What are you guys doing for TPMS?

Getting ready to get a new set of tires for my 2009 and I figure my TPMS sensor batteries are on borrowed time. Are the batteries replaceable or do you need to put in all new sensors? I see Tire rack has them for ~$48. Hopefully the tire installer can learn them to the vehicle without needing a trip to the dealer. Please spare me the "why do you need TPMS" replies.

 

From my experience with a broken TMPS, batteries are not replaceable. This one was bouncing around in my tire/wheel for some time. It took Discount Tire two tries to find it and they only found it because I complained that my TMPS light flashed then turned solid.

 

Mine aren't broken, but they are 12 years old and the batteries probably can't last for another set of tires. I have just googled around and found that the batteries are not designed to be replaced... but they can be if you have the time and inclination to hack them. I won't have time for that since I will have to have the old tires removed and new installed at a shop and this is my daily driver.

 

Take a look at Amazon or RockAuto for TPMS sensors. You can usually get a set of 4 for about $50.

Yes, replace when replacing tires. The tire shop should be able to install the sensors and program the truck. Typically, a modest fee if you supply the TPMS. Sometimes free programming with the purchase of their sensors.

Be sure you get the proper sensors for your wheels. There is a difference for steel or alloy wheel sensors.

 

For a 2009 Tacoma base access cab with V6 I see Rock Auto lists 2 different Denso part numbers: 5500103 and 5500104. There is no information as to what the difference is... maybe one for alloy wheels and one for steel. Edit: I just visited Denso USA and they show the 103 is for alloy and the 104 is for steel. Denso USA has the same price as RA so I just ordered them directly from Denso.

 

my 2006..JUST WENT OUT. i waited and played "TPMS chicken" to see who flinched first..one went out and i THEN ponied up the money for 5 new ones. they must put crazy good batteries in those things. i think i paid Costco $44 (maybe $66) each to replace them. it was relatively painless considering how long i went on the OEM ones.

i love my TPMS. when i go on my frigid hunting trips in the boonies - especially at high elevations, they always seem to go low. it's nice to know this up front.

 

The Denso sensors are supposedly preprogrammed... but they still must be learned to the vehicle. They are $32 at Rock Auto and Denso USA. I think I saw them for $28 on Amazon... but thinking I may get fresher stock going straight to Denso.

 

Some TPMS info -
Pacific Industries manufactures the ones that are tagged Denso. Denso supplies Toyota, so if you get the Denso's, they are OEM quality.
Alloy and steel wheels require different sensors.
They'll have to be programmed into the vehicle via the OBDII port. They are not pre-programmed. Any tire shop can do this.
Amazon or Ebay typically have the best prices on the sensors.

 

Denso quality......don't they make fuel pumps......?

 

I bought a Denso set when I replaced my tires, they were easy to install but still had to be programed by the dealership. Don't forget the spare tire sensor.

 

I don't have one in my spare. IIRC Toyota stopped putting them in spares after 2007 or 8?

 

https://www.tpms.com/550-0103-Denso-TPMS-Sensor-p/550-0103.htm

Enlarge the image. Lower left on the sensor "Pacific Industries"

 

My 08 has one in the spare. I just got ones off of ebay and the tire shop was able to program them no problem.

 

Mine blinked for like five years... Then started working again. Weird. I truely don't care one way or the other. I'm not spending 200 on them.

If they were self learning like the woman's jeep i i might

 

My '08 had a tpms in the spare. FYI

And yes, all 4 of my sensors were low battery after about 10yrs (2018). My experience is that the factory tpms batteries are good for about 8-10yrs.

 

Mine are 12 years old (I bought the truck new in November 2008) and they are still working. No flashing light or any other anomalies. But they have to be very near end of life. I'd like to buy one of those TPMS tools but they are a crap shoot as to whether they will actually work with your vehicle and then many have caveats that they only program the same brand sensors. At least the reasonably cheap ones. I am not gonna spend $1000. So I'll just let the tire shop do it for a fee.

 

Yikes... $59?? $32 here:

DensoProducts.com: 550-0103 $33.82 Denso Tire Pressure Sensor - Car TPMS Sensor

 

I did the buy new wheels and tires without sensors and remove bulb behind the dash mod. My factory sensors are still in my stocks sitting in my garage lol

 

I really need new wheels, too. Originals are UGLY what with all the peeling and chipped paint. Getting them repainted is not cheap. Maybe I'll get back into researching that again... I am not interested in aftermarket, but maybe a set of 3rd gen 17" TRDs... but I am not sure they fit.

 

You worried about the wheels themselves or? The wheels will fit no problem