zkahlina

Call me cheap, but I’m thinking of getting a new set of wheels with winter tires, and am not planning to purchase a second set of TPMS sensors this time. This will save me about $400 as they are about $100/wheel. Is it worth the risk?? I do have a compressor at home, so I check tire pressure very often.

My concern is how will my 2010 Acura TL system respond when it won’t be able to get TPMS signal. Am I going to drive with the TPMS error message (warning light) displayed until I put the original set of wheels back on? Does anyone have any experience with this?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^yes, all that will happen is that a warning light will come on every time you start the car.

Mr Marco

Don't be cheap. Just get the TPMS sensor installed. You'll never have to stand out in the cold with a pen sized tire gauge gripped in your glove checking to see if you really have a flat or it just looks low.

And don't forget about the other family members who may drive your car that are clueless and might not even notice a flat (yes I'm talking about you wifey of mine) and fuck up a perfectly good tire.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^its only for the winter season.
and every one is capable of checking tires.
If OP is fine with a dash warning everytime he starts the car, there isnt a need to spend the 100 per sensor.

pickler

uh i thought the sensors were on the wheels and not the tires?! why do you want to purchase a second set of tpms?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Actually, I was wrong.

with these new cars, the TPMS and VSA are twined together.
if you put on steelies on your 2010 TL, you wont be able to turn off the VSA light.

dcmodels

The dealer price per sensor a year ago was $31 each ($23 online). I am sure the Acura price has increased, prices increase every fall when the new models are released, but still...

And probably the same part number is available from a Honda Dealer (not certain). I would guess other Acura and Honda vehicles use the same TPMS sensor as the RDX. If so, my Honda dealer always has cheaper prices for the same Acura parts (when he has them).

And my local Discount tire dealer sells aftermarket TPMS sensors, not sure of the price, but I would guess it is less than the Acura dealer price. My tire dealer would not charge to install the sensors in my new wheels, although each time I replace a new tire, I do purchase the rubber parts kit which is $3.50 per wheel. Still that is only $30+ plus $3.50 per wheel.

Why do you think it is $100 per wheel?

XLR8R

+1

The OEM unit 42753-STK-A03 is about $25 from Acura online dealers.

If you lose air on the highway without TPMS, you will probably not notice until the tire has been damaged.

TPMS will signal well before any tire damage occurs.

mrgold35

Last summer, I ended up running over something on the interstate in town that put a little smaller than dime size slit in my rear tire when traveling about 75 mph. The TPMS went off immediately to warning me about the low pressure. My first thought was there was an error with the system. The early warning gave me enough time to turn on my hazard lights and make my way over 5 lanes of traffic to first available exit. I did not want to try and change a tire on the hwy with cars/trucks driving 2-4 feet away at 70-80 mph. It took me under 1 mile from the time the light went off until I was parked at a gas station off the hwy.

I know if I did not have the TPMS I would have missed the exit, shredded the tire, and be stuck on the hwy trying to put on a donut spare with my wife and two kids in the car with 18 wheelers/trucks/cars whizzing by.

Since I’ve had my RDX, the TPMS has warned me 3 times (two slow leaks with nails, and the hwy incident). The $100 worth of sensors is still cheaper than buying a new tire (or two new tires because you need to match the tread depth with the sh-awd).