[SM]

I'm planning on getting a set of steel rims and dedicated winter tires for next winter. I understand my new 3 has the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system). This means I must also purchase 4 wheel sensors as well as the rims and tires. I'm planning to skip the sensors and just let the system flash the TPMS light for 3 1/2 months of the year. Damn...this I don't like. I just hope there's no constant audio alarm with this thing. At least the audio alarms in this are a fairly quiet. I can barely hear the single indicators in this car. If there is a audio alarm that's constant, maybe it'll be a very quiet one like most of the others....I hope...

 

[mickberna]

I did exactly what you are planning, except with winter alloys... the only thing that happens is the little light (located on the tachometer) blinks when you start up the car, and then remains steady after about 10 seconds until you shut off the car. So you'll have to deal with a little yellow triangle. Other than that, it doesn't do anything.

Just remember to check your tire pressure regularly!

EDIT: I don't think the sensors would work with steel rims anyway.

 

[SM]

Thanks....I can live with that. I check my pressures about every 2 weeks regularly. I imagine there are sensors for the steel wheels as a base 3i has 15" steels. Whether the sensor is the same for both I can't say. All I do know is the Tire Rack wants about $130-140 for each sensor. OUCH!!

 

[bizzeau]

Mine has been on for the past few months due to a cut speed sensor wire (I think that's what it's called - its the wire running from the bay to the hub that collects ABS/TPMS info)...you learn to get over it! hahahahah

I don't think the sensors could be that much...hmmm...but I could be wrong!

 

[kendalf]

[quote author=bizzeau link=topic=72117.msg1270328#msg1270328 date=1174011707]
I don't think the sensors could be that much...hmmm...but I could be wrong!
[/quote]

Try $120 or so each.... They're more expensive than a lot of tires!

 

[mulberry]

kendalf is correct. You'd think for that much mulla, the car would tell you the actual pressure for each tire rather than just, "Oops, you're pressure went below/above safe level!" Coworker says his Nissan Armada can tell you the pressure of each tire.

 

[SM]

The Tire Rack wanted, if I remember right, $139 per sensor. There's a $7 or 7.50 sleeve for the sensor which must also be purchased. This price includes that sleeve. I think it's some kind of protection sleeve.

I'm glad there seems to be no audio alarm (extended period, at least). I have no problem living with the error light because I'll know what the problem is, it doesn't seem to be connected /w the engine control computer (some TPMSs are, like I think in the Corvette, a low pressure sensor reading might tell the engine's ECM/ECU to back off on the car's performance or turn on traction control...perhaps), and the problem is easily corrected. It's not like having the SES-CEL on and one DOESN'T know what the problem is. Not, usually, w/o a expensive scan tool, that is.

 

[astroduck]

This is kinda off topic but...

Do Canadian version of 2007 Mazda 3 Sport GT comes with TPMS as well? Can anyone verify that? My 2005 Corolla Sport comes with it...

Thanks!

Astro

 

[bizzeau]

[quote author=kendalf link=topic=72117.msg1270404#msg1270404 date=1174014017]
[quote author=bizzeau link=topic=72117.msg1270328#msg1270328 date=1174011707]
I don't think the sensors could be that much...hmmm...but I could be wrong!
[/quote]

Try $120 or so each.... They're more expensive than a lot of tires!
[/quote]

OUCH! Eff that... One of the retailers that sponsor this site that sell Mazdaspeed parts has gotta have a deal on some of those!!! That's crazy...they are just little sensors...

 

[RonTonkinMazda]

[quote author=bizzeau link=topic=72117.msg1271358#msg1271358 date=1174061348]
[quote author=kendalf link=topic=72117.msg1270404#msg1270404 date=1174014017]
[quote author=bizzeau link=topic=72117.msg1270328#msg1270328 date=1174011707]
I don't think the sensors could be that much...hmmm...but I could be wrong!
[/quote]

Try $120 or so each.... They're more expensive than a lot of tires!
[/quote]

OUCH! Eff that... One of the retailers that sponsor this site that sell Mazdaspeed parts has gotta have a deal on some of those!!! That's crazy...they are just little sensors...
[/quote]

yeah they are down i just sold a set for $66 each with the nuts

 

[bizzeau]

[quote author=RonTonkinMazda link=topic=72117.msg1271366#msg1271366 date=1174061516]
yeah they are down i just sold a set for $66 each with the nuts
[/quote]

:thumbup: to this guy! $66 is way better than $120...but I don't need any right now...as I sold my 07 wheels/tires with TPMS in them for RX-8 wheels with TPMS in them...BUT...there's gotta be a lot of dudes/dudettes on here that need them for their custom wheels if they didn't yank them outta their stock wheels...

 

[Luecack]

yea im looking for new wheels just for summer and am having a hard tome finding wheels that will accomidate for them in the size and offset i need for my drop

good thread

 

[astroduck]

[quote author=astroduck link=topic=72117.msg1271163#msg1271163 date=1174057438]
This is kinda off topic but...

Do Canadian version of 2007 Mazda 3 Sport GT comes with TPMS as well? Can anyone verify that? My 2005 Corolla Sport comes with it...

Thanks!

Astro
[/quote]

Bump

Any idea??

 

[kendalf]

According to the Canadian MZ3 brochure: No. Doesn't look like TPMS is offered on any trim levels in Canada. But I'm just basing this on the absence of TPMS on the brochure I have; I don't have personal knowledge about this.

 

[Mazz]

dumb questions .. can you swap the sensor to a new set of wheels? Or is there a weird retainer or something inside the OEM rim? Haven't examined it yet, but don't you need a lot of weights on the other side to balance the tire/rim?

 

[mulberry]

You can transfer the sensor to new wheels. However, the sensors won't fit on many aftermarket rims. Yes, you do need a lot of weight on the other side. I weighed my sensor. They are about 1 1/2 oz. ea.

 

[Mazz]

thanx for the pic! Now i understand.

If they don't fit new wheels, is it possible to drill them out larger?

 

[mulberry]

Drilling doesn't sound good. You can see the black gasket below the nut. That has to fit tight on the wheel to prevent leaking. The OEM rim also has a recess where the nut sits.

 

[Mazz]

Thanx 4 the great info mulberry. Sounds like I'll have to figure out a way to turn out that idiot light when I upgrade to new wheels this summer.

 

[SM]

My owner's manual recommends replacing those grommets when ever the sensor is removed from the rim.

They also say to take care with the stems as I guess they're sensitive to breakage.