If this is true, then this 4R will be my last Toyota

[sweaty]

So I recently replaced tires at Costco. They replaced one of the TPMS sensors and the tire pressure warning wouldn't go off. They directed me to the dealership, who then charged over $50 to "relearn" the new TPMS. Now the light is off, and Costco covered the cost.

The new TPMS wouldn't talk to the computer so the light stayed on. According to Costco, they don't have either the equipment, or some code, to establish the relationship between the vehicle computer and the new TPMS. Only the dealership has that information.

Is this true? If it is, then basically I am stuck with paying a ransom for every replacement TPMS.

4R is not exactly a cheap car. If I can afford a 4R, I can afford the "ransom." But that is not the issue. If Toyota decides to rip everyone off, then I will not deal with them anymore.

What is your experience?

Thanks.

 

[SATSTRAIL]

My experience being a technician for Infiniti is that very rarely should a tire pressure sensor ever need to be replaced. The exceptions are if the tire installer does a poor job and physically breaks the sensor or once every 5 to 10 years the internal battery in the sensor may fail also. That being the case it wouldn't be that high of a concern for me especially since it sounds like Costco took care of you for likely breaking the sensor…

There are a lot of tire installers out there that are hacks and don't pay close attention to the sensor when dismounting or mounting a tire therefore resulting in breakage. Very easily avoidable. But either way if they break it then they are responsible for paying for it and getting it registered so all is functioning correctly.

 

[RyanEJ25]

I have swapped tires and plenty of cars with TPMS. I did it with my 4Runner a few times. I never had an issue and it might be installer related. That being said I would look into toyota Techstream and a VCI cable. I Have it and reprogrammed a few things in my Prius and a new key. I think I read somewhere that you can program new TPMS also through Techstream.

 

[DannyLlama]

$50 every 5 to 10 years is worth writing off an auto brand?

 

[Antman]

So I recently replaced tires at Costco. They replaced one of the TPMS sensors and the tire pressure warning wouldn't go off. They directed me to the dealership, who then charged over $50 to "relearn" the new TPMS. Now the light is off, and Costco covered the cost.

The new TPMS wouldn't talk to the computer so the light stayed on. According to Costco, they don't have either the equipment, or some code, to establish the relationship between the vehicle computer and the new TPMS. Only the dealership has that information.

Is this true? If it is, then basically I am stuck with paying a ransom for every replacement TPMS.

4R is not exactly a cheap car. If I can afford a 4R, I can afford the "ransom." But that is not the issue. If Toyota decides to rip everyone off, then I will not deal with them anymore.

What is your experience?

Thanks.

The Costco you visited probably did not send their TPMS reset tools out for a software update. This is a yearly requirement to stay current. Our tools (Costco)will reset the sensors properly.

 

[Roncu]

If your biggest complaint here is the fact that only dealers have the ability to reset this, I believe this is a common practice with certain software and many manufacturers.
I hade a Nissan Maxima which had the anti-lock brake function fail. I took it to a independent shop. These guys are very good and I trust them 100%. They said they could replace the failed distributer block, but after exhausting all possibilities, they could not get the software to set it up. They said it would cost me $600 if they could get it. The dealer said it would cost $1500 for the same job.

 

[Kashoggio]

Good luck with your next car because they all have sensors. As time goes on it will only get harder and harder to work on cars. Emission systems and safety regulations always change and evolve such is a fact of life

 

[Swarty]

So I recently replaced tires at Costco. They replaced one of the TPMS sensors and the tire pressure warning wouldn't go off. They directed me to the dealership, who then charged over $50 to "relearn" the new TPMS. Now the light is off, and Costco covered the cost.

The new TPMS wouldn't talk to the computer so the light stayed on. According to Costco, they don't have either the equipment, or some code, to establish the relationship between the vehicle computer and the new TPMS. Only the dealership has that information.

Is this true? If it is, then basically I am stuck with paying a ransom for every replacement TPMS.

4R is not exactly a cheap car. If I can afford a 4R, I can afford the "ransom." But that is not the issue. If Toyota decides to rip everyone off, then I will not deal with them anymore.

What is your experience?

Thanks.

The system is 3rd party and is not specific to Toyota. Discount/AMericas Tire reset mine for $10 when I swap to winters.

 

[Spokanesteve]

Vaguely related question

Can you run two sets of tires and rims? I'm going to get a second set and mount winter tires and swap them in the Spring and Fall. Will that require a TPMS re-set?

