Subaru TPMS Nonsense

[zoomzoomers]

Yeah, I don't see myself buying new sensors/pairing them the next time around.

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by DyoGTS

I'll probably end up just pulling the bulb when I have the dash apart (it is inevitable, I'm sure). Too bad there isn't a dedicated fuse for it.

+1. f%#* that noise!

[Grimlock]

Originally Posted by engee

It really isn't too bad. I'm pretty sure some of you guys have had worse lights pop up on your dash before. Better to see that light than a CEL or Oil temp light.

Honestly the TPMS light does nothing to the car. All it does is provide the "average" consumer a way to let them know that their tires are flat. For most of us, you probably check your tire pressure anyway with weather changes, at autox or track, etc.

I understand how some people rather have no lights pop up, but would you rather pay money every time you switch your wheels or live with the light? I know I will get a set of wheels and tires for autocross and I sure as hell know I am not going to changing sensors before and after every event.

Just my .02 cents

For me, having any warning light on the dash constantly lit is akin to having a dent in the driver's door of my brand-new car. I'll see it every day. It'll be a reminder that something is wrong. It won't affect how the car drives, but I'll look at it and sigh. It'll be a constant nag. If you knew how I keep my cars, you'd understand how much of an issue that light would be for me.

I'd rather pay than have the light on all the time. But that's why I'm looking for a solution that doesn't involve the dealership. If I could get a tool that'll work well, then I'll buy that. At least then I could re-sell it if necessary.

If I had dedicated autocross tires that I swapped on and off within a day or so, I wouldn't bother. But I usually run Summer tires all season long, and then the winter wheels for a few months.

[zoomzoomers]

Originally Posted by Grimlock

For me, having any warning light on the dash constantly lit is akin to having a dent in the driver's door of my brand-new car. I'll see it every day. It'll be a reminder that something is wrong. It won't affect how the car drives, but I'll look at it and sigh. It'll be a constant nag. If you knew how I keep my cars, you'd understand how much of an issue that light would be for me.

I'd rather pay than have the light on all the time. But that's why I'm looking for a solution that doesn't involve the dealership. If I could get a tool that'll work well, then I'll buy that. At least then I could re-sell it if necessary.

If I had dedicated autocross tires that I swapped on and off within a day or so, I wouldn't bother. But I usually run Summer tires all season long, and then the winter wheels for a few months.

In your specific case, I'd just buy the winter wheels and swap them out for the 3 or so months you say you use them. Then when winter fades you can just pop back your stock wheels (with the TPMS sensor) and be back to normal.

So just put up with the light for the 3 months during winter and fuggeddabbouddid during the fair weather months.

[neutron256]

I'm not sure if it's the case with the BRZ, but some cars like my CRZ won't let you disable traction control if the TMPS shows an problem. This is even more annoying since getting stuck in the snow would be when I most need to be able traction control.

I hope that's not the case but maybe someone who's read all the way through the manual knows.

[engee]

Originally Posted by Grimlock

For me, having any warning light on the dash constantly lit is akin to having a dent in the driver's door of my brand-new car. I'll see it every day. It'll be a reminder that something is wrong. It won't affect how the car drives, but I'll look at it and sigh. It'll be a constant nag. If you knew how I keep my cars, you'd understand how much of an issue that light would be for me.

I'd rather pay than have the light on all the time. But that's why I'm looking for a solution that doesn't involve the dealership. If I could get a tool that'll work well, then I'll buy that. At least then I could re-sell it if necessary.

If I had dedicated autocross tires that I swapped on and off within a day or so, I wouldn't bother. But I usually run Summer tires all season long, and then the winter wheels for a few months.

I hear ya. If that's the case, I would say pay the dealer and have them switch it for you.

In regards to the tool, I think this should work. I have not tried it though. Not sure what the price is but I guess it is $150.
http://www.tpms-tool.com/TPMS-tool-ATEQ-quickset.php

Or you could just cover the light:
http://www.3gwrx.com/forum/index.php?topic=19811.0

[engee]

Originally Posted by neutron256

I'm not sure if it's the case with the BRZ, but some cars like my CRZ won't let you disable traction control if the TMPS shows an problem. This is even more annoying since getting stuck in the snow would be when I most need to be able traction control.

