How to program TPMS?

Yap, that was my initial thinking when I first bought winter tires for my PRIUS, and was burned three times on three different knock-off versions of Techstrem and mini-VCI. After the third try, I gave up.

 

It can be a bit fiddle to get rolling, but once you do, it's a fantastic tool for the DIY tool box.

Was it the device or the setup?

Mine was operator error to start out.

But @SFO and another member here helped me sort it out.

 

It must be a combination of both. I had a problem with the device driver issue, OS issue, and Techstrem version issue. One eBay seller actually offered to remotely install the software. Even though the laptop was an old XP without any personal data, I was not going to invite him to my desktop.

BTW, which version of Techstream do you use on PRIME? Does an older version of Techstream recognise all those newer PRIME features?

 

I don't have a setup for that yet.

@SFO is supposed to be working on that since I gave him my setup for his gen3 (or now potentially a gen2).

With a 2017 RX450h and a 2019 Prime, I need at least version 12, so we've got some homework to do.

I know the mini VCI dongle we have works at least, so one variable out of the equation .

But eventually we'll get it sorted and keep others in the loop.

 

It seems to be most of those knock-off Techstream versions are stable and works OK on Gen2 and Gen3, but I have not seen anyone using unofficial Techstream successfully on PRIME specific procedures.

 

I'll give our setup a shot.

One thing I'll do is turn the reverse back up beep to single beep. Haven't done that yet.

Forgot how annoying that was.

 

Here's a link to an old TPMS tread that discusses spare tire TPMS. TPMS Management with Techstream | Page 2 | PriusChat

In short, it is necessary to send an OBD message to the TPMS ECU that controls the number of sensors active. Techstream does not support the message, so a custom program is required. Once the message has been sent, Techstream supports setting 5 TPMS sensors

 

Didn't use Techstream for that, but used ELM327 OBDII dongle and a phone app to change to a single beep. Then two weeks later, both I and my wife agreed to put it back to constant beep. We prefer that way.

 

I need more, like a little voice repeatedly saying "you're in reverse...".

 

I kept the constant beep for the reverse but turned off passenger seatbelt warning. I often have a heavy bag sitting on the passenger seat, and constant beep on this situation annoys me.

 

That passenger occupancy sensor is actually a scale. Techstream gives a readout in pounds. I can just see it now... honey, pick up your feet so I can get an accurate weight... Maybe not...

 

Do you know what is the cut off weight for the seatbelt warning to come on? It has to be lighter than 100 lb. I have had the warning came on with my bag, but I know it was less than 100 lb for sure.

 

40 pounds?

 

Is that your wild guess or actual spec? 40lb sound like within the range of weight I sometimes place on the passenger seat.

 

Ah, here we go, 36 kg (from Repair Manual):



I need occasional prodding, to get me back on track.

This is my grandkid test too, when one them hops in saying "I've got shotgun", I've got ammo, if the air bag light's off. Which is no longer the case for the oldest.

 

Humm, 80 lb cut off. I am almost sure my bag was less than 80 lb, but the seat-belt warning was beeping all the way home. There may be a less weight cut off for the seat-belt warning?

 

Yeah. 40 pounds seems familiar, think I've seen it somewhere.

 

The protocol suggests 4, maybe 5, sensors. The airbag may have variable force, less for lower weight. I don't know if the Prius one has that function. So the airbag threshold is about 80 pounds. The seatbelt nag has got to be far less, perhaps 20 pounds.

 

RobH has clarified situation above for us