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key sensor and tire sensor

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by JaneTrix, May 8, 2012.

  1. JaneTrix

    JaneTrix New Member

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    2007 Prius
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    I have 2 problems with my Prius that I might need some pointers.

    Every time I leave my car outside at night my low tire pressure sensor is tripped. The tires are [FONT=&quot]Nitrogen filled (green caps) I took the car to the dealer and they filled them /turned off the sensor. Normally I park in the garage but left the car out side (on the grass) again last night and the sensor is on again. Is it just cold tires and I could turn the sensor off by hand ?

    The other issue is after the tire refill I am no longer able to open the drivers door with the key in my pocket. I have to take the key out and manually unlock the door. Yet if I go to my truck with the key in my pocket I can open it with out a problem.

    Thanks for your help and ideas
    [/FONT]
     
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Nitrogen makes no difference for your tires or Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). If you are getting a low tire warning it means one of the following:

    1) At least one of your tires is low.

    2) The TPMS is not properly calibrated.

    3) Something is wrong with your TPMS.

    The first thing you should do is check your tire pressure. If it is okay, then press the TPMS set button under the steering wheel to establish the set point.

    Your Smart Key System (SKS) isn't working because some fat fingered technician at the dealership pressed the SKS button under the steering wheel instead of the TPMS button. Go out and press the SKS button and your keys will work again.

    Tom
     
  3. JaneTrix

    JaneTrix New Member

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    Thanks Qbee42, Looks like the front right tire is a little low so it might just be a slow leak and not related to parking on possible cold or uneven ground. Any recommendations on what I should have them set to I have a touring so it has the slightly larger wheels.

    With regards to the SKS I tried pushing the button in and I guess that turns the SKS off. When it is on I push the button on the door handle and I just get a long dawn out beep and the doors do not open or lock. But if I try and unlock from the truck it works but I can not lock it.
     
  4. Mike Mc

    Mike Mc '16 Prius 4, '13 Prius 3

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    You might want to check the MAX psi of your tires and what the shop actually put in your tires. Many shops just put 35lbs in every tire without looking at the tire. According to an engineer at Bridgestone/Firestone who is a personal friend, no on-road tire should be run at less than 10% of max. The dealer was putting 35psi in our car's tires that were max 44psi tires...that's not enough and our mileage usually suffered immediately.
    Also Just as qbee42 said above your TPMS may be set wrong and need to be re-calibrated particularly if you have changed tire's since you first purchased the car. Tires from different manufacturers even in the same size may run at different pressures because of sidewall thickness and tire composition.
     
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    The button on the door handle is for locking, not unlocking. To unlock using SKS, simply grasp the door handle and pull, just as you would if the door were unlocked.

    If you get a long beep when trying to lock with the door button, that is an indication that the car is unwilling to lock. It could mean that a door is ajar or that you have left another key fob inside the car.

    Tom
     
  6. JaneTrix

    JaneTrix New Member

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    I found a spare key under the seat so this looks like this is the reason why it did not unlock still working on the tires issue.
     
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