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How to get the TPM light turn off when winter tires have no TPM

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by toyolover, Nov 30, 2020.

  1. toyolover

    toyolover Member

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    So many of us have the winter tires with no TPM module inside. We just ignore the yellow TPM light on the dash board. However, the indicator bulb may not last long if left on 5 months a year. Knowing how complicated is to replace a $1 bulb from my experience with my 1994 Camry (the whole dash instrument panel had to be disassembled to gain access to the bulb), I would like to find a way to turn this warning light off in the winter season (yeah, I mean OFF, not by putting a electrical tape over it).

    Is this possible?
     
  2. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    I have no answer.

    I have two sets of tires. One set for summer, and on set for winter. But only the summer tires have the pressure sensor.

    How to get the warning light to go off? No idea. I wish I knew.
     
  3. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Here's a pdf of those two posts, plus a third further along, that clarifies the jumper install:
     

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    #4 Mendel Leisk, Nov 30, 2020
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2020
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  5. toyolover

    toyolover Member

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    Thank you very much.
    Somewhere in that post, someone did ask why don't we just pull out the whole TPM module. Do you have any idea why can't we do so?
     
  6. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

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    Is there a separate TPMS module, or is the TPMS function simply part of a much larger module?
     
  7. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Was really hoping it was the thread which someone replied the fix with a photo w/a scissor next to a roll of electrical tape. The OP of the thread was unsure what the photo was about, I laughed my butt off.
     
    #7 Grit, Dec 1, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2020
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  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Just use the tape. Its a solid state indicator anyway, its not going to burn out.
     
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  9. toyolover

    toyolover Member

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    What do you mean by "solid state indicator"? LED bulb, filament light bulb, or something else? Both have limited life span if left on so best to extend its life to as long as possible.
     
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  10. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

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    For the Prius and a Vibe I bought my snow tires at Costco and had them fit the new tires to the original wheels (with their original TPMS sensors). Then, when it came time to reinstall my summer tires, I bought identical Denso TPMS sensors on Amazon for approx. $40 each, and fairly basic wheels at my regional tire-service chain, and had them install the snow tires and the new TPMS sensors on the new wheels, and install the summer tires on the original wheels. I've done the switching back and forth of the wheels myself so far each season, and the tire store has always reset the TPMS system for me free of charge.
     
  11. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    My TPMS indicator has been on for 3.5 years. 2 tires are missing the pressure monitors and I don't plan to add them. TPMS is generally a preventive measure to avoid blowouts, they are calibrated to alert at I believe 25% low from the recommended pressure. So assume 35 and it would alert at a tire pressure of around 27psi. Don't depend on them to tell you when you need air in your tires.
    TPMS light on passes inspection in NC.
     
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  12. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I pump tires up to 59 psi and set tpms to that value then deflate tires to 44 psi and drive. I depend on tpms to let me know to air up.
     
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    FWIW our TPMS light has been on for 10+ winters now, still on. :)
     
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  14. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

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    So if you have a slow puncture that is about to become a major blowout, you won't get a warning.
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    With the snow tires that's correct; there's no sensors. Once the all-seasons on OEM rims are swapped back on, the TPMS system is again operational.
     
  16. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Neither do anyone else who doesn't have system.
    You can feel it how the car drives.

     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Mazda's TPMS sensors are automatically detected by the car, say when swapping to snows. Toyota, nope...
     
  18. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Mendel used to be a Hollywood stunt car driver, don’t test him.
     
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  19. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Ah, there is always a back story that people need to ask to understand. Love jumping in to conclusions myself.