am getting new tires on my 2013 Prius (225/45R17) to replace my current tires. I had the TPMS changed on them in Jan 2024. They have about 15K miles on them since that time. Do I need to get new TPMS sensors when I am getting these changed, or should I ask them to try and reuse the existing ones? New OEM ones appear to run 80-100 per tire, so am debating on the cost... what is the general recommendation, and are there acceptable non-OEM versions that are considerably cheaper? getting these replaced at my local BJs, if that matters... Thanks,
The OEM Toyota TPMS will last you 10 years, however if you bought aftermarket ones from China, they will probably not last very long.
Some cheap aftermarket will only last a few years, so the real question is the quality of the ones that was last installed. My expectation is at least 5-8 years out of a good quality sensor. That's also what I would expect from good quality tires too.
Never replace any TPMs unless there is a warning light, is my recommendation. It’s a big waste of monetary funds, especially if you are on OE. FYI for DIY engagement; it’s actually fairly easy to replace TPMs yourself - without any special tools.
Longer answer: Good Lord, no. I’m in Canada, where (as far as I know) TPMS is not mandatory, so maybe that colours my opinion, but I would wait till they die, and then “consider” getting them replaced, the next time new tires are needed. for what it’s worth: our ‘10’s still got functional, from-the-factory sensors.
I found TPMS systems to be useless, if you have a blowout. The flap-flap sound of the totally flat tire will warn you at the same time as any TPMS light on the dash. If you check the tires every month, you'll never need. Othe past 14 years that my TPMS was working, it only came on with the onset I f cold weather. I recently had a blowout and got new tires and the TPMS light came on. The tire shop asked me if I b wanted the TPMS sensors replaced. I said no. The TPMS light now stayed on. Instead replacing them, I turned off the light. ON Gen 3 P, just jumper positions 5 and 6 on the back of the connector block as shown in this photo.
Or just live with the light? There's typically one or two others on, say passenger seat air bag status; it can keep them company. I'm just averse to doing fundamental mod's, particularly ones I might forget the how-or-why, with another decade.
There is a cheaper way to refurbish your original TPMS from Toyota. I have a friend that buys the original Panasonic batteries from online sources for about $4 each. Uses liquid silicone to seal them after they have been replaced, looks original when done and should last another 10 years since the batteries are the same Panasonic ones from OEM. Big savings compared to buying new ones from Toyota at $80 to $100 each Most people won't check their air in their tires regularly, just like they don't check the engine oil levels. So this TPMS is a good warning for most people when their tire is low on air.
