The tires of a car are as essential as the engine. A properly inflated tire ensures a safe journey. Car tires have a system called Tire Pressure Monitoring System that detects the air pressure in the tires. TPMS or the tire pressure monitoring system ensures that you are not getting a blowout or getting into an accident.
The cost to replace a tire pressure sensor usually ranges from $50 to $250. A TPMS service kit is also required. The cost of a service kit ranges from $5 to $10 per wheel.
Does TPMS work? Do you need to replace them? How much does it cost to replace a tire pressure sensor?
These are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding TPMS. So, in this article, we will learn about the basics and importance of TPMS or tire pressure monitoring system as well as how much it costs.
What Is A Tire Pressure Sensor?
A tire pressure sensor is a part of the TPMS or tire pressure monitoring system. It is an electronic device situated inside the tire. This sensor is small in size and is programmable.
The tire pressure sensor sits inside the pressurized space made with the wheel and tire. It measures the air pressure inside of the tire constantly.
If the sensor detects a low PSI (25 % lower than the recommended amount) inside the tire, it alerts the driver with an amber warning light or a warning message in the vehicle’s instrument cluster.
Tire pressure sensors are essential to a TPSM. TPSM was ruled as a mandatory system in passenger vehicles in 2000 in the U.S. as a part of the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act. Due to the TREAD Act, most motor vehicles in the United States have TPMS in them now.
Why Do You Need Tire Pressure Sensor?
Weak and under-inflated tires with low air pressure are one of the biggest causes of road accidents. According to Schrader, a leading TPMS company, around 250,000 road accidents happen due to under-inflated tires.
A report by NHTSA made in 2003 stated that blowouts and flat tires caused 78,392 road accidents. These accidents have resulted in 414 deaths and more than 10,000 injuries in a year.
TPMS is the system that helps the driver to detect the correct air pressure of the tire. It is an integral part of a safe driving experience.
The tire pressure sensor inside a TPMS sits inside the tire. It detects the air pressure constantly and keeps sending the data through a low-frequency radio to the receiver inside the vehicle. Once it recognizes a drop in the air pressure, it immediately sends a warning to the driver.
Once the driver receives the warning through the instrument cluster, they usually pull over their vehicle.
An under-inflated tire will flex more than a correctly pressured tire. The flexing happens due to the lack of pressure, which produces excessive heat and causes your tires to wear out faster than usual. Under-inflated tires also use more fuel due to increased resistance on the road.
With the help of TPMS, you can maintain proper air pressure in the tires, increase road safety, and improve fuel economy.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Tire Pressure Sensor?
The replacement expenses for tire pressure sensor varies from one vehicle to another. The price starts from $50 to $100 on each sensor. You may have to pay at least $100 for a set of 4 sensors.
There are two types of tires available. Direct TPMS equipped tires and non-equipped tires.
Direct TPMS equipped tires are costlier than non-equipped, regular ones. It is because the direct TPMS equipped tires require special services. It also requires extra parts.
The special TPMS service kit costs about $10 per wheel. This special TPMS service kit consists of a valve core, cap, nut, and seal.
Do Tire Pressure Sensors Need To Be Replaced?
Yes, Tire pressure sensors need to get replaced. Tire pressure sensors are battery-powered. These batteries can last for a few years.
Over time these batteries lose their charge. Removing the tire pressure sensor inside the TPMS is impossible without damaging the entire system. It is better to replace the sensor at once.
Related Article: How Much Does It Cost to Patch a Tire
Can You Still Drive Your Vehicle With A Bad TPMS?
You can drive your car with a bad TPMS. But if you know that one or more tire pressure sensors in your tires do not work anymore. Then do not take the risk of continuing to drive with them.
At most, you can drive with bad TPMS sensors for a week or two. After that, you will risk your safety, your vehicle’s health, and many more.
Bad TPMS sensors can and will exhaust your tires over time. In addition, if your car tires are facing anything severe, your TPMS sensors will not pick them up. It will most likely endanger your life.
Significant parts of your vehicle like tires, and rims, can get harmed due to bad TPMS sensors.
Things To Check After The Tire Pressure Sensor Replacement
Once you get to the replacement facility, do not forget to replace the TPMS components with the sensors. Replacing the service kit component ensures you are getting the best out of your Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
Do not forget to reset and reprogram your TPMS sensors after the replacement. Before leaving the replacement facility, do not forget to ensure the sensors are working correctly.
Final Words
The replacement expenses of TPMS can scare you a bit. It is more expensive than regular work at the garage. But this does not mean you can shy away from replacing the bad TPMS sensors. Or try to do it at home.
Wanting to save the replacement expenses for your tire pressure monitoring system may end up causing you to spend extra money.
Hello, I’m Michael Rosales an expert in cars. As a little boy, I have always loved cars. Over the years I became lucky to have the opportunity to work as a car dealer. It was at this stage I became vast in the knowledge of cars, things you need to know when buying cars and how to minimize cost while still getting your dream car.