How to tell type of TPMS

[Chevy Guy]

I just picked up my new 2010 Fusion SEL. Not wanting to leave things to the last minute, I was starting to plan to put together a winter tire/wheel package (yes, I will minus size down to a 16" rim). What I'm struggling with now is what type of TPMS I have. From my readings here and elswhere, I understand that the '09 and older Fusions had the banded type while the 2010 models have the stem type. The problem is that after one look at my wheels, I can clearly see a traditional, flexible rubber valve stem - this tells me that I must have banded TPMS. What gives? I know that I could always just go to the dealer and buy their tire/wheel/TPMS package, but I could save literally huindreds of dollars by putting the package together myself from "other" sources. What is inside my wheels? Arrgghhh!

[whiteplatnum]

It is a valve stem mounted sensor that attaches to the rubber valve stem with a t 10 torx screw. The other way you can tell that it is not a banded sensor is by looking the valve stem with the cap off, if the stem as shoulders on it , it is valve stem mounted

[bbf2530]

I just picked up my new 2010 Fusion SEL. Not wanting to leave things to the last minute, I was starting to plan to put together a winter tire/wheel package (yes, I will minus size down to a 16" rim). What I'm struggling with now is what type of TPMS I have. From my readings here and elswhere, I understand that the '09 and older Fusions had the banded type while the 2010 models have the stem type. The problem is that after one look at my wheels, I can clearly see a traditional, flexible rubber valve stem - this tells me that I must have banded TPMS. What gives? I know that I could always just go to the dealer and buy their tire/wheel/TPMS package, but I could save literally huindreds of dollars by putting the package together myself from "other" sources. What is inside my wheels? Arrgghhh!

 

Hi C Guy. :D Just to add to what whiteplatinum correctly stated: The actual TPMS valve-stem sensors are on the inside of the tire/wheel (where the compressed air is). Just like the band-type sensors were on 2008-2009 models. The actual sensor is not on the outside where you were looking.

 

If you have a 2010, you have valve-stem type TPMS sensors.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited April 30, 2010 by bbf2530

[Chevy Guy]

Hi C Guy. :D Just to add to what whiteplatinum correctly stated: The actual TPMS valve-stem sensors are on the inside of the tire/wheel (where the compressed air is). Just like the band-type sensors were on 2008-2009 models. The actual sensor is not on the outside where you were looking.

 

If you have a 2010, you have valve-stem type TPMS sensors.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

 

Just to clarify what I meant... I wasn't looking for a sensor on the outside of the wheel (huh?), it's just that the stem-mounted sensors I was more familiar with have an aluminum stem and a locking nut. The rubber ones on my new Ford threw me off. Thanks to both you guys for setting me straight.

 

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