Well, the truck is 6+ years old and at 70000km, the tires are looking a little thin.


When it's time to replace them (soon it appears) are there batteries that need replacing inside the tires?

 

Yes there are batteries in the TPMS sensors for each wheel, pretty sure you cannot change those batteries so having to replace the sensors themselves will be called for. A bit pricy however, would get them prior to tire replacement and have them installed when they put the tires on. At 6+ years, about time for a change.

 

Aftermarket ones work just as well as stock. I paid $65 for a set of 4 off the internet.

 

The tire shop will up-sell you a TPMS rebuild kit for something like $7 a wheel. It's nothing but a new seal and they make a killing doing it. It's up to you to tell them you don't want it. If the TPMS is working then leave it alone and just get the tires.

 

Fair enough. Any idea how long these sensors transmit before eventually wearing out?

 

I have a 2009 model built in Dec 2008 and the TPMS senders are still ok. Some claim 7 years is about average but I have a 2002 vette and 3 of the senders are original