Question about tire presure sensors...

[keener]

So i just ordered some new wheels and tires, but I am keeping my winter tires mounted on my stock wheels, so the factory valve stems are staying with them. I don't really want to get four new presure sensing valve stems, but i also don't want the light on my dash to be on all the time.

Are all you guys with new tacos still using these valve stems? Or have any of you guys found a way to get past it?

BTW, the new shoes are 285/70/R17 Kevlar MT/Rs and pro comp 8069s

[874runnersr5]

Theres really no way to get around it from what ive seen in the shop..

[Grandpa Smurf]

TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) is just a lazy man's way of telling you your pressure is low. You should be checking that regular, just like you check your oil when you gas up. Even experts can't tell by looking at a tire if it is 5 or 10lbs low, you need to use a gauge. If you leave the TPMS stems out of your new rims, the ONLY thing that happens is the warning light stays on. You CAN NOT disable this light, that is where it gets illegal (in the USA). If you can live with the light you are set.
Love to see the tires and wheels some time.
Blake, Tire Shop Manager, Costco Deerfoot Meadows

[874runnersr5]

TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) is just a lazy man's way of telling you your pressure is low. You should be checking that regular, just like you check your oil when you gas up. Even experts can't tell by looking at a tire if it is 5 or 10lbs low, you need to use a gauge. If you leave the TPMS stems out of your new rims, the ONLY thing that happens is the warning light stays on. You CAN NOT disable this light, that is where it gets illegal (in the USA). If you can live with the light you are set.
Love to see the tires and wheels some time.
Blake, Tire Shop Manager, Costco Deerfoot Meadows

neat! didnt know you were the manager at the costco in deerfoor meadows.. good to know. i worked at the tireshop for 2weeks at the one in beacon.

[Dante's Taco]

Great post Blake.

I totally agree, just like the silliness of the "change your oil" lights - I would hope we don't need those either. (USA 2nd Gen Tacos seem to have them)

However, there actually are a few ways to make the light go away:


If you have a 2006 year model: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3031008#post3031008
If you are re-doing your dash LED's, you can just omit that light - maybe BeachBoy can chime in?
you can collect all 4 or 5 sensors, put them in a pressurised PVC tube & chuck it behind the seat. Then no matter what wheels you run, no light
Apparently, guys have actually partially taken the dash apart - not to remove the TPMS LED, but to PUT TAPE over the spot where the LED would shine through. Who knew...


Of course, these things could potentially make you FAIL a safety inspection down the road. Myself, I am doing #1 - since I have a 2006. I am doing it a bit different tho - going to put in a stealth switch, and make it a *switchable* mod, in case I ever need to show that TPMS works.

For me, TPMS is just irritating on the trails. For the 99% of the population that never do anything fun with their vehicles, then I'm sure it helps. :D

G

[freeze]

I lost my sensors the day the new wheels and tires went on at a 1000K when the Tacoma was new. I just got used to the sensor light being on all the time. I'm sure one day it'll burn out right?!?

[Doc McCoy]

Crazy kids with their fancy electronics!

[Dante's Taco]

I'm sure one day it'll burn out right?!?

LED = 100,000 hours+ MTBF, if I remember right

Don't hold your breath.... ;)

[keener]

Thanks for the replys guys.

So the light on the dash isn't as annoying as i thought it would be, but its still a bit annoying, so i think i'm going to tear down my winter wheel set, take the TOMS valves out and replace them with normal ones, then make the PVC sort of thing and throw it under the seat. Then i can put what ever tires/wheels i want on there.

I'll toss some pics up here one of these nights of the new shoes, still need to do a bit more fender trimming. There is something oddly erotic about grinding fender bits off a new truck haha.
Cheers

[Hounddog]

I actually bought 4 sensors when I bought my new wheels. I have yet to get them programed - I didn't know prior to buying them how much the dealer was going to charge me to program them. Jeez, I hope I still have the serial numbers for them. Am I hooped if I've lost them?

I kinda enjoyed the TPM sensors when I still had my stock wheels on. I park on nails and screws everyday and it was nice to have a heads up when I got another nail or screw in my tire(s)

So, I'm just another guy with a TPMS light that's always on and $500.00 in the hole....(grin)

[Grandpa Smurf]

Hounddog,
I will check on Monday when I am back to work and see if I can do a relearn on your new sensors. Do you have them installed and on the truck yet?
Blake @ Costco Tire Shop

[Hounddog]

Well thank you Blake! And yes, they are mounted in the rims which are on the truck.

Cheers!

[keener]

well as promised, here a few shots of my new donuts. come to think of it, may be the first pic of my tacoma on here. anyway.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f354/nukepruf/IMG_0071.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f354/nukepruf/IMG_0073.jpg

and yes, i did a lot of triming on the front since I only have my C/Os dialed to about 2", but low is the way to go.

[freeze]

Very nice!!!!

[Hounddog]

That truck is very, very nice! It's a good look.

[Doc McCoy]

Nice placement on the Icon sticker.

[Grandpa Smurf]

Have to go to the dealer currently. I will have the plug-in OTC reset tool in the furure, but not for at least 3 months. Sorry.

[Hounddog]

No worries. Thanks for checking though!