Running without TPMS Sensors?

[kneedragger241]

What happens if I run without TPMS sensors installed?

Will I have an annoying light flashing at me the whole time I'm driving?

I think I read somewhere that someone on one of these forums experienced difficulties when his dealership tried to do a TSB reflash on his ECU. Something like the computer couldn't complete the process because the sensors weren't there?



It's not like I need a sensor to tell me to check my tire pressure :-p

[haberdashery]

i dont have mine on since i switched to my new rims, and its not that bad, it doesnt flash it just stays there all the time. every once in a while, like once every 1000 miles probably, it will beep like 3 times, each time its done this it scares the shit out of me its soooo loud!

[robin2660]

What happens if I run without TPMS sensors installed?

Will I have an annoying light flashing at me the whole time I'm driving?

I think I read somewhere that someone on one of these forums experienced difficulties when his dealership tried to do a TSB reflash on his ECU. Something like the computer couldn't complete the process because the sensors weren't there?



It's not like I need a sensor to tell me to check my tire pressure :-p

Yes, it will stay on but not flash. The only problem I know of (and it happened to me) is that it can screw up a reflash. According to the service writer, I had to put my stock wheels back on for a TSB reflash after it failed without them.

[Mike240SX]

Put all four TMPS sensors in balloon. Inflate to PSI where light goes out. Place balloon in glove box/center console/hatch/etc.

The car doesn't know if they're on the wheels or not.

[zim]

Put all four TMPS sensors in balloon. Inflate to PSI where light goes out. Place balloon in glove box/center console/hatch/etc.

The car doesn't know if they're on the wheels or not.

lol great idea

[redspeed3tk]

spend the 220 and do it right the first time

[ForceFed]

spend the 220 and do it right the first timeIF you want to consider a useless item "Doing It right"
It's just another useless thing made for the "Masses"....Not a needed item on a car.
SO if you want to waste money...more power to you...but some of these guys could care less..and I would be right there with them.
I never run the stated pressure anyway..but I assume these would only be triggered on loss of pressure.....In which case..I am sure it woudl become quickly evident if you had atire go down.

Short answer is...Its called maintenance...Check you tire pressure once in a while.

And remember...this is just my opinion..as the statement you made was yours....we are both entitled and neither are wrong....they are just that...opinions.

[kneedragger241]

spend the 220 and do it right the first time


I've got the $220. That's not the issue.
Some wheels, such as the 5 spoke Mazdaspeed wheels do not work with the factory TPMS sensors. Not sure if they accept another kind of sensor or not. I have yet to hear back from anyone on this.

I am a tire pressure nazi. Comes from years of SCCA competition and motorcycle racing. I'll obsess over a half pound!

I just don't want to have an annoying light staring me in the face while I'm driving.

[AllLostThings]

The light flashes for a bit then stays on solid. I've been running without it all winter with my 17" and show tires and it's never been a problem.

[tripledigits]

I've actually considered making a pressure chamber for the TPS units.......

[ccann26]

Got new shoes today and funny thing is it never went off ? I thought maybe because the stockers were in the trunk but when I got home and dumped them and went to autozone ....No light ! I guess it never worked . Probably something else the dealer F*up and didn't mention to me . Unless they gotta be flat to send a signal. in which case maybe there is a checking timer of sorts and it will be on tomorrow when I wake up .

[redspeed3tk]

i agree they are usless for people who keep up on there car but its also not worth it to me to either look at a light on a brand new car or have to switch them between my summer and winter wheels sometimes ya just have to bite down and get what ya need unless ya dont care about lights

im not sure why certain wheels cant use them i have never run in to that what makes it not fit?

[knowledge007]

Some of you are failing to realize the reasoning for the TPMS. It has nothing to do with checking your tire pressure. Its a safety mech which of course will be standard on vehicles if not already.

For instance, I for one am thankfull for this safety mech. Considering I do alot driving, what happens if you run over a nail or a bolt or some kind of debris that has damaged one or more of your tires while on the road doing lets say...100...hehe Before you can feel it, this system will alert if psi has dropped 2 points. I would rather have peace of mind that I know I will know if there is something wrong before I can even feel it or be a cause of an accident or my own death.

