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TPMS on Aftermarket Wheels

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by jonnybonz, Aug 6, 2009.

  1. jonnybonz

    jonnybonz Junior Member

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    I've seen a few of our forum members have installed after market wheels on their Prius. Just wondering if any of you have installed TPMS kits on the aftermarket wheels as well. If so, did you use the Toyota OEM TPMS units? Those run for about $90/ea but i've seen aftermarket TMPS units for $40/ea. Would it be a problem if I used aftermarket? I'm hoping that the tire monitoring systems are generic enough where I don't have to use OEM. What would happen if I didn't install the TPMS units with the new wheels? Will I have the tire pressure icon flashing the whole time?

    Thanks.
     
  2. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    I could see not using them if you were getting an extra set of wheels for snow tires, but if you're replacing your daily ride wheels why would you not install your OEM sensors???
     
  3. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Yes it will blink at you if it does not see the 4 sensors that are programed into it. If you don't swap the 4 OEM sensors into the new wheels you could buy new sensors, but you have to have a dealer program their numbers into your car.

    No one has posted it yet (that I've seen) for the 2010 but I suspect it's just like the Gen II and it is only possible to program in 4 at a time. Of course you can cover the flashing light with a piece of black tape.
     
  4. rachaelseven

    rachaelseven New Member

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    Correct, only 4 at a time. I read the TIS instructions on the subject and you only get 4 (plus the mini-spare, if I recall correctly). Changing to different sensors requires the TIS Techstream computer :( So black tape for snow tire season, unless you want to pay the dealer to reprogram them twice a year.
     
  5. btaylor

    btaylor Junior Member

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    I have run the Orange TPMS system on other cars that I have owned, and I like this system a lot.

    The Orange system gives you a constant readout of the tire pressure and the wheel temperature on all four wheels, which are capabilities I prefer over the Toyota TPMS system. You also can set both low pressure alarms and high pressure alarm with the Orange TPMS. No problem switching the system over to a snow tire set of wheeels every winter. The wheel temperature reading let me catch early a dragging disk pad on my Jeep a few months ago.

    You can pick up the Orange kit (4 TPMS sensors, control/readout unit) on ebay for about $135-$140 plus shipping.

    The Orange system is reviewed in a fair number of high performance car forums (Porsche, BMW, Ford Mustang, etc.). Just Google "orange tpms review" to see these reviews.
     
  6. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    Still, with this system wouldn't you still have the issue of the OEM system looking for a signal and blinking? Can the OEM system simply be reset to "0" by letting the air out of your tires when you take them off and thus they would never trigger a low pressure warning?
     
  7. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Good thought but something tells me it won't be that easy. Maybe it would be worth a try? if it works to disable the system it would be useful.
     
  8. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    I've wondered about this as I plan to put snow tires without the sensors on a set of Tc wheels. I was going to live with the light blinking. However unless there is a low reset point, if the sensors sent out a reading of "0" and you reset the monitor, then it should not go off untill the pressure dropped. Then again, perhaps if it doesn't get a signal at all (like when you pull away from the tires in the garage) then it may blink anyway. It's a shame you can't turn this off. I made it for 40 years driving without them and can probably survive again without them if I so chose.
     
  9. jonnybonz

    jonnybonz Junior Member

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    Thanks wvgasguy... Would the OEM Sensors need to be reprogrammed after I put them on the new wheels or as they had already been linked with the system, its just a matter or resetting the TPMS sensors.

    Also, do I need to maintain the positions ie) the front left and front right sensors on the old wheels should be the front left and right sensors on the new ones?

    I'm planning on having a mechanic friend do this. Is it pretty easy to do or should I just bring it to the Toyota dealership?
     
  10. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    The sensors aren't position sensitive. If you keep the same sensors you won't need to have the system reprogrammed. As an example, several forum members have purchased the Volk Racing "Ecodrive" wheels and report the stock sensors fit (this was in the GII car) and worked as stock. I recommend these wheels if you're not going to be "sticker shocked" by their approx. $400 each price. They are lighter than stock and strong and were developed for the GII Prius. I expect to see the 17" size available soon (currently available in 15 and 16" sizes).
     
  11. jonnybonz

    jonnybonz Junior Member

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    So I decided not to have the TPMS transferred from the OEM wheels and just use the OEM wheels for the winter. Once I put the wheels on it wasn't until about 50 miles that the tire pressure warning light came on. For now, i think I can live with that light staying on...
     

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  12. AF-Vette

    AF-Vette New Member

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    I bought replacement TPMS sensors with the new wheels and tires from the Tire Rack (315 MHz sensors were $88 ea). It took the dealer about 30 minutes to program the new sensors (yes, the car will blink at you if it doesn't 'see' the old ones). I don't think the sensors are position sensitive, so installing the old one TPMS in your new wheels is probably the cheapest way to go.
     

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  13. njchpd

    njchpd New Member

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    I love those wheels. Same as Dakine's. Great look! What size are yours? 17's? I am leaning towards those too. I'm glad we are in different states. :D
     
  14. SkyDa-GS

    SkyDa-GS New Member

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    I did swap the stock TPMS into my aftermarket wheels for my 2010 Prius II, and the onboard computer didn't give me any error message. My aftermarke wheels are Scion tC 17", and the stock TPMS can fits in there without any problems.
     
  15. dc202

    dc202 Member

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    If you are using the original TPMS then you should not get an error message because those devices are already programmed into the computer.
     
  16. Pohaku

    Pohaku Member

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  17. Lenwood

    Lenwood Junior Member

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    i have a prius c and i used my sensors on konig wheels with no issues
     
  18. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

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    There is a thread that shows how to disable the sensors. I did the mod. It takes about 3 minutes and will save a lot of money if you use snow tire and rims. I do not understand that purpose of the sensors. I can tell when my tires are low. I do not need a sensor that takes 15 minutes to report my tire is not inflated.
     
  19. d2mini

    d2mini Active Member

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    During normal driving, I can not tell the difference between 40psi and 30psi.
    So I like that when my tires drop below the amount I set, it tells me.
    To me this is more valuable than if it just told you the tire was flat.
    Unless the Prius doesn't work like this?

    And fwiw, when running low profile tires with stiff sidewalls, it is MUCH harder to tell you've lost substantial pressure during normal driving. So i think they are even more valuable for people running aftermarket/larger wheels.
     
  20. gromittoo

    gromittoo Active Member

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    I bought some used OEM rims on eBay for my PriusV, so I now own 6 Rims. I went to sears, and had them mount new tires on the used rims. I did not trust the TPMS sensors on the used rims, so I had Sears replace the sensors. I have a blinking light now.

    This blinking light is a big problem, as I use the car for Uber and Lyft. Is there a simple way I can get the computer to be happy with the new sensors via the ODBII port?