Rotating the spare / TPMS questions? (SR5)

[VayaConQueso]

I've noticed a lot of stock 17" alloy rims for sale on Ebay. (180 - 250 range) I've been thinking about buying one to replace the steel rim Toyota includes on the stock truck.
This leaves me with a couple of questions -
Will the chain system under the truck hold an alloy rim? (I think so, but haven't tried it myself yet)
On my old truck I used to rotate the spare with the tires. I dropped the spare sure enough it's a normal valve stem - no TPMS. Can the 4Runner's computer "remember" 5 tires - or would I have to get it reprogrammed each time I wanted to rotate in the spare (or am I completely nuts for even thinking about doing this?)
Thanks!

 

[Quentin]

I've noticed a lot of stock 17" alloy rims for sale on Ebay. (180 - 250 range) I've been thinking about buying one to replace the steel rim Toyota includes on the stock truck.
This leaves me with a couple of questions -
Will the chain system under the truck hold an alloy rim? (I think so, but haven't tried it myself yet)
On my old truck I used to rotate the spare with the tires. I dropped the spare sure enough it's a normal valve stem - no TPMS. Can the 4Runner's computer "remember" 5 tires - or would I have to get it reprogrammed each time I wanted to rotate in the spare (or am I completely nuts for even thinking about doing this?)
Thanks!

My understanding is that Toyota designed it to remember exactly which position each wheel is in. i.e. RF has a certain code, RR has a certain code, LF has a certain code, and LR has a certain code. It is apparently only something the dealers can code unless you buy the equipment. This is the one thing about the 4Runner that I really, really HATE. ****ing idiotic. My other 2 cars don't care which position the sensors are in so long that you have them. The whole TPMS system is just punishment to those of us who actually keep our tires aired up.

 

[SeattleMike]

My understanding is that Toyota designed it to remember exactly which position each wheel is in. i.e. RF has a certain code, RR has a certain code, LF has a certain code, and LR has a certain code. It is apparently only something the dealers can code unless you buy the equipment. This is the one thing about the 4Runner that I really, really HATE. ****ing idiotic. My other 2 cars don't care which position the sensors are in so long that you have them. The whole TPMS system is just punishment to those of us who actually keep our tires aired up.

That would require them to reset them at each tire rotation, which doesn't make sense. Got some documentation or a source for that information?

 

[harper7]

I've noticed a lot of stock 17" alloy rims for sale on Ebay. (180 - 250 range) I've been thinking about buying one to replace the steel rim Toyota includes on the stock truck.
This leaves me with a couple of questions -
Will the chain system under the truck hold an alloy rim? (I think so, but haven't tried it myself yet)
On my old truck I used to rotate the spare with the tires. I dropped the spare sure enough it's a normal valve stem - no TPMS. Can the 4Runner's computer "remember" 5 tires - or would I have to get it reprogrammed each time I wanted to rotate in the spare (or am I completely nuts for even thinking about doing this?)
Thanks!

I have a alloy SR5 rim,not the steel spare, with a 275/70/17 BFG tire as my spare now. Fits no problem and you can fit a 285/70/17 under there.

There are only 4 TPMS sensors and the that is all the truck ECU will read. Doesn't matter where you put them , even as a spare with one of the running ones not being monitered for low pressure.

I buy my tires at Discount Tire and they reprogram for free. Takes them less then 30 seconds as I watched them do it.

 

[Jed]

That would require them to reset them at each tire rotation, which doesn't make sense. Got some documentation or a source for that information?

Most new cars use an initiator above each wheel to "learn" the position of the wheels/sensors. The reason is simple--it makes for an easy wheel/tire rotation on vehicles that display tire pressures at each corner (like our Acura MDX) without the need for the vehicle TPMS to be manually updated.

I'm not sure about the 5th gen, but if it had individual tire pressure readings, then it most likely uses initiators too.

 

[Atlanta_man]

I have a alloy SR5 rim,not the steel spare, with a 275/70/17 BFG tire as my spare now. Fits no problem and you can fit a 285/70/17 under there.

There are only 4 TPMS sensors and the that is all the truck ECU will read. Doesn't matter where you put them , even as a spare with one of the running ones not being monitered for low pressure.

I buy my tires at Discount Tire and they reprogram for free. Takes them less then 30 seconds as I watched them do it.

My 4th Gen monitors the spare + the 4 on the ground. Only gives a warning, not actual pressure...

Couple times I have had to take down the spare and air it up to get the light to go off. Surely the 5th Gen's monitor the spare, say it is so !

 

[Quentin]

That would require them to reset them at each tire rotation, which doesn't make sense. Got some documentation or a source for that information?

I recall getting this from something Harper7 posted a while back. I really hope that I'm wrong and it doesn't care about position, but his post made it sound like you had to reprogram with every move of the tires.

edit: I might be remembering incorrectly. It is more of an issue for those of us that would run winter and summer wheels/tires. You can only have 4 transmitter codes stored in the ECU, so each time you put a new wheel and tire on, that transmitter needs to be programmed into the ECU. My understanding is that other makes don't care about the transmitter numbers. It takes the 4 strongest radio signals and judges based on that.

