tire pressure monitoring system

[DonnyB]

I've searched but couldn't find the answer on previous threads. What year was the Tire Pressure Monitoring System first installed for the 4runner? Is it on all 4th Gen 4Runners?
I was looking up prices on a second set of wheels and tires (winter tires) and noticed that I needed to add sensors which cost 370 dollars extra ...rip off! Is there any way of just disabling it and the light or whatever it may be that is activated by the system?

 

[rook]

They are on all 4th gen's. from '03 on. It is costly to have a second set of sensors not only for the initial expense, but for the continued expense of reprogramming the computer. 4Runners cannot retain a second set of sensors in its memory.
Bottom line, get a second set without sensors and ignore the light for the winter. Its ironic that a feature designed for safety actually hinders those who want to be safe in the winter.

 

[toto]

TPMS was added to 4Runner in 2004.

Unfortunately, there is no "off" switch.

 

[Falls]

Not even a wire to cut....lol

 

[rook]

Not even a wire to cut....lol

Is there a wire leading to the TPMS light in the cluster?

 

[Even Steven]

You can always disable the bulb (or LED) in the instrument cluster.

 

[DonnyB]

You can always disable the bulb (or LED) in the instrument cluster.

Hmm.. can you disable it say for winter and then enable it again come spring time? Are there any DIY or howto's on disabling the LED/bulb for TPMS?

 

[boston_kevin]

If you run tires/rims without the sensor, including the spare, the LED should not be lit, unless you park near the tires/rims with the sensors.

 

[Kmvreter]

Hmm.. can you disable it say for winter and then enable it again come spring time? Are there any DIY or howto's on disabling the LED/bulb for TPMS?

I use black electrical tape. Each winter I put a small piece on the dash lens over the light after I put on the winter wheel set. I remove the tape in the spring. Works great!

 

[drapaki]

I use black electrical tape. Each winter I put a small piece on the dash lens over the light after I put on the winter wheel set. I remove the tape in the spring. Works great!

this almost works 100%. At night, i get a reflection off the drivers side window from the light.

I took my spare off once as a 'gas saving mod' and regretted it once that dang stupid light started blinking on me. non stop. blink blink blink.. ahhhhhhh!!!

 

[Koz]

If you run tires/rims without the sensor, including the spare, the LED should not be lit, unless you park near the tires/rims with the sensors.

I think you will still get the light. The system sees a problem.

Koz

 

[hesimeustic]

So... to be clear... I have TPMS working fine now on my stock 18" Rims... but if I were to have 17" snow alloys with TPMS in them as well my truck would need to be re-programmed?

 

[spud72]

They are on all 4th gen's. from '03 on. It is costly to have a second set of sensors not only for the initial expense, but for the continued expense of reprogramming the computer. 4Runners cannot retain a second set of sensors in its memory.

Hmm.

Dealer said he could order in another set, he'd just need my serial # to make sure my computer sees them. It's not so much it need to remember another set, it'd be the same "frequency", no?

 

[toto]

All of the sensors are on the same radio frequency. Each sensor has its own unique ID #, which it transmits along with the pressure readings. The unique ID's need to be programmed into the TPMS computer, because it will raise an error if it's not getting data from one of the ID's that it's supposed to "hear".

If you swap wheels for the winter, you would need to have the TPMS computer re-programmed with the ID's for the sensors on the wheels that are installed. Every time you swap wheels, you'd need to get this done. It's not a big deal, but I'm sure it's at least 1/2 an hour of work.

Only the Land Cruiser currently allows you to store two sets of ID's in the computer, making winter wheels a lot easier.

 

[stevied]

All of the sensors are on the same radio frequency. Each sensor has its own unique ID #, which it transmits along with the pressure readings. The unique ID's need to be programmed into the TPMS computer, because it will raise an error if it's not getting data from one of the ID's that it's supposed to "hear".

If you swap wheels for the winter, you would need to have the TPMS computer re-programmed with the ID's for the sensors on the wheels that are installed. Every time you swap wheels, you'd need to get this done. It's not a big deal, but I'm sure it's at least 1/2 an hour of work.

Only the Land Cruiser currently allows you to store two sets of ID's in the computer, making winter wheels a lot easier.

Unique id's huh... Now if only they could program the unit to tell you which pesky TPMS is throwing the low pressure

 

[Even Steven]

If you run tires/rims without the sensor, including the spare, the LED should not be lit, unless you park near the tires/rims with the sensors.

I had to drop off my spare wheel (with the sensor in it) to get a new tire mounted on it. I drove my 4Runner for about 2 hours before I returned to pick up my wheel. The tire pressure sensor light never came on. I thought there might be a problem with the system, so I let some air out of the spare tire, and sure enough the light came on. So I don't think the light should trigger in the absence of a sensor.

 

[spud72]

I have snow tires mounted on steelies with no TPMS stems installed. I park next to them in the garage overnight and all tires, including my spare have 40PSI.

My TPMS turned on 2 days ago and has yet to turn off. I think it must need some time next to the tires to have it registered they're OK but I turn it off as soon as I get into the garage.

 

[spud72]

I have snow tires mounted on steelies with no TPMS stems installed. I park next to them in the garage overnight and all tires, including my spare have 40PSI.

My TPMS turned on 2 days ago and has yet to turn off. I think it must need some time next to the tires to have it registered they're OK but I turn it off as soon as I get into the garage.

For kicks, when I pulled into my garage last night I just kept the truck running instead of shutting it off.

After about 30-45 seconds, the light went off.

 

[hesimeustic]

I filed a complaint with Toyota Canada about this claiming negligence for consumers in a climate where even their website encourages seasonal tire changes. I'm still waiting to hear back from them.