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TPMS sensor replacement cost

MarkB_MI

MarkB_MI

Well-known Member
Location
Motown USA
I haven't yet needed to replace the sensors in any of my vehicles, but my sister called me yesterday to ask about the TPMS error on her 2009 'Burban. I told it was probably a dead battery in one of the sensors, and that she should go ahead and get them all done. She said she had trouble getting her land yacht scheduled for service at the dealer, but I told her any tire shop should be able to handle it. She said she always goes to DisKount Tyres; I said fine, take it there.

Today she texts me a copy of the bill: 4 sensors @ $60 each and 5 bucks apiece to install them, for a nice round total of $260. I wasn't terribly surprised; I figured it would be about 200 bucks. She was a bit shocked at the markup on the parts, since I'd shown her genuine Delco sensors on Amazon for less than 20 bucks apiece. (DT actually used a universal replacement that's $28 on Amazon.) I told her that was probably typical: they're probably marking up the parts 100 percent over their cost.

I've got a 2012 Acadia that will soon need TPMS sensors. How much are y'all paying to get this done? Has anyone bought the sensors online then taken them to a shop to get them installed? How did that work out?
 

That's cheap for a new sensors installed and backed with a warranty... I spec it was a programable sensor never ran has not sit on a shelf are bounced around. Do you think its possible for shops to stock every sensor are wait for a deal to be shipped to them...

I can tell ya they are not getting rich at it nor able to pay good wages to qualified help at that price...

Its called convenience and that comes at a price. I get $385 take it are leave it I have more profitable work waiting... I will say the price fluctuates depending on the brand you use. Every time one starts to get out of hand another new brand pops up cheaper to undercut the other brand. At this time I am using Autel sensors they are rather proud of them BUT so far so good things are going smooth.

BTW they don't give TPMS tools away nor tire machines, computer balancers are the labor... Some TPMS will flat out eat your lunch I have spent days/weeks getting them to program...

Things are not always lovely in the trench...
 
She could put a $5 tire gauge in the clove box? Also tread depth gage?When I get so feeble I can't check the air in my tires it's time to hang up my spurs.
 
I did my sons 08 Silverado a couple of months ago for $34 for all 4. Put them in myself. I replaced the stems also they come with it) but you can put the new sensor on the old stem if you want.
 
I would imagine, if you brought your own parts to a shop to install, they will charge more than $5 a piece with no guarantee. I don't think their price is out of line, they don't shop on ebay or amazon, or wait on shipping of parts. It's not always about finding the cheapest parts, you are paying for the whole service and possible warranty.

I had a guy bring me 4 TPMS sensors for installation. 2 of the 4 never programmed. He got 2 more and brought back later, I installed and programmed again. Guess what, a month later one failed, I installed it and programmed again. He paid me for all it, every time, it would have been free to him if I sold him the parts. So, 3 trips to the shop, 7 sensor, 3 tpms programmings and almost 6 weeks total duration. His truck is either fixed now or he gave up.
 
The shop has to make a profit. $20 labor will barely pay for the technicians labor to dismount, remove the tire, remove old TPMS, install new TPMS, put the tire back on the rim, remount the tire and program the TPMS to the vehicle X4. The shop also has to pay someone for clerical time to write the invoice and receive payment. Not to mention the tool that programs the sensors to the vehicle or rent, utilities, insurance, inventory, etc. I know you can do it yourself but its a PITA. Last estimate I got a few years ago was $200 per tire. I might look into it again.
 
> She could put a $5 tire gauge in the clove box? Also tread depth gage?When I get so feeble I can't check the air in my tires it's time to hang up my spurs.

TPMS isn't just a convenience, it's a safety feature. The whole point is to catch a leak before an underinflated tire self-destructs at 80 mph. And feeble or not, you can't check your tire pressure with a gauge every few seconds while you're driving down the road. TPMS does.

My sister is 69 years old, lives in Phoenix and routinely takes solo trips of several hundred miles or more across some of the most desolate country in the US. As I pointed out to her, fixing the TPMS is roughly the price of one ruined tire, and might save her from dealing with a flat out in the middle of nowhere.
 
$5 labor per tire to remove a tire from a vehicle, break it down, replace sensor, rebalance, and re-install? What kind of 1995 time warp is that? No thanks, my tire equipment would sit in the corner and collect dust before I would charge that little. I would be paying my help more than I made. The first shop I worked at in 1994 we charged $5 to dismount/mount, and $7.50 each to balance. I charge $25 per tire dismount/mount/stem/balance on carry-ins. It's $30 per if I have to deal with the car and tie up a lift.
 
My Toyota was just under $400 for all 4, mostly its just dismount, install, remount, and balance, then I watched one tire refuse to connect to the car computer, that man earned his money fighting with that car. I guess they are a good thing in this age of not looking after your stuff, but my Dad taught us to pick a night of the week and check your oil, check tire pressure, and check the air filter on everything in the driveway, 60 years later, I still do.
 

Lets add in the unknown "Corrosion" its becoming problematic as those aluminum wheels age. Its time consuming to address the issue it takes longer than the actual time to replace the tire. I would wager every tire than comes in with a slow leak that cannot be found in a normal fashion its leaking around the bead from "Corrosion".

How about the ones that have excessive rubber build up on the bead do you pass it are take the time to clean it up... Does the $10 a hr. tire jock really care...

Flat repairs from the inside as it should be is at least a 1/2hr. that require more expense to perform.

Those that can perform the service on their own you are a resourceful man. You are the few my hats off to ya believe me you are in the minority.
 
Some interesting replies. I've never owned a business and obviously have never had any employees, but my good friend has for most of his working days. He told me often that the wage/salary that an employee gets is only the beginning of what it costs a business to operate as far as the expenses for staffing. The benefits provided plus coverage for things like workman's compensation programs, etc. are staggering according to him.
 
