Just out of interest, has anybody had to replace in-wheel TPMS sensors?
The Smart is in its 9th year, and will probably be run into the ground as it's cheap (zero VED, low insurance) to run, convenient for local journeys, and still quite fun.
The rear tyres are getting to the point where they are still quite legal but at the depth I'd prefer to replace them. The fronts had advisories on them beginning to deteriorate (cracking) at the last MOT, despite low wear. In any case, at their age they really ought to be replaced.
The vehicle has direct TPMS, however, with senders in the wheels, the batteries for which are generally rated at less than the years currently on the car (though apparently, battery life is also related to mileage, which is very low for the age). With new tyres all around, it seems sensible to consider replacing the sensors (the batteries are non-replaceable).
OE units are pretty expensive, but I can get aftermarket pre-programmed ones that will apparently "self-learn" on a Smart (no coding required) for a cost-effective price, so I'm off to a local tyre-fitter to see if they'll install these (obtained by me) as part of the change.
Not anything I've had to consider before, either because I've not had to change tyres due to age/mileage, or because the car has had indirect TPMS (working off the ABS sensors) like the current Volvo.
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The beemer has senders in the wheels. For the most part they stayed put during tyre changes, tho when I cracked an alloy, I obtained a second hand one with a sensor in, took it to the tyre place and they used a hand held device to learn the old one, and re write the new one. Car was none the wiser.,
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Tyre fitter happy to put in (my) new TPMS valves at tyre change (at my risk of them not working, natch).
All the information I have indicates that as long as the valves are pre-programmed to the correct frequency no coding to the Smart is required, only a relearn for the correct pressures (which is invoked through the dash).
The system is simple enough; it monitors all four wheels but doesn't differentiate between them if an issue is detected.
So, time to give it a try next week.
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At our garage we email the VIN to our local factors, and they code a generic TPMS sensor and deliver it to us within a couple of hours. Costs us around 30 quid each.
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So,
in the midst of dealing with SWMBO's second hip replacement I finally got round to ordering aftermarket valves last week, (the £30 per unit mark was just about right) and had a local fitter replace them along with new tyres all round this afternoon.
Got a warning (not unexpected) about 20 yards away from their premises and put the system into "relearn" mode. Everything settled down, and has remained that way for a couple of extra short trips.
The tyre fitter is about the cheapest place around here, and well rated. A less than salubrious yard with a couple of "sheds" to do the work in, and quite a bit of tyre storage. It was like a Formula 1 change. Four trolley jacks, four mechanics, three tyre machines and no waiting!
At £240 for mid-range tyres for all four corners (different sizes front and back) I'm not going to complain.
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Smart Fortwo - TPMS - Zero