I would not recommend operating any vehicle without this feature.

[enganear]

Put all four TMPS sensors in balloon. Inflate to PSI where light goes out. Place balloon in glove box/center console/hatch/etc.

The car doesn't know if they're on the wheels or not.

Good luck finding a balloon that will hold 30 psi! PVC pipe could work with a Schrader valve.
-enganear

[rob808]

I have a 2nd set of rims for my snow tires - I went all winter without the TPMS and I dont notice the sensor light at all. So don't sweat it and do without - save the $220 and invest it somewhere else in the car that you would notice.

[FrancoNemo]

Got new shoes today and funny thing is it never went off ? I thought maybe because the stockers were in the trunk but when I got home and dumped them and went to autozone ....No light ! I guess it never worked . Probably something else the dealer F*up and didn't mention to me . Unless they gotta be flat to send a signal. in which case maybe there is a checking timer of sorts and it will be on tomorrow when I wake up .

yea i took my out in the process of switchin wheels and it didnt turn on for a day! then it got the point and turned on... now i got them back on! much better without that light!

any orange or red lights on the dash blow!

[ccann26]

Yeah this morning the light finally went off . Took it about 15 hours to realize the sensors were nowhere to be found . Good luck with those saving your but in a pinch . (lick)

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

The balloon thing sounds cute, but I'm pretty sure the sensors only transmit while the car is in motion, to save battery life. So unless you set up your compression chamber with a mechanism to make it spin the sensors, it won't work.

[jodacoto]

spend the 220 and do it right the first time

I need a set of TPMS
where can i get them for $220 ? tirerack won't sell , unless you buy a tire/wheel package.
S Unit has them for 299.00,

[knowledge007]

The balloon thing sounds cute, but I'm pretty sure the sensors only transmit while the car is in motion, to save battery life. So unless you set up your compression chamber with a mechanism to make it spin the sensors, it won't work.

Negative, vehicle does not have to be in motion. Sensors are activated once the brain of the TPMS is turned on once the battery is cranked. If you would like to run a test please do. Go outside turn the car on, release some pressure listen for those three beeps. They are sure loud enough.

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

Negative, vehicle does not have to be in motion. Sensors are activated once the brain of the TPMS is turned on once the battery is cranked. If you would like to run a test please do. Go outside turn the car on, release some pressure listen for those three beeps. They are sure loud enough.

The following is a quote from another thread on the same topic. It also bears out what happened to me. I came out in a hurry one morning and did not notice that one tire was low. I started the car and nothing happened. As soon as the car started to move, "BEEP!". I don't have a compressor with me, so I'm not going out and letting out some air right now.

"You cannot just put the TPMS sensors in the spare or a container pressured to 32 psi. The sensors activate with centrifugal motion of a moving wheel to preserve battery life. No spinning wheel, no sensor activation. A buddy of mine tried this with his RX8 TPMS sensors and figure this out the hard way after going to the trouble of making a sealed PVC pipe and installing all 4 sensors in it."

[knowledge007]

I hear you mid. But that is wrong. I also agree that you cannot simulate pressure in a container of some kind. These sensors are made to last for 10 years at the minimum. Although I have already had to replace one of them.

But, I have been sitting in my drive way before, waiting for my girl of course, and the sensor will light up and beep at me. The system not only checks for pressure but for temp changes as well. The slightest change in pressure the system will go off. Also, if that was the case then the system would not recognize that psi is correct once you have the correct psi in the tires. But, the system does recognize that psi is correct and the light will go off as soon as the correct psi is hit.

[SLC-MS3]

Even with TPMS you should still be checking your tire pressures often. For me personally it was no big deal to lose the sensors cause I regularly check them. Just make it a habit when your filling up to check your tires.

[knowledge007]

Its not about checking your tire pressure. Its about knowing wtf is going on while you are driving on the streets and highways.

[dkswim]

i like the confort of having them. accidents do happen. your going to find out you have a leek before you have a flat. i check my tires regurly i do a walk around inspection every time before i get into the car.