TPMS Questions

There are mechanic's tools that read sensor ids from each tire, and then send them back in via the OBD port. Techstream requires that you already have the ids.

Edit: Here's a link to some dealer TPMS tools: TPMS Dealer Tool & TPMS Dealer Tools from Bartec USA

 

I'd think it would still complain if it didn't see 4 sensors all the time. Do you park near where the summer rims are stored?

 

That's what I was thinking- If you park in front of the garage or wherever the tires are stored, and don't travel further than 55 minutes away, they supposedly won't light up.

 

I don't think it's going to make any difference if the vehicle is parked next to the 'Summer' tires. The TPMS activates via the rolling of the tires in order to 'energize' them to send the signal to the computer. If they did not work like this, you'd be having to replace batteries in the TPMS sensors all the time.

 

As far as I know, the TPMS sensors have long-life lithium batteries, with an estimated life of around 10 years. They do not recharge from rolling. At the 10 year mark, yes, you'll have to replace them.

 

The TPMS sensors do not charge as the car moves. They have a 10 year battery as posted here.

I have my original rims, sensors and tires in the garage. When I start the car it communicates with the tires in the garage and the TPMS light stays off. It takes about 15 minutes to make the TPMS light start blinking after I leave the garage.

 

[FONT=&quot]Here is a look at the inside of the TPMS:
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Re: TPMS Lit On and Off (Sometimes)

I have a different situation...2 days ago my TPMS warning light lit up on the dash and I figured I may be low on air. The following day, I checked all tires and the front read 35 psi and the rear at 34 psi. I normally put 40 for the front and 38 for the rear. So that is what is did...pumped the tires up to my usual 40 - 38 psi. (had to add air on all 4 tires) Driving down the road, the warning light stayed lit for about 10 minutes and then went out for the rest of the ride. Tonight, I went to watch a movie...after 10 minutes of driving, my TPMS warning light lit up again.

Not sure if I am loosing air or not. I feel like the warning light is intermittent. Is there something going bad here....fyi, all my tires are OEM. No modifications. Any suggestions?

 

Try to recalibrate your TPMS after you re-inflate em. Once calibrated, it'll warn you after the pressure drops 25%.

I'd also doublecheck the pressures. A nail in the tire may leak air only while moving or only leak air to a certain psi...

 

So far so good on my psi. Front and Rear Tire pressures are holding. Later today I will have to double check the pressure and see if it dropped or not. fyi, this only started to happen after I washed the car and sprayed the tires near subfreezing temps.

 

Had an "Owners Appreciation" dinner last week and one thing I learned from the Service Mgr. at the dealership, which I have not seen info on here in the forum. Service Mgr. stated: Do not use metal caps on the tpms. They will corrode and will not be able to be removed w/o force which will break the tpms. (Meaning; Expensive repair)! So if you like the "chrome" look, down to the tire valve caps, I guess you need to paint the rubber/plastic ones with a chrome paint.

 

Update on my TPMS

My tire pressure is staying steady, but my TPMS warning light blinks for awhile and then stays solid. This has been going on for a month now.

Saturday morning, I have an appointment with the dealership. This should be diagnosed and repaired under warranty. The dealer said it should take about an hour for them to take a look. I'm crossing my fingers and hope that the dealer does not give me bad news. I'll let forum members know what Toyota finds out about my TPMS.