My TPMS saga, finally solved

Holy crap I didn't even think of Costco for TPMS sensors.

Thanks man, I'm going to get this light turned off this week.

 

Costco did a great job for me when replacing the TPMS sensors on my 2007 last year.

 

Costco definitely sounds like the best deal.

Coincidentally, I had to deal with my TPMS stuff today. I was due for a tire rotation and my TPMS light started flashing a couple of weeks ago. I had them them replaced 2 1/2 years ago when I put on new tires so I had America's Tire (Discount Tire) check the sensors this morning as part of the free rotation. Turns out 3 of the four had failed prematurely. Without even asking for a break the guy at the counter informed me they have switched to a new supplier because of the high failure rate of the ones they used to install. They put in four new ones for $47.50 each and waived any labor charge. The new ones also carry a 5 year warranty. Next time I'm down that way I'll have to ask what this brand is they're installing now.

 

Costco left me with a flat tie after installing a new set of tires and did the rebuild kit for the TPMS.
They installed it wrong.

 

@slickvik I would do nothing, until the tires were coming off, say for replacement. Is there some sort of annual inspection in your area, you had to do this? And BTW, where are you, what general area?

 

I agree. The only reason I did mine now was because they offered to waive the labor charges. Otherwise I would have just waited until the tires get replaced late next spring. I check the tire pressure every weekend or two along with "eyeballing" the tires daily (I know, it's not good for spotting low tires but you will be able to spot severely low or flat tires). But, I have the money now and this offer makes the tire replacement that much cheaper come the new year.

 

I feel your pain. I have gone through 7 TPMS on my old Civic Hybrid after it was 7 years old. 5 of which were fixed, costing me a total of over $800. Two remained unfixed in the car resulting in constant TPMS light on.

 

I "fixed" mine with black electrical tape on the dash. A quick way to check your tires is to kick them with boots on. You can feel a flat or low tire. This is how we survived before the invention of tpms anyway.

 

With snow tires (without tpms) on every winter, then the stock tires (with tpms) back on every spring, I don't bother to do anything. There's plenty of little icons glowing on the dash regardless, I wouldn't gum it up with tape residue.

 

If our driving was all pretty local we'd probably just cover up the light too. Taking multiple trips cross country ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 miles each year it's a little extra security to have the system working, though. It will alert us if we happen to pick up a nail or screw at higher speeds on the open highway. Better to catch it while the tire is going down and can still be repaired instead of finding it damaged beyond repair from running it flat when we stop somewhere. As it is we carry an air compressor with us and can keep inflating as needed to get to the next Discount Tire/America's Tire for the free tire fix.

 

Look into plug repair kits too. Some punctures will deflate too fast. Number one in the arsenal is always the temp spare.