[cvtfan]

I went this weekend to get some quotes for winter tires and rims and was told by three tire dealers that they will NOT sell or install winter wheels and tires for me without the TPMS sensor. They stated that they are liable if they knowingly disable a cars safety features and thus must put the sensors into each wheel. Has anyone else run into this? Any work arounds anybody can suggest? I am in BC, Canada by the way.

I'm surprised to hear this, though I haven't checked around. How would they know if the tires aren't for an '06 Altima?

Too bad it's not like the Mini where I've read somewhere that at the press of a button, the "brain" recalibrates to whatever sensors are on the car.

There is one "simple" solution, but only the manufacturer of the valves can supply this... Provide anyone that requests it, 4 IDENTICAL sensors as the OEM sensors. This way, swapping snows and summers triggers no warning. Does anyone know if this is possible? Am I being unreasonable asking if this can be offered by Nissan? It's September. Only 2 months from getting snows put on!

 

[cvtfan]

I considered putting winter tires on another set of steelies with sensors vs. a full changeover onto my OEM alloys.

I wasn't satisfied with bypassing the TPMS and letting the light go on for the next 4-5 months.

After doing some homework, I figured it would cost me $700+ for steel rims with a 2nd set of TPMS sensors ($70/tire + $115/sensor). In addition, it would cost me $20 per change (yes, free if I do it myself). Also, ~$30 for the dealership or tire shop to reset my sensors (the tire shop's price).

The changeover with OEM alloys would cost me $80 per change using the EOM alloys.

I amortized it over 10 years (before taxes):

Steelies with sensors: $1740
Changeover with OEM alloys: $1600

These estimate don't include the tires, BTW.

I decided to go with the changeover. This way, I don't have to get hubcaps over the steelies plus I get my tires balanced twice a year. If the price of the sensors drop (I'm sure they will) getting the steelies may be a better option.

 

[cvtfan]

I ended up doing a changeover to my factory alloys. I'm OK with that, because I plan on buying new rims next summer.
I also purchased the Dunlop Wintersport M3's. These are very nice tires. Quieter than my original Bridgestones.)

If you are getting new rims, next summer, I assume the M3s are staying on the OEM alloys. Yeah, I wouldn't have bothered with the steelies, then. Original Bridgestones? You must have the 17" rims. That's an good price you got considering it is the 17"s. They are quite a bit more than the 16". Yes, I agree that the M3s are nice tires. The new 3Ds are out, but they don't come in the right size.

 

[cvtfan]

And when installed do I need to go to Nissan dealer to reset the TPMS everytime I change from winter to OEM all season tires?
HS:sad:

The short answer is maybe. batchelor22 mentioned that his tire shop was able to reset the sensors, but that it didn't stick and that he'd have to bring it back to the dealership. I don't think many tire shops have invested in the tech to reset these sensors yet (not all auto makes require a reset, but Nissan does). Try a search. Early answers to switching sensors (not a changeover) is that a reset is required.

 

[cvtfan]

It appears at present that ONLY Nissan can reset the car to read the new sensors. The problem is not the sensors but the Altima's computer which I am not sure I would want the Tire shop playing around with anyway. I have 16" steelies and tires. I am hoping that Nissan may think of us poor cold weather customers and update the computer to be able to recognize two sets of sensors. The $1400 was for the tires and rims, installation, balancing all of that stuff, the sensor price was extra. I just ordered them from Nissan and then gave them to the Tire shop to mount in the steelies when they arrived. I am very happy with the M3's so far. This is all a bit of a cash outlay but it is what you have to do when you live in the Great White North and trust me BC is not as bad as other provinces or states like North Dakota that I have spent some winter time in!

Ouch! So that's a total of $1875 initial outlay?

I got the M3s mounted and balanced on my OEMs for about $800. It's those TPMS sensors and the reset that turned me off. The Mazda's M3s are mounted on steelies, so that's only $40/year for the 2 bolt-ons compared to the Altima's $160/year for the 2 changeovers. It's just a hassle for me if it snows BEFORE I get the tires changed over. That plus the 4 hr+ line-ups at tire shops when the tempurature drops to freezing.

Again, with a second set of sensors with reset on steelies, if amortized over 10 years, you may break even. Without the sensors and reset on steelies, the break even is only 2-3 years.

If you can buy the right snows from the Nissan dealership and include free sensor updates twice a year (IN WRITING!), that'll reduce your cost (but you pay more for the tires, I'm sure). Don't know how feasible it is to get the dealership to agree to that.

 

[cvtfan]

^

I was waiting for the update that the light just went on.

Someone else on another thread in the same situation noticed the same thing... and then that afternoon the light went on.

Well, if someone in your car notices the warning light, just tell them it's to tell you that you have winter tires mounted and that it'll go off once spring hits (It's true!). I'm thinking Nissan didn't bother to make this TPMS system smarter. It's current system forces those with more than 1 set of tires and rims to get additional sensors ($115 each) and require the sensor reset at the dealership (at least $30). I'd prefer the Mini's calibration button.