TPMS reset charge

[FRiSson]

I contacted my dealer to get an estimate on a winter wheel swap. They want $26.95 for the swap, which seems okay, and $99 to reset the TPMS, which seems outrageous. Don't they just have to do some simple rfid code change.

So I have a few questions for you guys.

1) What does this service usually cost?
2) Does it have to be performed everytime I change wheels, or can the car computer store two sets set of sensors?
3) Can I buy a device and do it myself?

Thanks in advance

[Khyron686]

If it's the same sensors in the same wheel, you don't need to do anything.

If it's new wheels, just don't put sensors into the new wheels (and either live with the light or do the "tape over it" mod)

There are boxes that let you program new sensors, but not out for this model yet. Also there are sensors that "clone" the ids of your existing sensors, so you basically have 2 of each wheel. This is the route I'm going to go once I'm sure they're ready. Again, need to wait for them to make it work with the new sensors.

[neutron256]

If they're talking about moving sensors from summer wheels to winter wheels then the $99 makes sense.

If you already have sensors in your winter wheels then they're ripping you off. Pairing sensors is a 5 min job.

[Miniata]

IMHO the best solution is to just leave the sensors out of your winter wheels/snow tires, and ignore the light. Buy an inexpensive floor jack and torque wrench and you can swap your own wheels/tires in less than half an hour and pay nothing for someone else to do it.

[FRiSson]

I used to do that, but it took me longer than 30 minutes. I wonder if the insurance is voided with no TPMS?

[Spartan65]

These wheels will fit with these hydrophelic snow tires.

Snow tires retain pliability at lower temprature, but wear fast at ambient tempratures above 65 degrees. The silica in all season tires makes the tread blocks break below freezing.
There are also plenty of reasons to start using your OEM wheels as snow wheels, there is quite an assortment of Winter Tires in the factory 215/45-17 size.

[Spartan65]

Originally Posted by neutron256

If they're talking about moving sensors from summer wheels to winter wheels then the $99 makes sense.

If you already have sensors in your winter wheels then they're ripping you off. Pairing sensors is a 5 min job.

Moving sensors is just a matter of changing the valve stem unit, not like it used to be when TMPS first came out they had a SS band that went around the wheel.

[neutron256]

Originally Posted by Spartan65

Moving sensors is just a matter of changing the valve stem unit, not like it used to be when TMPS first came out they had a SS band that went around the wheel.

Yeah sure, removing it is no big deal, but you have to get the tire off first. I just got a quote to have a set of snow tires mounted on some older wheels I have. It came to just under $100 with balancing.

It sounds to me like they're charging for swapping the sensors to the new wheels (and probably balancing them). Not just for programming them.

[Miniata]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

I used to do that, but it took me longer than 30 minutes. I wonder if the insurance is voided with no TPMS?

Don't know why it would be, never heard of any insurance related TPMS issues. Just check your tire pressure regularly. With a cordless impact and lightweight floor jack, it takes me betweeen 5 and 10 minutes to change all four wheels/tires, but I get lots of practice since I do it so often.

[Spartan65]

Originally Posted by neutron256

Yeah sure, removing it is no big deal, but you have to get the tire off first. I just got a quote to have a set of snow tires mounted on some older wheels I have. It came to just under $100 with balancing.

It sounds to me like they're charging for swapping the sensors to the new wheels (and probably balancing them). Not just for programming them.

Is there a Discount Tire Near you, hit them up if there is?

[neutron256]

Originally Posted by Spartan65

Is there a Discount Tire Near you, hit them up if there is?

I stick with my local shop. They cost a little more but they service and quility of the work is more important to me then saving $10-20. Plus they usually do free patches and other basic work for their regulars.

[FR-S,M.D.]

Originally Posted by Spartan65

These wheels will fit with these hydrophelic snow tires.

Snow tires retain pliability at lower temprature, but wear fast at ambient tempratures above 65 degrees. The silica in all season tires makes the tread blocks break below freezing.
There are also plenty of reasons to start using your OEM wheels as snow wheels, there is quite an assortment of Winter Tires in the factory 215/45-17 size.

What does hydrophelic mean?

[serith]

The steelies I throw on my car for my winters wheels don't even have the TPMS installed. I just deal with the indicator light for a few months

[FRiSson]

They make cordless impact wrenches? Do they have built in torque settings?

That would make things a lot easier!