What happens if you don't replace TPMS sensors?
If the TPMS sensors in your vehicle go bad, the system will not be able to alert you when a tire loses air pressure. The TREAD Act of 2000 was passed by Congress in response to a major recall of defective tires that created unsafe driving conditions. Multiple driver fatalities were the result of tire separation. One of the outcomes of the legislation was that all passenger cars and light trucks sold in the US from the 2008 model year and onward were to be fitted with TPMS to detect when a tire was going flat. Data has shown that TPMS is estimated to result in a nearly 56% reduction in the likelihood that a vehicle would have underinflated tires.
Can a tire shop replace a TPMS sensor?
Not only can a tire shop replace your TPMS sensors, they (along with most repair shops and technicians) recommend servicing the TPMS when having new tires installed. But tire shops are not the only places that you can have the TPMS system serviced on your vehicle. Any qualified technician with access to the proper equipment can replace a TPMS sensor and reset the system.
Do I need to replace my TPMS sensors when I get new tires?
You do not need to replace the TPMS sensors when you purchase new tires. That said, new tires present a perfect opportunity to have the TPMS serviced, including installation of new sensors if needed. That is because your tires need to be removed, at least in part, in order to access the sensors inside the wheel. With the same equipment used to replace your tires. And when you have your TPMS sensors replaced, it is wise to also have your tires balanced to ensure that they continue to spin true, just as you would with new tires.
