TPMS Sensor Re-calibration for New Sensors

Just bought a set of OEM take-off's from a TRD Sport. Sitting here at the dealer having them install my keyless entry system, and they're also going to swap out my steel wheels/tires with the new Sport wheels/tires.

The service writer just informed me that they have to remove the tires to get the serial numbers off the TPMS sensors. It boggles the imagination that they don't have a tool that would allow them to detect them, given that they transmit. Pulling the tires means re-balancing.

Is this process as nuts as I think it is?

 

I thought they made some sort of Scanner/Programmer Tool also, seems like a lot of extra work to dismount the tires.

 

I'm sure I read somewhere that there was a scanner and that dismounting the tires was no longer necessary

 

Yes that's nuts , totally agree

 

I recently swap my wheels with someone and had to take my truck in to reprogram the new tpms. Dealer gave me the same crap... Took it to Americas tires and they were able to scan it without dismounting my tires. Free of charge and it only took a minute.

 

It's bullshit. I own a TPMS programming tool personally and we have an ATEQ unit at work. The sensors are constantly emitting an RF signal and it will read the ID without issues. The sensors on our 3rd gens constantly sends info including temp, battery condition, psi, and their ID's.

 

What pisses me off is I deliberately waited to get a set with TPMS to avoid this scenario, particularly having to worry about perfect wheels getting scratched during the dismount/remount process. Should I just have the dealer throw them on as-is, and find a tire store with the proper equipment? My concern, and with my luck, is that it won't be able to be accomplished, and wheels/tires will have to come back off and be taken apart.

 

A trigger tool ( a handheld tool that you point at the valve stem) will read and display the sensor I.D. numbers and also check the battery condition. No need to dismount the tires.

 

Here is an example of a trigger tool (this is the one that I own):

https://www.tirerack.com/tpms/detail.jsp?ID=2682&cat=TPMS+Tool

Ask your dealer why they don't own one.

 

I would throw them on as is and find another place that has the correct tool

 

What a PITA. The dealer down the street has the tool, but wants $120 to do it. The dealer I'm at is doing it for $60, and doesn't have the tool, so they have to dismount the tire, record the serial numbers, re-mount the tire, and re-balance. I just want to scream.....How can a major dealer not have such a simple tool?????

 

They have a programmer, they just want to sell an unknowing customer the "service" and make it sound like a big deal. Same as a fuel injector service saying they hook up a machine to a port on the fuel rail and flush the system, when in actuality, I'd grab my screwdriver, depress the fuel inlet flap and dump a can of MOC brand injector cleaner in the tank. LOL...

 

I'm sure the dealer knows how to scan the codes. But he wants the extra cash for rebalancing the tires. He might be charged you for a rebalance but actually just scanning the TPMS and telling you another story.

 

@RichVT , does ATEQ still charge for software updates on their units for regular consumers?

I've got one of these and no charge for the life of the tool, it's why I went this route.
https://www.auteltech.com/TPMS Diagnostic & Service Tool/476.jhtml

We've got the ATEQ at work and we get charged the same as dealers for updates.

 

Well, whatever they're doing is half what the other dealer with the scanning tool wants just to reprogram everything. My current dealer is removing my steel wheels/tires, pulling the new wheels/tires apart to get the sensor codes, re-mount, and balance for $60. Can't imagine they're making a profit on this adventure.

 

Honestly I thought they would be charging you more for that.

 

Maybe they feel bad for me because the installation of my keyless entry is now going on 5 hours, rather than the allotted 3.

 

It comes with one year of free updates then there is a yearly subscription fee (don't know how much). I shouldn't need to update it until I buy a new vehicle.

 

American tires or discount tires in california does it for free takes 2 minutes

 

So was it decided that this is a dealer on job? My Toyota dealer wants $250 and doesn't guarantee that will do it.