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Tire Pressure warning light issues

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Bilkes Chavez, Oct 26, 2017.

  1. Bilkes Chavez

    Bilkes Chavez Junior Member

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    How's it goin everyone! I've had my 2007 Prius for a little over a year now. I put new tires on it when I purchased it and have had some minor issues with the tire pressure. Whenever there was a consistent drop in temperature overnight/seasonal, after 2-3 weeks my TPMS light would come on. No big deal, I would just go to the pump and fill each one if needed.

    However, my wife took my car to get the oil changed yesterday and said that the TPMS light was flashing. I've never had it flash before, just pop up solid when I needed to fill. I figured it was flashing since one might have hit a low PSI, triggering a higher warning.

    After going to the pump and filling each one back up (35psi in front, 33psi in rear), the TPMS light is still flashing for about 60 second from when I turn the car on, remaining solid after that.

    Do I need to reset this warning light to it functions properly or is it actually still detecting an issue?

    Thanks for any help.
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    More'n likely the battery (or batteries) are starting to fail?

    In Missouri you may be in luck, don't need it functional to pass annual inspection, at least:

    Tire Tech Information - State TPMS Regulations

    I suppose there's still Federal legislation, that obligates tire shops to install functional TPMS, but that you can forestall till tire replacement time. There's maybe some work-arounds on that. A bewildering read:

    Dealing With the Legalities of TPMS: ‘Ignorance of the Law is No Excuse’ - Service - Modern Tire Dealer
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Oct 26, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2017
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  3. Bilkes Chavez

    Bilkes Chavez Junior Member

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    I actually just put a new battery in it about 6 months ago, so hopefully that isn't the cause.
     
  4. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I believe Mendel means the batteries in the TPMS valves. They die after a period of time and the TPMS valve needs to be replaced.
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'm belabouring a fine point, but: they "need" to be replaced (and reinitialized, a further expense) if you want the TPMS system to be functional.

    To just keep on the road, checking tire pressures the old fashioned way, there is no problem.
     
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  6. Bilkes Chavez

    Bilkes Chavez Junior Member

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    Is replacing the TPMS valves something that I can do myself or does it need to be done professionally?
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You pretty much need tire mounting/balancing equipment, it's the same as putting any valve on a rim, it's from the inside. Also Toyota's implementation requires the use of their proprietary software (Techstream) to get the new sensor working properly. Some third party readers/software can also work I believe.

    FYI, in Canada, you can let them die, replace with regular valves if you like, and tire shops are under no obligation to replace them. At least currently. But in the States the regulations are a lot tighter, and there's regs on tire shop installs.

    Again, in your State, you should be fine, at least till tire replacement time, if you can live with the warning light. That's what I do every winter with our snow tires, which just have regular valves.
     
  8. Bilkes Chavez

    Bilkes Chavez Junior Member

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    If it's just a valve battery issue then I'll just let it ride and monitor my tires myself. My main concern was something actually being a hazard.
     
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah it still functions fine as a valve, just the pressure detection not functioning.
     
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  10. Bilkes Chavez

    Bilkes Chavez Junior Member

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    Could I still try to reset the warning light and see if that will make it turn off? If so, how do I go about doing that?
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You could give it a try. You're basically just re-establishing the set pressure, but who knows. From the Owner's Manua (page 154~155)l:

    upload_2017-10-26_9-13-23.png
    upload_2017-10-26_9-13-54.png
     
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  12. Bilkes Chavez

    Bilkes Chavez Junior Member

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    Awesome, thank you. I'll give it a shot!
     
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Our third gen has the same description/instruction. One thing I find puzzling is step 5's "wait a few minutes...". What's that: 2, 3, half an hour, lol? I waited 10 I think.
     
  14. Bilkes Chavez

    Bilkes Chavez Junior Member

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    Welp, tried the reset. It does the 3 long flashes, but immediately goes back into the quicker flashes for about 60 seconds before turning solid again.
     
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  15. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    "The estimated life expectancy of an OE TPMS sensor is 5 to 12 years, with the average lifespan being 7 years," from TPMS Sensor Batteries, Life Expectancy, and Replacement | TPMSDirect

    Shop around for your options. Toyota part number 42607-33011
    $57.34/ea Toyota TPMS Sensor - Guaranteed Genuine from ToyotaPartsDeal.com
    $58.29/ea 2007 Toyota Prius Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping
    $59.60/ea TPMS Sensor - Toyota (42607-33011)
    Say $60/sensor * 4 = $240/10years = $24/year = $2/month

    I am the rare few who actually likes the TPMS. It has saved me a few times from destroying a tire due to a nail/screw. The low tire warning lit up while driving. Quickly and safely pull over to see which tire had a nail/screw. Put the spare on and drive off to the tire store for a patch. Before TPMS, only discovered the nail when the car all of a sudden felt/handled weird, due to the tire being extremely low, causing damage to the side wall and tire bead, which now made the tire irreparable. Even if one checks their tires regularly, you can easily pick-up a nail/screw between tire checks. TPMS will let you know something is wrong w/ a tire between your checks.