Replacement for TPMS sensor with 3rd party alternative (Dorman Brand)

This is a review of a slightly different kind, but still in Tech realm!

It's about the Dorman 974-028 TPMS sensor (a replacement for some of the original equipment (OE) parts).

Available on Amazon at (It says Chrysler/Dodge but 974-028 model works well with some Mazdas too):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UC8WMA/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_dp

My Mazda 3 (model 2010, manufactured late 2009) was having a badly corroded valve stem and when I searched online found the old type of TPMS sensor didn’t allow replacing of only the valve stem.

Old corroded valve stem.

One thing you may want to check in your car tires is the valve caps, it’s better if you have proper valve caps with rubber gasket in them so it reduce the possibility of moisture (especially salty moisture used for de-icing etc.) getting in to valve stem and quickens corrosion. 

This item comes with a proper valve cap. It works with the Mazda 3 2010, as a replacement for VDO model sensor. Replacement was straight forward. Didn’t need any special relearning tools (procedure explained in detail below).

Pros:

- Works well with the OE parts (I only replaced one cos other valve stems were fine)

- Can replace only the stem if it gets corroded later on

- Car quickly recognized the new sensor

- Shipping was fast

 Cons:

 - None so far

Long story:

I did find few sellers of ‘ebay’ selling replacement stems for this ones, taken out from used ones. Since I didn’t want try my luck with that and anyway replacing the whole sensor seemed a good idea considering the possibility of sensor needing another replacement due to failure or bad battery I just went for this item).

BTW in newer VDO/Continental Automotive sensor model are supposed to be able to replace only the stem.

First I phoned tire shops and the likes for replacement, and most of those said they’ll only replace it with the part they have (probably the same OE part that was already there: Siemens VDO, which I found online for around $65 per sensor) for prices ranging $70 to $110 per wheel.

Then I found another shop who’d do the replacement for $10, if I bring the sensor.

So researching again found these Dorman 974-028 to be compatible with my car (and these are Dorman Direct-Fit series, where it doesn’t require any special ID relearning tools).

http://www.dormanproducts.com/itemdetail.aspx?ProductID=6216&SEName=974-028

You can input your car model and find the matching sensor. If you go for their 'Direct-Fit' series, relearning procedure maybe simpler.

Dorman website specifies which exact sensor model is compatible with which exact car model. Found this amazon item to be the cheapest including shipping.

(I did see there’s another Amazon item saying specifically for Mazda, but higher priced)

Bought it from 123AutoParts (at about $30) and it was very fast shipping (got it within about 3 days).

Replaced the old one at the shop (I’ve included a pic of the old Siemens VDO GNA3A-37140B), they did re-balance the tire.

Relearning process was the following for Mazda 3:

1. Remove the jacking after the refitting the tire.

2. Turn the Ignition key to ON for a min, then turn it back to OFF.

3. Keep the car stationary (ignition at OFF) for 15mins.

4. Drive the car for 15 mins at normal speed (says at least 25mph).

5. TPMS would recognize the ID and TPMS light should be off.

In my case I had to only drive maybe 3 mins before the system identified the sensor and TPMS light was off.

 If my review helped you in some way or have some questions, please comment below. Thank you!

This small box is shipped inside a bigger box.

The new sensor and documents it came with.

My old VDO sensor, original sensor came with the car.

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