Worked great. Ordered wheels from tirerack with all needed hardware (new TPMS sensors). They suggested I needed the "ATEQ VT06 SCAN TOOL" but didn't mention the quickset as well. YOU NEED BOTH! The quickset lets you tell your car's ECU (computer) the TPMS sensor numbers for each wheel. It has a limit of 4 total cars remembered in the software with 2 wheel sets per car, so 8 total wheel sets. You need the TPMS sensor numbers in order to make this work. Tirerack ships your wheels with a piece of paper with these numbers written down. I don't know which corner they're on but with a subaru they don't report specific corners anyway so this isn't crucial. I just typed them into random corners. If you buy wheels and don't get these numbers you need a tool that can get them for you.
The second part of the equation is you need something to "wake up" the new TPMS sensors. Apparently they're in a "deep sleep" when shipped to save battery life. To do this you need a tool to wake up the sensors. This is what the VT06 scan tool tire rack suggested does. It's a "dumb" tool in that it has a light that comes on but doesn't change. It basically just says the battery is installed correctly and you're pressing the button. But it does work. I have no idea how long I needed to hold it on the sidewall for, but 10 seconds worked (per wheel). You only need to do this ONCE in the life of the wheels (so the first time). After that you just use the quickset each time you switch wheels. You can also use a ATEQ VT31 to do the same task. The VT31 will also give you the sensor numbers for each wheel (and battery life and pressure). If you don't have the TPMS numbers for each wheel you will NEED the VT31. But if you have the TPMS numbers (say from tire rack) you can save money and get the TP6. You can decide if $50 for the "dumb" VT6 is better than $140 for the smarter VT31. For me it comes down to having the TPMS #s or not. I have mine thanks to buying new from tirerack so the cheaper VT6 is good enough.
We also have both a key started legacy and a push start outback. The directions walk you through the steps using a key. You just need to have it in ACC mode. With a push start just push the button WITHOUT your foot on the brake pedal. This will put it into ACC mode. I might have needed to press it twice but it works.
You also NEED a PC to make this work. I have a mac. Parallels lets you install windows and will allow this to work with a mac. Parallels also has a 14 day trial and will install windows for you. If you need to buy parallels that's another ~$80 for a license. I'll probably need that come spring when I switch back? A laptop makes this MUCH easier as you can have it in the car with you. The software walks you through the process step by step but you do need to plug it into the computer -> car -> computer -> car -> computer. That's a lot of walking if you're using a desktop!
And if you're IMPATIENT like me? And drive on your new wheels without all these bits? And the TPMS light comes on every time you start the car? Follow the steps then go drive the car above 30mph. The light will go off and you're all set. But you HAVE to drive it over 30 for it to work. With 1 car I'd driven it over 30 without both parts which set off the TPMS light. Then EVERY time I started the car it'd give me a warning and blink for the first few minutes then stay lit. I had to go drive that car over 30mph after using the quickset to make the warning go away. In the other car that had NOT gone over 30 since the new tires were put on and didn't have the TPMS warning on, all I had to do was use the quickset in the garage and it was fine. I unhooked it and drove it over 30mph and it was fine.
So a quick rundown (lots of steps but the software walks you through it all very clearly):
Get new wheels.
if brand new, get TPMS sensor activated via VT06/VT31
you need the sensor #s, get them using a VT31 if not supplied by seller
get your PC out (laptop in car makes this much easier)
parallels will work on a Mac
DL and install their USB driver (google ateq quickset, their site has drivers and software, you don't need the CD)
plug in Quickset via USB
install their software
follow all onscreen prompts
choose car type
turn car on to ACC mode (motor off)
hook quickset to ODBII port (under dash)
green LED will flash on quickset
press summer button (to DL summer #s into quickset)
unplug quickset from ODBII (leave cable attached, makes later steps easier)
plug quickset into computer via USB
their software will import summer TPMS #s.
type in second wheel set TPMS #s into software (watch for hex/binary checkbox)
unplug quickset from computer
plug quickset into ODBII port
flashing green LED on quickset
press winter button (this puts new/second TPMS #s into the ECU)
green LED should be solid now
unhook ODBII from
Program asks for quickset to be plugged back into computer via USB, not sure if needed.
DONE!
go drive over 30mph to verify it worked.
| Manufacturer | ATEQ |
|---|---|
| Brand | ATEQ |
| Item Weight | 3.04 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 4.5 x 1.5 x 0.7 inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Manufacturer Part Number | OBD3-0000 |
