Can I add TPMS sensors to my package after ordering?
TPMS sensors need to be installed inside the tire during the mounting process before the tires are inflated and sealed, which means they ideally need to be added before your order ships. If you have already placed your order and want to add TPMS sensors, reaching out to the customer support team as quickly as possible gives you the best chance of getting them added before fulfillment is complete.
If you placed a wheel and tire package order without adding TPMS sensors and are now wondering whether you can still get them included, here is what you need to know about how TPMS sensors work, why timing matters, and what steps to take.
Why Timing Is Important for TPMS Sensors
TPMS sensors, which stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System, are small devices that are installed inside the tire and mounted onto the valve stem of the wheel before the tire is inflated and sealed. Because the sensor sits inside the assembled wheel and tire, it needs to be in place before the tire is mounted and inflated during the assembly process. Once a tire has been fully mounted and sealed onto the wheel, adding a TPMS sensor requires the tire to be dismounted, the sensor installed, and the tire remounted and re-inflated, which is an additional service step that requires a qualified wheel and tire shop with the proper equipment.
This is why selecting TPMS sensors at the time of your original order is the most convenient and cost-effective approach. When ordered upfront, sensors are installed as part of the standard mounting process before your package ships at no additional labor cost beyond the sensor price itself.
What to Do If You Want to Add TPMS After Ordering
If you have already placed your order and would like to add TPMS sensors, reaching out to the customer support team as quickly as possible is the most important first step. Orders move through the fulfillment process efficiently, and the window to make changes before an order has been pulled, packed, and prepared for shipment can be short. The sooner you reach out, the better the chance that the team can make the addition before your order progresses too far through the process.
You can contact the support team through the Contact page on the website. When you reach out, have your order number ready so the team can locate your order quickly and assess whether the addition is still possible before shipment.
What If My Order Has Already Shipped?
If your order has already shipped by the time you reach out, adding TPMS sensors to the tires before installation will require a trip to a qualified wheel and tire shop. The shop can dismount the tires, install the sensors, and remount and re-inflate the tires before you complete your installation. While this adds an extra step and cost compared to having the sensors installed before shipping, it is a straightforward service that most wheel and tire shops can perform.
When choosing a shop for this service, a reputable wheel and tire shop with experience handling aftermarket sensors is recommended over a dealership, as dealerships do not always carry the tools and equipment needed to work with aftermarket TPMS sensors properly.
How TPMS Sensors Work After Installation
Once your wheels and tires are installed on the vehicle with TPMS sensors in place, the sensors typically sync to your vehicle's monitoring system automatically after approximately 50 miles of driving. Some vehicle and sensor combinations may require a manual sync process, which can be performed at a qualified wheel and tire shop using the appropriate programming tool. Once synced, the sensors monitor tire pressure continuously and trigger the warning light on your dashboard if any tire falls outside of the recommended pressure range.
A quick way to confirm whether TPMS sensors are installed in your tires after receiving your package is to check the valve stems. A black rubber sleeved valve stem with a gold valve cap underneath indicates that a TPMS sensor is installed. A chrome sleeve valve stem indicates that no TPMS sensor is present in that position.
Do I Need TPMS Sensors?
Whether TPMS sensors are required depends on your vehicle and your preferences. In the United States, federal regulations require that vehicles manufactured after 2008 be equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. If your vehicle came equipped with TPMS from the factory and you install new wheels without transferring or replacing the TPMS sensors, your dashboard warning light will remain illuminated to indicate that the system is not functioning. While this does not affect the drivability of the vehicle, it does disable a safety feature designed to alert you to pressure loss and can be a nuisance to have a persistent warning light active on the dashboard.
For customers who prefer to keep their TPMS system fully functional after installing new wheels, adding sensors to the new wheel and tire package is the cleanest and most straightforward solution.
Have Questions About TPMS or Your Order?
If you have questions about TPMS sensors, want to check on the status of your order, or need help making changes before your package ships, the customer support team is ready to assist. You can reach out through the Contact page on the website and a team member will be glad to help.