What TPMS sensor for 3rd Gen Prius (2012 in my case)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by andreimontreal, Jul 21, 2020.

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  1. andreimontreal

    andreimontreal Active Member

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    I want these wheels for my Prius and I need a set of TPMS sensors to complete the kit. What I can tell so far is that these are in wheel sensors (I see the nut on my oem wheels) and - from research - they need to be 315mhz (right or wrong?).

    Anything else? Can I buy any tpms which fits those specs? Does it matter if it's oem? Does the price point matter at all - how much am I supposed to spend on something like this? I'm going to my trusty garage for the install but I still have to make the right purchase first.

    EDIT: I saw in this clip posted by Siward here, that the tpms depended on the rim shape? what? they're not all universal? How do I find out which ones fit the rims that I want? No stem needed, right? Included in the tmps sensor as far as I can see.
     
    #1 andreimontreal, Jul 21, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2020
  2. tallprius

    tallprius Member

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    I bought DENSO (s) $35 each ($140 total ) from summit online. Then discovered the local garages would not install any TPMS sensor(s) unless you buy each TPMS sensor (usually not oem toyota sensor) from them. They only sell you their TPMS for $100 each TPMS ($400 for you ) then charge extra to install. The garage should have the computer or device to calibrate your TPMS to your Prius CPU. Make sure your garage can install and calibrate those TPMS sensors you buy online.

    I had 4 tires removed, cleaned my wheels inside and out and installed TPMS myself and bought a gismo (about $100) to update my Prius to the new sensors.

    FYI- There maybe TPMS sensors available online that clone your old TPMS numbers/ID codes so no Prius computer update needed.
     
    #2 tallprius, Jul 21, 2020
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  3. andreimontreal

    andreimontreal Active Member

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    Yeah, I saw that online. I have the VXDiag cable - I guess I could do that at home. But I'll check with the garage first to see if my dudes charge like you say (if so I will DYI it for skillz).

    Now THAT is a piece of info. I was wondering what happens from season to season. Do you have anymore data on that?

    EDIT: SO, Looking at this Denso, it lists the Toyota Prius - for eg. That means that if I use Techstream I can introduce that code in the computer and use those? Then when I put back the other wheels I just have to write down the OEM codes again? Is that all to it?
     
    #3 andreimontreal, Jul 22, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2020
  4. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    A company called Autel has a TPMS sensor that you can assign IDs to. So, knowing your 4 OEM IDs, you would assign one to each of the clonable sensors. Of course, you'd need the equipment to do this. Some folks decide all this isn't worth the expense or trouble, and just go with standard rubber valve stems, living with the TPMS warning light.

    You'd think the wheel seller would help with the TPMS issue, to sell the wheels. When I recently ordered winter wheels from TireRack, one of the options is to order TPMS sensors, which were the same TRW sensor Toyota uses, costing about $65 each, installed. TireRack will give you the TPMS IDs (only if you ask!), to register in your car.
     
    #4 pjksr02, Jul 22, 2020
  5. andreimontreal

    andreimontreal Active Member

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    Those IDs should be on the sensor - or they delivered the wheel with the tpms installed?
     
    #5 andreimontreal, Jul 22, 2020
  6. andreimontreal

    andreimontreal Active Member

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    Thanks - I found this tutorial - and there's another one where he installs them on wheels.
     
    #6 andreimontreal, Jul 22, 2020
  7. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    I didn't mention that I ordered a wheel/tire package, ready to bolt on my vehicle. So, yes, the IDs are on my sensors, but inside the tires.
     
    #7 pjksr02, Jul 22, 2020
  8. andreimontreal

    andreimontreal Active Member

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    So each season, for the TRW, you have to manually enter the codes? Then the next season you have to install the oem codes? Using Techstream ?
     
    #8 andreimontreal, Jul 22, 2020
  9. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    Correct, I have to register the IDs when I swap winter/summer tires. Cloned sensors allow skipping this step.

    I do use Techstream for this, since it's a diagnostic/code reader tool, but it's not the only way. Bartec has a consumer-grade product just for registering IDs (not sure what model, but some folks on these threads use).
     
    #9 pjksr02, Jul 22, 2020
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  10. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Yes, unless you clone the id from the OEM tpms to clonable TPMS like AUTEL maxiTPMS. AFAIK, any 315mhz TPMS sensor will work. You can pick up OEM sensors on eBay for anywhere from $10 to $100. Any tire place will be able to program the new TPMS sensors, but if you change tires (and wheel) DIY, then investing in TPMS tool like AUTEL TS508 will save you money in the long run. You can buy a kit that includes 8 TPMS sensors for ~$200 on ebay. That is already cheaper than buying OEM sensors at retail prices.
    Screenshot 2019-10-14 at 12.29.54 AM.png
     
    #10 Salamander_King, Jul 22, 2020
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  11. andreimontreal

    andreimontreal Active Member

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    I have one more Q: there's the stem version and the one with a nut. Does it matter which one I get? I'd be inclined to get the one with a nut since the OEM ones are like that. Thoughts?

