2006 Prius Wheel Problem

[flynz4]

Originally posted by MyPria@Jan 12 2006, 07:25 PM
flynz4,

Thanks for the info.  I live in Colorado Springs and we don't have Les Schwab tire stores here but I'll see if the dealer can call them tomorrow and and get instructions on how to do the same thing.  Hopefully that will work.  I wonder why Toyota customer care was so adament about 06 factory rims only.  Very frustrating.

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MyPria,

Most new cars (at least mid priced or higher) now come with TPMS. Tire stores will be aware of how to deal with adding them. I suspect that you might have problems getting a new tire pressure monitor from Toyota right now... but the tire store should be able to use your existing ones easily enough.


/Jim

[GreenMachine]

Originally posted by MyPria@Jan 12 2006, 07:11 PM
Hi Prius Chatters,
Just thought I would let all you 2006 owners and future owners in on a problem I just encountered.  The only wheels you can use on a 2006 Prius are factory 2006 Prius wheels.

I just bought a 2006 Prius and negotiated with the salesman and the general manager to put my snow tires that are currently on my 2005 Prius mounted on their own Prius factory wheels on my new 2006.  I was told, no problem.  Well I went in to have the switch work done and the Prius tech said, there's a problem.  The 2005 wheels don't have a sensor for the new tire pressure monitor on the 2006 and if I tried to use them anyway I would VOID my Toyota warranty.  Was I freaked.  NO one told me this when I bought the car and made changing out the wheels and tires a requirement of purchase.  I paid a lot of money to have a 2nd set of factory wheels for my snow tires because I'm not in to the headache of changing out the rubber at a service station.  I want to go out to my garage and just change the wheels and be on my way.  Well, to make a long story short the ONLY wheels you can use on the 2006 are factory 2006 Prius wheels, no after market, no 2005 Prius wheels, no NOTHING but 2006 Prius factory.

The dealer was very sorry, but he or no one but the tech knew.  I called Toyota and filed a complaint and was told the same thing.  Only factory wheels, folks.  If you want to have your tire pressure light on all the time and risk voiding your warranty, be my guest.

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We had a thread which anticipated this very problem.
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=13796&hl=

I believe the owner's manual says you must use OEM wheels and cautions that "some" tires won't work too?

[BT Tech]

This kind of stuff really gets to me. First off the dealership can NOT void your warrantly for using a different tire/wheel. At MOST what they could do is deny warranty coverage if that part and ONLY that part caused an actual failure to the sensor which is basically impossible.

The TP sensor should mount flush to the aluminum wheel and is part of the valve stem. I do not believe that there are any differences at all between an 04, 05 or 06 aluminum wheel due to the TPM system.

If you want to use your TPM system with your new wheels/tires you can either simply transfer over your existing sensors to your new wheels or go out and purchase 4 new sensors. This way you would have your "winter" wheels and your other ones to use and still keep your pressure system happy.

Good luck!!!


Brian
BT Tech
305-652-3115

Originally posted by MyPria@Jan 12 2006, 10:25 PM
flynz4,

Thanks for the info.  I live in Colorado Springs and we don't have Les Schwab tire stores here but I'll see if the dealer can call them tomorrow and and get instructions on how to do the same thing.  Hopefully that will work.  I wonder why Toyota customer care was so adament about 06 factory rims only.  Very frustrating.

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[MyPria]

Brian,
Thanks for the information. Why do you think the dealership and Toyota Customer Care 1-800-331-4331 said I had to have 2006 rims to mount the sensors? I doubted the dealership, so thats why I called Customer Care. I wonder why some people make everything so difficult.

[Jim06]

Originally posted by MyPria@Jan 12 2006, 05:11 PM
If you want to have your tire pressure light on all the time and risk voiding your warranty, be my guest.

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I took the stock wheels and tires off of my 2006 Package 7, and mounted snow tires on TireRack Sport Edition D3 wheels. I didn't move the TPMS sensors to the snow wheels. I just left them on the summer wheels in the garage.

The TPMS light has not come on.

I assumed the car was smart enough to see that all 4 sensors had disappeared, and decided to take the winter off.

Anyone else in this same situation?

-Jim

[BT Tech]

It is a lot easier to tell people that something will not work than to actually do a little research on the subject.

When you call Toyota you are probably speaking to a call center and they are "programmed" to only tell you the most basic things or do direct you to a dealer in your area. My guess is that the question you asked was over their heads and just told you that since the car is a 2006 that is HAD to have a 2006 wheel installed.

If it makes you feel better you can always call the parts dept and ask for the part number of a 2005 aluminum Prius wheel and then ask them for the part number for the 2006. My guess is that it will be the same P/N.


Thanks!!

Brian
BT Tech
305-652-3115

Originally posted by MyPria@Jan 12 2006, 11:25 PM
Brian,
Thanks for the information.  Why do you think the dealership and Toyota Customer Care 1-800-331-4331 said I had to have 2006 rims to mount the sensors?  I doubted the dealership, so thats why I called Customer Care.  I wonder why some people make everything so difficult.

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