Are TPMS (Tire Pressure Sensors) a scam?

Bit of a rant, sorry for anyone offended.
I purchased my used 2010 and the tire pressure light was on, not a big deal, I think a tire pressure light is one of those pesky things that is a waste of space on a dash and a distraction when flashing. I recently purchased a whole set of tires and rims from a 2017 TRD and went to have them swapped out but the tire center I went to said "legally we can't change them out because the new set doesn't have the Tire Sensors installed". Not a big deal, I went home and did the swap out myself. I did end up listing the original wheelset and got a call asking if they had the sensors, had to go look, but only 1 rim did. Figured I'd look on line and see what the cost would be to get some new sensors so I could just discount the set cost... F-ME! These little buggers are expensive, and PLUS installation, roughly about $60 per tire. Now again, not that big of a deal to me, I do not consider these the height of vehicle safety, so who the heck was it that got the Highway Standards to create a "must have" issue for these? AND do you feel more safe knowing your tire pressure is absolutely correct?

 

Plenty of TPMS hate on this forum. Many on here are like you and don’t need or want them. It’s those idiots out there that buy vehicles and just drive them with no concern for any type of maintenance that has mandated them. That’s why they’re called idiot lights. Because without a light to hopefully force idiots into doing something like putting air in the tires they just drive until a tire fails, lose control and swerve into your lane and try to kill you. Why can’t we just get the idiots off the road. Then we wouldn’t need the idiot lights. That’s my rant.

 

Very well said indeed

 

Had them on a previous car, not on this truck. Long story short the convenience they provide is not worth the additional cost and possible problems imo.

 

I'm a firm believer that they are not a safety item. They are there to maintain corporate mpg averages.

I agree they are an annoyance and and a waste of dash space.

If we are going to spend around $2k for after market wheels and tires, I'm gonna damn sure make sure they are inflated properly.

I visually check my tires before every time I start the truck.

 

bought new ones with my tire/wheel pkg in November.......

never again.....I'll buy beer with that $100 next time......

I own and know how to read a tire gauge