TPMS question (after getting my winter tires installed)

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Eloi
Posts: 164
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:37 am

TPMS question (after getting my winter tires installed)

Post by Eloi »

I just got my winter tires installed on new rims. I didn't buy new TPMS sensors (way too expensive!) so I expected to have the TPMS light in the dash lit when I started engine when leaving the tire shop. Well, there is no warning light to be found. Why? I'm sure the tire shop didn't install the new tires with sensors without charging me, that would be silly. Does it mean that the TPMS never worked for my car?I'm puzzled right now...
2009 Vibe (2.4L) - Manual - Red Hot Metallic
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Re: TPMS question (Eloi)

Post by Mavrik »

maybe double check your paperwork and see if you did. Here in the states is a federal offense for a tire shop or dealership to tamper with the tpms. That includes putting a tire package without TPMS on a car that requires TPMS. We as car owners can do as we like however.Just another stupid gadget IMO cause on a cold morning, I can usually spend most of my time explaining air pressure goes down with the temp...
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
Eloi
Posts: 164
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:37 am

Post by Eloi »

OK, finally it's a non-post, as the damn light started blinking and then stayed on on my way to work this morning, after driving about 40 km or so...Guess I'll have to find a piece of black tape to hide it...
2009 Vibe (2.4L) - Manual - Red Hot Metallic
TheGames
Posts: 24
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:03 pm

Re: (Eloi)

Post by TheGames »

Same here..I did like 10km without any light the day i installed my winter tires. The next day, the light started blinking on the highway.
2009 Vibe 1.8L - Manual/1SB - Navy Blue Metallic
kowell
Posts: 469
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:19 pm

Re: (TheGames)

Post by kowell »

It BLINKS? it doesn't just stay lit? Oh boy.. this is going to be one major annoyance all winter long.
2009 Vibe 2.4L 1SC - Red Hot Metallic
2011 Sienna V6 CE - Sky Silver
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Re: (kowell)

Post by Mavrik »

it blinks if the TPMS is detecting no signal from the wheels. it remains on steady if the tire pressure is low.In theory thats how its suppose to work.
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
shemp
Posts: 261
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:14 pm

Re: TPMS question (Eloi)

Post by shemp »

Not to ask a dumb question, but did you have your stock tires with the TPMS in the car on the way home from the tire store? That would explain no light until you take those out of the car.
2009 Vibe GT
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
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Re: TPMS question (shemp)

Post by Mavrik »

Quote, originally posted by shemp »Not to ask a dumb question, but did you have your stock tires with the TPMS in the car on the way home from the tire store? That would explain no light until you take those out of the car.that could be possible, but it requires tire movement of 20mph or more to "wake" up the TPMS and have it sending a signal to the car.
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
Eloi
Posts: 164
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:37 am

Re: TPMS question (shemp)

Post by Eloi »

Quote, originally posted by shemp »Not to ask a dumb question, but did you have your stock tires with the TPMS in the car on the way home from the tire store? That would explain no light until you take those out of the car.Yes, I did have the stock tires in the car...Maybe you're right. But this morning, they weren't in the car anymore and it took close to 25 km before the light went on.
2009 Vibe (2.4L) - Manual - Red Hot Metallic
Eloi
Posts: 164
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:37 am

Re: (kowell)

Post by Eloi »

Quote, originally posted by kowell »It BLINKS? it doesn't just stay lit? Oh boy.. this is going to be one major annoyance all winter long.It blinks for a while when you start the engine, then stays always on. I'm definitely gonna put a little piece of black tape over it...
2009 Vibe (2.4L) - Manual - Red Hot Metallic
shemp
Posts: 261
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Re: TPMS question (Mavrik)

Post by shemp »

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »...but it requires tire movement of 20mph or more to "wake" up the TPMS and have it sending a signal to the car.....I never heard that.... Wouldn't that mean that if your car idled for 20 min, or if you were in stop-and-go traffic for over 20 min (never exceeding 20mph) that your low pressure light would come on? I think the sensors only send a signal every 5 minutes or so, regardless of speed.... That could explain some delay, but probably not enough to get 25km down the road in a Vibe unless you had a JATO rocket on the roof. Is it possible that when you started the car in the morning, you were within signal range of the stock tires, so your car got an initial "Tire Pressure OK" reading from them?
2009 Vibe GT
vhoward1122
Posts: 151
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:21 am

