TPM Sensors on winter snow tires on replacement alloy rims

[chrisslondon]

We are waiting on delivery of our new 2008 Prius which hopefully will arrive in late October though we are not holding our breath waiting. We use snow tires on our old Honda Civic and will do the same with the Prius. After shopping around I found alloy wheels and snow tires at a much better price than the Toyota dealership could even dream of selling alloy wheels and snow tires for. My question is about the Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors that the tire company will install in our snow tires on our replacement rims. Since the TPM sensors will have different ID numbers than the factory installed wheels and tires, is there a way that the tire company can reset the computor when the snow tires are installed for winter use and when the original tires go back on in the spring. I don't want to be paying the dealership twice a year for that service. Also, if I were to change the tires is it something that I could do myself.

Thanks,

Rob
Kingston, Ontario, Canada

[Doc Willie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chrisslondon @ Sep 21 2007, 06:26 PM) [snapback]515963[/snapback]</div>

We are waiting on delivery of our new 2008 Prius which hopefully will arrive in late October though we are not holding our breath waiting. We use snow tires on our old Honda Civic and will do the same with the Prius. After shopping around I found alloy wheels and snow tires at a much better price than the Toyota dealership could even dream of selling alloy wheels and snow tires for. My question is about the Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors that the tire company will install in our snow tires on our replacement rims. Since the TPM sensors will have different ID numbers than the factory installed wheels and tires, is there a way that the tire company can reset the computor when the snow tires are installed for winter use and when the original tires go back on in the spring. I don't want to be paying the dealership twice a year for that service. Also, if I were to change the tires is it something that I could do myself.

Thanks,

Rob
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
[/b]

As far as I know, you have to take it into the dealer. I have heard it's about 50 USD to reprogram the TPMS for the different sensors. Plus the sensors coat $85 EACH. After considering it all, if I can find the wheels, I will mount them without the sensors, since I regularly check my tire pressure. The only downside is that another light will be on my dashboard. Will use the CarTalk fix on that (black electrical tape).

[chrisslondon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Sep 30 2007, 05:45 PM) [snapback]519557[/snapback]</div>

As far as I know, you have to take it into the dealer. I have heard it's about 50 USD to reprogram the TPMS for the different sensors. Plus the sensors coat $85 EACH. After considering it all, if I can find the wheels, I will mount them without the sensors, since I regularly check my tire pressure. The only downside is that another light will be on my dashboard. Will use the CarTalk fix on that (black electrical tape).
[/b]

Thanks for the help Doc. I was wondering if it was a Canada Transport or other Government agency which required the sensors on 2008 but I am getting the impression that it is another feature of many new cars which won't get me in trouble with the law if I don't install TPM Sensors and program them into the car computer on my snow tires.

Rob

[firepa63]

Leave the sensors off for the season. All you will get is the idiot light on the dash, which you just ignore until you have the standard tires put back on.

[JayGoldstein]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(firepa63 @ Sep 30 2007, 05:01 PM) [snapback]519569[/snapback]</div>

Leave the sensors off for the season. All you will get is the idiot light on the dash, which you just ignore until you have the standard tires put back on.
[/b]

I second the motion. My winter tires are mounted on steel rims w/o the sensors. I expected that having the warning light constantly on would be major nuisance, but after a week or so, it was a non-issue.

BTW, people have suggested covering the warning light with black tape. I didn't find it necessary, but it's an option.

[chrisslondon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JayGoldstein @ Oct 1 2007, 05:43 PM) [snapback]519999[/snapback]</div>

I second the motion. My winter tires are mounted on steel rims w/o the sensors. I expected that having the warning light constantly on would be major nuisance, but after a week or so, it was a non-issue.

BTW, people have suggested covering the warning light with black tape. I didn't find it necessary, but it's an option.
[/b]

Thanks for the help. I think we will save the expense of 4 tire pressure monitors, put up with the warning light and keep an eye on the tire pressure. Keeping an eye on tire pressure would make my 93 year old father very proud that I would be doing something that he worked hard at teaching myself and my four siblings many years ago. He might even enjoy a spin in the car once we get it.

[David Beale]

My solution was to just junk the OE tires and put on Nokian WR all season tires. They are supposed to be as good as ice tires, yet they wear like normal tires and work well in summer as well.

So I don't worry about changing wheels, TPMS, weather, etc. I just drive.

[Buckland]

I have been running on snow tires this last winter without the sensors. I don't really want to pay the ridiculous cost of re-installing the stock summer tires and would like to do it my self with my new air ratchet. Is there anything I need to be aware of when re-installing the summer tires??

Buck

[jayman]

Originally Posted by Buckland

Is there anything I need to be aware of when re-installing the summer tires??

Buck

Buck

Don't use the air ratchet to put the nuts back on. Use a torque wrench at the proper setting. Otherwise you run the risk of warping a brake rotor

jay

[Buckland]

Thanks Jayman, I'll do that.

Buck