Following a congressional mandate requiring them on all vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds by the 2008 model year. Most manufacturers installed tire pressure monitor systems well ahead of the September 7, 2007 deadline. The regulation that requires a dashboard tire pressure monitor system in passenger cars, light trucks and vans appears to be one government mandate that offers benefits to drivers without significant increases to manufacturing costs.

However the same cannot be said for independent tire dealers who will feel the pinch from cost increases due to automotive technology training, diagnostic tools and time involved in performing tire replacement on vehicles that have the tire pressure monitor systems.

The tire pressure monitor system components are vulnerable to breakage if handled incorrectly or too quickly. For example a particularly breakage prone area is the air pressure sensor mounted on the inside base of the valve stem. The sensor is connected to a small radio transmitter powered by a long life lithium ion battery, which transmits information to a micro processor that in turn signals when a tire is under inflated.

The system is designed to warn the driver, by buzzer or flashing light, when a tire has deflated to 25% less than recommended inflation pressure. When it comes to handling an assembly with a valve stem mounted sensor, speed is the last thing on the list. The plastic tire pressure sensor is very easy to break.

The process of mounting any tire on a wheel with a valve stem mounted sensor is slow and cautious or breakage of the sensor is likely. It should be the tire dealers responsibility to repair any damage caused by their technicians. The individual tire presure sensors are around eighty dollars a piece. If the tire dealer breaks all 4 he is out $320.00. If the tire shop breaks your sensors you will know it because you will be blinded by the red light on the dash that say’s tire pressure warning!