Thanks much, Steve.

 

[4RnR Grl]

So I recently replaced tires at Costco. They replaced one of the TPMS sensors and the tire pressure warning wouldn't go off. They directed me to the dealership, who then charged over $50 to "relearn" the new TPMS. Now the light is off, and Costco covered the cost.

The new TPMS wouldn't talk to the computer so the light stayed on. According to Costco, they don't have either the equipment, or some code, to establish the relationship between the vehicle computer and the new TPMS. Only the dealership has that information.

Is this true? If it is, then basically I am stuck with paying a ransom for every replacement TPMS.

4R is not exactly a cheap car. If I can afford a 4R, I can afford the "ransom." But that is not the issue. If Toyota decides to rip everyone off, then I will not deal with them anymore.

What is your experience?

Thanks.

This is BS. I had four brand new wheels with new TPMS relearned at Firestone. Costco needs to get their ish together.

 

[EddieV4runnin]

My experience being a technician for Infiniti is that very rarely should a tire pressure sensor ever need to be replaced. The exceptions are if the tire installer does a poor job and physically breaks the sensor or once every 5 to 10 years the internal battery in the sensor may fail also. That being the case it wouldn't be that high of a concern for me especially since it sounds like Costco took care of you for likely breaking the sensor…

There are a lot of tire installers out there that are hacks and don't pay close attention to the sensor when dismounting or mounting a tire therefore resulting in breakage. Very easily avoidable. But either way if they break it then they are responsible for paying for it and getting it registered so all is functioning correctly.

True words have never been spoken

 

[sweaty]

The Costco you visited probably did not send their TPMS reset tools out for a software update. This is a yearly requirement to stay current. Our tools (Costco)will reset the sensors properly.

I believe you Antman. The manager at Costco did mention that they would upgrade their tool, or get new tool. From what I could tell, the kids at Costco were poorly trained, and the shop wasn't nicely equipped.

Before I went to the dealership, I also stopped by a DiscountTire. The technician there also failed to reset it.

For those who defend such business practice, this is not about the money. It is about making an honest dollar for a dollar's worth of honest work. I'll write off an entire brand for much less than $50 if they try to pull this shit off.

 

[sweaty]

This is BS. I had four brand new wheels with new TPMS relearned at Firestone. Costco needs to get their ish together.

Yes, from your comment and Antman's, I now believe the Costco shop that I visited simply didn't know what they were doing. They probably broke my TPMS too, but I can't prove that. Thanks

 

[Engineer]

I am never buying a Toyota again because the forums are full of floor mat, tire questions and problems like this. I find this part of the ownership experience unsatisfactory, JEEP here I come

 

[1engineer]

I believe you Antman. The manager at Costco did mention that they would upgrade their tool, or get new tool. From what I could tell, the kids at Costco were poorly trained, and the shop wasn't nicely equipped.

Before I went to the dealership, I also stopped by a DiscountTire. The technician there also failed to reset it.

For those who defend such business practice, this is not about the money. It is about making an honest dollar for a dollar's worth of honest work. I'll write off an entire brand for much less than $50 if they try to pull this shit off.

The phrase cut off your nose to spite your face comes to mind lol. Good luck.

 

[cbielat]

Well, why did they replace the sensor? Did they damage the original during the tire replacement process? You shouldn't have had to have one replaced other than if it was damaged.

 

[manofsteele2003]

Tire sensors go out, this is a common issue with all the vehicle manufacturers because they generally use the same sensors. And shame on you for taking it to Costco in the first place almost as bad as Walmart.

 

[sweaty]

4R is a nice car. That is why I bought it. I take care of it so I can drive it. I am not attached to it or Toyota. The reason I am here asking this question isn't where I should take the 4R and treat it like some sort of treasure. I want to find out if Toyota was trying to rip people off. I got my answer. Brand loyalty means absolutely nothing to me, just as we as individual customers means nothing to a corporation.

 

[CO-Cygnus]

So this is a thing with Toyota, Subaru, and BMW from my experience. Don't think that bailing to another brand will spare you from TPMS. Subaru wanted $150 to reset the TPMS on my Fiance's Forester in order to mount new tires. Our local shop did it for free.

If it really bothers you then get a TPMS tool and do it yourself.

 

[Kashoggio]

I don't understand how this is considered ripping someone off. They have the tools and the know how so they have a charge to cover their time. Just like a plumber will charge you to come out to the house or your doctor will charged you $300 to spend 5 minutes talking to you.