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Tire Pressure Monitor, how does it work? (absolute or relative)

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by wstt, Jul 24, 2013.

  1. wstt

    wstt Member

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    Does anyone know how the tire pressure monitoring system works?
    Does it trigger at an absolute (actual) pressure level when it drops below it, or does it do a relative pressure level so if one tire is much less than the others it triggers the warning?

    I assume there is no way to access these pressure readings even if you can enter the car into diagnostic mode, correct?

    If it is an absolute level that triggers it, like 25psi, is there a way to adjust the level which triggers it? (I have my tires at 40psi, and 39psi and I don't want to wait until the tire gets to 25psi before the warning light comes on.)
     
    #1 wstt, Jul 24, 2013
  2. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    In my experience, it triggers in a range of a 5-7% variation across tires, i.e. ~2-3 psi on ~40 psi nominal.
     
    #2 Air_Boss, Jul 24, 2013
  3. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    On previous Toyota vehicles I've had it was triggering at about 5# under the initial setting. So if any one tire dropped 5# it would trigger.
     
    #3 rdgrimes, Jul 24, 2013
  4. wstt

    wstt Member

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    What do you mean by "initial setting"? Is that the setting when Toyota first inflated the tires or when the sensors were put on? The setting when I last inflated the tires and then turned the car on? (I inflated them a little too much and then released some air before I started the car so I would think it could not pick up the higher values.)
     
    #4 wstt, Jul 24, 2013
  5. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    This is all in the manual. So you should read it to find where the reset switch is in your "v".
     
    #5 xpcman, Jul 24, 2013
  6. wstt

    wstt Member

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    Thanks. Somehow I missed it in the manual because I thought I looked at it. I looked at the manual online though via Toyota's website which isn't one PDF but sections that jump all around.
    Thanks,
     
    #6 wstt, Jul 24, 2013
  7. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    There's a button under the dash, next to the button that turns off collision avoidance system. That button re-sets the tire monitor for the current pressures, press and hold till you get a flashing indicator on the dash. The spare is not included.
     
    #7 rdgrimes, Jul 24, 2013
    xpcman likes this.
  8. syscon

    syscon Member

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    If I'm not mistaken those tire pressure sensors (inside tires) they run on a battery, isn't it?
    How long do the battery last? I think the battery can not be replaced the sensor need to be replaced.
     
    #8 syscon, Jul 26, 2013
  9. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    Right - the battery can NOT be replaced. It would cost hundreds to replace them and then reprogram the car.

    Has anyone needed to replace them yet? I have read they last 6 to 9 years.
     
    #9 xpcman, Jul 26, 2013
  10. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    The general rule is to replace them when you replace the tires, but the only thing happens when one goes out is your alert comes on.
     
    #10 rdgrimes, Jul 26, 2013
  11. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    I have a low/annoyance-level leaky sensor that the dealership agreed to replace under the sensors' 3yr/36k warranty.
     
    #11 Air_Boss, Jul 26, 2013
  12. harold

    harold Member

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    Does the TPM only come with the ATP or does my v Five have it too?
     
    #12 harold, Jul 30, 2013
  13. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    We have TPMS on our v Five without ATP, so I would say, yes.
     
    #13 Air_Boss, Jul 30, 2013
  14. harold

    harold Member

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    I read the manual, says there's a screen that you can select , I don't get that screen?
     
    #14 harold, Jul 30, 2013
  15. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    We (2012 v Five) have no screen, no ability to determine which corner is at issue.
     
    #15 Air_Boss, Jul 30, 2013
  16. harold

    harold Member

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    Is there any sort of TPM in our cars, v Five(2013) ?
     
    #16 harold, Jul 30, 2013
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