I'm buying a set of winter rims and blizzak snow tires. Do I really need tire sensors???

Discount tire just gave me new ones for free because they were too lazy to remove them from my old wheels. Can’t be that expensive. I’d call and ask what they can do price wise.

 

Carry the summer tires in the bed.
Buy the new TPMS and a programmer. Be sure they are compatible, Gen 3s use the longer hex bit.
Or put black tape over the dash warning.

 

3rd Gen use a different signal frequency than 2nd Gen.

 

As long as you know that you need to check your tires manually then tricking the system is fine. Generally I am all for tpms sensors but let’s be honest, cars have been driving around without them (and on worse roads and tires) for FAR longer then with them. A little maintenance here goes a LONG way.

I do expect a dealer will deny any request to disable the system, if they even can.

The most common system I have seen used is a chunk of PVC pipe that is sealed with the sensors inside and pumped up to the correct pressure. Then just throw it in the cubby or under the seat. Check online, I’m sure there are some good designs out there.

The pressurized PVC pipe idea is VERY common for sports car drivers that either swap to winter tires or race and thus use weird pressures.

 

I don't have ocd like ya'll

 

If you check around, you can prob buy 4 new sensors for about $100 bucks. Used are even cheaper (ie- I’m currently selling four 2nd Gen sensors on Kijiji for $25)

Personally, I think of TPMS sensors as insurance, if I get a slow leak, it could be the difference between catching it early and patching the tire or driving for too long and having to replace the tire (especially on my wife’s car with low profile tires)

 

Your manual taco came with Tpms? My truck did not come with any sensors.

 

Thats because your from Canada where its not mandatory to have TPMS

 

I was shocked to find out that my truck did not come with them, not that I need them but still. Even my 2007 ranger had TPMS. It was a pain getting new rims though, had to pay $240 for new sensors…

 

2nd gen sensors Do Not work in 3rd get trucks.

 

Whoa, im just learning about cloned sensors, I got my wife a set of blizzaks for her car from Tire Rack, got a set of TPMS sensors in them and never initialized it at the dealer cause it was just too much trouble so the light just stays on occasionally. How do i clone the sensors?

 

Depends on her vehicle.

For our 3rd gen Tacoma, you buy 4 cloneable sensors, use the specific tool to read your OEM sensor IDs, and upload the IDs to the new sensor, one at a time.

Having cloned sensors all0ws you Not to have to program the sensors into the PCM/ECM. Remove the 4 and put away, install the second set, follow directions in the owner's manual about the relearn button in the lower dash by your left knee. Done.

 

Damn, good to know for future, I'll have to see if the Tire Rack sensors are programable

 

I drove my previous vehicle for the longest time with an unmatched set of TPMS sensors in my snow tires. I just got used to having the warning light on all winter.

When I got the taco, however, I went with programmable sensors in my Blizzaks and cloned the ones in my summer tires. No more warning light half the year sure is nice. Not necessary, but nice.

The relearn tool I picked up was an Autel MaxiTPMS

$189 TS401 TS408, OBD II Programming Scanner, OEM Sensor(315 433Mhz) Relearn, Activation, Reset, Read Clear DTCs, Smae as TS501 PRO TS508WIFI TS601

TS401. It was a bit pricey, but I've used it for pretty much everyone's vehicles in my family and a few friends.

 

I'm married. A tiny light that blinks for a couple minutes then solid isn't even a blip on my radar.

 

I'm married too so I hear about the light that blinks then goes solid on my wife's 4Runner all summer long. Ha. Funny how that works.

 

Also, if you go without it make sure to do your state inspection with your summer tires if you are in one of the very few states that require it for inspection.

 

Check their shocks while you are at it. Lots of people out there driving around on worn out shocks.

 

Here too, with two kids and a dog. If all the arms legs and tails are inside the truck we’re good.

 

You can also muffle it with duct tape, but it's not a permanent solution.

To actually be useful, no, you don't need them. I, personally, wouldn't be able to deal with the TPMS light always being on.
I bought a set of

$25 Schrader 33500 EZ-Sensor Single SKU (314.9 MHz, 315 MHz, and 433 MHz) Programmable Snap-in Fixed Angle Valve Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor (TPMS), Requires Programming Before Installation

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TPVZNUW as well as an ateq vt36. I bought this specific tool, as it's compatible with the TPMS system on my motorcycle as well. There might be less expensive options.

I've cloned the TPMS IDs from my stock wheels to the new sensors, but haven't installed the new sensors in the wheels yet (as I'm waiting on some tires).