Tire Pressure Monitor, where is the sensor?

DocVijay · 12-09-2005, 10:55 PM

Just wondering if anyone knows where the sensors are in the new TPMS. Are they in the valve stems, or are they mounted on the wheel itself.

I'm installing some 17" wheels and tires on my '06, and need to see what to do to keep the system functioning. I imagine it's the valve stems, so it shouldn't be too hard to swap them out. If anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks.

galaxee · 12-10-2005, 12:03 AM

[EDIT: FYI, THIS IS THE OTHER SYSTEM TOYOTA USES. THIS SYSTEM IS NOT, I REPEAT NOT USED ON THE PRIUS. JUST TO CLEAR UP ANY CONFUSION. READ ON IF YOU LIKE.]

none of the above.

TPM works through the ABS system, counting the revolutions of each wheel and checks it against a stored vaule. if there's a change that persists for more than a minute or so, it alerts you.

handy info for when you do this:

there are 2 ways to reset the system. one is a reset: used when you add air to a tire or if you take one single tire off for say a tire repair. when the light is on, you press and hold the tire button until the light goes out. however, when rotating or replacing tires, the system has to be reinitialized. after the reset procedure, press and hold the tire button again. the light will blink 3x and go out. then the car has to be driven about 45-50 miles for the computer to re-learn the new vaules. you have to do it when you rotate your tires because of the difference in tire wear.

that's how all the toyota cars work.

the trucks work using a sensor in the valvestem. you can tell those because the valvestems are metal, not the regular rubber. there is no reset button for those.

there's a bunch of extra stuff you didn't expect to hear

but i hope it's helpful. once i get hubby talking he just goes on

DocVijay · 12-10-2005, 12:06 AM

No, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. After I read your post, I remembered hearing something about that. It's actually much better for me that way. Now I can just put the new wheels on, reinitialize, and I'm done.

Wonderful news. Thanks!

DocVijay · 12-18-2005, 05:06 PM

This is to confirm that the Prius DOES have a sensor valve in each wheel. I just downloaded the info from Toyota Techinfo. In order to keep the TPMS functionality you would have to remove the sensors from the factory wheels and have them installed into your new wheels. Keeping the sensors in the original corner tehy came fromisn't critical as that will be reset later. Then once that is done and they are mounted, you would then perform the system reset as described in the manual. You would have to do the system reset after rotating the tires also, so that says sensor locatin is not imperative.

I printed out the removal and installation procedure and printed it out. I may take the wheels to Toyota to have this done, or I may just have my local garage do it.

XLR8 · 12-18-2005, 10:29 PM

I have detailed pics from the owners manual on this system.

I can email them to you guys but they are 1.7MB-2.XMB in size so can't post them here (5MB limit right?).

Just PM me with your email if you'd like.

My Sienna has the "old" system and looks like the 06 Prius has the "new" system.
When looking at my Prius today (it's at my dealer 50 miles away), I did see what looked to be some metal along with the rubber on the valve stem.

And, the manual (thought about snagging it and taking it home

, does say it's equiped with a digital sensor/transmitter "that complies with" blah blah, blah, some laws.

Aaron

Jim06 · 12-19-2005, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DocVijay@Dec 18 2005, 03:06 PM
This is to confirm that the Prius DOES have a sensor valve in each wheel. I just downloaded the info from Toyota Techinfo. In order to keep the TPMS functionality you would have to remove the sensors from the factory wheels and have them installed into your new wheels. Keeping the sensors in the original corner tehy came fromisn't critical as that will be reset later. Then once that is done and they are mounted, you would then perform the system reset as described in the manual. You would have to do the system reset after rotating the tires also, so that says sensor locatin is not imperative.

I printed out the removal and installation procedure and printed it out. I may take the wheels to Toyota to have this done, or I may just have my local garage do it.

[snapback]175386[/snapback]

I'm picking up our '06 Prius in about 2 weeks. I've been shopping for snow tires and winter wheels. This issue with sensors for TPMS has me confused.

Are there any restrictions on the type of winter wheel or snow tire because of TPMS?

Will the local tire shop be able to do the work, or will it take someone more knowledgable to deal with the sensors?

