TPMS (tire pressure) malfunction (?) on 2015 Prius V

That's Cool...

Perhaps the Costco Tire Employee I talked to doesn't know this, or maybe just not at our Costco Location. I'll try calling out there again.
Thank you for this info..

 

Most likely they don’t want to program the ecu for your supplied sensors. They sell virtually the same sensors for a reasonable price with tires but probably want $60 a wheel to install theirs without a tire purchase.

A small roadside shop run by hardworking 2nd generation immigrants is a better idea.

 

They did say they could sell me the sensors and I believe it was $60 per wheel, tho when I looked for new TPMS's online I questioned if that was $60/wheel, or if I mis-understood and it was $60 for a set of 4.. after seeing your note, I think I was probably correct in that he said $60 per wheel.

HA!! I tend to agree/believe this this is (sadly) likely true.. I bought tires for a 40' motor coach while out in Las Vegas and I watched them change those by hand.. those guys are pretty darn good and work hard.. the one told me he's been doing it since he was a little kid.

 

I just talked to NTB around the corner (on the phone) They actually appear to have the best prices for tires by far that I've been quoted.
He said they replace just the sensors that are bad... assuming that's what it is.. they use an aftermarket sensor if they have to replace and it's $89.. I asked if they could program new OEM Toyota Sensors and he said probably not.. do not all programmers program the OEM sensors? I'm a bit confused how they can put in an after market sensor with any remaining OEM sensors and program that to work?
I can get a set of 4, new for $50.. assuming I can get them programmed.. (and not sure about the dealership costs)

 

You don’t program the sensors - you simply take the unique serial number “id” that is printed on it and write that id into the car’s ecu. See posts 12-14.

 

There may be some aftermarket sensors that can be programmed; with those you can just program the new sensor to say it has the same ID as the old one, and don't have to change the IDs registered in the car.

But the original sensors, and exact replacements, work just as rjparker explained.

 

Thank you for pointing this out (again) for me...

So, all one really needs is access to the ECU... or sensors that allow the ID's to be set to the same as the previous...
I think I'm finally getting it.. Thank You..

 

Doesn't even really take 'access' to the ECU ... the ECU stays right where it is, a scan tool gets plugged into the diagnostic port under the dash to register ID codes.

 

I've used an ATEQ QUICKSET Tool to store and swap summer and winter TPMS IDs via OBD2 port.

 

There are several dedicated purpose tools to “relearn” (write) new sensor ids to the car’s ecu. Another dedicated tool is the Autel 408s for $200. Most tire shops have a tool like the Autel for the purpose. These tools work on all car brands. It is a 5 minute procedure with 4 minutes used to get the tool and plug it into the obd2 connector.

Anyone with a hacked or legit Toyota Techstream scanner can do it as well.

The hard part for a diyer is breaking the tire down to install the new sensor. The last time I changed the sensors I paid a small roadside tire place $15 each to pull the tire, swap the tpms sensor and reinstall the tire. The set of sensors was $40 or $10 each. $100 for all four tires.

Most of the confusion is the tpms tool ad language. Relearn, activate, programmable, automatic, health check etc. New cars like my 22 Rav4 can write new sensor ids automatically. Not a gen3 Prius. The Prius sensors do not need to be activated and health check is built into the car.

Gen3s use obd2 relearn (sensor id writes to ecu). Autel 408s ad.


To add confusion, Autel sells a “programmable” sensor (Autel Mx) for $29 each which can clone your existing sensor ids. Four of those Mx sensors and the tool is $319 and you still need the installation for maybe $60 if you shop.

Now you are at your $89 x4 price. Clearly just one at $89 is a better deal but you could have all four changed for $100.

 

I understand, & appreciate you clarifying that... but is what I meant.. via the diagnostic port.

 

Thank you for the additional information..

Ironically, I had the Autel MaxiTPMS TS508WF KIT in my Amazon cart for the price you noted.. I went back to look and it was a "Flash Sale" which I'd never seen before. So, I bought it and will give this a whirl. I'd like to check the status of all the OEM sensors.. and this kit come with 4 Autel Sensors.. Depending on the status of the existing, I'll just let the tire shop install all 4 with the new tires, and I can (hopefully) get them setup when I get back home. I'd envision, that the Autel could also relearn new OEM Toyota Sensors at a later date if I need to replace them in my wife's Gen3 Liftback then too.

This was probably not the least expensive route short term, but this will probably come in handy down the road with the other cars.

Thank you for your help and assistance with this.

btw, I just thought of something. I hope that my wife's 2011 liftback sitting in the driveway right behind my car is not messing up resetting the V TPMS system. (tho, I have tried it away from home with no success)
I never thought of this before, but picked up on it on a different post researching the Autel options.

 

Well you went for the Mx sensors that can clone your sensors and have dual frequencies to accommodate different cars. Obviously it won’t be able to read your bad sensor but it may be able to read the car’s stored id numbers and then program those sensors.

There will be many options with that tool so read and understand clearly which option you need.

I would move your wife’s car out of the way to avoid inadvertently reading her sensors.

It will be ironic if the tire shop you use already has a tool. Worse if they have to use it.

But once you have it down you are set to open up your own tpms relearn shop.

 

It’s tempting to purchase those low cost sensors online. However, most tire shops will not replace the old ones with those for liability purposes. I have been that route already. Dealer will easily charge more than 1000 usd for them, tire shop probably around 500 usd at 2024 inflation prices.

 

The set of winter rims on the rack in the garage did confuse the v’s onboard TPMS…

 

gotcha on the bad sensor... (assuming there is a bad one, and there likely is at least one)
So, are the Mx sensors good sensors?
I'd guess the tire shop will have 'a tool' the likely hood of it being the same tool I think would be ironic/slim.

I do worry that they might not want to install the sensors I will get with this tool.. for reasons noted by "icyrius"

After my trip to the dealership and having not one, but 2 cars with flashing TPMS light just after the regular oil change and tire rotations... I'm not sure I'm trusting our dealership much these days.. I think too ironic.. (they are under new ownership) I called them and was supposed to get a call back from the service advisor I was working with.. never returned my call, but rather sent me an email with service coupons.. (weird.. since there was nothing wrong with the cars, all we had done was the oil changes)

 

Thank you for your note.. Do you know, are the Mx sensors good sensors?
I think interesting and a concern I had regarding the tireshops (and dealer) but why I wanted my own tool.
so as to know exactly what sensors are not working.. and which needs replaced etc.

I probably would opt to change them all.. for $1000, I'd opt to figure a way to turn the light in the dash OFF..

 

ah, that's interesting and good to know.. I'll put my wife's car around the block.. if the tire shop gives me any trouble with the sensors, I thought about a second set of rims and install them myself before taking the rims to the tire shop. Just tell them they came with the rims. (?)

 

All your concerns are baseless especially “liability” reasons. Paying more than $60 a tire at Costco is also a waste and they do everything and supply the sensor.

The Mx sensors you bought require the tool you have. Other tools and even Techstream can’t set them up. Mx sensors are more expensive but are universal which might be great for a shop that does not want to stock different sensors for other cars. That is why YOU may need to read and understand their setup, use it to read your cars ecu for current ids, setup the Mx sensors accordingly and then find a small shop to swap them in for a decent price.

 

Thank you... I'm onboard with this and pretty sure I understand how this works now.. while I don't have the delivery yet, the information I've seen and the YouTube demo looks pretty straightforward.. thank you for your help and assistance with it. It will be interesting to see the 'actual' state of the OEM sensors.