TPMS 4 or 5 sensors?

Out of curiosity, will the TPMS light be on permanently with 4 sensors (no sensor in the spare)?

Trying to buy sensors for my TRD FJ Cruiser wheels and just want to know if I MUST have 5 or if I'll be ok with 4?

 

Is there a sensor in the spare that came with the truck?
if so you will probably get a TPMS error code because it's missing a sensor.

 

These truck had 5 sensors, but the newer ones have four sensors.

I think the stopped the 5 sensors in 2010... my 2011 has only the four sensors

I hope this helps

 

Thank you, mines a 2009. I have a 5th full size spare but wanted to know if I'd need to track down a tpms sensor for it. From what I know the OEM spare won't work since its a steel wheel and mine is aluminum.

 

So when you put your spare on after being under your truck for years its flat! when you have a flat Good job Toyota !!!

 

Nope, my '08 has all 5, I think 2009 was when they went to 4 sensors.

 

We can't expect Toyota to do it all for us! Im happy to check my spare every so often to make sure its full. I think TPMS is awesome for a early warning from a tire going flat. I know it allowed me to get off the freeway quickly before my tire was completely flat.

 

Its more cost saving from Toyota that's all I'm saying don't worry I'm not bashing Toyota I drive two!

 

I would be happy with no sensors but if your going to do it do all 5.

 

Hmm, I may drop there spare tonight and see if I can determine for sure whether or not it has one. I wonder if my truck only came with 4 OEM if I can program 5 in???

Starting to look easier to just disable the whole system

 

If it has four, the system will only accept four.

Since I rotate my spare in a five tire sequence, I have to have the TPMS reprogrammed every time I rotate tires so that its the four sensors on the ground that are in the computer.

 

If it has one as a "steelie" you can order a new replacement designed for the aluminum wheel, and have it programmed into your system.

If it DOESNT have one, you'll either always be running one wheel without TPMS, or you'll have to put in the extra and then have the system reprogrammed every time you rotate tires, which is what I do. It adds less than five minutes to the tire rotation process, but requires a wireless electronic tool that only tire shops have.

 

I found the same information from a Toyota Tech posted a year ago just a few minutes ago. Based on the year (2009) mine shouldn't have one in the OEM spare but I'll drop it tonight and check the valve stem to see. Then I'll know how to proceed on getting the sensors swapped over.

 

2009 and newer = 4 sensors
2008 and older = 5 sensors

 

I hear you.

But I don't DIY on tire rotations. Rotating is easy. But you need a high speed road force balancer to balance big 33" off road tires anyway. And as long as I'm at the shop anyways, I can ask 'em to do the reprogramming as well.

Most folks don't bother to go through a five-tire rotation anyway.