Detective Work - Dealer Misleading

[ItsOnlyNoe]

Toyota 2006 Prior: Older TPMS systems are passive types and aren't really a sensor but the ABS ecu measures the difference in wheel speed between an axle and thats how it knows when is at a different PSI than the other which is why for some systems the cars learn them on their own however not as great because if tires lose pressure at the same pace you can have them 10PSI low and the system still says they are even. Normally this system has a reset or re-initialize button.

2007+: Note some will have a re-initialize button and some may even have a button for a second set of tires and sensors. Newer systems as used in most vehicles since 2007 when Federal said they wanted sensors in the wheel that actively convey information is the way to go and they do broadcast signals every 30-60 seconds and the ABS or TPMS ECU pick up the signal and require the sensors be registered to the ecu itself. So even if your in a parking lot next to another Toyota it wont even accept the information other then from the registered sensors.

Not sure how helpful that is but if I get a chance at work tomorrow ill do some research and see if in fact the system has different parameters for the FRS or not.

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by Syldrin

i didn't mean to make it sound imediate it has to be a while. maybe i am mistaken but from what i remember when i've replaced these sensors for firends they never had to have the ecu reprogrammed or anything.

That was then, this is now.

Just be forewarned that if you buy additional wheels, winter wheels, perhaps, and add TPMS sensors to those wheels, you'll be faced with the problem of re-programming the ECU each time you swap wheels.

Someone on a previous thread about this issue said that their dealer was charging $56 for this service. It's possible there was a misunderstanding, and the dealer meant they'd swap the wheels, too.

My dealer quoted $10 to re-program the ECU, registering the new sensors with the ECU which, apparently, can only store the IDs of four sensors. This process would need to be done twice each year for the winter wheels swap, back and forth.

Others were speaking of an after-market tool that would permit them to do their own programming; it was not cheap, though.

I elected to forego the TPMS system altogether on my winter wheels. The concern is that in the future, State mandated inspections may require that all licensed vehicles have operating TPMS sensors.

The Safety Nazis are tireless in their efforts to protect us from ourselves.

[maj75]

Originally Posted by Porsche

That was then, this is now.

My dealer quoted $10 to re-program the ECU, registering the new sensors with the ECU which, apparently, can only store the IDs of four sensors. This process would need to be done twice each year for the winter wheels swap, back and forth.

That's too bad.

The sensors in our FRS are a new series of sensors and are in short supply. I put my original sensors in my Enkei wheels and needed replacements for my stock wheels which will see track duty. The service department confirmed that I needed the specific ID number printed on the new sensors to re-program the ECU. They just were not sure whether the ECU would store 4 or 8 sensor codes. That means a trip to the dealer every time I put on the track wheels...

My concern is that without the sensors (TPMS light on) I may not be able to switch off VSC or Traction Control at the track.

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by maj75

My concern is that without the sensors (TPMS light on) I may not be able to switch off VSC or Traction Control at the track.

Fear not.

VSC and TC are unaffected by my sensor-free winter wheels. I can turn these features ON or OFF at will just as with my OEM wheels.

The TPMS light is a small, thin outline of a cross-section of a tire; it is found immediately below the High Beam light. The TPMS light initially blinks, then remains steadily ON, and is less obtrusive than the bright blue High Beam light. I don't mind it at all. YMMV.