Tire Pressure Monitoring Questions

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David In NH - 06 Dec 2007 03:55 GMT

Hi All:

I've got an '07 Camry which (as I think all new cars) comes with the tire
pressure monitoring system. I'm thinking of getting a set of new wheels for
snow tire use but would have to get new sensors as well. (I know I could
just ignore the warning light for the period during which the snows are on
the car.)

I don't think I want to do the mount/dismount/remount with one set of wheels
every winter/spring and I don't want to have to go to the dealer to
reprogram the car for the new set of sensors.

I'm wondering if I can buy the unit that "talks" to the car and reprogram
the car for the sensor change each time. If so, what exactly am I looking
for and where would I find it? (Other than at a Toyota dealer of course.)

Also, is the unit a standard device? Will it work on other cars with the
TPMS? I ask because we'll be getting my wife a new car/van (possibly not
Toyota) within a few months and it would be great if I could reprogram that
car's TPMS as well when we switch tires on the new vehicle.

Thanks in advance.

- David

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johngdole@hotmail.com - 07 Dec 2007 02:14 GMT

Don't know about the Toyota system, but Siemens' system is "universal
for all standard
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) tire makes and models."

I've seen Siemens sensors for sale, but how the "universal" system
accounts for varying tire pressures between cars and SUVs is beyond
me. Of course, Walmart has tire pressure monitors too for about $1-2
each ;) ;)

=====

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 24 Siemens Automotive, one of
the world's leading providers of automotive electronics safety
technology, has
developed a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) universal for all
standard
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) tire makes and models. The
system will
make its market debut on a 2002 European vehicle application.

=====

> Hi All:
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> - David

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John H. - 07 Dec 2007 20:42 GMT

To reprogram the Camry, you need the Toyota Scan Tool (MANY thousands of
dollars -- even if you could find one) and the correct program. So, the
quick answer is no, you cannot do it yourself.

Also, unlike some newer models, the Camry only stores one set of TPMS IDs.

So you have your choice of four doors:

1) Ignore the light.

2) Visit the Toyota dealer and pay them twice a year (oh, and also get a
second set of sensors).

3) As you said, remount the sensors to the correct wheels twice a year.

4) Keep the TPMS mounted wheels in the garage, (very) near where the car
is. Then it is POSSIBLE that you MIGHT be able to get away without the
light coming on since the car will detect the sensors when you park the car.
Some people have done this (w/ Prius) with good results, while others report
that even after a few miles without detecting the sensor's the TPMS light
comes on.

There are two EXCELLENT forums you can visit to learn more about the Camry
(and Prius): greenhybrid.com and priuschat.com. Members of these forums
include Toyota techs, so you can quite often get information "straight from
the horses mouth."

BTW, I also have an '07 Camry (Hybrid).

I hope this info has been helpful.

> Hi All:
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> - David

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David In NH - 07 Dec 2007 21:27 GMT

Thanks for the information John.

I think I'm going to do the simple thing - #1 below - ignore the light
(maybe mask it off with some tape?)

Your information on the scan tool is exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks again.

> To reprogram the Camry, you need the Toyota Scan Tool (MANY thousands of
> dollars -- even if you could find one) and the correct program. So, the
[quoted text clipped - 51 lines]
>>
>> - David

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