TPMS battery life

[MarkB_MI]

It's been my experience that the TPMS batteries in newer GM vehicles have shorter life than older ones. The TPMS sensors in our 2012 GMC Acadia were working perfectly fine this past spring when I had them replaced along with the tires. I figured they must have been nearing their end-of-life. 12+ years is pretty good.

A year ago I had to replace all the TPMS sensors on my 2017 Silverado 2500. I had them changed after three of the four sensors died. I think seven and a half years is pretty much their expected life.

Now the sensors are starting to fail on our 2019 Buick Enclave. Less than seven years old.

I wonder why the sensors on the old Acadia lasted so much longer than on the Silverado and Enclave. My guess is the sensors are the same, but the newer vehicles interrogate them more frequently so the batteries wear out sooner. What is y'all's experience?

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

It's been my experience that the TPMS batteries in newer GM vehicles have shorter life than older ones. The TPMS sensors in our 2012 GMC Acadia were working perfectly fine this past spring when I had them replaced along with the tires. I figured they must have been nearing their end-of-life. 12+ years is pretty good.

A year ago I had to replace all the TPMS sensors on my 2017 Silverado 2500. I had them changed after three of the four sensors died. I think seven and a half years is pretty much their expected life.

Now the sensors are starting to fail on our 2019 Buick Enclave. Less than seven years old.

I wonder why the sensors on the old Acadia lasted so much longer than on the Silverado and Enclave. My guess is the sensors are the same, but the newer vehicles interrogate them more frequently so the batteries wear out sooner. What is y'all's experience?

Deliberate premature failure so the dealers can rip you off sooner. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. Our local Wally world will replace them for less than $30 each an you don't have to buy new tires for them to do it. Do I need to say I don't have much trust in dealers. I have had my experiences with them. They think everyone is ignorant about automobiles so they can rip them off. .

 

[38 Sears Roebuck]

My 2016 Ford Explorer TPMS started failing last year. I just let them fail and check the pressures occasionally. How did we survive all those years without them???

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

My 2016 Ford Explorer TPMS started failing last year. I just let them fail and check the pressures occasionally. How did we survive all those years without them???

You can buy a set of 4 pressure sensors that screw on in place of the regular valve stem caps with a small solar charging display that monitors each tire for pressure, temperature, and low or high pressure for less than $35 on flea bay. I put them on all my vehicles because they display the pressure all the time you are driving. This is just one of many

Tire Pressure Monitoring System Kit TPMS Tire Pressure Monitor w/ 4 TPMS Sensors | eBay

Why need the Tire Pressure Monitoring System?Tire Pressure Monitoring System, also called TPMS, uses pressure monitoring sensors within each tire to monitor specific pressure levels.With the TPMS system, we can keep the tire working within the specified pressure and temperature range at any time...

www.ebay.com

 

[Mule Meat]

Deliberate premature failure so the dealers can rip you off sooner. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. .

Did you ask the dealer if they were covered under warranty? Or did you just stomp in there with a chip in your shoulder, throw down your money and stomp out?

I've had three replaced under warranty at the dealer and it did not cost me a dime.

TPMS sensors do not use the batteries power until the pressure switch (similar to a thermo switch) trips from low air pressure and sends a signal to the dash light. So if you have a tire that keeps going low or you ignore the low tire light on the dash. Your battery life will be shorter than if you performed routine maintenance..

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

Did you ask the dealer if they were covered under warranty? Or did you just stomp in there with a chip in your shoulder, throw down your money and stomp out?

I've had three replaced under warranty at the dealer and it did not cost me a dime.

TPMS sensors do not use the batteries power until the pressure switch (similar to a thermo switch) trips from low air pressure and sends a signal to the dash light. So if you have a tire that keeps going low or you ignore the low tire light on the dash. Your battery life will be shorter than if you performed routine maintenance..

A car 5 years old is not going to have them replaced for free, you can be sure of that unless you are a close friend. You have your opinion and I have mine which has been developing for 80 years from personal experiences. Also I never went to the dealer because I know what they do.

 

[38 Sears Roebuck]

You can buy a set of 4 pressure sensors that screw on in place of the regular valve stem caps with a small solar charging display that monitors each tire for pressure, temperature, and low or high pressure for less than $35 on flea bay. I put them on all my vehicles because they display the pressure all the time you are driving. This is just one of many

Tire Pressure Monitoring System Kit TPMS Tire Pressure Monitor w/ 4 TPMS Sensors | eBay

Why need the Tire Pressure Monitoring System?Tire Pressure Monitoring System, also called TPMS, uses pressure monitoring sensors within each tire to monitor specific pressure levels.With the TPMS system, we can keep the tire working within the specified pressure and temperature range at any time...

www.ebay.com

Interesting

 

[MarkB_MI]

Deliberate premature failure so the dealers can rip you off sooner. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. Our local Wally world will replace them for less than $30 each an you don't have to buy new tires for them to do it. Do I need to say I don't have much trust in dealers. I have had my experiences with them. They think everyone is ignorant about automobiles so they can rip them off. .

