Steel vs. Alloy TPMS Pressure Sensors (pic)

[fireengine]

I found a good deal on some aluminum 6-spoke rims and I want to replace the steel rims and hubcaps.

However, before I march into the shop and ask them to mount tires I want to know if the TPMS pressure sensors on the stock steel rims will fit the alloy rims.

I've read that for other toyota models the steel rims take a different angle than the alloys. But I haven't seen anything specifically addressing the 2010 Sienna.

The only thing I've been able to find so far is this diagram from toyota:

[sharkinstx]

I've looked at 1sttoyotaparts.com, and they only show one sensor. Mine is a 2008 LE that I recently bought, and I'm planning on buying the 16x6.5 alloys (the machine-finished six-spoke) as well. I do know that we recently put four new tires on ours, and the tire store charged $30 for four TPMS "repair kits", which I'm assuming means they replaced the hardware related to the stems (my wife was the one who took the van in for the tire replacement - it was a scheduled appointment - so I didn't get to ask about it).

Where did you find some wheels? I've looked on eBay at some of the stores, at "refurbished" OEM wheels, rather than the replicas some others sell.

[fireengine]

I called the parts dept. of a local dealer and they showed the same TPMS for the alloy and the steel. I got the rims and I'm going to take them to get mounted monday. If it works out I'll post pics and give more info.

[fireengine]

Finally finished!! Since it sounds like you're interested in the same thing, learn from my mistakes.

1) you're right, the TPMS sensors are the same for the steel and the 6-spoke alloys.

2) I bought the "Sienna 2004-2009 16 inch COMPATIBLE Wheel, Rim" off of eBay for $94.00/rim with free shipping. They work fine with the 2010 and look exactly like the OEM rims with the exception that they are a little more shiny than the OEM rims.

3) Although the TPMS sensors are compatible, the lug nuts are not. I found out the hard way when I dropped it off at the mechanic and got a call 3 hrs later that they don't work.

4) You'll need center caps. The OEM ones are pricey so I got some 2.5" Matrix knock-off center caps for cheap off of eBay.

Before:



After:



Close-up:



You'll need Toyota compatible lug-nuts like these I got from NAPA auto:



I got these plastic centercaps from eBay. They were a little loose inside the rim so I ended up putting two layers of masking tape on each of the tabs to make the fit tighter:



Good luck!!

[sharkinstx]

Looks good. How much were the center caps from the dealer? They're $18.61 from 1sttoyotaparts.com (list is $25.80), and the lug nuts are $2.34 each. Also, who was the seller that you bought the wheels from? And did the boxes show the country of origin?

Did the tire dealer have to replace any of the TPMS parts, like o-rings and such?

[fireengine]

The dealer price was outrageous like $49/each! I got the plastic ones for 18 for four including shipping. That's about what I paid for the lug nuts. The seller is wheels_tires_more. The country of origin was probably on the box but I didn't take note. I'm sure the mechanic replaced those parts but I was only charged a flat rate for the mounting which included transfering the tpms sensors. Hope that helps you.

I like the results. Van looks more sporty and I don't have to worry about losing hub caps.

[sharkinstx]

Oh that's right, you're in "prices are slightly higher in..." Hawaii. So, $49 is possible. The seller I've been looking at is "tobacco road", located in North Carolina. They're top-rated seller on eBay.

[sharkinstx]

Originally Posted by fireengine

The dealer price was outrageous like $49/each! I got the plastic ones for 18 for four including shipping. That's about what I paid for the lug nuts. The seller is wheels_tires_more. The country of origin was probably on the box but I didn't take note. I'm sure the mechanic replaced those parts but I was only charged a flat rate for the mounting which included transfering the tpms sensors. Hope that helps you.

I like the results. Van looks more sporty and I don't have to worry about losing hub caps.

Did you lose a lot of wheelcovers? I'm just wondering, because I see fair number of 2nd-Gen Siennas that are missing them. How would you describe your driving style? Aggressive, moderate, or relaxed?

I'm trying to help justify buying the alloys for mine.