Does a TPMS Sensor Need Replacing With New Tyres?

Not always. A direct TPMS sensor sits inside the wheel and usually belongs to the wheel, not the tyre, so it can often be moved to your new tyre. Whether it should be depends on its age, condition and how the valve is built.

How direct TPMS sensors work

Each sensor contains a small battery and a pressure gauge, and sends readings to the car. The battery is sealed in, so when it runs flat the whole sensor needs replacing. Batteries often last somewhere around five to ten years, depending on the make and how much you drive.

What gets replaced at a tyre change

• Service kit: new seals, valve core, nut and cap. Fitting these every time is good practice because the rubber and metal parts wear and corrode.
• The sensor itself: replaced if it is faulty, damaged during removal, or the battery is near the end of its life.

Rubber valves versus sensor valves

On cars without direct sensors, the tyre simply has a rubber valve, which is normally replaced with every new tyre. If your car has indirect TPMS, which estimates pressure from wheel speed data through the ABS, there are no sensors to change, but the system usually needs resetting after the tyres are pressure-checked.

Should I change sensors if they still work?

If the car is several years old, the cost of the sensor is small compared with a second visit later to change a dead one. Ask us when you book and we will check what your car has.

We can supply and fit sensors and service kits at your location: see TPMS valve replacement and mobile tyre fitting. For a warning light that is already on, read what to do when the TPMS light comes on.