TPMS woes

If one sensor has reached end of life...they should all be changed.

 

…at least all their batteries should be changed!

 

The Prius TPMS Sensor batteries are not replaceable.

 

…and here (for the umpteenth time) is my solution:

…I've had them on since changing back to the winter steelies, and have found them to work perfectly (at least so far)
…and I'm toying with the idea of getting some as Yule pressies (…for those few remaining friends still have! )

 

…sorry, my bad! I thought I read that most failures are caused by failing batteries! (…I'm surprised they're not replaceable on the Prius!)

 

On one hand, that is correct. On the other hand, most sensors have sealed-in batteries, so battery replacement requires replacement of the entire sensor.

(Sorry, I don't see what you linked at post #5 due to security related script blocking.)

 

Sorry, I think there's still a problem with posting links to amazon - let's see if I can get it right this time - it looked OK from my end)
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2TSELY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

…not sure of the correct MajikSpell, but this one might work! Good luck!

 

I do see that link, so something worked better.

But the scripting blocking I referred is something that I install on my end, and hides a significant number of similar links by many people. I choose to not disable it to discover if there are also PriusChat-specific problems beyond that.

 

There was a similar problem a couple of weeks ago, and someone here suggested a hack (edit) to the quoted URL, I couldn't remember the exact details so I just lopped off the first part (https of the link - not pretty but effective (apparently) since I have no problem seeing it at this end! (shrug!)

 

My solution would be to just start monitoring tire pressures more carefully, do nothing till the next time you're changing tires. That is, if there's not some annual inspection in your area, something that'd pull the car off the road. And, again barring enforcement in your area, come tire replacement time, I'd just use regular valves.

2011 is a little early for TPMS failure, btw.

 

I'm suspecting an intermittent TPMS system problem in my own 2012, not related to battery wearout. It remains unresolved.

My Prius had two episodes of intermittent false TPMS alerts in August, without actual low pressure. That summer tire set is on PiP takeoff wheels with sensors dating from spring 2015, so the batteries ought to be good. The false alerts did not repeat after August, even as the weather chilled (and battery levels should have dropped) into November.

Not long after swapping on the winter tire set, on the factory rims with original sensors (now 5 and half years old), I experienced another episode of intermittent TPMS alerts. Again, no actual low air pressure, and the alerts vanished after a couple days. Since then, I've traveled inland in much colder temperatures, with no more alerts.

Because it happened on two different wheel/sensor sets, both with relatively young batteries, I'm suspecting something other than the batteries. Absent additional clues, I intend to send my ScanGauge-II in for the firmware update to display individual TPMS readings, to get more clues. If it is a sensor, that should also narrow down the offender(s).

 

I don't think you can turn off the sensor. Also, it's very small and unobtrusive, and the valve is still functional, regardless of sensor failure.

In short: there are no problems.

We drive 4~5 months of the year with snow tires on separate rims, with no sensors, hardly notice the light, just regularly check the pressures with a good valve, and eyeball the four tires before heading out.

 

If you have the tire pressure warning set at, say, 38 PSI (tires at 38 PSI when you press the set button), in the cold, the 35 PSI tire could drop pressure to the warning point (20% below 38 PSI) when it gets nice and cold. As soon as you start driving the tires warm up a bit, especially on the highway and the light will go out. Next morning, if it's cold enough, the light will come on again. It will again go off when you drive on the highway.

This is normal. To stop it:
At "room temperature", inflate the tires to 35 PSI. Press the "set" button (under the dash near the steering column).
Now inflate the tires to 40 PSI, still at "room temperature". Use underground parking etc. to warm the wheels up if you have to when you inflate.

Once you do this the light should stay off. Unless you actually have a tire loosing air. Or another sensor goes bad.

Oh, and you can do this using the two pressures you prefer as well. I use the 2 PSI front/rear difference as well. But I run Pearl S' tires at 40 front 38 rear, and just before the cold weather set in I put them up to 44 front 42 rear. When the cold sets in the actual pressures before I start to drive are down around 35-38 PSI with no light on.

Your mechanic has the right idea - just add air.

 

Question then is...Will you start checking your tires pressures regularly?

 

You can download pdf format of the 2011 Owner's Manual from Toyota Tech Info (just google), go to the Manuals Tab, and fill in your vehicle info.

Search the doc for tpms and you'll find lots of info, a lot faster than leafing through the paper manual. Also, the reset procedure is in there.