TPM sensor not working with winter tires

[tpollauf]

OK. Am I going crazy or is this normal. As many of you know I finally got a set of winter tires for my 09 Vibe GT. As I was leaving the shop with the new tires I was wondering why the amber TPM light didn't light up on my instrument cluster seeing how the original 18's were no longer on the car. Then I realized that they WERE in the car and not "on the car". I was transporting them home that day. OK, so I had a brain fart that day. Today I take them out of the Vibe and store them up in the attic DIRECTLY above where the Vibe gets parked. We're talking probably 10ft maximum distance from the car. I start up the car and still no TPM indicator. I figured the vehicle was detecting the tires "overhead in storage" and that was why it still didn't illuminate. OK, still not going crazy. Then I finally drive around town and ran a few errands MILES away from home, and still no TPM indication. Not that it bothers me one bit, but is this normal? When the 18's were on the car ONE of them got low on air and the TPM sensor did do it's job an alert me so I know it DOES work. Just curious as to what stories you guys have had with yours out there

[j42.snyder]

Until you take a drive for at least 20 minutes (all at once) away from your factory tires, you won't get the light on. Only after the TPM module doesn't get a response from any sensor for 20 minutes of run time does it begin to flash the light - then solid after 1 minute.My tires are stored a good 20 feet away from the Vibe - but some days it will still pick up at least one of them when I start the car, and turn off the light. 20 minutes later on the way to work - flashing light again!Your errands must never have exceeded 20 minutes individually. Go a little further, and you'll see.I didn't think that they'd continue to transmit even when sitting idle - but that's apparently not the case. I wonder what battery life expectancy is for those transmitters? Anybody?Hope this helps.John

[09Vibe]

I dunno how long they will last either but I know they are not too cheap to replace. I have the same scenario where they are stored in the garage so the idiot light only goes on when I drive for awhile as noted. Oh well, nothing that a well placed square of matt black electrical tape does not fix ! Wife never notices... If they crap out eventually I don't think I will buy new ones unless they come down in price. I check my pressures and glance at my tires regularly, I'd notice if one was soft. Good to check your pressures every 2 weeks in the winter for sure...

[vibenvy]

Tim, you're not crazy . Our 18s are stored in the corner of the garage just a few feet from both Vibes and that's exactly what happened last year when I put the steelies on for the first time. Just like j42.snyder said, you have to drive for approximately 20 minutes before the light will flash for a bit and than stay lit. I barely even notice the light anymore. It's no different than driving at night and having the lights for the headlights and fog lights lit up.Last week when the 18s were still on, my low pressure light came on for the first time ever. Sure enough, the front driver's side tire was at 28 psi. I swear the tires have been at least that low before and the light has never come on, but I put them all to 32 and it went off without me even having to reset it!I check our tire pressure (including the spares) once a week or if one of the tires happens to look low. Digital tire pressure gauge and air compressor FTW !

[tpollauf]

Thanks guys for all this clarification. I'll probably get the Vibe out for a longer drive this weekend and will witness this "timed delay" event happening. I knew there were enough of you out there who could explain this to me.