Don't need TPMS service with 1st new set of tires?

Before anyone can give you a meaningful answer, you need to tell us how old your TPMS sensors are and what service you are referring to.

If it's the standard replace the rubber bits service, then it should be done as often as you would replace the valve stems on cars without TPMS sensors. Roughly anytime you change tires and the rubber is over about 4 years old would be a good starting point.

 

The sensors don't care that you changed the tires, no need to reset them as long as you keep the same sensors on the same car.

Most tires shops will try to sell you the TPMS service every time you get tires. I personally wouldn't pay to get it done at 3 years if I anticipated getting another set of tires in 3 or 4 more years.

 

When you get new TPMS sensors, then the ECU needs updated to know the new sensor IDs. This is something that typically only dealers have the software to update. There are some tools and cables that you can purchase that allows you to do it yourself. For just getting new tires, they sell a TPMS kit, which basically replaces the small bits and pieces around the valve stem and sensor. It's usually $3-5/tire, IIRC, and I do it because they're removing the old valve stem, etc when you get new tires.

 

If the rubber seals on the original TPMS sensors are not leaking and need not be removed from the rim, then, I would not get the rebuild kit for the first tire replacement. America's tire of Discount tire warrants the installation of and the spin balance of the tire as well as repairs for the life of any tire that they sell, so if the TPMS seals ever leak, replacing them on one would be the same charge as you'd pay when you have them replaced with the tires.

So, if they are 3 years old and have not leaked, I'd forgo the charge right now.

 

we had new tires put on our 08 hycam last year, no tpms charges.

 

I'm in the dark, maybe someone can explain:

I'm guessing when you get new tires, the TPMS is unscrewed somehow from the back of the valve stem, the valve stem is replaced, and the TPMS is screwed into the new valve stem. Is that right? And also: is the TPMS battery replacable? What's it's life expectancy?

And as long as the tire/wheel assembly is going back on the original car, there's no need to "re-initialize"?

Personally, if there's any major expense looming with those buggers, I would just leave them off.

 

No, they don't need to unscrew or disassemble them to remove the tire. They just have to deflate the tire through the valve.

The battery is sealed in and is not replacable. They last 5-10 years or so.

If they are put back on the same car, they do not need to be initialized.

 

Some vehicles (GM for example) give you an individual tire pressure readout in addition to a warning light. In that case, you need the TPMS reprogrammed when getting the tires rotated. When getting the tires changed, the installer would have to be careful to put the tires back exactly how they came off. For us C owners with just the light, it doesn't matter unless you add additional tires/rims with new TPMS sensors. I always tell the tire installer not to worry about TPMS (in other words, don't touch the TPMS system and don't charge me).

 

mmm - why did you have to replace the OEM tires?

Upgrade?
Did they wear down?
What were the OEM make and extent of their tread life?
What did you replace them with?

 

Opps - the post started with a hypothetical "if"...

 

Pressure sensors last from 4 to 6 years, but can last longer. YMMV.

You'll know when they go when your TPMS system starts acting up. Then, you'll need to get service or learn to ignore the warnngs until your next tire change.