So I switched to some winter wheels and tires last night that I got off of Craigslist and was prepared for the TPMS warning. But I didn't get it.

Is my TPMS not working or is there a delay before the warning shows up?

 

The wheels you got off CL probably have TPMS

 

Did you have your old wheels in the car at the same time or right next to the car in the garage? If they are close by the TPMS on the old wheels will appease the sensor in the car until you get farther away from them. But if that is not the case then the new ones probably have TPMS, which is great. =)

-Taranis

 

I put the original wheels outside of the house with a tarp over it, then went to get gas. I thought maybe when I started the car at my house that it will still get signal. But at the gas station, I started the car and still didn't get any warning.

If there is TPMS already in the Craigslist wheels, wouldn't I need to get them registered to the car? Or did I just get really lucky?

 

No you don't need to pair them with the car. I believe they work via a simple radio transmitter. As long as the frequency in the TMPS match up with the one our cars are set to look for you're good to go

 

If the wheels did not already come with TPMS sensors installed it can take up to several miles of driving before you get the warning message.

 

I only drove a couple of miles to the gas station so maybe I just didn't drive long enough for the warning to come on. Hopefully I'm just lucky and they came with TPMS.

 

pretty sure you h ave to get the tpms programmed to the car. this is why people complain about having to take their car to the dealer if they want two sets of wheels with tpms (winter and regular set).

anyway it might take 20-30 minutes or so to come on.

 

He is right when I put on my first set of aftermarket it took about 3 -5 miles I think for it to come on.

 

It took me about 10 or 15 miles before the tpms warning went off. Now it goes off every time the car is started.

 

It took mine 200kms last winter before my TPMS warning came on. Safe eh

 

lol, i love it that canadians actually type "eh". sorry, i couldnt resist. but yea, it takes awhile for the tpms module to realize the transmitters are missing. the safety isnt really a problem tho cause if there was an issue, its the transmitters letting the module know something has changed, not vice-versa.

 

I hate the TPMS all together. I know how much air is in the tires because I monitor it. I can feel the difference between a properly inflated tire and a low pressure tire. Waste of money in my opinion.

 

They sell them at most Walmart's tire & lube not sure how much and they can relink them for about $40 vs dealer $80+ Just an fyi.

 

I hate the damn TPMS light. I topped up my tires to 38psi from 35 knowing it was going to be -30*C today (from past experience it seems the light trips at or below 30psi) and the stupid light still came on!