Given that most folks have their sensors replaced at tire stores rather than dealers, and given that most tire stores don't use OEM sensors, I can't believe the OEMs are making a killing on premature TPMS failures. Not to mention that a rash of sensor failures could attract the attention of NHTSA, resulting in an expensive safety recall. No, I don't think the short battery life is intentional on the part of vehicle OEMs.

 

[MarkB_MI]

My 2016 Ford Explorer TPMS started failing last year. I just let them fail and check the pressures occasionally. How did we survive all those years without them???

We got to change a lot of tires on the road, often at night or under less than ideal conditions. With new tire prices running two to four hundred bucks a pop, I'll fix my TPMS and possibly save myself future aggravation and expense.

 

[MarkB_MI]

You can buy a set of 4 pressure sensors that screw on in place of the regular valve stem caps with a small solar charging display that monitors each tire for pressure, temperature, and low or high pressure for less than $35 on flea bay. I put them on all my vehicles because they display the pressure all the time you are driving. This is just one of many

Those are a good option for vehicles that don't already have TPMS, but I prefer the built-in system. My buddy has one of those for his class A motor home. It monitors the RV's tire pressures, but more importantly the tire pressures of his Mini Cooper 'toad'. Folks have lost their RVs when a tire failed on their toad, setting both vehicles on fire.

 

[MarkB_MI]

TPMS sensors do not use the batteries power until the pressure switch (similar to a thermo switch) trips from low air pressure and sends a signal to the dash light. So if you have a tire that keeps going low or you ignore the low tire light on the dash. Your battery life will be shorter than if you performed routine maintenance..

I'm not so sure about that. As you drive, your displayed tire pressures continually update. At least they do in all my (GM) vehicles. So either the sensors are constantly sending out data (unlikely since they'd be transmitting while the car is parked), or the vehicle is regularly interrogating the sensors anytime the ignition is on. As for my own vehicles, I immediately correct low tire pressures and all four sensors seem to fail within a few weeks of each other. Although only one sensor is bad on our Enclave, I ran a scan and found that the battery voltage is low on two of the other sensors. So they're failing at the same time.

 

[Hobo,NC]

TPMS sensors are typically in a sleep mode when a vehicle is stationary and wake up when the wheels start to roll. When a sensor wakes up, it transmits data at intervals ranging from about 30 to 120 seconds, depending on the manufacturer, to save battery life. The sensor will also wake up and transmit immediately if it detects a significant, sudden drop in tire pressure, according to Tire Review Magazine.
Replacement "programable" sensors are not cheap that's why you see them priced in the $85 range.
A programmable TPMS sensor is a blank, universal tire pressure monitoring sensor that requires a special tool to upload the correct vehicle-specific protocol (year, make, model) before it can be installed and used. Unlike a pre-programmed or "ready" sensor that comes with multiple protocols already loaded, a programmable sensor must be configured with the specific settings for your car. This makes them a cost-effective and flexible option for shops and consumers, as one type of sensor can be used for a wide range of vehicles by simply changing its programmed settings
cost-effective ELL NO!

flexible option for shops yes sort of you can stock just a few styles that fit 97% of what comes thru the door wham bam thank you ma'am had me your money. When selling some brands of programable sensors you are playing with fire BTDT. I use OEM, Schrader are Bartech.

 

[MarkB_MI]

TPMS sensors are typically in a sleep mode when a vehicle is stationary and wake up when the wheels start to roll. When a sensor wakes up, it transmits data at intervals ranging from about 30 to 120 seconds, depending on the manufacturer, to save battery life. The sensor will also wake up and transmit immediately if it detects a significant, sudden drop in tire pressure, according to Tire Review Magazine.

That article was very informative, thank you. One interesting point is that the only time a sensor receives a signal is when you hit them with a TPMS relearn tool. Otherwise they only transmit, never receive.

 

[moresmoke]

My 2016 Ford Explorer TPMS started failing last year. I just let them fail and check the pressures occasionally. How did we survive all those years without them???

I did appreciate when my work truck warned me of a rapidly deflating tire on the interstate. I could tell I wouldn’t make the next town, so I took the next exit and was able to change the tire on the shoulder there instead of the highway.

Also, while I may eyeball the tires before I get in, I have no illusions what the other people that drive my vehicles do for a pretrip inspection.

 

[paul]

Was at the tire shop waiting in line for a different issue, and the workers were talking about the newest vehicles now locking up the tire sensors to where it’s either impossible or too costly to get the right programming to make any third party sensor to work.

