Unless you have fingers the size of a child's, the valve stem caps are almost impossible to get off without removing the wheel covers. I had to use a pair of needle-nose pliers just to get my caps off today, and I have small hands. What a ridiculous design flaw for a car that depends on proper tire inflation for the best mpg.
Fair comment running a gen2 I do not have that problem. However when fitting new TPMS valves is this not an option "just wondering". TPMS systems seem to be a money maker for dealers and tyre fitters. Why can't they be made sepperate to the valve and screw into the rim externally so they could be serviced "battery change" and even changed from rim to rim for summer to winter tyres. Yes I know the answer "no profit". John (Britprius)
See this thread for a good solution - you don't need to take these off to check the tire pressure or add air. I looked into getting them from the source in that thread, not a bad deal at $2 each - but the shipping would have been almost $11! I ended up buying a box of 50 from another source, and so I have some extras. If anyone wants them I can do a few sets at $8 for four, free shipping in the USA. PM me if interested.
OP, valve extensions were a good suggestion. Or, you can do what I did. Ditch the wheel covers, I have no problem accessing the valve covers on my naked wheels.
So am I understanding correctly that the simple extensions would have no harmful effect on the sensor system? Thanks. No argument there. My point was that a vehicle specifically designed, on many levels, to provide high gas mileage should - more than other vehicles - make it easier to access to the valve stem caps. The Prius is all about gas mileage. Many other vehicles are not.
TPMS sensors measure the pressure inside the wheel. Putting valve extensions on the valve stem will have no effect on the TPMS sensor.
Extensions no; I was commenting on since the valve stem is part of the TPMS assembly, replacing it with a longer one means replacing the TPMS assembly.
Hmm, my wheel covers have no effect on access to the valve caps. I guess that's because they are hanging on the garage wall.
I just purchased some valve stem caps at WalMart and noticed the cheap black plastic ones are marked TPMS safe, and the fancy metal ones are not. A little research online indicated TPMS do not like metal caps, because dissimilar metal electrolysis can produce a current big enough to damage the sensor. Word to the wise, do not put metallic caps or extensions on TPMS valves...
