Tire pressure sensors for winter rims?

[pyrotom]

I have a new 2006 Prius, and because I live in snow country I immediately got a set of Blizzak Revo 1 snows on steel rims. But now the tire pressure light is on all the time - I guess it is too far away from the summer tires to be able to read them.... My question is, can I get a set of the pressure sensor valves for my winter rims, or or they specific to the Toyota rims or some such nonsense?

[flynz4]

Originally posted by pyrotom@Jan 19 2006, 01:18 PM
I have a new 2006 Prius, and because I live in snow country I immediately got a set of Blizzak Revo 1 snows on steel rims.  But now the tire pressure light is on all the time - I guess it is too far away from the summer tires to be able to read them....  My question is, can I get a set of the pressure sensor valves for my winter rims, or or they specific to the Toyota rims or some such nonsense?

[snapback]193395[/snapback]

I just put eight winter studded snow tires on 8 new rims for our two new Prii. We resused the TPMS from the factory rims because Toyota is out of stock for replacement monitors.

Be prepared for sticker shock... they cost $106 each. According to my tire dealer... this is an all time record for TPMs... about 6X the cost of similar sensors for other cars.

/Jim

[naterprius]

Hmm, I wonder if sensors from some other car would work? There can't be too many different manufacturers of TPMS...

Nate

[DocVijay]

Originally posted by naterprius@Jan 20 2006, 02:02 PM
Hmm, I wonder if sensors from some other car would work?  There can't be too many different manufacturers of TPMS...

Nate

[snapback]194189[/snapback]

You would think so, but it's not the case. UNfortunately yo have to use these specific sensors.

[Catskillguy]

Originally posted by DocVijay@Jan 20 2006, 03:33 PM
You would think so, but it's not the case. UNfortunately yo have to use these specific sensors.

[snapback]194224[/snapback]

Exactly how/where are the TPMs? If you bought a set of miounted tires on rims, can you just say unscrew them from the OEM Tires & place on the the mounted snow tires?

Sorry, I am a little confused as to where they are & what they look like?

[timg]

So is there any harm in driving with that light on all the time? I bought winter tires/rims recently (I'll have the car in a week or two) and I just found all these threads talking about this issue. I'd really rather not spend $XXX to get a bunch of new sensors.

[lee]

You might be interested in this thread: official TPMS info from Toyota tech training class, to clarify.

Buying a second set of sensors would still require that you take the car in to a dealer twice a year to reprogram the car's computer for the other set of sensors. Evidently, the system can only keep track of 4 sensors at a time.

This is the first thing that's made me happy that I ended up with an '05, other than saving a bunch of money.

Perhaps the best solution is to use a piece of tape to cover the sensor warning light during the winter. That will save the cost of a second set of sensors, as well as the cost of reprogramming the computer twice a year. The other choice is to use one set of rims and just swap the tires back and forth twice a year. A third possibility is to buy an alternate TPMS system and use it during the winter months. Here's one for $375, less than the cost of 4 new sensors: Pressure Pro (I have no idea if it's any good or not.)

[keydiver]

I just thought of a thrid option:
3) carry the original tires around in the back of the Prius all winter!

[timg]

Thanks lee, I think I might just use the tape method as I was more concerned on effects this might have on the car rather than worrying about the tire pressure during the winter months.

Although the winter hasn't been too bad here in Rochester so I might not even put tires on until next year. Maybe their will be a better solution by then.

[lee]

I pretty much guaranteed us a mild Rochester winter buy purchasing a set of wheels and snow tires and putting them on the car!