Do I need to move the sensors, or could they just be left on the stock wheels for non-winter use? Would that be a waste?

Can a person purchase an additional set of sensors for winter wheels? Would that be ridiculously expensive?

Thanks for the feedback!
-Jim

XLR8 · 12-19-2005, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim06@Dec 18 2005, 11:33 PM
I'm picking up our '06 Prius in about 2 weeks. I've been shopping for snow tires and winter wheels. This issue with sensors for TPMS has me confused.

Are there any restrictions on the type of winter wheel or snow tire because of TPMS?

Will the local tire shop be able to do the work, or will it take someone more knowledgable to deal with the sensors?

Do I need to move the sensors, or could they just be left on the stock wheels for non-winter use? Would that be a waste?

Can a person purchase an additional set of sensors for winter wheels? Would that be ridiculously expensive?

Thanks for the feedback!
-Jim

[snapback]175548[/snapback]

Yikes, I think you may be in for a long haul on this issue Jack06.

When you get the pics I just sent ya, you'll see that there are a lot of things that will cause the system to not work, even at all.

Good luck!

Aaron

flynz4 · 12-19-2005, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by galaxee@Dec 9 2005, 10:03 PM
none of the above.

TPM works through the ABS system, counting the revolutions of each wheel and checks it against a stored vaule. if there's a change that persists for more than a minute or so, it alerts you.

handy info for when you do this:

there are 2 ways to reset the system. one is a reset: used when you add air to a tire or if you take one single tire off for say a tire repair. when the light is on, you press and hold the tire button until the light goes out. however, when rotating or replacing tires, the system has to be reinitialized. after the reset procedure, press and hold the tire button again. the light will blink 3x and go out. then the car has to be driven about 45-50 miles for the computer to re-learn the new vaules. you have to do it when you rotate your tires because of the difference in tire wear.

that's how all the toyota cars work.

the trucks work using a sensor in the valvestem. you can tell those because the valvestems are metal, not the regular rubber. there is no reset button for those.

there's a bunch of extra stuff you didn't expect to hear but i hope it's helpful. once i get hubby talking he just goes on

[snapback]171195[/snapback]

Galaxee,

I do not believe this is correct. Each wheel has a TPS that transmits the pressure to a receiver.

I am about to buy new wheels and winter tires... and I will be ordering 4 sensors as well. I have no idea how much they cost yet.

/Jim

XLR8 · 12-19-2005, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by flynz4@Dec 19 2005, 01:35 AM
Galaxee,

I do not believe this is correct. Each wheel has a TPS that transmits the pressure to a receiver.

I am about to buy new wheels and winter tires... and I will be ordering 4 sensors as well. I have no idea how much they cost yet.

/Jim

[snapback]175571[/snapback]

I believe galaxee is correct on the older systems because my Sienna has that. And, the new system has a digital sensor/transmitter.

In each valve stem.

Jim06 · 12-19-2005, 09:57 AM

Aaron,

Thanks for the pics. The material was very interestng and helped to fill in some of the blanks. I guess I still have the same basic questions though, plus a few more:

Are there any restrictions on the type of winter wheel or snow tire because of TPMS?

Will the local tire shop be able to do the work, or will it take someone more knowledgable to deal with the sensors?

Do I need to move the sensors each fall and spring, or could they just be left on the stock wheels for non-winter use? Would that be a waste?

Can a person purchase an additional set of sensors for winter wheels? Would that be ridiculously expensive? Is "registering" them with the TPMS controller something only the dealer could do? Can you have all 8 "registered" with the system, or would you need to reprogram the controller each fall and spring?

I have to call the service manager at the dealer today, so I think I'm going to see what he has to say.

