I own a 2007 Infiniti G35X and this is my first winter driving it and I live in Buffalo, NY so you can only imagine my excitement to try out the all wheel drive in the heavy snow we get.

Well seeing that I did a 90 degree slide the first time it snowed real heavy I am looking to get new tires and I figured at the same time I would get wheels so that I can change the Wheels and tires every season.

The problem I am running to is once things were all said and done, I was able to find set of wheels and winter tires shipped and mounted for about 800, but then I realized that I needed to have TPMS sensors installed as well which brought the total to 1400 from Tire Rack.

My question is do I need the TPMS sensors installed in order for the car to function properly? I've read somewhere that unless the TPMS sensors are installed or the proper MHZ ones are installed that the car would not function properly, is this true? Also, anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get this whole thing for a bit of a cheaper price? I plan on calling a few junk yards on monday but any suggestions in the mean time would be appreciated.

 

No on TPMS. car will function with no issues
you'll just have to deal with the (!) light on your dash. but it won't bother you, doesn't for me.

I have dunlop sp winter m3's on my coupe for winter with different rims as well and so far even with our major storm we had in the past week - has held up very very well.

 

^WHS I got Blizzak WS-60s on 17s and run 18s in the summer. These work good for me in CNY and I live with the (!) light, car works fine, I just keep an extra good eye on the tire pressure. If the light bugged me I would put some black tape there in the winters, but no need, and this is my 2nd season with them.

If you want some cheaper wheels start in the marketplace here.

Welcome to the forum!!

 

You posted in the Coupe section, but the answer is still the same for your Sedan -- your car will go just fine without the TPMS sensors. Save yourself the money and don't bother!

I found my winter setup for $850. 18" OEM 350Z wheels and Dunlop Winter M3 tires. Keep checking out the marketplace here, and look through the marketplace on My350Z.com too!

 

It will get a little complicated if you do get TPMS sensors for your winter wheels. The reason is that you will have to get the sensors registered (at the dealer) every time you change rims. So twice a year you would have to go pay the dealer to register the TPMS sensors with the car.

 

ok so the consensus is that I don't need TPMS sensors for my winter tires, as A. They are costly to purchase and install and B. Another added expense is registering the damn things with the dealer.

So I am going to begin to look for good deal ignoring the TPMS sensors as I'll be putting them back on with my OEMs in the summer. Also, I purchased the car pre owned certified and I have to take the care in for periodic maintainence to keep the warranty that comes with the certified label. Now, do you guys think that have the TPMS sensor on while I take it in for that maintainence would be a problem?

Also, I am checking the market place but any recommendations on where I should purchase my tires and wheels from? I already tried Discounttire.com but they have really crappy winter tires.

 

I own an 04.5 IPx and live in connecticut, just wraped some goodyear F1 allseason's 215 50 zr 17's on my stock rims and love them in the snow.OP try em out.

 

oops,just read the whole firs post,sorry.

 

I see what you guys are suggesting and it makes sense. Now the car is a Certified Pre Owned Car, do you think it's going to matter that the TPMS light is on when I take in to get the mandatory maintainence done?? I don't want to end up voiding my warranty.

 

Also, I've checked the marketplace and I haven't exactly found anything that fit my car...I've tried Discounttire.com already but they have some really crappy winter tires. Any suggestions??

 

I'm not sure about the newer cars, but with the older ones (2004), the TPMS light doesn't come on until the car has been running for about an hour straight. To turn the light off, just turn off the car, and then turn it back on again.

The car should never be running for an hour while it is at the dealer, so they should never see the light.

 

Ok.. thanks Dave, hopefully that's the case.

 

I just replaced my OEM BStones with Blizzaks for my '07 coupe and took the sensors out (have a DIY plan for them). The TPMS light came on immediately. To test your TPMS, you can let out about 10psi in one tire, take the car for a short drive, and see what happens.

The TPMS simply monitors tire pressure. I don't think it effects anything else.

The dealer shouldn't give you grief about the aftermarket wheels or sensor warning light. They have to be able to prove your aftermarket parts are causing the car to malfuncation and not cover under warranty (google: Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act).

 

Like it has been stated, having TPMS light on while running your winter wheels and tires is not a problem. In spring, when you put stock wheels back on, it will turn off after driving several miles.

I have a set of Bridgestone Blizzack LM-22's on a set of 350Z rims I use for winter on a RWD 2008 G35S. They transform my car from useless in the snow to a car that is very drivable in the winter and snow. It is actually fun to drive in the snow now. All wheel drive with winter snow and ice tires would be even more fun though! Should make you feel like a WRC driver! I have seen an AWD G35 blaze right past mine in the snow...

 

I guess in a strange way I'm fortunate. I changed to winter wheels (no TPMS), the wheels have been one for like 60 miles now. TPMS icon has never come on. At next oil change visit, I'll have the dealer take a look at it.