Ordering wheels, TPMS, valve stem and tire pressure questions

[Pavement Tested]

To start, I do my own tire mounting and balancing. I have no experience with Toyota wheels or the TPMS sensors in them but have experience with other manufacturer's systems. I'm actually not even sure if there are sensors on my wheels. The interwebs says TPMS was standard equipment on all versions of the 2016 T4R so I'm assuming I do but I haven't seen a TPMS warning light on the dash when it does the lamp test during initial start.

Given that my rig does have a TPMS:
What pressure will light the TPMS warning light?
Where will it be displayed?

I'm going to be ordering some wheels soon and will need to order valve stems as well. I want to install metal valve stems. Will I need TPMS ready stems? Can I swap the sensors from the old wheels to the new ones? I'll be putting my current tires on the new wheels so I can't get a look ahead for what I'll be needing before doing the swap.

I'd also like to know how the TPMS works on these trucks that it could potentially allow for airing down for offroading and not throw a warning. I'm guessing this would be a feature in the system. If not, it would be pretty annoying.

 

[Humble Leader]

some thoughts

To start, I do my own tire mounting and balancing. I have no experience with Toyota wheels or the TPMS sensors in them but have experience with other manufacturer's systems. I'm actually not even sure if there are sensors on my wheels. The interwebs says TPMS was standard equipment on all versions of the 2016 T4R so I'm assuming I do but I haven't seen a TPMS warning light on the dash when it does the lamp test during initial start.

The TPMS warning light should come on, but not stay on like the check engine light would for example until you start the vehicle, it would only come on a couple seconds then go out. If someone disabled the TPMS system I suppose the light would not go on, or if the TPMS module is not functioning correctly. It's very unlikely the bulb is burnt out. Try the key on ACC for a couple seconds before going to ON and then starting

Given that my rig does have a TPMS:
What pressure will light the TPMS warning light?

I believe a 20% drop from ~32PSI
Where will it be displayed? I do not believe 2016s can show individual tire pressures. the light will come on when a low tire is detected or blink and stay on when there's a bad sensor that isnt communicating

I'm going to be ordering some wheels soon and will need to order valve stems as well. I want to install metal valve stems. Will I need TPMS ready stems? Can I swap the sensors from the old wheels to the new ones? I'll be putting my current tires on the new wheels so I can't get a look ahead for what I'll be needing before doing the swap.

Honestly, just buy the OEM TPMS sensors and valve stem kits. Do you have a way to program new TPMS sensors? toyota doesn't make this easy unless you want to spend $$$ on the programmer tool, but the dealers have all the tools to do it. My toyota dealer does mine for free. You could swap the old sensors over but if they are 5+ years old, might as well just buy new ones, chances are you will break one trying to swap it

I'd also like to know how the TPMS works on these trucks that it could potentially allow for airing down for offroading and not throw a warning. I'm guessing this would be a feature in the system. If not, it would be pretty annoying.

nah, 4runner isnt smart enough to know you are airing down. you could install a toggle switch to turn the TPMS off and on which would avoid the light when you're offroad. but that involves some wiring work

 

[Brandonium]

My understanding at least for the 2014-2018 models is that you want 315mhz TPMS sensors. Oddly some websites show that these sensors work only up to the 2015 MY but I just replaced mine (2016 TEP) with Denso model 550-0103 and they programmed to my 4Runner without issue. Curious if there is a discrepancy in MY's vs sensors.

 

[Pavement Tested]

some thoughts

Thanks for the info and feedback. I don't have the equipment to program new sensors. I also find new sensors to be excessively priced to begin with. While I understand the thought process to simply install new sensors, I'd prefer to avoid the cost. Having the ability to mount/dismount tires anytime I want to makes it a non-issue for me if one does go bad. If I could turn off the TPMS easily I'd just delete the sensors all together. I'm diligent enough about checking my vehicles that I'll catch a low tire before the system does.

I actually paid attention to the gauge cluster at start up the other day and saw the TPMS warning light. I have not done a test of the system by airing down 1 tire to generate an alert condition. I feel that the system is most likely functioning properly since I do not have any indications to the contrary.

Does the spare have a sensor in it? I want to look at an OEM sensor to determine which stems I need to order since there are at least 4 variances in TPMS valve stems that I've seen all saying they will work on a T4R.

 

[Humble Leader]

Thanks for the info and feedback. I don't have the equipment to program new sensors. I also find new sensors to be excessively priced to begin with. While I understand the thought process to simply install new sensors, I'd prefer to avoid the cost. Having the ability to mount/dismount tires anytime I want to makes it a non-issue for me if one does go bad. If I could turn off the TPMS easily I'd just delete the sensors all together. I'm diligent enough about checking my vehicles that I'll catch a low tire before the system does.

I actually paid attention to the gauge cluster at start up the other day and saw the TPMS warning light. I have not done a test of the system by airing down 1 tire to generate an alert condition. I feel that the system is most likely functioning properly since I do not have any indications to the contrary.

Does the spare have a sensor in it? I want to look at an OEM sensor to determine which stems I need to order since there are at least 4 variances in TPMS valve stems that I've seen all saying they will work on a T4R.

according to the owners manual for 2016s, only the limiteds have TPMS in their spare tire. I believe that started around 2014. I know my 2012 factory spare didn't have a TPMS transmitter in the spare. yeah it can be tricky to find which sensors work with the 4runner, that's why I think OEM is still a good choice. Those denso sensors are good. my 2012 never had a dead sensor and my RX is a 2010 and never a sensor died or went bad. they are good - the biggest risk is damage on install. the toyota dealers have the necessary tools to set the frequencies too. Really I think the OEM sensors will give you the least headache in the long run and are worth the price