They mentioned 2 auto brands, but then mentioned the rest were soon following suit…

For what tire shop rumors are worth….

Paul

 

[kencombs]

You can buy a set of 4 pressure sensors that screw on in place of the regular valve stem caps with a small solar charging display that monitors each tire for pressure, temperature, and low or high pressure for less than $35 on flea bay. I put them on all my vehicles because they display the pressure all the time you are driving. This is just one of many

Tire Pressure Monitoring System Kit TPMS Tire Pressure Monitor w/ 4 TPMS Sensors | eBay

Why need the Tire Pressure Monitoring System?Tire Pressure Monitoring System, also called TPMS, uses pressure monitoring sensors within each tire to monitor specific pressure levels.With the TPMS system, we can keep the tire working within the specified pressure and temperature range at any time...

www.ebay.com

I wonder if that kit has enough range to work with a trailer? Anybody tried it?

 

[Gambles]

My 2016 Ford Explorer TPMS started failing last year. I just let them fail and check the pressures occasionally. How did we survive all those years without them???

My 2005 Explorer has the factory TPMS setup and they still work. Proof of that was about a week ago the light came on because a tire was low from the cooler temperatures. I’ll be surprised if they make it much longer, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I also have a 2009 F150 where the sensors need replacing. Go figure.
I have the new sensors in my possession, just not yet installed.

 

[Blackhole49]

TPMS sensors are typically in a sleep mode when a vehicle is stationary and wake up when the wheels start to roll. When a sensor wakes up, it transmits data at intervals ranging from about 30 to 120 seconds, depending on the manufacturer, to save battery life. The sensor will also wake up and transmit immediately if it detects a significant, sudden drop in tire pressure, according to Tire Review Magazine.
Replacement "programable" sensors are not cheap that's why you see them priced in the $85 range.
A programmable TPMS sensor is a blank, universal tire pressure monitoring sensor that requires a special tool to upload the correct vehicle-specific protocol (year, make, model) before it can be installed and used. Unlike a pre-programmed or "ready" sensor that comes with multiple protocols already loaded, a programmable sensor must be configured with the specific settings for your car. This makes them a cost-effective and flexible option for shops and consumers, as one type of sensor can be used for a wide range of vehicles by simply changing its programmed settings
cost-effective ELL NO!

flexible option for shops yes sort of you can stock just a few styles that fit 97% of what comes thru the door wham bam thank you ma'am had me your money. When selling some brands of programable sensors you are playing with fire BTDT. I use OEM, Schrader are Bartech.

Just curious. When speaking with your customers, do you use are in place of or?

 

[Geo-TH,In]

It's been my experience that the TPMS batteries in newer GM vehicles have shorter life than older ones. The TPMS sensors in our 2012 GMC Acadia were working perfectly fine this past spring when I had them replaced along with the tires. I figured they must have been nearing their end-of-life. 12+ years is pretty good.

A year ago I had to replace all the TPMS sensors on my 2017 Silverado 2500. I had them changed after three of the four sensors died. I think seven and a half years is pretty much their expected life.

Now the sensors are starting to fail on our 2019 Buick Enclave. Less than seven years old.

I wonder why the sensors on the old Acadia lasted so much longer than on the Silverado and Enclave. My guess is the sensors are the same, but the newer vehicles interrogate them more frequently so the batteries wear out sooner. What is y'all's experience?

mark
sensors went out on my 2018 xt5. they were made in mexico 433 hz. The same sensor are used in my 2023 Xt5. Amazon shows a set of 4 preprogrammed 433 Mhz sensors for under $30. ' MY question is If I ordered sensors and put one inside a mower tire and inflated the tire. then remove a tire on the car and put the mower tire next to the car would the car recognize the sensor inside the mower tire? Does think make any sense to you?
This is A way of testing Amazon sensors before installing them on the car rim. opinion?
IS the valve stem hole in the rim a standard size?

 

[kencombs]

mark
sensors went out on my 2018 xt5. they were made in mexico 433 hz. The same sensor are used in my 2023 Xt5. Amazon shows a set of 4 preprogrammed 433 Mhz sensors for under $30. ' MY question is If I ordered sensors and put one inside a mower tire and inflated the tire. then remove a tire on the car and put the mower tire next to the car would the car recognize the sensor inside the tire? Does think make any sense to you?
This is A way of testing Amazon sensors before installing them on the car rim. opinion?
IS the valve stem hole in the rim a standard size?

Not Mark, but I do think the pre-test would be good idea. But, I'm not sure I'd want to inflate a mower tire to that level. Neither the tires or wheels are designed for 35psi. Maybe use some pipe and fittings with the correct hole size drilled in them instead.