    Actually one more: does Prius indicate which wheel is deflated? Or just a symbol for all wheels? The issue being if I have to match the wheels when cloning them or if it doesn't matter.

    I'm looking to understand the difference between various Autel sensor readings - if any of you has a quick answer to 508 vs 501 vs pod and whatnot- that would be great.
     
    #11 andreimontreal, Jul 22, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2020
  12. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    No. Either aluminum stem or rubber stem will work. It's only cosmetic. If you go with Autel Maxi TPMS sensor, the stem portion is interchangeable. It cost only ~$5/stem. Also new MaxiTPMS 1-sensors M (metal stem) or R (rubber stem) are dual frequency, so you don't even have to worry about the frequency. It can be programmed to be used both 315 and 433 MHz.
    Autel MaxiTPMS
     
    #12 Salamander_King, Jul 22, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2020
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  13. andreimontreal

    andreimontreal Active Member

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    I found the 501 at that price range. Do you remember why you got the 508 vs 501. I'm looking at comparison charts and there doesn't seem to be much of a difference.
     
    #13 andreimontreal, Jul 22, 2020
  14. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    501 is older model. 508 has newer user interface and has quick diag functionality, but both will work very similar. You may find 501 tool on eBay bit cheaper than 508.
     
    #14 Salamander_King, Jul 22, 2020
  15. andreimontreal

    andreimontreal Active Member

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    Exactly, there's like a 160$ difference between the two.
     
    #15 andreimontreal, Jul 22, 2020
  16. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    If you look around or if you can wait a bit, 508 kit can be had around $200. I think ~$350 is retail price, but I paid just bit more than $200 on 508 kit with 8 rubber sensors almost two years ago. I then bought metal stem for $20 to replace the rubber stem.
     
    #16 Salamander_King, Jul 22, 2020
  17. andreimontreal

    andreimontreal Active Member

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    No can't do, I got winter wheels on: the good part is I don't need to drive much for now - I'm sure I'll be fine with 501. I'd have to do this every time I buy a new wheels (5-10 years, even more - who knows, probably until that time the whole tech will change) so I'll get the cheaper one.

    I can't thank you enough guys for making sense out of all this for me!
     
    #17 andreimontreal, Jul 22, 2020
  18. andreimontreal

    andreimontreal Active Member

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    I think I understood what's up with Denso like tpms-es. They're called "multi-protocol" and - as far as I understand (correct this if wrong) - you can use a tool like Autel to program it by selecting the make, model and year for the sensor. See this tutorial.

    If you look at that Denso posted above, you can see below a full list of cars supported - hence multi-protocol.

    Why nobody explains this from A to Z is beyond me.
     
    #18 andreimontreal, Jul 22, 2020
  19. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Yeah, TPMS especially in PRIUS is a joke. It does not even tell me the tire pressure real-time. On my first car with TPMS, (2008 HCH), I thought the TPMS has to be functional in order to pass the annual inspection, and I thought only the dealer can do the TPMS work. I was wrong on both accounts. I paid over $800 on 5 TPMS sensors replaced and reprogrammed by a dealer for this car. After that lesson, I have not had any TPMS work done by a dealer and I have used either cheap used OEM or aftermarket TPMS sensors on all of my cars.

    But on my current PRIUS PRIME, I still use this TPMS. It cost only $30 for all 4, and huge external sensors are ugly as hell, but it works 100% better than the OEM TPMS. IMG_20181115_105448-COLLAGE.jpg
     
    #19 Salamander_King, Jul 22, 2020
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  20. andreimontreal

    andreimontreal Active Member

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    OK. Trouble - US can't ship to Canada. I can ship from China to Canada. TS 501/508 are more expensive there. I can get the Pad+4 MX One sensors (universal) for about 185 USD.

    From what I see online the Pad should do the job. Is there any other reason why I would want a TS501/508 if I have Techstream? Gonna keep looking for the best deal in the meantime just to see what it would cost me.

    EDIT: by looking at this list, it seems like Techstream could do whatever the more expensive gadgets could do. So I'm tempted to get the cheaper one. I asked the guy on Ebay if the TS501 comes with 8 sensors for 199 and answered with a curved generic email and said nothing further - 501 is sold with 200$ on Ali so I'm glad I asked otherwise I would've been had probably.

    @Raytheeagle do you know anything about tpms, Autel machines and whatnot? Or anybody who's the forum "specialist" on this :D. If u don't know, no big deal.
     
    #20 andreimontreal, Jul 24, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2020
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