Just thought I'd share my experience replacing TPMS sensor. Car in question is my daughter's, it's a 2009, RX350 with 119 k miles. Discount Tire checked the sensors and said three were bad so decided to replace on all wheels except the spare. I prefer to buy OEM parts so got Denso sensors from RockAuto.

So the interesting thing is that I ended up having to go to three Discount Tire stores before they could properly register the sensors with the car. Discount Tire has a box that talks directly with the sensors, if all five are working properly it can then register them with the car via the ODB port. The first two stores told me different sensors were bad and only the third persevered to get them all talking. Since registering them with the car it has been driven 2,000 miles without issue. BTW Discount Tire did the checking and registering for free.

Just wanted to let others know that Discount Tire does check and register sensors for free however I think their test box is not perfect.

Peter

 

It could be the test box requires the person using it to be able to chew gum and walk at the same time. I was getting a flat tire repaired at a Discount Tire. When I looked through the window to see how things were going, I saw that the "technician" had removed the flip up compartment panel covers, the plastic bins beneath them and was trying to get the big compartment that holds the jack apart and out. I freaked out. The bozo did not know how to lower the spare tire and was too something or the other to ask.

 

My local Costco Tire (Connecticut) sells new sensors for $50 each, plus $15 installation, unless they are added when installing tires (separate charge). My sensor(s) lasted 10 years and 80k miles, so I think I'll just wait and check tire inflation manually until I need new tires.

 

I took my 2008 in last winter because 2 of the rims were leaking from corrosion. Even though I hadn’t bought the tires from Discount ( but have bought many tires from them) they cleaned up the corrosion and put new batteries in the sensors for free

 

If you do decide to change your TPMS sensors yourself, maybe this video will help you.