Tire pressure warning light

I'm old school, and I regularly check my tire pressure and inspect my tires. So I don't have much use for the tire pressure warning light, and I have no interest in paying more to replace the sensors than I used to pay for tires. Is there any way to disarm the warning light?

 

Not sure it's worth it......see link below
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/complete-tpms-disable-guide.161292/

 

When you figure out how to check them while driving 70 mph let us know. The TPMS are not meant to replace an air gauge. They are meant to warn you of a sudden tire deflation while driving. BTDT and am alive today because of it. On 2 different occasions since 2010 I've had the warning light come on while driving. Both times I ran over debris in the road leaving a substantial hole in tires. Neither tire could be saved, but I had about 30 seconds warning to get to the shoulder of the road and stopped before the tire came apart at 70 mph.

New sensors are about $20 each and will last around 10 years. That works out to about $8/year to keep working sensors in your truck. About the cost of a value meal at McDonalds once a year.

I just put a set in my Tacoma and my F150 in the last couple of months. There is no additional cost to have them installed when mounting tires. Both the Tacoma and F150 still had working sensors, but the ones in the Tacoma were 14 years old, 7 years old on the Ford. Instead of driving till they died it was cheaper to replace them along with new tires. Chances are good the old sensors wouldn't have made it till the new tires wore out.

These are the ones I ordered for my Ford.

$50 MORESENSOR Signature Series 315MHz TPMS Tire Pressure Sensor 4-Pack | Preprogrammed for Select 200+ American Brand Models | Replacement for 9L3Z-1A189-A | Clamp-in | NX-S025-4

Amazon.com: MORESENSOR Signature Series 315MHz TPMS Tire Pressure Sensor 4-Pack | Preprogrammed for Select 200+ American Brand Models | Replacement for 9L3Z-1A189-A | Clamp-in | NX-S025-4: Automotive

If your current tires are good I doubt if I'd pay for new sensors, and pay to have them installed. But before you buy tires the next time order new sensors beforehand and have them with you when you have the tires mounted.

 

My sensors have been going out steadily.

Discount Tire wanted $50 per to replace them.

I’m not spending that much.

 

I have no issue with those defeating safety systems (my seat belt warning chime is turned off), but, recently while traveling at traffic flow speeds, 75-80 mph, on I-65 south of Birmingham, my TPMS light came on. I immediately slowed and exited the freeway. By the time I got stopped and checked pressure (tire was visibly low), the pressure was down to under 20 psi. It was nearly flat by the time I located a facility to repair it. The TPMS warning likely saved me from a roadside tire change or worse. I replaced all four factory Bridgestones (42K) and replaced the sensors with the tires. Denso sensors (the Toyota supplier) are available from Amazon at a very competitive price.

You can turn off the light, but, a piece of black tape covering the light seems to be the most popular fix.

 

Generally, you can get Denso sensors for about $20/ea. Then the tire shop will install and program the truck for $0-10/wheel when they are installing new tires.

Different story for the shop to pull tire, remove old sensor, install new sensor, mount & balance the old tire. Their labor is worth $.

Not really as expensive as tires. I don't think I've ever bought a tire for less than $50.

 

Where can you get Denso's for $20/ea?

 

Have you tried RockAuto or Amazon?????

$22.79 on RockAuto for an '06 Tacoma.........up to $44

 

Sure. They are $33 give or take a few bucks at both places.

 

Even at $33/tire.....that only adds up to 1 tire....maybe.

Not sure if you can get a decent tire for $132. Recap?

 

I have no use for the sensors either. I just put a black sticker over the light and forget it is there.

 

Not trying to be argumentative, just thought maybe you had a secret place to get them for $20/ea.

 

"....about $20/ea....."

$22.79 at RockAuto isn't far off.......

You may be able to find a 4 pack for $79.95. Essentially, $20/ea


No secret place.....just scrounge about.

 

Think about it...even at 50 buks per........some years ago riding with a buddy in his Tundra, aftermarket wheels, no sensors, we had a flat just south of Indianapolis on I-65. We dropped the spare, jacked up the left rear (cars whizzing by) AND couldn't loosen the lug nuts with the supplied tool!!! Long story short, the service call was an even $ Benjamin. Later, adding sensors to the aftermarket wheels, another 300 bucks. i get it, the motoring public went for decades without TPMS sensors. You might never ever have a flat tire. But if a low pressure warning ever saves you from the inconvenience of dealing with a flat at the most inopportune time, well, you might change your view.

 

Anyone have a source for TPMS that fit aftermarket wheels? Was at the dealership yesterday and the Toyota sensors would not fit int he Method wheels I have on the truck. Don't mind trying the ones from Rockuto, Amazon, wherever, but if they have a thick stem like the stock sensors, they may not fit in the aftermarket wheels.

 

Try calling Method. See if they have a suggestion.

Otherwise, its poke and hope situation.

 

I also have a horrible TPMS that goes off at odd times. Do you guys know how to isolate just a single sensor as oppose to replacing all 4?

 

Most major tire dealers can use their TPMS activation / scan tool to detect which sensor is faulty. If your light is intermittent, the scan tool might not detect it until it actually fails (the battery dies). If you have tech stream on a laptop, you can hook up, go for a drive, when the light comes on, check you laptop and it will indicate which sensor is not transmitting.

 

Is the sensor sealed? Or can you just replace the battery?

 

Battery is not replaceable.