I hope that's not the case but maybe someone who's read all the way through the manual knows.

We'll see when the car comes out. When you turn off TCS, another light on the dash turns on.

[Grimlock]

Originally Posted by engee

I hear ya. If that's the case, I would say pay the dealer and have them switch it for you.

In regards to the tool, I think this should work. I have not tried it though. Not sure what the price is but I guess it is $150.
http://www.tpms-tool.com/TPMS-tool-ATEQ-quickset.php

I've read that that tool works well and would do the job, but it seems like it is deprecated now. The official documentation has model years up to 2009 or 2010, and some people have confirmed it working with 2011 model cars.

Granted, I see no reason why Subaru would change the sensors or the interface to the car in the meantime, but I'd like a tool with a bit more active support from the manufacturer.

I don't think I'd mind paying up to $200 for a decent (resellable) tool, but obviously a cheaper tool that does the job would be be great. I hate going to the dealer for stuff like this because it turns into a 2 hour proposition for something that would take me 2 minutes to do in my own garage.

[WhiteGDB]

Originally Posted by neutron256

I'm not sure if it's the case with the BRZ, but some cars like my CRZ won't let you disable traction control if the TMPS shows an problem. This is even more annoying since getting stuck in the snow would be when I most need to be able traction control.

I hope that's not the case but maybe someone who's read all the way through the manual knows.

Honda must have changed something since my 09' Si has the TPMS light on and I'm still able to disable traction control.

[zoomzoomers]

[QUOTE=Grimlock;156734]I've read that that tool works well and would do the job, but it seems like it is deprecated now. The official documentation has model years up to 2009 or 2010, and some people have confirmed it working with 2011 model cars.

Granted, I see no reason why Subaru would change the sensors or the interface to the car in the meantime, but I'd like a tool with a bit more active support from the manufacturer.

I don't think I'd mind paying up to $200 for a decent (resellable) tool, but obviously a cheaper tool that does the job would be be great. I hate going to the dealer for stuff like this because it turns into a 2 hour proposition for something that would take me 2 minutes to do in my own garage.[/QUOTE]

Isn't that the unfortunately case most of the time you visit the stealership?

[Grimlock]

Originally Posted by zoomzoomers

Isn't that the unfortunately case most of the time you visit the stealership?

True, but the only times I usually go to the dealership is to get stuff done under warranty (or free maintenance, like VW has been giving me).

[neutron256]

Originally Posted by Grimlock

I've read that that tool works well and would do the job, but it seems like it is deprecated now. The official documentation has model years up to 2009 or 2010, and some people have confirmed it working with 2011 model cars.

Granted, I see no reason why Subaru would change the sensors or the interface to the car in the meantime, but I'd like a tool with a bit more active support from the manufacturer.

I don't think I'd mind paying up to $200 for a decent (resellable) tool, but obviously a cheaper tool that does the job would be be great. I hate going to the dealer for stuff like this because it turns into a 2 hour proposition for something that would take me 2 minutes to do in my own garage.

I have the ATEQ Quickset. It was a little tricky getting the software to work with Windows 7 but once I did it worked great. It works just fine on my 2011 CR-Z and my wife's 2010 Fit.

[[M]]

Don't see the light as a concern. If it becomes bothersome I'll just pull the cluster out and pull the bulb. Less obvious and ghetto than putting tape over it. If anything I can just wire it to another external led that is tucked under dash, be able to keep functionality but out of sight and out of mind.

[TheRipler]

Same thing on the Toyota Tundra, and the dealer charges ~$80 to set it. Some Tundra owners took their tpms sensors out, put them in a pressurized canister, and shoved that in the glove compartment. Granted, that's easier to do on a big truck where interior space isn't a premium.

Otherwise, the black tape method seems to be popular.