140 bucks out the door at Discount Tire Fenton Mi on my 07 2500 Chev 3 months ago. Originals lasted me since the truck was new. I got anywhere between that and 300 bucks around me.
 
Texas inspection requirements do not include TPMS. When I had new tires put on my little Honda Element the dealer just put regular stems in. I have been monitoring my tires all my life. Why should I change now?
 
All these gadgets seem nice when the car is new but can drive you crazy when they wear out. Then what if you keep the car 20 years, they will discontinue supplying the parts My wife bought a new SUV this last year and I can't stand it. It raises H if you get out of the car to open the front gate. Then if you forget to turn the system off it will shut the motor off ever time you come to a traffic light. I'm thinking sooner or later it will shut the motor off and you won't be able to restart it.
 
Budget $10 to $40 per year for TPM battery replacement over the life of a vehicle. That is really just a drop in the bucket compared to the other costs of owning and driving a car, less than the cost of one fill up. Those of us who change our own oil can get by not replacing TPM batteries until it is time to sell the vehicle. For the average driver it is a good investment, especially if it saves a flat tire on the road or worse.
 
A general rule of thumb for many decades is you need to charge at least three times the hourly wage of an employee to make ends meet.
 
Tire barn uses Nitrogen instead of moisture rich air.
Do you get less oxidation with nitrogen?

Tire store in Sullivan cleans rims with wire brush on right angle grinder.
I've seen them use a black caulk on even new aluminum rims to insure bead doesn't
leak.
Sullivan is my go to tractor tire store.

Tire barn in TH is my go to place for car/truck tires.

When I have to replace tires on car, I'll ask if it best to replace battery or TPMS.

BYW, my display is backwards. Pressure on front tires are actually the pressure on
back ones and backs are the front pressure. NO BIGGIE.
 

I think $260 installed is a very reasonable price and the markup is not that much when you consider the overhead involved in running a tire store.
 
(quoted from post at 02:39:41 08/07/21) Tire barn uses Nitrogen instead of moisture rich air.
Do you get less oxidation with nitrogen?

Tire store in Sullivan cleans rims with wire brush on right angle grinder.
I've seen them use a black caulk on even new aluminum rims to insure bead doesn't
leak.
Sullivan is my go to tractor tire store.

Tire barn in TH is my go to place for car/truck tires.

When I have to replace tires on car, I'll ask if it best to replace battery or TPMS.

BYW, my display is backwards. Pressure on front tires are actually the pressure on
back ones and backs are the front pressure. NO BIGGIE.
Click to expand...

nitrogen, It may help... Vehicles around salt seam to be the worst of the bunch I doubt nitrogen makes much difference on those...

I am not sure there is anything you can put on the bead to completely stop corrosion. I use bead sealer to cover the buffed bead I spec its just a feel good deal. Lately I just mop it good with euro tire paste.

display is backwards, it needs to be relearned some makes don't require it. 1) if it does not display the tire pressures and you have not changed a sensor why do a relearn. Even if you relearned its not going to tell you the tire that's low. 2) some will self learn.
 
1) if it does not display the tire pressures and you have not changed a sensor why do a relearn. Even if you relearned its not going to tell you the tire that's low.
Click to expand...

But for diag, when you hook a scanner up and it says RF tire sensor, you don't actually know which one it is. Some pickups spec different pressures for front/rear but don't display actual pressure these need pressure adjustment and relearn every rotate (to be correct).

Most current vehicles have a speed sensor at each wheel, these sensors can be used for tpms and some vehicles do use them. Honda comes to mind, and the system is just as sensitive as an actual tpms sensor. These will turn on the light just by rotating the tires or a tire drops 2-3 psi. They have a button on the dash to relearn the tire position too, it's so easy. I like this system because there's no tpms sensors that will die, no special equipment or procedures to relearn.
 

Good reply thanks...

I don't think YT cheap A's understand the cost of doing business. That's understandable they are not in it for the end results...

My first TPMS tool a nice line green magnet on a stick $200 it was a worthless tool I spent many a hour trigging sensors to no avail.

Up next a Bartec 500 I think it was $1500 SHOCK life was much better thill it needed updated at a cost of over $300 a year. That's a lot of relearns at $16 a set...

Next up a Smart sensor tool $400 that started the DEALS on TPMS tools they came with 10 sensors enoufh to pay for the tool. It was hit and miss mostly my fraught updates were free. There tech assistance is primo. On the updates I updated every time one came out BUT my link/dashboard was the old original dashboard it keep refreshing it back to the 2018 software. I thought it was updating but no it wiped it clean and put the 2018 software back in it : (


Next up Autel 508 $400 it came with enoufh sensors to pay me back for the tool. Life's much better but the sensors are expensive. : ( Payback is nice but you are working for free till then... How many does it take before you are in the RED...
The Norm you buy a tool next week a new model comes out that covers the short falls of the new one you just brought.

Remember we get all makes and models I have had to use every tool in my arsenal get a happy ending. This stuff has got so Vin. pacific human error is in the equation.
 
Not going to warn you for blowout. That underinflated tire should have been inflated before leaving home. TPMS does't help you in tread separation. Doesnt help in road hazard collision. Your own two eyes and ears are your most reliable items.
 
It's not just a matter of safety for some of us. Its the annoying warning every time I start the car and the warning on my dash that I have to shut off if I want to see my odometer.
I think I paid around $60 for 4 new ones but have not installed them yet. Waiting for cooler weather. I doubt a shop would replace them for $5 apiece if owner provided. Lots of businesses make money on mark ups.
Maybe I should take my ibuprofen and go change mine. Lol.
 
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