TPMS and the Five-Wheel Problem

I thought the 2015s still also had 5 places in the memory, but one is left blank because they stopped using the sensor in the spare tire? There was a thread somewhere here about TPMS workarounds for people with 2 sets of wheels. Either way, getting five sensors to work is probably not with the time and effort.

 

Here is a thread a thread on how to program sensors. Looks like way too much work. Hahah. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/setup-tpms-sensors-cheaply-using-tis.397820/

 

I have been getting "magic secret #2" for years because I have two sets of tires with a total of 9 tpms sensors all purchased from the same tire shop. However the magicians sometimes get it wrong. I have to be away from the extra set of tires that are stored in my garage for about an hour for the light to come on if they cast the wrong spell. I've considered getting my own magic wand because of this.

 

My guess is 5 sensors (like my 2008) are actually less safe and more of a nuisance. I've had the spare be marginally underinflated and it trip a cold weather TPMS light, which may panic an unknowing owner into thinking they have a problem (e.g. flat tire) when it's just something that's annoying.

I don't know that there is a perfect way to automate something that you should just be doing, e.g. checking air pressure in all your tires including the spare periodically. But telling you one of the four tires actually on the pavement is likely going flat is probably the only real safety benefit. Finding a flat spare is certainly going to ruin your day but it's not going to cause you to roll due to a blow out.

 

I would disable mine in a heart beat if it was simple... next time I have my tires rotated I'll see if they will disable them for me.

 

My 07 has sensors in all 5, none of my other vehicles. It isn't a problem to me and I would prefer it in all 5 on all of mine. When the temperature suddenly drops it isn't uncommon for low pressure in one or more tire to trip the warning light. If the light is on at startup or shortly after it is almost always simply one of the 5 tires being slightly low. I wouldn't immediately stop, but would do a visual check as soon as practical and air up with a gauge when I had time.

If the light comes on unexpectedly while driving it is a sign of a serious problem and you should stop ASAP. This has happened to me 3 times in 3 different vehicles. I unknowingly ran over something that seriously damaged tires that deflated rapidly, and at speeds from 60-75mph. You can disable the TPMS system if you want and drive like they did in the 1990's if you want. But a working TPMS system may have prevented me from being in serious accidents due to tires failing at high speeds.

This is what the TPMS system is designed to do, and there are lots of people who died, or killed others when their tires rapidly deflated without warning before TPMS systems. I know they can be a PITA, but I like them. My only complaint is the replacement cost. Each sensor should be a $5 item, not a $50 item that could be replaced about every other time new tires are purchased instead of waiting for them to fail.

 

TPMS sucks..........wish my '14 didn't have it

new tires & wheel pkg this week......gonna cost an xtra $100 for 4 sensors

plus 1/2 hr shop labor to program new sensors.......

 

I tend to agree, of all the nanny junk on cars now TPMS is one the least of my dislikes. I doubt I'll replace the sensors in my truck when they start failing but I wouldn't go out of my way to defeat it either.

 

Too easy and makes sense.

 

I started driving back in the 60's. We never heard of such nonsense and I lived to tell about it.

 

Even easier, just see if it has a rubber valve stem. I did some swapping of wheels on @Bubbles truck and it had a rubber valve stem == no TPMS.

 

Yes indeed and I fixed the sentence as it made no sense.

 

Just skip the 5th wheel's TPMS. Your system will still read the 4 tires with the sensors because it will always be on the vehicle somewhere....either on a hud or under it

 

There's always the "pipe bomb" bypass. Probably the easiest method of never having to mess with the sensors again. They'll also be useless though.

 

I read that you could disconnect the Antenna and the light will go out. I guess it depends on if you think the idea of making/carrying a "bomb" around or pulling a little bit of your headliner down is easier.

 

Yes, yes. And everyone knows that cars and driving in the 60's were vastly superior *and* safer than their modern-day counterparts.

I, personally, remove all the airbags, seat belts, padded dashboards, safety glass, side-impact protection and head-rests from my cars and trucks.
I also add lead to the fuel (hey, it worked for my parents it must be good enough for me. Tastes kinda sweet when I drink it straight, too).
I also replaced the dashboard and all soft plastic switches and dials with hard metal bits so that when I smash into them at 60mph I can feel each one has it tears into my flesh.
Don't forget bias-ply tires at highway speeds. Who needs a car that tracks straight. Not me, for sure.
When Mrs. Magic was preggers, she also smoked and drank all she wanted (not car related, but, you know...the 60s)
When little miss Magic was born, this was her car seat:


Ah, life in the 60's certainly was smarter and a whole lot better.





Le sigh.
I really find it funny, in the same way mass-shootings are funny, that some people get so worked up over tire pressure sensors. Seems like I'm one of them, though. Where'd that mirror go...

 

This is what I did. You can search TPMS Pipe Bomb and find my write-up I’m sure. Been fine for about 7 years now.

 

Thanks, familiar with that method, which does seem to have consistent success.

Was hoping for an actual disabling option of the system as opposed to tricking it.

Thanks for the reply.

 

Take the light out of the dash.... Fix you right up

 

My extra set of wheels doesn't have sensors. I just ignore the light for half of the year.