Semi-Cure for Tire Pressure Warning Light

[Gumby1800]

Like many, I just installed Snow Tires on new Steel Rims without TPM (Tire Pressure Monitor) Transponders.

On my first drive to work there was no TPM Warning on the dash...until I had driven about 20 minutes. Then it started to flash but finally settled down to just a constant warning light. When I left work for home the warning light briefly flashed when I started the car, then stayed on for the whole trip home.

Next 4 days - same routine.

Turns out that the car can sense the transponders if they are no more than 40-50 feet away from the car. That's the distance from my garage to the tool shed where I stored the alloys with transponders for the winter.

So, if you put on wheels without transponders, and store the factory wheels near where you park, you won't get the TPM Warning Light unless you drive more than 20 minutes (or approx. 15 km).

[Gumby1800]

Sorry Folks! I was a little premature in releasing TPM Transponder range figures.

It would seem that I had leftover miles/minutes still on the transponder clock on Monday.

Revised transponder range is probably no more than 6 feet from the car.

If you store your transponder-valve equipped wheels no more than 6 feet away from where you park your vehicle, the TPM sensor will reset every day.
You will then have approx. 20 minutes or 15 km of driving every day before the TPM light flashes.

I'm not sure if this helps or just creates a daily distraction/annoyance.

[jdhog]

On Matrix owners forum there was a guy that did a 'pipe bomb' mod: put all his TPMS sensors into an air tight pipe and inflated it to about 30psi and stores it in his trunk so the light stays off.

[Gumby1800]

Originally Posted by jdhog

On Matrix owners forum there was a guy that did a 'pipe bomb' mod: put all his TPMS sensors into an air tight pipe and inflated it to about 30psi and stores it in his trunk so the light stays off.

True, but you would have to remove your tires and valves from the stock rims to make this "TPM Pipe Bomb" or buy new TPM Valves.

If you are going to buy the valves, you might as well install them in your new rims.

While a creative thinker, the guy who made the "TPM Pipe Bomb" clearly had too much time on his hands.

[Gumby1800]

TPM UPDATE:

I'm wondering if the TPM Receiver unit is sensitive to the TPM Valves in other vehicles.

When I park for any period near friend's vehicles (either Chrysler or BMW) the receiver unit seems to reset itself and I get another 20 minutes of driving without the Warning Light. I have never pressed the reset button under the dash.

Has anyone else experienced similar findings?

[peterfoo]

Hi,
I just did the same thing, and while I was driving home with the tires in my trunk the light did not come on. But today as I was driving (with my tires in my basement) the light came on. I was initially weirded out, so I went to the gas station to check my tire pressure. All of my tires are at 34 psi.

I just put 16" Hankook w409 winter tires with regular steel rims...so I guess I'll just have to live wtih it until the Spring when I put my alloys back on.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by jdhog

On Matrix owners forum there was a guy that did a 'pipe bomb' mod: put all his TPMS sensors into an air tight pipe and inflated it to about 30psi and stores it in his trunk so the light stays off.

If you do a search of the our Tacoma forum you'll find a couple of DIY threads detailing the "PVC option" with photos and everything.

[Gumby1800]

Thanks, but for your benefit I will repeat what I wrote the first time someone suggested the PVC "pipe bomb" method...(I reviewed his approach in detail)

...you would have to remove your tires and valves from the stock rims to make this "TPM Pipe Bomb" or buy new TPM Valves.

If you are going to buy the valves, you might as well install them in your new rims.

While a creative thinker, the guy who made the "TPM Pipe Bomb" clearly had too much time on his hands.

[TrailDust]

Not a problem.

[keyboardracer]

Originally Posted by Gumby1800

Like many, I just installed Snow Tires on new Steel Rims without TPM (Tire Pressure Monitor) Transponders.

On my first drive to work there was no TPM Warning on the dash...until I had driven about 20 minutes. Then it started to flash but finally settled down to just a constant warning light. When I left work for home the warning light briefly flashed when I started the car, then stayed on for the whole trip home.

Next 4 days - same routine.

Turns out that the car can sense the transponders if they are no more than 40-50 feet away from the car. That's the distance from my garage to the tool shed where I stored the alloys with transponders for the winter.

So, if you put on wheels without transponders, and store the factory wheels near where you park, you won't get the TPM Warning Light unless you drive more than 20 minutes (or approx. 15 km).

It work for me, cuz my work place only 15 min drive. I leave my summer tires "uncover, ie, without tire bag and sit right underneath the basement window." it turns off by itself every other day.