 

[ladywolf]

my limited only came with 4 sensors. when i had to mount the spare the light stayed on. they definitely dont monitor each tire. just gives a warning that a tire is low.

our diesel will monitor each individual tire........so every time we get the tires rotated we need to relearn the system. only takes a couple of minutes, but is still annoying, especially when whoever did the work doesnt know how to reset the system.

 

[westwind77]

There are only 4 TPMS sensors and the that is all the truck ECU will read.

You would figure in todays world Toyota could go into the ECU and change the max sensors from 4 to 5, it is just a number. If the system can read 4 it can read 10, if it is allowed to based on the code. Maybe if enough of us complain they will issue a 'fix' for it so we add another one, not holding my breath though. I will say if they did this to cut cost (one sensor) then that is pretty sad, especially since the 4th had it.

 

[Jed]

You would figure in todays world Toyota could go into the ECU and change the max sensors from 4 to 5, it is just a number. If the system can read 4 it can read 10, if it is allowed to based on the code. Maybe if enough of us complain they will issue a 'fix' for it so we add another one, not holding my breath though. I will say if they did this to cut cost (one sensor) then that is pretty sad, especially since the 4th had it.

It's definitely a cost-cutting measure. Not only did the 4th gen have a pressure sensor in the spare, but it was also a matching aluminum wheel, not a cheap steel wheel. Toyota could easily do the same thing with the 5th gen, but I guess they are more interested in cost savings in this economy.

 

[Aspen]

Other Toyotas have this feature correct, including the Highlander hybrid - five sensors that show the tire pressure in each on the dash, the way it should be. I've had this setup in much cheaper American cars for several years and was really disappointed when my expensive 4runner only had an idiot light.

 

[westwind77]

It's definitely a cost-cutting measure. Not only did the 4th gen have a pressure sensor in the spare, but it was also a matching aluminum wheel, not a cheap steel wheel. Toyota could easily do the same thing with the 5th gen, but I guess they are more interested in cost savings in this economy.

Yes & No - If you spend the big $$$$ (LE) you get a matching rim, only on the SR5 & TE do you get the steel rim. I will probably pick one up down the road some, even though I think it should be included.

 

[harper7]

You would figure in todays world Toyota could go into the ECU and change the max sensors from 4 to 5, it is just a number. If the system can read 4 it can read 10, if it is allowed to based on the code. Maybe if enough of us complain they will issue a 'fix' for it so we add another one, not holding my breath though. I will say if they did this to cut cost (one sensor) then that is pretty sad, especially since the 4th had it.

The tire pressure monitering system has it's own separate ECU up behind the glove compartment.Onlt reads 4 now.They make the sensors too and Toyota just buys them from them because of the US TREAD ACT law .Google it. Big brother looking out for us!
It's made by Pacific Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd.

Biggest complaint with it is the spare was always throwing the light because tires that are not used,like the spare, lose air faster then tires that are running, especially during a climate change,like winter. That's according to a manager friend at Discount tire.Probably a complaint to Toyota too.

That is why Toyota went to the 4 tire monitoring system across the board on all their cars . It's not a 5th Gen 4runner thing per se but sure it's does save them some money but also saves buyers the time to bring their car in to pull the spare down and air it up.Very ,very few people use the 5 tire rotation method.At least they did'nt give us one of those dang space saver tires as a spare!:lmao:

By the way our 5ths sensor part number is PMV-107J. I have 3 sets of wheels now(need to sell my SR5/BFG AT set when I get back)and put these in them. You'll need the kit for the wheels too if you have new rims.
(4) Lexus ES350 GS450 GX470 TPMS tire sensors PMV-107J: eBay Motors (item 290454339257 end time Jul-21-10 12:44:30 PDT)
TPMS SERVICE KIT 216 FITS MANY TOYOTA SEQUOIA -list-: eBay Motors (item 370407139042 end time Aug-10-10 16:23:10 PDT)

 

[Jed]

Yes & No - If you spend the big $$$$ (LE) you get a matching rim, only on the SR5 & TE do you get the steel rim..

Well yeah...of course. There are two good reasons for that:

1- The Limited is priced far above the other models
2- I'm not sure there are many 20" steel wheels around. I don't think I've ever seen that.

 

[Jed]

That is why Toyota went to the 4 tire monitoring system across the board on all their cars

That's not an accurate statement.

 

[Quentin]

That's not an accurate statement.

Based on fact or speculation?

 

[harper7]

That's not an accurate statement.

This is according to a Manager at a high volume tire store.
My Anti-Jed software must be on the blink!
Besides ........

 

[Jed]

This is according to a Manager at a high volume tire store.
My Anti-Jed software must be on the blink!
Besides ........

Oh, if he's a Manager, then he MUST be correct. LOL.

Don't take my word for it...just look it up yourself if you doubt it.

 

[Quentin]

Oh, if he's a Manager, then he MUST be correct. LOL.

Don't take my word for it...just look it up yourself if you doubt it.

Look up what... and where? I'm serious.

 

[clemson4rnr]

Using my sub-par googling skills, I couldnt find anything that said a spare tire that isnt used loses pressure faster than the 4 that are on the road. However according to discounttire.com tires lose 1 psi per month and change 1psi for every 10degrees...

The Benefits of Correct Air Pressure - Discount Tire