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Tire Warning Symbol

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Ravenlocks, Jan 9, 2007.

  1. Ravenlocks

    Ravenlocks New Member

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    Hello Everyone,

    I have a question about my tires and the symbol that recently appeared on my dash panel. I got a nail in my tire a few days ago, and the tire pressure symbol was illuminated on my dash board. After getting the hole repaired, the symbol didn't go off like the manual said it would once the tire pressure was restored to 33. Then while I was driving the symbol went off by itself, so I thought it was resolved. The other morning when I got in my Prius to go to work, the symbol came on again and has not gone off since. Is this something I have to go to Toyota for so they can reset it? I planned on calling the dealer in the morning, but wondered if you guys might have seen something similar.

    Thanks!!!!

    :)

    Kim

    PS- The tire has not gone flat at all.
     
  2. kdailey356

    kdailey356 New Member

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    Was the weather cold the night after it shut off? I always am doing tire pressure inflations with this cold weather all of the time.
     
  3. Ravenlocks

    Ravenlocks New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CapeCodPrius @ Jan 9 2007, 07:53 PM) [snapback]373368[/snapback]</div>

    Yes, I live in New York. Although the winter here has been pretty mild, it's cold at night. I would say around the mid 30's. I didn't have a problem with the inflation till the nail in my tire, so will this keep happening unless I replace the tire due to the cold?
     
  4. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ravenlocks @ Jan 9 2007, 07:50 PM) [snapback]373366[/snapback]</div>
    Uh-oh, who repaired the tire? Was it the Toyota dealer or a tire shop. The TPMS sensor is in the valve stem itself, and apparently they are easy to damage if the person working on the rim isn't aware of TPMS sensor.

    If you have checked the pressure and it's holding, but the TPMS is still on, I fear you have a damaged TPMS sensor. See what your Toyota dealer has to say. The tire shop had better cover it too.
     
  5. Ravenlocks

    Ravenlocks New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Jan 9 2007, 08:14 PM) [snapback]373379[/snapback]</div>

    I see....hmmmm....but they why would it go off while I was driving and stay off? Did it have something to do with the tire heating up while I was driving, causing the tire to expand alittle, causing there to be enough pressure to shut it off? Then when it gets cold, the pressure falls causing the light to come on again?

    Is the TPMS under warranty??
     
  6. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    There have been threads here discussing the sometimes odd behavior of the TPMS. I have an '04 so I don't have TPMS.

    http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=26995

    For example, some forum members have purchased winter tires mounted on steel wheels. They removed the stock wheels, which have the TPMS, and stored the wheels either in the garage or in the basement. Sometimes they had to drive a few hundred km's before the TPMS became "aware" it was missing something! Now that's one HECK of a safety feature, don't you think?

    I doubt the TPMS would be warranty if it was damaged by an improperly trained tire guy. There have also been threads here discussing that too

    http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=20001

    Hope this helps. If not, I find that heavy drinking works for me
     
  7. Ravenlocks

    Ravenlocks New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Jan 9 2007, 08:25 PM) [snapback]373387[/snapback]</div>

    LOL- I'll keep that last one in mind...I dont know. I thought it was great that there was such a feature that told you there was something wrong with one of the tires in the first place. I knew about the flat before it even began to really go flat.

    However, just so I understand this - if I buy another tire....I have to buy one with the TPMS feature? I guess what I'm asking is - is the TPMS on the tire itself or on body of the PRIUS? I thought I just would buy any regular tire?
     
  8. Sarge

    Sarge Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ravenlocks @ Jan 9 2007, 07:50 PM) [snapback]373366[/snapback]</div>
    Well, to start with the easy stuff, have you tried using the TPMS reset button under the steering column? I believe this is supposed to be done when changing air pressures and perhaps rotating tires (?). If I recall, I think you just hold the button down until it flashes three times slowly, while parked, of course. ;) Check the manual to be sure, or perhaps someone else can chime in here to confirm.

    As for the winter rims, that is what I am doing without the TPMS sensors. The light does act a bit bizarre. Since I park next to my alloy rims in the garage, about 50% of the time the system initializes fine in the morning and the light stays off. It take about an hour or so of driving (it varies) before all of a sudden the TPMS systems gives up and disables itself, firing the light.

    My understanding is the systems works like this to prevent false alarms due to mud, snow, etc... I guess there is a difference between the TPMS receiving an unacceptably low pressure signal vs. NO signal. I believe the threshold is 25% below the pressure at which the TPMS was set, using the button as described above.

    Also, if I am not mistaken, I remember reading the TPMS light will flash continuously to indicate low pressure, but if it is a malfunction of the system (i.e. missing/broken transmitter), it will flash for only 60 seconds then stay on solid. This may be a hint as to what you are dealing with.

    Hope that helps... I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong on any of the above. ;)

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ravenlocks @ Jan 9 2007, 11:52 PM) [snapback]373465[/snapback]</div>
    I guess that means the system worked. :)

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ravenlocks @ Jan 9 2007, 11:52 PM) [snapback]373465[/snapback]</div>
    The TPMS is not related to the tire itself, but rather a transmitter that is mounted inside the tire/rim. Therefore you can use any tire that fits on your rim.

    The TPMS sensor is part of the tire valve, and as jayman mentioned, they are easily broken if the tire installer is not aware the car is equipped with this feature. :( If that is the case, you should go after the tire shop to buy you a replacement, since these transmitters cost about $100 each and need to be programmed by Toyota. :blink:
     
  9. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    if you read that first link jayman provided, it should answer quite a few of the questions you've asked here.
     
  10. Walker1

    Walker1 Empire

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ravenlocks @ Jan 9 2007, 07:50 PM) [snapback]373366[/snapback]</div>
    I recently got a nail in a tire. The warning light came on. I got the tire repaired and the light went off on its own. I did not have to use the reset button under the dash and the warning light has not come back on since. I have had my '06 Prius for 12 months and that was the only time it went off.
     
  11. Ravenlocks

    Ravenlocks New Member

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    After reading the links from Jayman’s post last night, I did push the set button under the steering, and sure enough, the light blinked a few times and then went off. It was still off this morning when I went to work. So hopefully, it will stay off!
    I really think with all the features on the Prius it’s best to take it to Toyota in the future. I had no idea about the sensors and I wouldn’t know to warn anyone working on the tire beforehand.

    However, in response to the post about what the light means when it flashes or not – I thought I read the light stays on without flashing continuosly when there is a loss of pressure. It only flashes constantly when there is a malfunction in the TPMS system. I’ll have to check the manual later on that one, or perhaps someone knows for sure.

    Anyway, thanks for all the help! Learn something new everyday, especially with a Prius! ;)

    Kim
     
  12. Sarge

    Sarge Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ravenlocks @ Jan 10 2007, 11:22 AM) [snapback]373584[/snapback]</div>
    Glad to hear you got it sorted out. :)

    I can definitely tell you that without sensors the light flashes for 60 seconds then stays on solid afterward. Each time you start the car. I can't say for certain how it reacts to a truly low tire pressure, as I have not been in that situation (knock on wood). :rolleyes:
     
  13. Ravenlocks

    Ravenlocks New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sarge @ Jan 10 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]373654[/snapback]</div>

    Thanks Kevin, the drama is over for now! :)

    Kim