FAQ - Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

[wannabfast]

i have verified the tpms/vsa function on other models outside of the civic, and yes you will not be able to disable vsa if the tire pressure light is on.. on NON-civics, like the accord or cr-v, tl, rl, pilot, element... and most of the civics, the si probablly has different parameters

[LXurious]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

Option B - Buy new sensors and have them installed in your new wheels. This option will allow you to have a multiple sets of wheels
with the system intact. However, the car can only be programmed to recognize one set of sensors at a time. So, you will have to go to a
honda dealership and have the reprogram the system each time you change wheels. People have reported that the cost of this at the dealership
is roughly $100.

Is that $100 for the sensors and the reprogramming or just the reprogramming?

[wannabfast]

just reprogramming

[LXurious]

F*ck...how much is it for the sensors?

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by LXurious

F*ck...how much is it for the sensors?

roughly $30 each

[Hobbez]

The TPMS system is driving me nuts. I bought a set of new wheels recently and had the shop swap my stock sensors onto the new wheels. Unfortunately one of the stock sensors broke when the shop was installing my new wheels -__- So the shop had that sensor ordered via my car's VIN# and installed it onto my rims, but the TPMS light stayed on. I took it to the dealership and had them reprogram the light, and after try after try, they finally thought they fixed the problem with the light by disconnecting my aftermarket stereo and recalibrating the TPMS then. They stated that because I swapped the OEM radio with an aftermarket one the PCM (?) doesnt recognize it and thus when recalibrating the TPMS, the light will still stay on. After 3hrs at the dealership I thought the problem was fixed. I drove home no light everything was cool. Later that night though, I drove my car again and poof the light comes on! -__- I have NO idea what it could be. But I'm afraid if I tell the dealership about the problem they will charge me more money to fix it. Any car gurus have any clue what could be causing this problem?

[Phalanx]

My best guess would be that one or more of your sensors are faulty. Since the shop broke one, its easily possible that they damaged one or more of the others.

[ProZach626]

Man... so in the long run, it might be easier to use only one set of wheels, and have the tires re mounted/balanced, every season.

Does the dealership have to take your tires off, to calibrate a different set of TPMS sensors?

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by ProZach626

Man... so in the long run, it might be easier to use only one set of wheels, and have the tires re mounted/balanced, every season.

Does the dealership have to take your tires off, to calibrate a different set of TPMS sensors?

I dont beleive they do...

but the easiest thing to do is just ignore the light and use whatever wheels/tires you want

[FDcivic23]

I'm looking at buying a set of Mugen GP off of a Mugen Si from someone. The GPs already have TMPS installed but if I put them on my car, will it recognize / recalibrate the new sensors or do I have to take apart my stock wheels and swap out the TPMS?

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by FDcivic23

I'm looking at buying a set of Mugen GP off of a Mugen Si from someone. The GPs already have TMPS installed but if I put them on my car, will it recognize / recalibrate the new sensors or do I have to take apart my stock wheels and swap out the TPMS?

this is answered in the 1st post

Option B - Buy new sensors and have them installed in your new wheels. This option will allow you to have a multiple sets of wheels
with the system intact. However, the car can only be programmed to recognize one set of sensors at a time. So, you will have to go to a
honda dealership and have the reprogram the system each time you change wheels. People have reported that the cost of this at the dealership
is roughly $100.

Note: Buying new sensors and what you intend to do are the same thing... its a different set than what came with the car, and thus, will need to be programmed

[FDcivic23]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

this is answered in the 1st post



Note: Buying new sensors and what you intend to do are the same thing... its a different set than what came with the car, and thus, will need to be programmed

Dang that really sucks. I guess I'll just have to put some work in and swap the TPMS sensors when I get the chance. How easy/difficult is it to change TPMS sensors? Is it like changing a valve stem?

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by FDcivic23

Dang that really sucks. I guess I'll just have to put some work in and swap the TPMS sensors when I get the chance. How easy/difficult is it to change TPMS sensors? Is it like changing a valve stem?

That I do not know... I have not physically done that myself. Im sure someone on here can answer, though.

[The Power of Dreams]

Changing TPMS sensors isn't that hard. Obviously, you need the tire changing machine and so forth. Actually installing the sensor on the wheel, you need an 11mm socket. Be extremely careful: if you apply to much torque to the nut when installing the sensor on the wheel, you WILL brake the TPMS sensor.

[FDcivic23]

Originally Posted by The Power of Dreams

Changing TPMS sensors isn't that hard. Obviously, you need the tire changing machine and so forth. Actually installing the sensor on the wheel, you need an 11mm socket. Be extremely careful: if you apply to much torque to the nut when installing the sensor on the wheel, you WILL brake the TPMS sensor.

so basically just tighten to a snug fit. tire places like merchants should have plenty of experience with this right?

[The Power of Dreams]

They should, but every now and then, they may get careless.

With the Honda TPMS sensor, when you get it right, you would hear a slight click or very faint pop which means you have it just about snug enough. Only a little more torque and it's good. But, seldomly, you may not hear it which is where you have to start going by feel, and it might break if you don't have the feel down.

[ProZach626]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

I dont beleive they do...

but the easiest thing to do is just ignore the light and use whatever wheels/tires you want

Doesn't sound like a good idea, if you get into a wreck. I don't want to give insurance any reasons to deny my claim.

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by ProZach626

Doesn't sound like a good idea, if you get into a wreck. I don't want to give insurance any reasons to deny my claim.

they could only deny your claim if they can prove that improper tire pressure caused the accident

[ProZach626]

^^ I appreciate the suggestions, but I'm just going to get some nice all seasons. I didn't buy a new car to have my dash lit up like a xmas tree, with warning lights.

[OrdnanceMarine]

Originally Posted by ProZach626

^^ I appreciate the suggestions, but I'm just going to get some nice all seasons. I didn't buy a new car to have my dash lit up like a xmas tree, with warning lights.

"Nice" and "All-Season" don't go together if you're serious about performance as anyone that's experienced the difference between the two types of tires first-hand can tell you!