What's with TPMs longevity?
What's with TPMs longevity?
The car has 79000 miles. Is 12 yrs old. Driven almost everyday. And we're still running on the original TPMs.
I need to change the tires soon and I'm thinking okay, 12 yrs old, how in the world the TPM's battery still running?
Once in a while I get a tire pressure error when scanning for other things. But it's never a persistent error.
I must admit I know very little about TPMs.
So questions: How long do these things last? is it based on mileage? Can they go bad and not trigger a CEL? I'm confused...
Now with a 2013 vehicle, if I replace them, how do I know I'm not buying something that's 8 yrs ago and sat on the shelf with a half dead battery?
These things aren't cheap to mount something half dead :p
I need to change the tires soon and I'm thinking okay, 12 yrs old, how in the world the TPM's battery still running?
Once in a while I get a tire pressure error when scanning for other things. But it's never a persistent error.
I must admit I know very little about TPMs.
So questions: How long do these things last? is it based on mileage? Can they go bad and not trigger a CEL? I'm confused...
Now with a 2013 vehicle, if I replace them, how do I know I'm not buying something that's 8 yrs ago and sat on the shelf with a half dead battery?
These things aren't cheap to mount something half dead :p
10 years average, i just had an aftermarket/ OEM go after 5 years Huf brand. :( It happens. My other three are fine and you can test the with this type tool after you first see what the error is with then schwaben scan tool below.. Go into test sensor and stick the head of the unit right by the tire/ valve stem.
If it reads its good. If does not read its bad and need replaced. Some shops have these TPMS universal testers.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...n/t2000wf~scf/

They usually just go bad. Ours dont sit on shelf long as people are always buying these things. Aftermarket wheels and all.
Two options:
Huf (OEM) - No reprogram, just install and reset you inside system. split year in 9/2009. You have a 2014, 9/2009+ sensor.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nd-11-r55.html
Or universal program them yourselves. Replace all four or just 1. You need that tool to program the universal schwaben foxwell ones.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...etal/t10003kt/

You could just replace the one thats bad with a Huf one (no schwaben programmer needed)
OR just replace the one that bad. 9/2009+ Huf sensor metal stem.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-huf-part...106856227~huf/
with just one of these and then it will need programmed. The programmer we sell, i dont know if any shops local might have a programmer. Otherwise we carry it.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...tal/ad177~fxw/

Then this version for NON NAVIGATION CARS
Then this version for NAVIGATION CARS/ Full display car MINI.
BTW the schwaben scan tool told me which tire was bad. This is how i found the issues after i saw this on the dash. TPMS malfunction!

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...020sch01a~scf/
Scanned it and said front right wheel wire error. For these sensors you will have to have someone (dismount the tires/install new stem/sensor) and then remount and balance the tire.
If it reads its good. If does not read its bad and need replaced. Some shops have these TPMS universal testers.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...n/t2000wf~scf/

They usually just go bad. Ours dont sit on shelf long as people are always buying these things. Aftermarket wheels and all.
Two options:
Huf (OEM) - No reprogram, just install and reset you inside system. split year in 9/2009. You have a 2014, 9/2009+ sensor.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nd-11-r55.html
Or universal program them yourselves. Replace all four or just 1. You need that tool to program the universal schwaben foxwell ones.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...etal/t10003kt/

You could just replace the one thats bad with a Huf one (no schwaben programmer needed)
OR just replace the one that bad. 9/2009+ Huf sensor metal stem.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-huf-part...106856227~huf/
with just one of these and then it will need programmed. The programmer we sell, i dont know if any shops local might have a programmer. Otherwise we carry it.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...tal/ad177~fxw/

Then this version for NON NAVIGATION CARS
Then this version for NAVIGATION CARS/ Full display car MINI.
BTW the schwaben scan tool told me which tire was bad. This is how i found the issues after i saw this on the dash. TPMS malfunction!

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...020sch01a~scf/
Scanned it and said front right wheel wire error. For these sensors you will have to have someone (dismount the tires/install new stem/sensor) and then remount and balance the tire.
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MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
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Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
Thanks for the Info!
I'm still amazed they are still running after so long. I guess the low-ish mileage (compare the car's age) and the fact that the car sleeps in the garage might have been kind on the sensor battery...
I have an older version of the Foxwell tool. The Schwaben 14020SCH. It has never been what I which the tool should have been. Don't take me wrong it has saved me quite a few times and allowed me to reset the battery. Check and Erase codes. A few things like this. But going through the menu, finding what you're looking for, and understanding the information is tedious and slow. Not mentioning it doesn't always start on the first time. Sometime I plug it in. Backlight turns on but nothing else shows on the screen :p
They changed the website a while ago so I don't even know if I can still check for hardware updates anymore, etc...
As I said, the low tire pressure has always been non persistent so far
I'll see if it makes sense to change them now or wait. Perhaps it's not that big of a deal to change them later when I know they're bad for sure. Some time I hate having to do an extra trip for something small like this :p
I'm still amazed they are still running after so long. I guess the low-ish mileage (compare the car's age) and the fact that the car sleeps in the garage might have been kind on the sensor battery...
I have an older version of the Foxwell tool. The Schwaben 14020SCH. It has never been what I which the tool should have been. Don't take me wrong it has saved me quite a few times and allowed me to reset the battery. Check and Erase codes. A few things like this. But going through the menu, finding what you're looking for, and understanding the information is tedious and slow. Not mentioning it doesn't always start on the first time. Sometime I plug it in. Backlight turns on but nothing else shows on the screen :p
They changed the website a while ago so I don't even know if I can still check for hardware updates anymore, etc...
As I said, the low tire pressure has always been non persistent so far

I'll see if it makes sense to change them now or wait. Perhaps it's not that big of a deal to change them later when I know they're bad for sure. Some time I hate having to do an extra trip for something small like this :p
Last edited by TG.; May 9, 2025 at 04:51 PM.
Glad to help! 
No more hardware update on the older model schwaben tool. The 2023 models can update. You can call in and see if they can give you a deal on a new 2023 model tool. Yea might be worth the change out.

No more hardware update on the older model schwaben tool. The 2023 models can update. You can call in and see if they can give you a deal on a new 2023 model tool. Yea might be worth the change out.
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
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