JT-C6

I have a 97. I'm just about ready to replace the tires with 19000 miles on them which are original. As long as I have the rims off, should I replace the sensors so I don't have to do it again a year from now? Its a bit of a PITA to deal with finding a shop that can mount runflats on nice rims so I prefer to do this as little as necessary.

Am I on borrowed time now? How long are those batteries good for? Is it more based on the mileage, time, or both?

The better question might be, when did yours go bad, if they did at all?

EHS

Seven years.

JT-C6

Hmm, that makes mine 6 years old. Might not be a bad idea to replace these at the same time as getting the new tires.

2KFRC5

I posted this question yesterday on various forums and so far have answers ranging from 4 to 10 years. So it seems 7 yrs might be pretty close as its in the middle.

WhiteC5Vette

Might depend on mileage too. Older sensors went to sleep after sitting for a while, and when tire rotation was detected, turned on again and started signaling tire pressure. Newer cars have sensors that never shut off, however, after about 60 minutes of no movement, they only signal every hour. I have been told, but never checked that on older Vettes, there was no air pressure readings on the DIC until after the vehicle was moved. On my '03, there is a reading but it could be up to about 59 minutes old. That is until the sensor detects rotation of the tire, then it constantly signals the pressure readings.

kenrobb

Just read GM service manual and it says life is 10 years on battery. They go to sleep after sitting still and then transmit signal once an hour in sleep mode.

JT-C6

Hmm, 10 years, then maybe I do have some time. I would think that would be based on average driving too. Less than 20,000 miles in 6 years is not average.

And yes, on a 97, the tire pressure shows nothing on the DIC until the car is moving for a few hundred feet. It does not have the aged data characteristic that you speak of.

Blackjetvette97

Hi all,
I have one that has died already after 5 years, but all others are still good.

Steve

ROCKnROLL

it's a tough call.
like everything else in this world there are no guarantees.
it would be like buying insurance.
i would replace them if there's six years between tire changes.
i have a 98 with less then 15,000 and i replaced them when i got rid of my runflats.

JT-C6

I suppose I'll plan on not replacing them based on the various inputs here. It's bad enough that I'll probably drop a good $1300 on tires and mounting already without replacing the sensors.

I don't think I'll get 5 years out of the next set of tires.

Avanti

Given your driving rate, why not just replace them and be done with it for at least another 6 or 7 years? :yesnod:

HurricaneZ

What is the cost to replace them? Also can you replace the o-rings that seal them, because I have a really slow leak in my LR tire, that could either be something to do with the 0/32 treadleft :D or the sensor, I might as well replace the O-ring when I get new tires.

JT-C6

Another idea would be to buy new ones for me and to sell the existing ones here "as-is".

vette2001c5

Here's a quote from about the Tire Pressure Monitoring System from a GM Tech Link Bulletin:

Components: There is a separate sensor/transmitter in each wheel. The TPM (tire pressure monitor) system shares the receiver with the keyless entry system. Data from the receiver is displayed on the instrument panel, using the driver information center (DIC).
Sensors: The sensor, with built-in valve stem, is inserted from the inside of the wheel, through a hole in the rim. It is retained by a nut (4 n.m, 35 lb. In.) and is sealed by a grommet. The sensor is powered by a lithium battery with a design life of 10 years. Each sensor is coded differently. This permits the receiver to determine exactly which tire is over or under inflated.
Operation: The sensors operate only above 20 mph (32 kph) and transmit once per hour when parked, to preserve battery power. If the pressure in a tire rises or falls outside the calibration limits, the condition is displayed by the DIC. The low limit is 24 psi (168 kPa) and the upper limit is 39 psi (272 kPa).

robsvette

dont bother and just wait for them to go bad on you and deal with them accordingly one by one at a time. one may last you just 5 years while another may last you 10 years. what you can do is on your spare time while passing by tire shops stop by and ask them if they know how to change runflat tires with sensors inside. you will eventually find one that has done c5s before.

XTREEME

My left rear only lasted 2 months (4,000 miles), and the left front only 18 months (14,000 miles)

JT-C6

I do have at least one local place that can deal with Run Flats on high quality rims satisfactorily. It's just a big hassle for me.

AC54ME

GM dealers charge between $124 & $140/sensor.

REPLACE the "O" rings (cost = approx $2 for a 'pack of 5 from GM)