TPMS

The Tire Industry Association took a hard line approach during the rule
making process:

TIA will probably recommend to our dealers to not ever allow a
driver to leave a shop without their TPMS functioning. The liability is
too great for the tire industry to allow that to happen.
http://www.tireindustry.org/pdf/TPMS_Comments052305.pdf

And then there is the matter of whether you can pass a state vehicle
inspection with the TPMS indicating a problem. It varies by state:
Wheel Tech - State TPMS Regulations

The bottom line seems to be that while its not illegal to drive with a
TPMS warning light illuminated, and even not to have TPMS sensors
mounted in the rims of a car required to have them when it was first
sold, you may have to "shop around" to find someone to do the actual
mounting of your tire to your rim without TPMS sensors.

 

I think PepBoys will do it, IIRC. I know I had them mount & balance my tires on my new rims, but I also provided the TPMS sensors. I don't think they have any clue how to update the IDs, but I do it myself. If they mount & balance, they also provide free rotation, which I confirmed with them includes swapping my winter setup, too. I just prefer to do that part in my own driveway, because it saves me fuel and time.