Tire valve stems

The indicator light for tire pressure is coming on, I presume because the temps are dropping. I added air to two tires that didn't pass the kick test, but dash light still flashes and then stays on.

Can the valve stems be tested in place or do the tires need to be taken off to test them?

thanks

 

Do you not have a pressure gage? The "kick test" is not gonna cut it.
You need to check all four and get them back closer to where they were when the TPMS was previously set. Or set them all to new specs and reset the TPMS per the owners manual. Yes dropping temps can trigger the system.

 

flashing TPMS light means your truck isnt seeing on of the tires likely due to a dead battery.

Also cmon, get a 99c pressure gauge.

 

Sorry, are you saying the stem has a battery in it?

 

Yes. TPMS sensors have a battery sealed in them. Once they go, you replace the whole sensor. But before you go down that rabbit hole, try what I said above. Set the pressure to the recommend PSI and reset the TPMS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moOd8qdRRhc

 

Monday is the new Friday.

Your owners manual will be most helpful in this case. (and many other cases I'm sure)

Don't have one? You can download a PDF version from Toyota for free. https://www.toyota.com/owners/resources/warranty-owners-manuals.tacoma.2010

It's quite likely your now 12 year old batteries have given up their last electron.

 

Agree with the above, the kick test is hardly accurate and pressure gauges are cheap. Don't forget to check the spare while you're at it.

 

TPMS in each tire have a battery lasts for about 10 years then time for the whole sensor with valve stem to be replaced.
Most tires stores have a hand-held scanner that they simply wave next to each tire/sensor and see if its good. New sensors must be loaded into the in-cab receiver that connects to the dash light. As others said inflate to correct pressure and under the steering column is a button to reset the TPMS so do it and drive and the light will go out if all sensors have an operating battery. Tires drop approximately 1 lb for each 10 degrees of temp drop. Some models also have a TPMS in the spare but my 09 does not. The mags use different sensor style than the steel wheels. Look at the spare and if a rubber valve stem or the TPMS style held in with a nut on the stem. One example is that Discount charges about $60 per TPMS installed and code loaded.

 

valve stems are forgotten stepchildren

NO quality compariosn or control

vary widely dealer .......car.........shop.......brand !!!!!!

many are mediocre safe bet is to ALWAYS USE METAL Caps !!!!

at High speeds we have found the G’s forces ( in the thousands ) will actually

depress the stems and allow air out

more a concern than seepage around the bead

 

Tawdry.

If you dont dip your stick, how do you see how dirty your oil is?

You're not one of those nuts who changes oil based on OE recommendations are you?

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll certainly get things in order. Indicator lights give me heartburn.

 

might as well thump test with Ur winky as opposed to kicking

 

Metal caps on tpms valve stems will corrode to the point of getting frozen on there. Then you have to mangle the crap out of the stem to get the cap off. Plastic ftw

 

I just installed my head unit mic in front of the TPMS light, hides it pretty well.

I tried to get the system working bought all new sensors when I got my truck but seems every time I would go off road one quit working, never could get my TPMS to function for more than a month without a sensor dying finally just gave up after the one time I got a puncture and I knew about 20 seconds before the light came on as I could feel and hear the frequency change, if the tire lost pressure any faster than that, well, the light wouldn't be much help there either.

I know not everyone has my same experience and background so YMMV but IMHO the TPMS is just so people keep their tires inflated for economy, not really safety, doesn't seem to poll fast enough for that on the 2nd gen at least.

I keep a guage in my center console and check my pressures about every other time I stop for gas or do regular maintenance like tire rotations and oil changes.

On board air makes it easy to fill up anywhere.

 

My first mod five years ago were metal trd valve caps. Thx for reminding me I'm taking them off

 

This guy was super mad

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-the-hell-with-tire-rotation-at-dealer.743518/

 

Order these

$50 MORESENSOR 315MHz TPMS Tire Pressure Sensor 4-Pack | Compatible with Lexus & Toyota Select Models | Replacement for 42607-33011 | Clamp-in | NX-S008-4

Amazon.com: MOBILETRON Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor (TPMS) for Lexus, Toyota (TX-S008), 315MHz, Set of 4 : Automotive

Take them to tire store and have new ones installed. The battery is dead in at least one of the ones that came from the factory. It will cost you about $10/tire to have them installed.

If you are close to needing new tires I'd just live with the light being on until I buy tires. There is no additional charge to replace sensors at the same time new tires are being installed. That is what I've always done.

Once the sensors are 8 years or older I proactively replace them with new tires before they go bad. After 8 years or more I know they will go bad before I wear out that set of tires anyway. I've ordered 3 sets off of Amazon for different vehicles and had them installed. I've never had an issue with them.

 

I am using black tape covering the warning light...I always use the tire pressure gage I keep in the car...New tires in about 20,000 miles from now..Don't know if i want to replace the warning valve stems...my taco is an 09 so i am sure the batteries are dead. To me the TPSM is a useless redundancy for my tire gage...

 

Tacoma World in a nutshell:

Any topic ———> oil change interval discussion

 

What type of oil is the best?