Just signed on to tell this story that set me back a quick $192.00. So I was driving around and the tire sensor light comes on. I pull over and begin to refill the tires with air due to all the pot holes that most likely caused the light to turn on. I have metal "Z" pressure caps and could only get two out of the four off. I was tearing up the skin on my fingers so I decided to head home and use some tools to try and get the other tire pressure caps off. I used some oil and WD40 and lubricated it first. Gripped gloves didn't work, a wrench didn't work, then finally I resulted to using a ratchet. With one motion of turning counter clockwise, the cap came off all while taking part of the sensor with it. Air is now spewing out at a very fast rate and deflated my tire within 20 seconds. Needless to say, from this very bad winter, and with all the salt on the road, the metal oxidized to the cap/sensor. I attached the donut while shouting out a few curse words and finally made my way to the mechanic. He did the same thing and broke a second one. (There was no way around getting the caps off) The sensor is attached to the pressure cap (I don't know exact terms) and once you break that one piece, the entire sensor needs to be replaced. $90.00 a pop X 2 + labor = $192.00

Long story short, I will be using rubber caps for the rest of my life.

 

Lesson learned.

Had the same thing happen to me on a Mustang with some aftermarket caps I purchased.

Never again.

 

Unfortunately, with the salt on the roads this time of year it causes a lot of corrosion... Just so you know, this can happen even with rubber and plastic caps. Really the only way to prevent it is to loosen the caps very frequently and wash the car a lot during the winter. Better yet, don't drive the Z in the winter months. I hate driving my beater during the winter but it's better than the alternative of salt damage. My wife has a Mazda CX7 and we just had to replace two TPMS sensors for the exact reason you did, although she has the stock plastic caps on her tires. I hate TPMS sensors, they are so fickle and temperamental. I'm glad car manufacturers are moving away from the valve stem mounted style and now are incorporating them into the speed sensor.

 

It's dissimilar metals which caused this headache. My metal valve is fine with the same-metal cap even in salted slush.

 

I got rid of my sensors all together. Those things are a pain...

 

I'm just waiting to hear from some of the members from San Diego or Phoenix chiming in...... WE NEVER HAVE THAT PROBLEM

Had it happen to me last year when I delayed putting the car up for the winter- Love, Love, Love the Midwest this time of year

 

lol hello, from LA. ;P

 

and so it begins......... lucky bastard

 

Hello from Florida

 

Don't you mean, "God's Waiting Room???"

Kidding of course I hope you are enjoying all of the warmth and sun, but too bad you can't enjoy any spirited driving being stuck behind Morty and Ethel riding the express lane at 35mph with that left blinker on

 

Get 3 more donut tires, plastidip them, and put extreme negative camber on it.

New trend.



FYI... put a tiny bit of anti-seize on the threads. Galvanic corrosion is the word people are looking for in this thread.

 

Smear a little copper slip onto the stalk of the valve, the same as you would when fitting alloys, to prevent them sticking to the hub. Job done!

 

Same here, haven't had TPMS sensors since 05. lol

 

That is what my mechanic told me - but it took 10 years to fail so I'm already over it. Thankfully mine failed at work and my mechanic is right across the street.

 

Cheap looking plastic caps only for me, learned my lesson with "Fashion" valve caps years ago. When I tell people they look at me crazy or call me cheap.

 

Typically if the car is fitted with metal caps from the factory it is because the cap is part of the sensor antenna system. (Keeps the sensor signal going even with a very low battery) As Samsniss suggested a bit of lube on the threads will prevent the cap from seizing.

 

This kinda sucks. This is actually my only car. Originally I planned on getting a Z and keeping my Honda too, but I lost the motor and got lazy on swapping it, plus that swap would have taken a chunk outta my Z money.

So a tip here is to either get rid of the sensors or rotate the caps every so often huh.
And to JYoza - I know the feeling shouting a few choice words.

 

And that is why I use the old school pressure sensor, my foot.

 

Move to Arizona. Never again have to worry about salt or rust.

 

Hello from CA, Monterey Area. Just a smile. Snow? Ice? Cold? Salt???? Well we do get rain, but then in the garage she goes.... What can I say? It rains maybe once or twice a year, and it pours..rest of the year is sunny and warm.... Guess we are lucky here.