TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)...sounds like a Nightmare

[ajkalian]

I was thinking of maybe buying newer Camry. Since my 2000 LE has 215,000 miles on it, I thought it might be time to get a newer model. I wanted to stay with the Gen 3/4 body style since I just hate the newer body style, 2007 model year and later.

Anyway in doing some reading I came accross much discussion about TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) and most of it was bad. On the surface it sounds nice and if you never replace your tires it might be fine.

But when you replace your rims or tires it seems to become a nightmare. Seems you have to replace the sensor, have it calibrated at the dealer, or some other mumbo jumbo, that costs like $100.00 a wheel. And the newer models have it built into the ECU so you get a CEL if something goes wrong.

So does anybody know what model year they started putting these pressure sensor things in the Camrys? And what's involved swapping out tires and rims, and the cost involved.

This sounds like something I just don't need.

[DarkMastyr]

I have TPMS on my Corvette since the car comes from the factory with runflats. They're fantastic. I can look at tire pressures anywhere anytime, which is really helpful to know when I have a leaky tire, or when the temp outside gets low and I need to pump some more pressure in, or if I'm on the track and the temps get too hot and I need to let some air out.

The sensors are usually sold at about $50/wheel. Calibration does not cost $100/wheel. That would be moronic. It takes all of 2 minutes with a simple $100 tool that any tire shop has. The sensors are also built to last for 10 yrs, and while they sometimes go bad, it's rare.

You need wheels that accept the sensors, but otherwise it should be a straightforward and cheap process.

[skuttduck]

I can tell you how they are in my 2010 Camaro. I had to buy a new set of wheels and they didn't have the TPMS sensors.

There is no problem using the existing TPMS sensors with another set of tires. I bought a set of winter tires and had no problems. On the Camaro you merely let the air out each tire for it to learn which tire is which. You can also pump up the air to make it learn, but I found letting out the the air was easiest.

I'd like to think the Camry would have a user way to program the TPMS like the Camaro does.

Oh and in doing my research, there aren't that many manufacturers of TPMS. Looks like a majority are made in the UK.

Just make sure you relearn the TPMS when you rotate your tires.