Cloned tpms

[Shonuff]

Can a second set of TPMS sensors be cloned in to avoid reprogramming when I swap my winter tires on/off?

A post from a forum member made me think they could but Discount Tire isn't sure if it will work. That tape over the light idea just keeps sounding more reasonable.

Thanks for any input.

 

[zefram47]

This was back in 2012, but I definitely got sensors cloned at Discount Tire. Even back then, they had no idea what they were doing and I had to walk them through it. Assuming they are using cloneable sensors, they just have to use their tool correctly, read in the current sensors, and then program each new sensor with the current sensor's ids. Worked very well on my STi...planning on doing the same thing when my 4Runner finally gets here.

 

[TRDfan2011]

Can a second set of TPMS sensors be cloned in to avoid reprogramming when I swap my winter tires on/off?

A post from a forum member made me think they could but Discount Tire isn't sure if it will work. That tape over the light idea just keeps sounding more reasonable.

Can you post the outcome? Helpful to know if you need a specific brand/part nbr sensor to clone.

 

[USKTog]

You can buy 4 new TPMS's (link below) and they'll be the same factory TPMS's you have on the original wheels.

TPMS Sensor (link is for 2014 T4R, so you may have to search YOUR VIN for correct p/n)

 

[TRDfan2011]

You can buy 4 new TPMS's (link below) and they'll be the same factory TPMS's you have on the original wheels.

TPMS Sensor (link is for 2014 T4R, so you may have to search YOUR VIN for correct p/n)

Thanks!

 

[tinman831]

Thanks!

The question still remains if you can clone the new TPMS to be like the old ones so no reprogramming will be needed if you swap wheels.

 

[USKTog]

The question still remains if you can clone the new TPMS to be like the old ones so no reprogramming will be needed if you swap wheels.

The link is for factory Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors.

As such, there should not be any need to "clone" the originals (IMO) as the TPMS should just function. Their purpose is to operate on a specific frequency with the automobiles TPM system. Since these are factory, there shouldn't be a need to clone or recalibrate when you swap from tire set#1 to tire set#2.

The system is looking for tire pressure in a range of "X—>Y" and as long as the sensors are readable by the auto's system, they should just work!

I could be wrong, but the TPM system isn't rocket science.

 

[tinman831]

The link is for factory Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors.

As such, there should not be any need to "clone" the originals (IMO) as the TPMS should just function. Their purpose is to operate on a specific frequency with the automobiles TPM system. Since these are factory, there shouldn't be a need to clone or recalibrate when you swap from tire set#1 to tire set#2.

The system is looking for tire pressure in a range of "X—>Y" and as long as the sensors are readable by the auto's system, they should just work!

I could be wrong, but the TPM system isn't rocket science.

I'm not sure exactly how TP Sensors work. Does each sensor have their own specific frequency when compared with each other? Does the Monitoring System search for these exact frequencies and attempt to match up what's stored in the computer or does it search for a range of frequencies?

 

[USKTog]

I'm not sure exactly how TP Sensors work. Does each sensor have their own specific frequency when compared with each other? Does the Monitoring System search for these exact frequencies and attempt to match up what's stored in the computer or does it search for a range of frequencies?

So, in further reading…there IS a "unique ID" for each TPMS which must be programmed into the ECU. :'(

Looks like there may be a need for some intervention during tire swap. Not sure if tire dealers (Discount Tire, Big-O, Les Schwab, etc) can do that using the tools they have available:

How Toyota TPMS works

 

[jrandom]

The link is for factory Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors.

As such, there should not be any need to "clone" the originals (IMO) as the TPMS should just function. Their purpose is to operate on a specific frequency with the automobiles TPM system. Since these are factory, there shouldn't be a need to clone or recalibrate when you swap from tire set#1 to tire set#2.

The system is looking for tire pressure in a range of "X—>Y" and as long as the sensors are readable by the auto's system, they should just work!

I could be wrong, but the TPM system isn't rocket science.

No it isn't rocket science. It is more like a device that was designed to transmit a predetermined set of variables. Each tire transmits a unique identifier. That is where cloning comes in. You either have to tell the vehicle which sensors to look for (I have no idea how you do this, maybe TechStream) or copy the identifiers the vehicle is already programmed to read and assign them to the new clone-able sensor, using a clone tool.

What you suggest, two 4runners parked side-by-side you could read the other 4runners TPMS. That makes no sense, there would be no way to ascertain which vehicle the each sensor belonged too. It doesn't work that way for many reasons.

EDIT: ah you posted as I was responding

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

I have been considering just living with the light for half the year. However, the sensors that are listed above look like a good option. If you purchase sensors from Discount, they will be a total of about $8 cheaper and not an OEM part.