Post by vhoward1122 »

Doesn't the TPMS system have it's own fuse? If so, you can just pull the fuse and not have to see that blinky light.
TheGames
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Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:03 pm

Re: (kowell)

Post by TheGames »

No the light is steady after like 1 minute..The first time i see the light i was like (removed)! This light will be not blinking like this all winter.But i think it's really annoying to see a light like this in a new car!
2009 Vibe 1.8L - Manual/1SB - Navy Blue Metallic
kowell
Posts: 469
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:19 pm

Re: (Eloi)

Post by kowell »

Quote, originally posted by Eloi »It blinks for a while when you start the engine, then stays always on. I'm definitely gonna put a little piece of black tape over it...That's a relief. For a moment I was scared it would always blink. I'll probably install the winter tires this weekend so I'll see about the light. Black tape is definitly a possibility.
2009 Vibe 2.4L 1SC - Red Hot Metallic
2011 Sienna V6 CE - Sky Silver
dmowry
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Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:18 pm

Re: TPMS question (Eloi)

Post by dmowry »

I had the same thing happen to me, but when the light finally did flash and then stay on, it only did so for a day and has not come on since. When I start the car it goes through the tests, but then goes off. Any thoughts!09 Vibe GT
kowell
Posts: 469
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:19 pm

Re: TPMS question (dmowry)

Post by kowell »

Quote, originally posted by dmowry »I had the same thing happen to me, but when the light finally did flash and then stay on, it only did so for a day and has not come on since. When I start the car it goes through the tests, but then goes off. Any thoughts!09 Vibe GTDon't worry too much about it. After a while you won't even notice it anymore.
2009 Vibe 2.4L 1SC - Red Hot Metallic
2011 Sienna V6 CE - Sky Silver
dmowry
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:18 pm

Post by dmowry »

I thought the light was supposed to stay on if you didi not have the sensors. Mine only blinked and then stayed on for one day.
kowell
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Re: (dmowry)

Post by kowell »

it should normally flash for a minute and then stay lit.From previous accounts on this forum, the TPMS light has been known to act weirdly for 1 or 2 days after you remove the tpms equiped alloys.I changed my tires 2 weeks ago and the light acted normally at first and it only started to flash on the 2nd day. Sometimes it's best not to try to understand.
2009 Vibe 2.4L 1SC - Red Hot Metallic
2011 Sienna V6 CE - Sky Silver
Bikerscum
Posts: 164
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:51 am

Re: TPMS question (Eloi)

Post by Bikerscum »

I could be wrong (usually am), but I don't think the wheels have sensors in them. The TPMS uses the ABS system to monitor wheel rotation, a low pressure tire rotates more times per mile that a high pressure one. If your new tires are a slightly different diameter, that can trigger the light. Try a reset per the manual & see if it goes away.
ou.grizzly
Posts: 2660
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Re: TPMS question (Bikerscum)

Post by ou.grizzly »

Quote, originally posted by Bikerscum »I could be wrong (usually am), but I don't think the wheels have sensors in them. The TPMS uses the ABS system to monitor wheel rotation, a low pressure tire rotates more times per mile that a high pressure one. If your new tires are a slightly different diameter, that can trigger the light. Try a reset per the manual & see if it goes away.Link to the informationhttp://www.toyotatpms.com/Pictures of the sensors
2009 Jet Black 2.4L Auto / Fogs / 17" Alum / Clear Bra / Camry Leather Shift Knob / GT Rear Spoiler
2013 Polished Metallic Honda CR-V EX-L Navi
Bikerscum
Posts: 164
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:51 am

Post by Bikerscum »

Well, I was kinda right, in a 100% wrong kinda way. lol The link you provided shows they went to sensors in 2007. Thanks for the info.
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