I don’t really know too much about these, but when considering used sets of take-off tires/wheels, it would be nice to quickly and easily confirm if the TPMS sensors are still in the wheels. Anyone know if there’s an app available, or an inexpensive reader for this?

I often buy sets of take-off tires/wheels and I’m not necessarily looking for a programmer, just the means to quickly determine if they’re actually intact. If so, anyone have suggestions?

 

Nothing? No one?

 

A quick google search indicates tire shops may have scan tools that will detect the sensors etc., but one never knows.

 

I don't know why a takeoff set of mounted wheels and tires would not have the TPMS unless they explicitly state that they do not. I've had multiple tire shops tell me it's easy to ruin TPMS sensors when you take the tires off, and why would they go through that effort just to remove them anyway? That would mean breaking down the wheels/tires, removing TPMS, reinstalling tire and rebalancing. No reason to even do that.

 

They are part of the valve stem, at least on my 16.... so like said already, unless they were intentionally swapped for some reason i would guess they are good.

What you could do, is put them into the bed (or near) the truck and perform a TPMS calibration. It only takes about a minute and you will know if the truck is reading them. Of course, you would want to perform again with your installed tires unless you don't care about a light on the dash right away.... just a thought.

 

I'm glad your perspective works for your situation, but if you've ever bought any sets of take-offs, then you'll discover that they often remove them to install them into their new, aftermarket tires/wheels, and saving a few bucks. A lot of people do this, instead of adding the cost of buying new ones. I'd probably do the same if I ran aftermarket tires/wheels on any of my trucks. To accomplish this, you don't need to remove the tire from the wheel or rebalance it, just pop the tire on the outer bead of the wheel, pull the TPMS and reinstall a standard valve stem (for less than five bucks each). When they remove the tires/wheels from the truck and sell them off, they're obviously not concerned about running that set again.

Thanks for your response. Yes, you're correct. They are part of the factory valve stem. I'm not so concerned about determining if they're actually good, because they almost always are, and one of my guys are usually picking them up in my van, which is a Chevrolet. In fact, I've never had to replace one due to it not operating properly. In my situation, I have several F150s and often buy sets of new take-off tires/wheels for less than $500. This purpose is two-fold; I run the take-offs in the winter on all my trucks, to preserve the originals from winter salt damage to the wheels, and extend tire life. It's MUCH cheaper to buy take-off tires than new. Some may find it hard to imagine, but just in the past two weeks, I've already purchased two sets of new 17" take-offs, one set I paid $400 and the second was $380. A quick and easy way to determine if TPMS are present would be helpful in negotiating a purchase price with the sellers. Most people are either unaware of the sensors are still in the wheels/tires, or are deceptive when you ask them about it. Regardless, the deals are out there, and most people are anxious to unload them, recouping a few bucks on their aftermarket purchase, and cleaning out their garages. Some folks don't even have a garage, so they're even more anxious to get rid of them. I've taken advantage of this and bought over a dozen sets like this in the past four years, and the most I ever paid was $500 for four factory aluminum wheels and tires. That's a huge savings over paying $200+ for just ONE new tire with no wheel, retail. When I replace a truck, I then sell off the corresponding set of take-off tires/wheels for $400+, per truck. Multiply that by several trucks and the operating budget savings add up very quickly, in the course of a year.

 

Yeah but again, multiple tire shops have told me it's very easy to damage TPMS sensors when breaking down tires, and at $20+ per tire to take off the old tire why not just buy new TPMS sensors? Unless of course if the shop is willing to break down your old tires and mount the new ones for one price (walmart did not, they double charged me to swap tires from one set of wheels to another).

 

Just did this over the holidays. Tire shop included TPMS swap over in my purchase. I sold my takeoffs on Craigslist no TPMS included.

 

You're missing my point, and trying to debate why it's a good or bad idea. I'm not concerned with the reason why.... You'd have to debate that with them.

I'm not the one scavenging the sensors... the sellers I buy tires from, are the ones that do it. The reason why they do it is irrelevant to me. I'm just looking to find an easy way to confirm if they're in the sets I buy.

 

Exactly the point I was trying to convey to ghunt81. Unfortunately, not all sellers know that answer, or care to share the truth.