| Symptom | Likely Cause | Urgency Level |
|---|
| Light flashes 60-90 sec then stays solid | Sensor communication failure | ⚠️ Replace within 2 weeks |
| Light on despite correct tire pressure | Dead battery or faulty sensor | ⚠️⚠️ Schedule replacement |
| Light comes on only in cold weather | Weak sensor battery | 🔄 Monitor monthly |
| Erratic pressure readings | Corroded valve stem | ⚠️⚠️⚠️ Immediate inspection |
See, most sensors have 5-7 year batteries. After that? They start dying like clockwork.
## When You Absolutely Need New TPMS Sensors
Don't just replace these blindly though. Last month a customer paid $400 when a $15 valve rebuild would've fixed it. Here's when replacement is unavoidable:
- Your car is 7+ years old (original sensors expiring)
- You see physical damage – cracked housings or bent valves
- After tire or wheel replacement (ask me about the time a tire shop broke my sensor...)
- Persistent error codes even after reset attempts
*Pro tip:* If you're buying winter tires, get extra sensors mounted. Swapping tires seasonally ruins valve stems.
## DIY TPMS Replacement: Real Talk From My Garage
Can you DIY? Sure, if:
1. You own a TPMS reset tool (the Autel MX-Sensor works great)
2. You're comfortable breaking tire beads safely
3. Your vehicle doesn't require dealership programming
Tools you'll need:
- Valve core tool ($5)
- Torque wrench (over-tightening cracks sensors)
- Tire lubricant
- Jack stands - never trust a jack alone!
**Where DIY goes wrong:**
Forgetting to replace valve cores and grommets. Did that once – slow leak drove me nuts for days. Also, rubber snap-in valves degrade faster than metal clamp-in types.
## TPMS Sensor Replacement Costs: What Shops Won't Tell You
The price shock is real. Here's the breakdown:
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