Winter Tires - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bowlth · 11-04-2011, 10:13 AM

As winter approaches for some of us, I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a "SET" button in the 2011 Sienna to permit the use of a second set of wheel/tires for winter. I know I had this option in my Lexus RX350 and avoids having to re-program the tire sensors at every wheel change.

I called the dealership today and they person thought this was not available. I haven't checked my manual yet, but didn't instantly spot it in the vehicle.

Any thoughts?

skinny2 · 11-04-2011, 10:28 AM

Nope. I just did mine and it required programming the 2nd set. My tire shop took care of it and will do it for free whenever I want to swap them.

bowlth · 11-04-2011, 10:30 AM

Is this a difficult process? I know when I had them programmed in the Lexus for the first time, they had to take the wheels off the rims, get the TPM IDs and remount.

I assume this will be the same for the Sienna, but is this process required every time?

Electrical_Tech · 11-04-2011, 10:37 AM

I'm just going to live with the idiot light telling me my winter tires are running low and rely on the good old pressure gauge

bowlth · 11-04-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electrical_Tech

I'm just going to live with the idiot light telling me my winter tires are running low and rely on the good old pressure gauge

Thinking I may do the same, but I'm not sure my wife is prepared to live with the uncertainty of having to complete the awful task of having to looks that the tires now and then.

What kind of a husband am I???

Electrical_Tech · 11-04-2011, 10:43 AM

My wife will look at the tires, but she's not going to be checking pressures. What will annoy her is the light on the dash, but she will live with it. Though I may have to do without some of the finer things because of it

LOL

skinny2 · 11-04-2011, 10:45 AM

I would be ok running without the sensors, but as you've both mentioned...the wives don't like it. Tire shop didn't make it sound like a big deal. He said to bring it back anytime I wanted to swap them and they would reprogram. I've heard of dealers charging for this.

bowlth · 11-04-2011, 03:33 PM

I've got a sneaking hunch that my dealership will be charging for this. They already charge $20 for the straight wheel change. I'm sure they'll ding me for a re-program. For a few dollars I would consider it, but is it ever a few $$ at the dealership??

Billiam · 11-04-2011, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlth

Is this a difficult process? I know when I had them programmed in the Lexus for the first time, they had to take the wheels off the rims, get the TPM IDs and remount.

I assume this will be the same for the Sienna, but is this process required every time?

As long as the tire shop as the right equipment, there's no need to break the tire-wheel down to get the codes. They can "sniff" each sensor then dump the codes into the car's ECU using the OBD II port. Should take less than 5 minutes. I've seen it done several times.

bowlth · 11-07-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billiam

As long as the tire shop as the right equipment, there's no need to break the tire-wheel down to get the codes. They can "sniff" each sensor then dump the codes into the car's ECU using the OBD II port. Should take less than 5 minutes. I've seen it done several times.

So I went to my dealership to get this winters changed today and they want $55 each time they re-program the sensors. The service person said it's a fairly laborous process. From what I'm hearing on the forum this is not the case.

Is there a do-it-yourself tool I can buy to do swap the codes?

nmehes · 11-07-2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlth

So I went to my dealership to get this winters changed today and they want $55 each time they re-program the sensors. The service person said it's a fairly laborous process. From what I'm hearing on the forum this is not the case.

Is there a do-it-yourself tool I can buy to do swap the codes?

Whether or not its labour intensive it takes time....time*hourly rate= $55. So basically it's taking half an hour or so to do the reprogram. Sounds about right? Can you do anything on a car that involves electronics much faster than that?

If you want to save money just buy a 1 cm square of electrical tape and place it over the light....you'll be happy and save $110 a year.

bowlth · 11-07-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmehes

Whether or not its labour intensive it takes time....time*hourly rate= $55. So basically it's taking half an hour or so to do the reprogram. Sounds about right? Can you do anything on a car that involves electronics much faster than that?

If you want to save money just buy a 1 cm square of electrical tape and place it over the light....you'll be happy and save $110 a year.

I love the electrical tape line! What did we do over the past 100 years of driving without TPMS?

I just think it's rediculous that Toyota offers the 2nd set option is a number of their other vehicles, but doesn't in mine, which is the same prices as the RX350 I used to own. And because of that, they're generously offer to charge my $55 for something that other users on this forum say takes 5 minutes to do!

skinny2 · 11-07-2011, 09:25 AM

I've had to move my stock tires around in the garage. I think the sensors are getting confused. But for some reason I had it in my head that the TPMS had more of a nag than just the little light. I thought it came up on the NAV screen as well and I knew my wife wouldn't like that. That's actually my other car that does that so I guess I could have skipped the sensors. Either way, it can't be too big of a deal if tire shops don't charge for the reprogram. He claims you just plug into the OBD port and program it to find the new sensors. But yea most dealer are going to charge for their time...$55 is probably half hour these days.

bowlth · 11-08-2011, 10:07 AM

Thanks to all for your help with this. I had my winters installed yesterday and the dealer actually inputed the sensors at no charge (customer retention is what they said). Probably doesn't hurt that I just spent $500 on other items at the dealership.

The 17" Lexus RX350 OEM wheels I had look pretty good on the Sienna. I will post some pictures in case anyone is thinking about wheel options.

J

grandpapa · 11-08-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlth

Thanks to all for your help with this. I had my winters installed yesterday and the dealer actually inputed the sensors at no charge (customer retention is what they said). Probably doesn't hurt that I just spent $500 on other items at the dealership.

The 17" Lexus RX350 OEM wheels I had look pretty good on the Sienna. I will post some pictures in case anyone is thinking about wheel options.

J

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