Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) allow your vehicle to report the pressure of each individual tire. The two most common TPMS systems are band-installed and valve-installed. Band-installed TPMS are secured to the wheel of the vehicle with a band tightened around the circumference of the inner rim. Valve-installed TPMS are connected to the valve stem of the vehicle. New models of vehicles that have TPMS systems integrated into the vehicle may require dealership service to reinitialize the TPMS system to recognize new sensors. Check with your vehicle's manufacturer to determine compatibility of sensors.
Remove the wheel from the vehicle. Deflate the tire.
Remove the bead of one side of the tire. Slide the tire over the edge of the rim. Lift the other bead over the band-installed TPMS. Slide the tire over to one side of the rim, allowing full access to the band.
Remove the band from the wheel. Most factory installed bands require you to cut the band. Once the band is cut, remove the band from the wheel. Do not cut the band through the TPMS sensor.
Remove the tire valve. Pry the edges of the tire valve away from the inside rim with screwdriver. Do not mar the metal of the rim with the screwdriver. Grasp the front of the tire valve with pliers. Press the tire valve through the rim until it is pushed through. Remove and discard.
Remove the TPMS hardware, if previously installed, on the replacement valve stem.
Clean the valve stem hole with detergent to remove debris. Lubricate the hole with a small amount of liquid detergent.
Press the top of the valve stem through the inside of the rim hole. Grasp the valve stem with pliers and pull through the rim until the valve is seated in the hole. Rotate the valve stem to ensure that the seating is tight. Inspect the valve stem at the point of connection to ensure the material is not rolled.
Attach the TPMS hardware to the bottom of the valve stem. TPMS system connection varies by manufacturer. Consult the instructions that come with the valve connected TPMS.
Slide the tire bead over the TPMS. Reattach the tire bead all the way around the rim. Inflate the tire. Check for air leaks.
Test the connection if using an aftermarket transceiver. Turn on the vehicle and follow your TPMS manufacturer's instructions for activating each sensor.
Reinitialize the TPMS system if connecting the TPMS to the factory installed transceivers. Most vehicles produced after 2007 will require reinitialization through key codes. Consult your vehicle's manufacturer for specific instructions, or take the vehicle to the dealership for servicing.
