Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are now impossible to run from when buying a new vehicle. Every new vehicle made for sale in the USA has a TPM system as standard equipment. There are several exceptions though: the vehicle must have only four wheels (so no dual-wheeled trucks or motorcycles), and the GVWR must be less than 10,000lbs.

Porsche has been keeping up with TPMS technology since 1986 when the PSK system was introduced on the 959. Fast forward to the 2003 Cayenne which came with a more advanced TPMS which was then carried over to the 997 Carrera, 987 Boxster, and Cayman. Porsche has used a direct valve-sensor-based system on all of their vehicles with a TPMS and we carry each valve sensor for all models up to the 2009 model year.

The basics of the direct TPMS is that it uses a sensor in the wheel/tire to wirelessly relay pressure back to the driver on some sort of display. Some vehicles have a digital info screen that will show all four tire pressures (five pressures if spare has sensor) all the time. While others might just flash a low-tire-pressure light on the dash. There are also two different styles of sensors for this system: a valve sensor and a strap/band sensor. Only valve sensors are used by the direct system-equipped Porsche’s, although if you bought an aftermarket SmarTire TPM system, those use the sensors held on by a strap around the barrel of the wheel.

Although no US-spec Porsche model has ever had an indirect TPM system, I feel the need to explain it just to clear up any confusion. Any indirect system will not affect the choice of switching aftermarket wheels or tires. The system runs off of the ABS/wheel-speed sensors which “count” the number of revolutions of each tire. If the right-front tire is low (25psi) it will spin faster than the left-front tire (35psi), so the ABS system will recognize this change and alert the driver with a flashing light near the gauge cluster and possibly a loud chime.

All Porsche valve sensors are currently being produced by BERU and are sold by us in two parts: the sensor component and the metal valve. The size of the sensor shouldn’t be a problem for many wheels, but if the valve hole is in the middle of the wheel’s barrel, then obviously the sensor will not fit properly. The wheel industries are aware of the valve sensors and are rushing to get most of their wheels TPMS-compatible. If you have any questions about the TPMS-fitment on a wheel that The Tire Rack sells, I can look up the wheel and confirm if it will work with your vehicle.

 

Hi Damon,
I have DPE wheels, will the stock TPMS fit them?

 

We don't carry DPE, so I can't tell you. Sorry.

 

Hi Damon,

I just traded my 2002 Carrera 4S for 2007 Turbo. I still have a set of winter tires mounted on stock 4S 18" rims. Can I use this set on my "new" Turbo, and is it possible to retrofit the old 4S wheels with TPMS sensors?

Thanks, Gene

 

Hi Damon,

I just bought a 2004 Cayenne Turbo with Factory 19" wheels with TPMS, and the TPMS warning light comes on and I get no reading from the sensors. I had the issue checked by a Porsche service center and they said that batteries are dead, but wanted north of $1k to replace them.

So a few questions:

1.) Do you sell OEM replacements and if so how much are they?

2.) Can any tire store install them? Is it just a matter of replacing the sensors or are there other parts that should be replaced?

3.) Once replaced does the factory TPMS system automatically recognize them or does something have to be done by the dealer?

Thanks is advance