# Do I have to install tire pressure sensors on winter wheels? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** sensors, civic, tires, honda\ **Created:** [November 23, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-have-to-install-tire-pressure-sensors-on-winter-wheels/39897 "2009-11-23T13:55:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OldBull57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/edb3f5/32.png) [@OldBull57](https://community.cartalk.com/u/OldBull57)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-have-to-install-tire-pressure-sensors-on-winter-wheels/39897/1 "2009-11-23T13:55:53Z")
I own a 2009 Honda Civic EX-L Sedan and plan to install snow tires on winter wheels. The web site I plan to purchase these from suggests I purchase tire pressure sensors (4 for $144.00) and a ATEQ TPM QUICKSET RESET TOOL (@ $135.00). Are these REALLY necessary if I continue to check my tire pressure with a gauge I carry in the car? Is there any problem if I don’t have these installed and try to save the $279.00 ? The car comes with these on the wheels I will use for summer driving. Thanks for any information. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-have-to-install-tire-pressure-sensors-on-winter-wheels/39897/2 "2009-11-23T14:01:23Z")
You don’t have to…but you will have to put up with the light that’s telling you tire pressure is low. ---
**Author:** ![jayjayp47](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayjayp47/32/98_2.png) [@jayjayp47](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayjayp47)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 2:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-have-to-install-tire-pressure-sensors-on-winter-wheels/39897/3 "2009-11-23T14:04:31Z")
I elected NOT to have them installed on my Accord winter tires last year. You’ll have to live w the TPMS light being on all the time–a small price to pay in my opinion. That’s it–just check the tire pressure yourself–something I have been doing for 45 years until this wonderful invention. Put black tape over the light, if that will help you live w it. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-have-to-install-tire-pressure-sensors-on-winter-wheels/39897/4 "2009-11-23T14:32:09Z")
If you don’t mind the tire pressure warning light being on all winter you don’t need the tire pressure sensors. I’d save the money and live with the light. ---
**Author:** ![bennyandthejets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@bennyandthejets](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bennyandthejets)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-have-to-install-tire-pressure-sensors-on-winter-wheels/39897/5 "2009-11-23T23:29:34Z")
Do the sensors constantly send a “good pressure” signal to the computer? or only send a “low pressure” signal to the computer when the pressure falls below a predetermined level? I can’t believe the sensors are constantly sending a signal 24/7, it seems like the little batteries would wear out a lot faster… ---
**Author:** ![OldBull57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/edb3f5/32.png) [@OldBull57](https://community.cartalk.com/u/OldBull57)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-have-to-install-tire-pressure-sensors-on-winter-wheels/39897/6 "2009-11-23T23:41:31Z")
Thank you for the info. ---
**Author:** ![OldBull57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/edb3f5/32.png) [@OldBull57](https://community.cartalk.com/u/OldBull57)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-have-to-install-tire-pressure-sensors-on-winter-wheels/39897/7 "2009-11-23T23:43:15Z")
Thank you for the info. ---
**Author:** ![OldBull57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/edb3f5/32.png) [@OldBull57](https://community.cartalk.com/u/OldBull57)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-have-to-install-tire-pressure-sensors-on-winter-wheels/39897/8 "2009-11-23T23:45:27Z")
Haven’t done anything yet. Am planning on getting the snow tires soon. Thanks anyway for your concern. ---
**Author:** ![OldBull57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/edb3f5/32.png) [@OldBull57](https://community.cartalk.com/u/OldBull57)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 11:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-have-to-install-tire-pressure-sensors-on-winter-wheels/39897/9 "2009-11-23T23:47:36Z")
I went with NOT ordering all the extra stuff. Thanks to all who submitted replies! ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 12:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-have-to-install-tire-pressure-sensors-on-winter-wheels/39897/10 "2009-11-24T00:26:05Z")
I can’t remember who the poster was on here, but they said that low pressure light is how they know they have their winter tires/rims on the car so they also know when to change them out. ---
**Author:** ![galaxybeing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@galaxybeing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galaxybeing)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 3:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-have-to-install-tire-pressure-sensors-on-winter-wheels/39897/11 "2009-11-24T03:30:09Z")
I would like to know if the TPM light comes on or not after you install the winter tires and wheels. I change my OEM 16" wheels out for 18" non-factory performance wheels from May to November and for three seasons never had the TPM light coming on during those months. When I purchased the AR wheels at Sears they never said anything about buying tire pressure sensors for the perfomance wheels. Also, I know the TPM light is working because it glows momentarily at start-up.