Do TPMS have batteries?

[MSP-4-ME]

Just wondering if TPMS sensors have batteries in them or are they a lifetime part. I am assuming they don't but want to make sure before I purchase some used ones.

 

[Reitrof]

They have batteries. I think you have to replace the whole unit since it looks to be sealed

 

[RJKSpeed3]

I read somewhere that tpms batteries are good for 7 years and then needs to be replaced.

 

[Quiksilver05]

I heard when they spin inside your tires that they recharge or something like that?? Someone needs to confirm this...Just curious!

 

[GoFast]

no they dont recharge. They do have a life of about 5-7 years.

 

[Kain]

I heard when they spin inside your tires that they recharge or something like that?? Someone needs to confirm this...Just curious!

lawl, perhaps someday when a hybrid sensor is made that stores kinetic energy, but no. What you're thinking about is that they are activated when the tires are in motion. The battery life is limited, like has been mentioned, to about seven years.

 

[Hank3]

So do you have to replace the batteries or the TPMS itself when the batteries are gone? And are the batteries easy to replace? These TPMS things sure do become a hassle after a while. I see how they can help, but they become a nuisance when you have to mount/dismount the tires to install/uninstall. Just adds an expense if you ask me.

 

[Kain]

So do you have to replace the batteries or the TPMS itself when the batteries are gone? And are the batteries easy to replace? These TPMS things sure do become a hassle after a while. I see how they can help, but they become a nuisance when you have to mount/dismount the tires to install/uninstall. Just adds an expense if you ask me.

+1

To people who actually take care of their cars, TPMS is just another bother/expense. You're supposed to check your tire pressures frequently (once every couple weeks is fine, once a month at a minimum). Unfortunately, we're in the minority, and a lot of people go through a car's life without doing simple maintenance inspections. And we suffer for their negligence.

 

[oaklandopen]

So do you have to replace the batteries or the TPMS itself when the batteries are gone? And are the batteries easy to replace? These TPMS things sure do become a hassle after a while. I see how they can help, but they become a nuisance when you have to mount/dismount the tires to install/uninstall. Just adds an expense if you ask me.

the gov't is to thank for having TPMS on every car manufactured after 2008, and even then you can pretty much thank the whole firestone and ford explorer for starting the debate for some sort of monitoring system

and TPMS' are sealed units so battery replacement is going to be a no-go...and unless you have a tire machine you're not going to be able to get to them anyway, so it's best left up to the pros with the equipment

maybe the valve stems could be made of a solar panel type material so they can always stay charged? or maybe the valve core could double as a charging unit so you could plug in an adapter that looks like a valve stem cap or something

 

[Hank3]

Great - so instead of replacing just the batteries, we're looking at at least $100 to replace these things. And that's for used units and who knows how long they'll last.

I feel like I'm paranoid when I check the tire pressure on me and the wifey's car every couple weeks. It takes all of five to ten minutes depending if I have to add any more air or not. So easy...

 

[oaklandopen]

Great - so instead of replacing just the batteries, we're looking at at least $100 to replace these things. And that's for used units and who knows how long they'll last.

I feel like I'm paranoid when I check the tire pressure on me and the wifey's car every couple weeks. It takes all of five to ten minutes depending if I have to add any more air or not. So easy...

i know what you're saying and it really is a crying shame that the majority of car owners probably don't even know how to pop the hood, let alone be able to check even the simplest of things like tire pressure. whats even worse is the amount of ppl who don't read their owners manual, and end up going back to the dealer to ask for help for something they could have found out themselves

hmmm....i guess there's a reason why companies are still trying to perfect the self parallel parking and whatnot, cuz ppl are becoming less and less tuned into their cars

 

[builthatch]

i'd be willing to bet none of you guys will have this car long enough to worry about it...honestly. 7 years? come on...

 

[GoFast]

i know what you're saying and it really is a crying shame that the majority of car owners probably don't even know how to pop the hood, let alone be able to check even the simplest of things like tire pressure.

hood?

 

[Kain]

i'd be willing to bet none of you guys will have this car long enough to worry about it...honestly. 7 years? come on...

How much? I'll wager since my intent before purchasing this car was to go at least that long. See you in another 6 years, 3 months.

 

[MikeHTally]

I fully intend to keep mine that long. I'll probably keep my Ram that long as well. The 300C will get retired to the garage in another couple of years, but it'll still be mine.

 

[MikeHTally]

Sorry for the thread highjack. To the OP, yes they have batteries. The sensors turn off when the wheel stops moving and back on when the car gets to 16mph or so.

 

[oaklandopen]

i'd be willing to bet none of you guys will have this car long enough to worry about it...honestly. 7 years? come on...

ah-HA....but therein lies the problem. maybe some won't have this car in 7 years....but there will be others. and what happens when they drive off the lot with this (or any car manufactured with TPMS) and the batteries go dead? they'll be right back in the shop on a non-warranted item (unless the place they buy it from replaces them beforehand or has some special warranty on just that item).

the same thing is happening with the first generation of prius' and insights. those batteries don't last forever, and if you find one on the used lot and buy it and it doesn't hold it's charge anymore....that like $5-10 grand you gotta spend getting replacement batteries

first generation air bags as well...they have a shelf life and there are thousands of ppl driving right now that dont' know if their airbags will deploy or not

 

[RJKSpeed3]

^^good point...I'm using a 5 years old TPMS from an 04 RX-8 and it seems to be working fine...no light yet. Im hoping to use these sensors for 2-3 more years.

 

[Reitrof]

While I like the idea of TPMS, if the batteries die I will not replace them. I will keep doing what I do today and use the gauge every week or so to check the tire pressure. I use the stock rims in the winter that have TPMS but run other rims in the summer that don't have TPMS. The orange light doesn't bother me.

 

[MikeHTally]

...the same thing is happening with the first generation of prius' and insights. those batteries don't last forever, and if you find one on the used lot and buy it and it doesn't hold it's charge anymore....that like $5-10 grand you gotta spend getting replacement batteries...

You have a point on the Prius's, prii?, etc. It won't be that bad, though. Last I read was about $2,800 to replace a Prius battery (probably doesn't include the $10K disposal fee. (omg) Of no consideration to the tree-hugging whackos though. They'll want a government bailout for the battery cost.