Tire Sensor Replacement Cost
The TPMS warning light on your dash means you should check your car’s tire sensors. These sensors, called TPMS sensors, monitor the air pressure in your tires and warn you about problems like leaks or wrong air levels.
Ignoring this warning can cause your tires to wear out too soon or make driving unsafe. In the old days, you had to check air pressure by hand, but now, in-tire sensors have made it easier.
The price for replacing a sensor can change. Usually, if you go to a dealer, it costs between $200 and $350 for a single tire. This price includes the sensor itself and putting it in. Local repair shops or tire retailers might do it for less, around $40 to $50 per sensor.
It’s important to think about the lifespan of these sensors, which can be up to ten years. Issues like often getting wrong warnings or bad information from the sensor warning light might mean you need a new one sooner.
By checking tire pressure regularly, you can help your sensors last longer and avoid the trouble and cost of having to replace them too early.
Understanding Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)
The TREAD Act was an important law made by legislators, and it was required because of safety worries about tire failures on the highway.
This law led to the creation of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which helps stop accidents that might happen because of flat tires.
TPMS monitoring is now a basic safety feature in vehicles, making sure that drivers know when there is a big drop in tire pressure. Here’s why cars need this system:
- Stops problems from tires that don’t have enough air, like blowouts and quick wear.
- Makes vehicles safer by keeping tire performance stable.
- Helps save fuel because tires with the right amount of air don’t drag as much.
- Gives clear information to drivers, warning them about tire pressure issues before they become dangerous.
By warning drivers right away when there’s a drop in tire pressure, TPMS plays an important role in keeping both the vehicle and its passengers safe as they roll down the road. This system is a crucial part of modern car safety technology, directly involved in reducing the risks of dying from tire-related accidents.
Identifying Signs of Low Tire Pressure: What to Look For
Symptoms of low tire pressure can cause different problems in your car. These symptoms are important to notice because they help keep your drive safe and your car running well. Here are the main signs:
- Uneven driving experience: Your car might move slower or more slowly.
- Check the Engine Light On or, more specifically, the Low tire pressure light turns on your dashboard. This warns you to do something about it.
- Increased tire wear: Not enough air can cause the tires to get worn out unevenly and faster than they should.
- Poor traction: Your car could slide more on wet or icy roads if the tires don’t have enough air.
- Poor fuel economy: You might notice your car uses more fuel than it used to.
These signs suggest that the tire sensor replacement might be faulty and needs checking to make sure your car performs well and stays safe while you drive.
Diagnosing and Replacing TPMS Sensors
To diagnose a TPMS Sensor Failure, mechanics start by checking the vehicle’s computer, which records any sensor problems.
If the system is reporting a low tire warning or a false positive alert, the mechanic may check if the tires are properly inflated and the sensors are balanced and synched right with the vehicle’s main computer.
Jay Condrick, a technician from Boston Mobile Tire, says that tools like diagnostic scanners are used to read the information from the vehicle to see if a sensor is defective.
If a replacement is needed, the labor involved can differ. The old sensor is taken off the rim, and a new one is put on and reprogrammed to make sure it is displaying correct data. Tire pressure monitoring systems are important for keeping up-to-date tire technology in your car.
After installation, the tires need to be put back on the car, and the system needs to be checked to make sure that everything is working correctly.
This process ensures that all sensors are giving correct and accepted data to improve the safety and efficiency of your car.
See also: How To Let Air Out Of Tire | Audi Tire Replacement Cost Do New Tires Come With Rims?
Lifespan of Tire Pressure Sensors
The average life of tire pressure sensors depends a lot on their battery power and the type of sensor used. These sensors usually last 5 to 10 years during regular use in a vehicle.
They are put into each wheel and send signals to the onboard computer. It helps check the air inside your tires. Once the batteries run out of juice, you often need to get a new sensor because you can’t just change the batteries in most types.
The tire sensor replacement cost can change a lot, depending on the price of the sensor and the labor charges for putting it in. Replacing a sensor involves moving the tire from the rim to get to the sensor. This sensor is tightly fixed inside the wheel.
This work takes a lot of effort and needs careful transmission of data from the new sensor to make sure it works well with your vehicle’s system, which helps prolong its service life effectively.
Can You Keep Driving with a Tire Pressure Sensor Light?
Driving with an overinflated or underinflated tire can accelerate the wear and tear on your rubber, leading to an increase in the risk of a blowout on the road.
It can cause you to lose control of your car, potentially leaving you stranded or worse.
- Low tire pressure: This can cause the tire to explode if you’re driving long distances.
- Overinflated tires: These can lead to a harsh ride, poor traction, and increased risk of damage from road hazards.