[batchelor22]

TPMS and Insurance

The way this was put to me by ICBC (BC's Provincial Insurance company) is that if you knowingly disable a car's safety system and they can show that this contirbuted to an accident, you would not be covered. So if low tire pressure was a contributing factor in an accident they would not provide coverage. I suspect this is very unlikely if you actually do the routine maintenance on your vehicle but in winter many people are less likely to make these checks due to cold, snowy weather. It all boils down to a personal choice and for me if the tire delaers here were not so adamant that they would not install without the TPMS I may have gone that route. I know I could have just purchased the tires and rims and had them installed later but that seemed like a pain. I can also say now that for me personally having that TPMS light on all winter would have bothered me. In any case if you live in winter conditions get snow tires, no matter how you choose to mount and monitor them!

 

[batchelor22]

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!

 

[batchelor22]

Hello all, I agree with all of CVTFAN's info except most tire shops do not charge you anything for the changeover when you purchase the rims and tires from them. Otherwise those estimates look accurate. I purchased Dunlop Wintersport M3's on steel rims which were about $1400 installed, the sensors were approx. $475 with taxes and all. It appears only Nissan can reset the sensor at this point, tire shop tried to do it, it worked for a while and then the light came on. So you would have to pay the $30 for sensor reset with each changeover. Either method is good, I just suggest you get winter tires if you drive in snow.

 

[batchelor22]

Well, the recommended size is 215/60/16 but you can go with 205/60/16 if you want a narrower tire. Top rated brands seem to be Nokian, Toyo, Goodyear and Dunlop but there are many others that are just fine. I think any winter tire is going to be better than all seasons. For some reason I saw that 205's would slightly affect the speedo but I am not sure why if the tire is only narrower and the overall diameter is the same. Still waiting for my Dunlop Wintersport M3's, supposed to be in this week!

 

[batchelor22]

Yes, I could just not take the car in but am worried about what ramifications there might be with my insurance if the tire companies have now made this an issue.

 

[batchelor22]

Sorry to Revive an Old Thread but...?

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.