I have a 2007 LS 460 and will need new snow tires mounted on the extra set of wheels devoted to them. I want to know if I need new TMPS sensors put on at that time? I will probably go another 7 years before needing to replace these new tires, so I am trying to avoid the inevitable replacement without having to pay for demounting and remounting the tires from the wheels when the batteries do die.
Anyone have the sensor batteries die yet? How long did they last?

 

If you need new ones, I posted info in the Wheel/Tire sticky thread. Basically all 4 for under $100. They have about a 7 to 8 year battery life if I recall correctly. TPMS rebuild kits don't cover the battery, just the washers and other hardware prone to corrosion, wear, etc.

 

I don't fully understand this, but if the rebuild kits require the battery separately, that implies that the sensors can need new batteries without a rebuild kit. So can't you just put new batteries into our old TPMS thingies?

 

The "rebuild kit" is just a couple of "o" rings and spacers. I'm not even sure if the TPMS sensors in our cars have user-replaceable batteries (?)

 

But if the batteries are priced separately, SOMEONE can replace them (perhaps without replacing everything else).

 

The sensors are a sealed unit. You would have to drill into the plastic covering with a dremel like tool to access the battery. Then how do you seal it so it stays in place for 7 years?

 

Ah, the disposable society........ I guess that's progress!

 

Something doesn't reconcile here. One says it's a sealed unit and another says the batteries must be purchased separately.

 

The ones I bought for my IS250 when I changed wheels looked like sealed units.