Installation and programming of TPMS sensors

Modern vehicles are equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). These sensors are installed inside the wheels and transmit tire pressure information to the vehicle's onboard computer. When the system detects a problem, a warning light shaped like a tire with an exclamation mark appears on the dashboard. Many drivers assume this simply means the tire needs air, but in some cases the TPMS sensor itself may have failed. Each TPMS sensor contains a small internal battery that eventually wears out over time. The battery is sealed inside the sensor and cannot be replaced, which means the entire sensor must be replaced. At our shop the labor cost to replace a TPMS sensor is about $20 per sensor. After installation the new sensor must be programmed and synchronized with the vehicle. TPMS programming service costs $95 and requires a professional diagnostic scanner to register the new sensor in the vehicle system. These prices apply to labor only. The sensor itself is sold separately because different vehicles require different types of sensors, either OEM or aftermarket depending on the vehicle and its configuration.