Since almost everyone has to deal with the TPMS light on the dash coming on, here is the likely situation on a 2006 Rav 4.. One of the valve sensors inside one of the tires has failed. It takes a special tire scanner to tell which tire sensor is bad so a garage is usually needed. However, you can get a good replacement sensor in advance online for your specific vehicle for $30. When you go to the garage, expect about $30 to install the new sensor in the tire they diagnose as bad, $15 to rebalance the tire, and $25 to digitally relearn the sensor to the computer. All you can do to save on this repair is to get the part yourself. No way to DIY. Or you can just ignore the light and save $100.
Tire Pressure Light TPMS repair cost and process
sgraves8
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
Since almost everyone has to deal with the TPMS light on the dash coming on, here is the likely situation on a 2006 Rav 4.. One of the valve sensors inside one of the tires has failed. It takes a special tire scanner to tell which tire sensor is bad so a garage is usually needed. However, you can get a good replacement sensor in advance online for your specific vehicle for $30. When you go to the garage, expect about $30 to install the new sensor in the tire they diagnose as bad, $15 to rebalance the tire, and $25 to digitally relearn the sensor to the computer. All you can do to save on this repair is to get the part yourself. No way to DIY. Or you can just ignore the light and save $100.
Joined
·
11,749 Posts
They are only expected to last about 10 years at best. It's a fools errand to replace only one if they are the original sensors. Discount tire supplies the sensors and all you described for 60 bucks each.
Or, like you said, ignore the light. In any case it ain't cheap!
Or, like you said, ignore the light. In any case it ain't cheap!
Or to keep the light off buy a resistor and install it according to post 149 here: https://www.rav4world.com/forums/98-4-3-interior/85538-how-disable-tpms-how-turn-off-tpms-light.html
I bought the Autel TS508 TPMS tool. It can read most any car TPMS sensor. And I have replaced a TPMS sensor at home. Using a jack, block of wood and the car. There are videos on Youtube on how to do it. No need to rebalance because you only break the bead on one side. So tire pretty much remains intact, ok. If necessary then rebalance. It was a little costly. But when I learned how much the garage wanted to do this, I figured I would spend the money for a new tool and do it myself (learn new stuff). It was not too much more than what the garage was asking for the job. Now I can check the tire pressure with the tool and see the battery status and the tire temp. I use it on my 2007 CRV and 2017 RAV4. Have cleared the DTC a few times and learned that the TPMS system is wonky on the RAV4. The light comes and goes whenever it wants to.
Thanks I just replaced them, your advice saved me money.
I just did the same a week ago. I was going to attempt it myself but after seeing Discount Tire prices plus having a decent warranty I didn't feel it was worth the hassle of doing it myself.
Joined
·
62 Posts
I bought these tire pressure sensors.
I bought two of the 4 sensor packages for a total of $74. Then I brought them to Discount Tire and they installed them for $10 each, so my total cost was $124 for all 5 tires, and I have 3 spare sensors. So far, they've been on the RAV for 8 months, and are working correctly.
I bought two of the 4 sensor packages for a total of $74. Then I brought them to Discount Tire and they installed them for $10 each, so my total cost was $124 for all 5 tires, and I have 3 spare sensors. So far, they've been on the RAV for 8 months, and are working correctly.
I asked them about installing customer supplied sensors and they quoted $21 per sensor. You don’t get the Discount Tire warranty when supplying your own sensors, at least that's what they said.
Joined
·
62 Posts
Yes, no warranty. For the difference in price, I was willing to take that chance, which I considered rather small. I guess different Discount Tire's charge different prices. They even initialized the sensors with the car's computer when they did mine. I was prepared to do that myself using Techstream, but didn't have to.
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
