Is it worth fixing TPMS before trading in a vehicle?

[Herr Kutz]

The TPMS light has been lit up in my car for past two years or so (it's a 2008), and I haven't bothered to fix it. How much can I expect the dealers to ding me when I go to trade in my vehicle?

I imagine a sensor(s) is out and isn't reporting a value, but I don't know for certain. My vehicle doesn't have an in car display that shows tire pressure so I don't know which one(s) are out. Is there any way to find this out without paying someone?

 

[Aikouka]

I wonder if it will come back as a code? Although, if it is just a TPMS sensor, the cost and effort probably isn't worth it as those sensors cost about $20-30 OEM. The dealer probably won't even care if you just tell them beforehand.

 

[jlee]

It probably won't matter on trade. If you have a Discount Tire nearby, I think they'll diagnose it for free (probably a dead sensor, as you said).

 

[Herr Kutz]

I wonder if it will come back as a code? Although, if it is just a TPMS sensor, the cost and effort probably isn't worth it as those sensors cost about $20-30 OEM. The dealer probably won't even care if you just tell them beforehand.

I've been looking up the cost of these sensors and the OEM ones seem really expensive

http://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts/nissan-sensor-unit-tir~40700-ja01c.html

And that's before installation and programming.

I just figured dealers couldn't sell cars with the TPMS light on so they would ding me a lot on price, but I don't know.

 

[Herr Kutz]

It probably won't matter on trade. If you have a Discount Tire nearby, I think they'll diagnose it for free (probably a dead sensor, as you said).

Ouch, closest one is 300 miles away. I'll have to see if NTB has free diagnosis. I'm pretty sure Sears would charge even for diagnosis only.

 

[Midwayman]

If you have any lights on the dash you can bet they'll use it as a bargaining chip. I know I would. The bigger question is if fixing it will cost more than it'll hurt you.

sensors can be had cheaper
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...Referer+www.google.com+URL+/en/catalog/nissan

dismount install and remount would probably be like $30

Big question is if you need the dealer to program the sensor or if its something you can do.

 

[jlee]

If you have any lights on the dash you can bet they'll use it as a bargaining chip. I know I would. The bigger question is if fixing it will cost more than it'll hurt you.

sensors can be had cheaper
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...Referer+www.google.com+URL+/en/catalog/nissan

dismount install and remount would probably be like $30

Big question is if you need the dealer to program the sensor or if its something you can do.

Discount Tire does it for ~$65 installed. I imagine there's some shop near the OP that would do the same, though maybe not quite for that cheap.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Discount Tire does it for ~$65 installed. I imagine there's some shop near the OP that would do the same, though maybe not quite for that cheap.

Is that per sensor or for all 4?

 

[NutBucket]

I would guess per wheel. But they can likely test which sensor is dead.

 

[Aikouka]

I've been looking up the cost of these sensors and the OEM ones seem really expensive

http://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts/nissan-sensor-unit-tir~40700-ja01c.html

And that's before installation and programming.

I just figured dealers couldn't sell cars with the TPMS light on so they would ding me a lot on price, but I don't know.

That's about the same for my car as well, but I can buy a Schrader unit from Amazon for $30, and apparently, Schrader makes the Ford units anyway.

 

[OutHouse]

The TPMS light has been lit up in my car for past two years or so (it's a 2008), and I haven't bothered to fix it. How much can I expect the dealers to ding me when I go to trade in my vehicle?

I imagine a sensor(s) is out and isn't reporting a value, but I don't know for certain. My vehicle doesn't have an in car display that shows tire pressure so I don't know which one(s) are out. Is there any way to find this out without paying someone?

they are not that expensive to replace. just call a chain tire shop in your area and get a quote.

 

[jlee]

I would guess per wheel. But they can likely test which sensor is dead.

Yep.

 

[eng2d2]

Does tpms use battery even if the wheel is not mounted?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Most dealers won't care about such a minor issue. A car that age is going to auction anyways. They know within a few hundred $$$ how much they will get at Manheim.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Edit: Oops, posted in wrong thread.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've been looking up the cost of these sensors and the OEM ones seem really expensive

http://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts/nissan-sensor-unit-tir~40700-ja01c.html

And that's before installation and programming.

I just figured dealers couldn't sell cars with the TPMS light on so they would ding me a lot on price, but I don't know.

If you're trading it in just look up the value and deduct $100. Yes, the dealer will fix the problem before they sell it or they'll just send it to auction. It will cost them very little to fix assuming that is the only thing wrong with the car.