Ok to run w/o tire pressure sensors?

its fine, just the there will be a light on you're dashboard.

it will just remain on until you put the sensors back on

it won't stop the engine, or lock you're wheels in the middle of driving.

 

I have checked into the legalities of this when I replaced my tires. I was going to do without them and just use regular valve stems, but I decided to keep using them until the batteries die.

From what I have researched, it is legal to put non-TPMS tires onto a car that has a TPMS. The tire people might tell you it isn't because of whatever reason, but that is their choice and you should be able to find somebody who will. However, it is ILLEGAL to disable the TPMS of any car that originally came with it. You can cover the little light if you want, you can put the monitors in a pressurized container, but you cannot tamper with the car's TPMS, and to me that also means you can't remove the little light that lights up. Now, if the bulb burns out, I would think that is a different story.

But I am not going to be paying $100/tire when the batteries run down. On the other hand, the TPMS has warned me when a tire was leaking before it got too bad, so there is a benefit of it. Just not $400 or so.

 

If I remember correctly, you can do whatever with the TPMS, but an auto shop cannot.

 

Not according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, as quoted by Tire Review at Tire Review - The Final Word: NHTSA Clears the Air on TPMS Regs and Plus-...

(Bold added)

TR: In regards to installing aftermarket wheels and tires on a vehicle, the current mandate indicates that if the TPMS sensor cannot or does not work with the new replacement tires and/or wheels, it is still acceptable to install them, but neither the vehicle owner nor the retail dealer can disable the dashboard warning lamp. Is this, indeed, the case?

NHTSA: “That is correct. After first retail sale of the vehicle, we do not believe that installing aftermarket tires and wheels necessarily makes the TPMS ‘inoperable.’ However, the MIL cannot be disabled. If the vehicle owner so desires, the vehicle could be taken to a dealer that has the replacement parts and tools necessary to repair and calibrate the TPMS system.â€

 

leagally, a professional shop is not supposed to do it, in my shop, we check first whether if there are lights that come on on the dash. if there is, whatever light it is, we point that out to the customer first.

however, if the question is if its drivable, i would say yes. but would i let a car drive out of my shop like this? i would say no.

 

It leaves the light on. The system requires some minimum pressure to work.

Tom

 

Ok, I meant about having the sensors or not , not tampering with the display.