If you're having winter wheels built, have TPMS checked BEFORE install.

[Tarekith]

I had a set of winter wheels for my ORP built on TRD Pro wheels and Blizzaks, along with Toyota TPMS since I've had issues with cheaper 3rd party sensors in the past on my Tacoma. Unfortunately I could not get the new TPMS to register in the ORP the last few weeks, so I took them into the dealer to get looked at. For whatever reason, none of the TPMS I ordered from Toyota are transmitting (confirmed at local second non-dealer shop), even though we confirmed they are the correct part numbers.

Unfortunately, because I had the wheels built at Discount Tire, Toyota will only warranty the actual sensors if I send them back. Which means on top of paying more for the Toyota TPMS, I would now also have to pay for labor to both remove the current defective sensors, and then labor again to have the new ones installed once the replacements come in. I'm not surprised but it's also a lot of money for tech I didn't even want in the first place, so I'm not going to go through the warranty hassle.

Just wanted to give people a heads up since this is the time of year when many of you will be switching to winter wheels for a new vehicle. Make sure whoever is building the wheels tests the sensors before they are installed.

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[Dr_Al]

I don't know if every sensor works this way but a number of them go into sleep mode to save the batteries. You have to drive a bit before a scanner can read them. A garage or dealer can easily check if they are working with a portable hand scanner but they have to be awake. Sounds like you just got unlucky. That being said whoever sold and mounted the tires could be nice and just replace the sensors free of charge.

They don't need to be balanced again. They simply make a mark with a tire marking crayon at the valve stem. When they seat the tire bead they align the mark up. Lots of tire places offer rotation and balancing. Since you have a separate set of wheels they don't have to do that so I would ask to see if they will do this for free. It's a great way to get a customer for life.

 

[Tarekith]

I've been trying to get the sensors to register multiple times for about the last 400 miles. They used a hand scanner today and none of the 4 sensors were transmitting at all. Unfortunately I bought the wheels and TPMS online from a Toyota dealer that isn't my local dealer (3 hours away), the Blizzak tires from TireRack, and had everything put together by a local Discount Tire. So I'm in a loop of everyone pointing the finger at everyone else, definitely no hope of getting anything for free out of any of them.

Frustrating as I was just trying to avoid the constant tire pressure warning on the dash like I used to get when swapping to my winter tires on the Tacoma, and now here I am again. And for something stupid like TPMS I don't even want or need since it only takes 30 seconds to check tire pressure with a gauge by hand.

Oh well, I appreciate you sharing some ideas none the less, thank you.

 

[828findadventure]

I have used Discount Tire TPMS for years on my winter wheels and they work great and have lasted. As for the Toyota TPMS, have you mounted them and had Discount Tire try to read them?
Note: Toyota uses different TPMS for steel wheels than for Alloy wheels.

 

[Tarekith]

Sadly I had a lot of issues with the Discount Tire TPMS on my Tacoma which is why I went for the Toyota ones this time. And yes, Discount Tire mounted and tried to read them multiple times and couldn't get any signal from them. The Toyota dealer I bought the TRD Pro wheels and TPMS from said they were the correct part numbers and I've seen other people here using the same combo with no issue too (at least they never claimed they had a post install issue).

It's the fact that they are already mounted that is causing me the most grief. I'd have to pay to have the tires removed from the wheels to get access and remove the TPMS to send back to Toyota. Then I have to pay again to have the new TPMS they send to me installed. I've already spent WAY more than I want to for this useless tech, not sure I want to add another $200-300 on top of that. $600 for TPMS sensors I'll never use (I check mine manually frequently enough out of habit) is a bit much.

As always, I appreciate everyone's help and ideas though, so thank you.

 

[828findadventure]

Do you have a scanner to read the TPMS at each wheel?

 

[Tarekith]

I don’t, but they checked all 4 wheels with the scan tool with me right there at my local dealer and discount tire. I don't know why it wasn't done when I had the wheels built a couple weeks ago, other than everyone where I live is trying to get appointments to get their winter tires on before we get more snow and they were rushing.

 

[828findadventure]

I don’t, but they did all 4 wheels with me right there at my local dealer and discount tire.

I am only asking because I had some method wheels installed at Toyota on my 21 Tundra that had steel wheels with TPMS. After install they told me there was an issue and said I needed to purchase Toyota TPMS for alloy wheels. You would think they would know that and tell me at drop off. As for DT they always check my TPMS with a hand held scan tool placed at each valve. It how they check to see if they are reading properly or if a battery in one has gone bad.

 

[TurboGuy2000]

Well shit, I am going to pick up a spare set of Toyota TPMS sensors. Or maybe a set of Toyota's and non Toyota's lol. I don't have a tire machine right now so have to have the homie at Discount Tire do them. I will let yall know if/when I will have the issues. Going to do it Friday. I have a Autel MK900 BT and a new Top Don Pheonix Smart my buddy just got for his shop if I need to scan the TPMS.

Good lookin out much appreciated.

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