TPMS Sensors

The tire monitoring system light came on and I had my tires rotated and the mechanic said that I needed to replace my TMPS sensors, since it was a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The cost would be $69.00 + tax each Is this a good price before I do it?

 

Rock auto has OE Denso sensors for ~$36.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...ressure+monitoring+system+(tpms)+sensor,12036

 

$10- $15....

 

This is what I did. I can't stand a light on, on my dash (unless it's supposed to be there).
Plus, the TPMS light saved my bacon once, years ago.

 

Nice. I need to replace all of mine since one went out and might as well do them all and be done with it for another 12 years.

I wish the gauge cluster or radio showed tire pressure at each tire. Would save so much hassle

 

Not sure about your Tacoma but my spare tire tricks me sometimes as it has a sensor.. make sure it’s also inflated if equipped

 

You can do better. I've bought several sets off Amazon, they run $60-$80 for a set of 4. I bought them proactively before my sensors died and shortly before buying new tires. Any tire shop will install them at no extra charge at that time. So $60-$80 for all 4 tires is what I've paid.

If they have to break down the tire to install new ones most shops will charge $10-$15 each. So add another $40-$60 making the total cost $100-$120. That's a lot better than $280+tax.

If you're going to need new tires soon I'd just wait. Buy a set and take them to the tire shop when you get them mounted. But if your current tires are good for a while it would be worth $120 to get them in sooner.

When you figure out how to use one of those while driving 70 mph get back to us.

TPMS doesn't replace an air gauge. I still regularly check my tires to keep the correct pressure in them. TPMS is designed to warn you of a sudden tire deflation while in motion. Twice I've ran over unseen road debris that punched large holes in a tire. The warning gave me just enough time to slow down and get to the shoulder of the road before the tires were completely flat. Neither tire could be saved, but not having a tire come apart at 70 mph may have saved my life, twice.

It costs about the same to keep working sensors in your truck as it costs to fill up the truck with a tank of gas. And you only have to replace them every 7-10 years. That's cheap insurance.

 

My problem with using auto parts off Amazon/ebay is there's no way to tell if your getting genuine parts, alot of stuff claims to be genuine (even looks genuine) but is cheap china knockoffs.
I'd rather pay a bit more and know I'm getting genuine parts.

 

I had one out on my old Sequoia. The dealer said all four had to be replaced and it would be about $800. Then the service agent whispered, “I’d just put a piece of black electrical tape over the light.”

 

I would never go to the stealership for tires or TPMS, any tire shop that's worth using should be able to install/program new sensors and likely has aftermarket ones in stock.