Thanks again,
-Jim

12-10-2005, 12:03 AM	#2
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	[EDIT: FYI, THIS IS THE OTHER SYSTEM TOYOTA USES. THIS SYSTEM IS NOT, I REPEAT NOT USED ON THE PRIUS. JUST TO CLEAR UP ANY CONFUSION. READ ON IF YOU LIKE.] none of the above. TPM works through the ABS system, counting the revolutions of each wheel and checks it against a stored vaule. if there's a change that persists for more than a minute or so, it alerts you. handy info for when you do this: there are 2 ways to reset the system. one is a reset: used when you add air to a tire or if you take one single tire off for say a tire repair. when the light is on, you press and hold the tire button until the light goes out. however, when rotating or replacing tires, the system has to be reinitialized. after the reset procedure, press and hold the tire button again. the light will blink 3x and go out. then the car has to be driven about 45-50 miles for the computer to re-learn the new vaules. you have to do it when you rotate your tires because of the difference in tire wear. that's how all the toyota cars work. the trucks work using a sensor in the valvestem. you can tell those because the valvestems are metal, not the regular rubber. there is no reset button for those. there's a bunch of extra stuff you didn't expect to hear but i hope it's helpful. once i get hubby talking he just goes on __________________ black 2005 prius, a few mods that make me happy g: class of '09 in intense science DH: class of '09 in medical equipment hoping to discover the 'reward' part of the sacrifice-reward cycle soon!

12-18-2005, 05:06 PM	#4
DocVijay Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,455 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	This is to confirm that the Prius DOES have a sensor valve in each wheel. I just downloaded the info from Toyota Techinfo. In order to keep the TPMS functionality you would have to remove the sensors from the factory wheels and have them installed into your new wheels. Keeping the sensors in the original corner tehy came fromisn't critical as that will be reset later. Then once that is done and they are mounted, you would then perform the system reset as described in the manual. You would have to do the system reset after rotating the tires also, so that says sensor locatin is not imperative. I printed out the removal and installation procedure and printed it out. I may take the wheels to Toyota to have this done, or I may just have my local garage do it. __________________ -- Bjorn -- 2007 Dark Amethyst Lincoln Navigator L 2005 Magic Blue Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Coming in 2009: Chrome Orange Lotus Exige S * 2006 Classic Silver Metallic, Package 7+Leather * sacrificed itself to keep me safe Thanks Prius. My Prius Mod Website

12-18-2005, 10:29 PM	#5
XLR8 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 161 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I have detailed pics from the owners manual on this system. I can email them to you guys but they are 1.7MB-2.XMB in size so can't post them here (5MB limit right?). Just PM me with your email if you'd like. My Sienna has the "old" system and looks like the 06 Prius has the "new" system. When looking at my Prius today (it's at my dealer 50 miles away), I did see what looked to be some metal along with the rubber on the valve stem. And, the manual (thought about snagging it and taking it home , does say it's equiped with a digital sensor/transmitter "that complies with" blah blah, blah, some laws. Aaron __________________ "SPARKY" 2006 Classic Silver Metalic, #7, Gray Interior Family Webpage

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12-09-2005, 10:55 PM	#1
DocVijay Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,455 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Just wondering if anyone knows where the sensors are in the new TPMS. Are they in the valve stems, or are they mounted on the wheel itself. I'm installing some 17" wheels and tires on my '06, and need to see what to do to keep the system functioning. I imagine it's the valve stems, so it shouldn't be too hard to swap them out. If anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks.

12-10-2005, 12:06 AM	#3
DocVijay Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,455 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	No, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. After I read your post, I remembered hearing something about that. It's actually much better for me that way. Now I can just put the new wheels on, reinitialize, and I'm done. Wonderful news. Thanks!

12-19-2005, 09:57 AM	#10
Jim06 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 109 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Aaron, Thanks for the pics. The material was very interestng and helped to fill in some of the blanks. I guess I still have the same basic questions though, plus a few more: Are there any restrictions on the type of winter wheel or snow tire because of TPMS? Will the local tire shop be able to do the work, or will it take someone more knowledgable to deal with the sensors? Do I need to move the sensors each fall and spring, or could they just be left on the stock wheels for non-winter use? Would that be a waste? Can a person purchase an additional set of sensors for winter wheels? Would that be ridiculously expensive? Is "registering" them with the TPMS controller something only the dealer could do? Can you have all 8 "registered" with the system, or would you need to reprogram the controller each fall and spring? I have to call the service manager at the dealer today, so I think I'm going to see what he has to say. Thanks again, -Jim