So I went to the shop to pick out rims and the guy was telling me that in order to keep the tire pressure monitors it would cost me quite a bit of money and if i didnt transfer them then it would cause the car to have an error light on while driving. Can someone clarify the whole TPMS for me when looking to put rims on and then also going back to stock tires in the winter

 

That is what your tire sensor looks like. All they do is unscrew the nut that holds the sensor in place then swap the sensor and nut to the other wheel, it shouldn't cost you any more money unless the nut is seized to the sensor.

 

Of course the 'rub' comes in this fall when you are changing back to winter wheels. You will essentially have three options:

1 - Buy four more TPMS sensors for the winter wheels. We're talkin' money.

2 - Transfer the four TPMS sensors you have from the summer wheels to the winter wheels. This means dismounting the summer tires in order to remove the sensors from the summer wheels, then dismounting the winter tires so you can install the sensors in the winter wheels. Then remount the tires. Lotta work.

3 - Leave the 4 TPMS sensors you have in the summer wheels permanently, and just slap a piece of tape over the dash TPMS warning light when you have the winter wheels on.

Many here on the ORG are going with option #3, as it is cheap and requires no work. This option is fine, because the TPMS has NO OPERATIONAL FUNCTION, but is STRICTLY INFORMATIONAL. It turns the TPMS dash light on when it detects a tire with less than 28 psi. And that is all it does. Drivers who regularly keep an eye on their tires, checking the psi every week or so, should usually be fine without the TPMS in operation.

 

Option #4 - Buy 4 tpms sensors from me for cheap! lol

 

what about just leaving me tpm in my winter wheels? How much you selling them for?

 

You can have the TPMS sensors in either your summer wheels or your winter wheels, or you can pick up 4 more TPMS sensors cheap from Lsgun1 and have sensors in both summer and winter wheels . . .

BUT

(and this is a big 'but'), your TPMS system has to be programed to your specific sensors, and if you use Lsgun1's sensors half the year, you may run into a reprogramming situation each fall and each spring. Several posters here have run into this, and I would hope they will chime in here with their experiences.

 

My wheel shop took the sensors out without dismounting the tire. It's not hard with the 18s cuz they have a tall, flexible sidewall.

 

I was stuck with this issue after picking up a set of stock 19's and putting them on my car. The TPMS light stays on now, but ultimately I've chosen to ignore it instead of spending effort/time in setting it for my car. I've seen that I have the option to either switch the sensors to my other wheels, a PITA, or configure my car to recognize the new set. Either way though when I swap back to the other set of rims I have the same exact problem again.

I've seen some tools that can help with "going back and forth" between two sets of rims with TPMS sensors, you need some information from the dealership to set them up but after that can reset your TPMS yourself. Ultimately it is definitely easier to ignore it - no negative consequences other than needing to check your tire pressure on your own if needed.

Here's a link to a very similar question I asked recently: http://forums.maxima.org/7th-generat...ave-reset.html

 

I have a question. Will OEM sensors fit in aftermarket wheels? I know they have to be reprogrammed to the new sensors.

 

it will fit and dont need reprogram

 

I have a question. How expensive are an extra set (4) of sensors?

 

Cheapest ones are $48.55. OE are $97.53. Ordered from here before.
http://www.tpmssource.com

 

you sure about that? i put on stock 19's with OEM sensors and my light is on...unless its the sensors that are reprogrammed and these are set for the previous car they were on.

 

Yea if they didnt come with the car then you'd have to get them programmed.

 

weird, wonder why KMoney is saying the OEM ones up above don't need to be programmed.

 

I believe he is saying if you take your sensors out and put them in different wheels then put those wheels on your car you will not need a reprogram which is correct.

 

what am saying is if you remove your OEM sensor from your factory rims and put that same sensor into aftermarket rims, the sensors wont need to be reprogrammed

 

Kmoney is absolutely correct. The same OEM sensors that came from the factory on that car are 'talking' with the same OEM TPMS system, and they could care less what rims they are in.

Reprogramming is only necessary when sensors that did not come from the factory on that same car are involved.

 

Technically speaking, you are not reprogramming wheels or sensors. You reprogram the cars' brain (TPMS) to recognize 4 new sensors. Each sensor has a unique ID and the cars' TPMS knows to poll the 4 specific sensors that are programmed into its memory.
When you put different wheels on, you have to either program 4 new IDs from 4 new sensors in your tires into cars' TPMS or reuse original sensors that came with your cars wheels. Otherwise the TPMS light will be on.
OEM sensors that came from a different car will still have to programmed into your cars' TPMS, since they have different IDs than your original sensors.
Hope this clears it somewhat.

Max

 

great info fellas!