TPMS on spare?

Discussion on wheel & tire issues
9C1fanatic
Posts: 430
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2014 8:58 pm
Location: Texas Hill Country

Re: TPMS on spare?

Post by 9C1fanatic »

I'm basing it on a few things.

1. From what I've seen on our cars with the metal stems, the stem itself if the sensor (part that is inside the wheel).
2. Usually systems that use a rubber valve stem have the sensor inside the tire usually mounted to the wheel sometimes with a metal band such as with the CVPI 2008-2011.
3.The cars we received full size spares in addition to the compact spare have rubber stems and will not syc up with the scan tool. Our city garage has tried. (These were the cars I am certain obtained full size spares at the dealer to meet our spec cause I have never otherwise heard of a car coming with two spares one full size and one donut.
4. I have had one spare dismounted already because I picked up a nail a day after having an earlier flat. There was no sensor inside.
5. The cars that came with only a full size spare (likely installed at the factory in Elizabeth or maybe Kerr in LA have the same metal stem the 4 wheels on the ground do.
Garner Ames



1975 Pontiac Grand Am L77 - 14.82 @ 92.89
1991 Chevrolet C1500 L31 Vortec/5 Speed
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LM7
2014 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 L77 - 13.60 @ 105.87
2019 Chevrolet Express 3500 L96
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storm9c1
Posts: 418
Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 6:47 pm
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Re: TPMS on spare?

Post by storm9c1 »

My 2011 was ordered with a full size spare in the RPO codes and has a metal valve stem, exactly like the others. I assume it has TPMS but haven't verified.

After reading this thread, I conclude that unless the full size spare was included in the build options and shipped in the spare tire compartment from AU, chances are it won't have a TPMS since the only other option is a donut spare with no TPMS. If the full size spare was provided by an upfitter or a dealer installed option, it would be up to them to include a TPMS. I can think of a whole list of reasons why a dealer or upfitter may not include one (with cost being at the top).
Tom (AKA: Storm)
2011 Caprice 9C3: L77, 8K miles, first-owner, purchased July 2011.
1995 Caprice 9C1: LT1, 178K miles, summer car.
1995 Impala SS: LT1, 21K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 62K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 128K miles. Rust In Pieces
1994 Caprice 9C1: LT1, beater winter car.
1969 Chevy C30: 383ci stroker, 4L80E, rollback car hauler.
1972 Chrysler Newport: 400ci big block, survivor 27K miles, 2-door hardtop.
1969 Dodge Charger: 383ci big block.
9C1fanatic
Posts: 430
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2014 8:58 pm
Location: Texas Hill Country

Re: TPMS on spare?

Post by 9C1fanatic »

I agree. Another reason could just be lack of oversight.

I think this may also be the reason one year we got a batch of cars that did not have proper BCM programming for the aux battery. Its possible the dealer could have added them to meet the customers spec and forgot about the programming.
Garner Ames



1975 Pontiac Grand Am L77 - 14.82 @ 92.89
1991 Chevrolet C1500 L31 Vortec/5 Speed
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LM7
2014 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 L77 - 13.60 @ 105.87
2019 Chevrolet Express 3500 L96
User avatar
storm9c1
Posts: 418
Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 6:47 pm
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Re: TPMS on spare?

Post by storm9c1 »

Right, like I said, we can speculate on a list of things. For example, another possibility is that the lead times on the Caprices are long, so any cars that are sitting at port or on lots will get selected first, even if the options aren't right. Fleet managers may feel it's better to satisfy an order and upfit missing options than delay the order. So it's very likely that dealer installed options would have oversights, especially since these cars are somewhat rare and exotic. My small local Chevy dealer hasn't done a recall on a single Caprice yet. Not one. Back in 2011, I took my car in to get some warranty work (paint flaws) done, nobody there even knew the Caprice existed. The body shop/department doing the warranty work didn't even have the VIN in their system. The whole dealership staff came out to gawk at my car. It was strange. The situation was so bad, I had to have the car shipped back to Maryland (on their dime) to have the warranty work done because my local dealership couldn't handle such an "exotic" car. And oddly, it was all body work. Nothing exotic about that.

So yeah, I can see dealers pulling their hair out over these cars. I bet it's easy to screw things up. Although they've had 4-5 years now to catch up. But only dealerships with special fleet sales departments ever deal with them... I find it amusing and sad at the same time.
Tom (AKA: Storm)
2011 Caprice 9C3: L77, 8K miles, first-owner, purchased July 2011.
1995 Caprice 9C1: LT1, 178K miles, summer car.
1995 Impala SS: LT1, 21K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 62K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 128K miles. Rust In Pieces
1994 Caprice 9C1: LT1, beater winter car.
1969 Chevy C30: 383ci stroker, 4L80E, rollback car hauler.
1972 Chrysler Newport: 400ci big block, survivor 27K miles, 2-door hardtop.
1969 Dodge Charger: 383ci big block.
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