Is changing the TPM battery impractical?

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by gatorback, Jul 14, 2025 at 3:05 PM.

  1. gatorback

    gatorback New Member

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    I inherited a 2010 prism and I've never had a car with TPM: the TPM dashboard indicator is indicated. I've heard that it is not worth the time and effort to change the battery in the sensor. Is this true for the Prius? If a new sensor is changed, I understand that it must be "programmed" into the car.

    Maybe it is possible to program a new sensor with the old sensor's ID? As always, lessons learned and references (videos / links) are always appreciated: Thank you
     
    #1 gatorback, Jul 14, 2025 at 3:05 PM
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    There are aftermarket sensors whose IDs can be programmed, using a tool that does that.

    By contrast, the original sensors (and their replacements) come with fixed IDs that you program into the car using a tool that does that.

    6 of one, ½ dozen of the other.

    Whether it's practical to change the battery comes down to what you think is practical. There are posts here where people have demounted the tire and taken the sensor out and dug through all the potting compound and unsoldered a battery and soldered a new one in and re-potted the whole thing with new compound. I guess we all have different things we would similarly spend that kind of time on, but that wouldn't be one of mine.
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Jul 14, 2025 at 3:27 PM
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  3. gatorback

    gatorback New Member

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    Is the best practice use OEM TPM sensors? Google's AI indicates two OEMs Pacific Industrial Corp or TRW Automotive: is one better than the other or are they the same?

    How would I get the ID of the current sensors (so I program the aftermarket sensors with the ID)?
     
    #3 gatorback, Jul 15, 2025 at 8:52 AM
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2025 at 9:10 AM
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    If you have the tires off, you can read the ID numbers off the old sensors—they're printed there.

    If you have a suitable scan tool, you can read the currently registered IDs from the car.

    If you have the right specialized tire-shop tool, you can wave it near the tires and have it read the IDs from the old sensors (except dead ones...).
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Jul 15, 2025 at 10:31 AM
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