Question on TPMS

So I just ordered 265/75/16 Hankook Dynapro ATMs and the shop told me that the TPMS would need rebuilding for $4 each, or they could be prone to leaks later down the road and they would not be responsible for that.

This is my first replacement set of tires on the Tacoma and none of my prior vehicles has had TPMS. I wasn't going to rage about $16 but can anybody else confirm or deny this? No clue if this is an upsell type thing or if it's truth, and I have no reason to doubt the guy I spoke with. I just don't have a clue.

Thanks..

In case anybody isn't sure what a Hankook is, here's a picture.

 

Um....er.....um....OH! Tire pressure monitor system!

I don't know WTF the guys there are talking about. The tire size, or replacement of a tire, has nothing to do with having to replace or rebuild a TPMS sensor. The only thing I can think of is since the sensor is at the tire stem, that they are trying to cover their but in case the sensor starts to leak at the stem. But no, there is no reason at all to rebuild them just because you are installing new tires. Now if their "rebuild" includes installing brand new batteries into the sensors, then at $4 a sensor, that would be well worth it.

 

Just got new Duratracs installed yesterday and they made no mention of TPMS. Granted my truck is 2.5 years old, so perhaps they're in good condition.

 

I'll ask about that next week when the tires get delivered. Pretty sure he said that the TPMS seals are broken when they remove them from the wheels, so later they could develop leaks as the seals aren't intact. Rebuild replaces those seals, specifically, but he didn't say any more detail.

My knowledge of the TPMS system is that it's handy, and that's about the extent of it.

 

My truck is 14 months old with 22k miles. Starting to think this is a quick $20 boost.

 

I'm gonna call my Toyota service manager buddy and ask. The guy I talked to yesterday for a price quote didn't mention the TPMS thing and the price was $20 +/- cheaper than today's price. Maybe yesterday I got an honest guy.

 

Just a sad addition to this thread, but the service department receptionist knows me by voice now, first and last name.

This is how many times I've had my Tacoma back at the dealer service department.

 

The TPMS module is installed in the valve stem hole of the wheel using rubber grommets. Over time, these can leak, and result in a flat tire. If that seal is faulty, the only recourse is to dismount the tire, rebuild the TPMS mounting, remount the tire, and rebalance.

To me, it would be $4 well spent to help prevent the hassle and cost of the procedure above.

 

I just noticed the second pic..

John Candy FTW. Hankook girl got moderated on.

 

Thanks Tom! That diagram is excellent in showing how it all comes together. +1 sir

 

Here you go: http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/brochure/general/tpmsRebuildKit.jsp

That's what's in the kit: seal, nut, valve core and cap.

Cheap insurance.

 

Thanks JDM! Even better.

 

Another article that explains why it is important to rebuild the TPMS each time a tire is serviced: Corrosion

http://tires.about.com/od/Tire_Safety_Maintenance/a/Achey-Breakey-Parts-Tpms-And-Corrosion.htm

 

Glad I posted this, thread is full of good info. Thanks Tom!

 

Wife's minivan has the TPMS sensors which have a replaceable valve stem. That was real handy when the aforementioned corrosion likely contributed to the end of a stem breaking off. No need to replace the whole sensor (like on our trucks) when something small is damaged or fails.

The shop who installed new tires also repaired the sensor. They applied anti-seize to all the stems. Maybe that'll help slow down the corrosion.

 

IMO tpms sensors are dangerous and a poor idea. Here in the rust belt I have seen the aluminum ones corrode to the point where they snap off as you try to unscrew the valve cap. They are just another attempt by the "man" to make vehicles idiot proof.

 

In less corrosive areas they help idiots avoid killing themselves because they haven't checked their tire pressures in 3 years.

I think they are great. Perfect? No, but neither are tires without TPMS, IMO.

 

That's what they are supposed to do but I can't tell you how many cars i see that the light is on and people have no idea what it means.

 

Out of curiosity, are you a technician or service person?

 

Nailed it. This is what happened to one of ours. And, we're not in the rust belt... thought maybe the van was brought in from it (bought it used).