Any way to disable/eliminate the TPMS in 2020's ?

I don't need a lecture on legal or safety issues... so I would appreciate a straight technical answer if possible. (Threads like this always seem to attract the armchair attorneys)

It would make life a whole lot easier if I could just have wheels and tires mounted and balanced without the hassle and expense of dealing with all the TPMS programming BS.

I have steel wheels on my SR5 and just bought a set of Method 305's and Nitto 35x12.5/18's... so I will need to buy a whole set of TPMS for aluminum wheels and deal with the programming/calibration issues as well.

It would be great if I could just pull a fuse or clip a wire without causing any other computer glitches.

 

Cover the warning light with something and drive on... you can replace the sensors with standard valve stems, I've done this and there were no issues.

 

If you don't mind the light you can just run with it, but you can also sync up the sensors on your own. At least that is what I read on here https://www.tundras.com/threads/tpms-sensor-re-calibrating.42293/#post-1083192

 

I can’t say this works for 2020, but there’s been some previous posts for older generations:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/disable-tpms.1056/

 

Just kick the tires like old days. Who needs TPMS.

I thought it had its own fuse that you could remove. No?
btw, where is the light? I don't recall seeing it.

 

I think I found a good short term solution.
I can just put the 4 sensors in a piece of PVC pipe and pressurize the pipe.
It would be easy enough to hose-clamp it somewhere along the frame rail under the truck and forget about it.

Problem solved.

 

That would definitely work. Unless the pressure in the pipe drops below the threshold. Lol

 

or if the batteries die ...

 

If it comes to that... I can always pop the cluster out of the dash and pick the LED off the board that lights up that warning symbol. It wouldn't be the first time I've done something like that.

 

Another thing to consider iirc, most or maybe all tire places won't work on your car if the TPMS is on ... or they have to fix the issue before they let you go. not 100% sure.
Lawyers getting involved again

 

The tmps in a tube does not work on newer trucks. IIRC they switched to smart sensors at some point. They can tell if they are rotating. This trick worked on older trucks. A schrader valve was an easy way to maintain proper pressure.

You will eventually get used to seeing the TPMS light on.

 

Actually, the federal law states that we cannot disable the system. If it comes into our shop not working, missing sensors, light on etc., we cannot force the customer to do anything. However, we are not allowed to remove the sensors or remove the system or disable it in any way.

 

I was under the impression that if a car is a newer model with TPMS and you go in with the tpms light on or blinking, they won't work on it. Sounds like that is not true. So I can take my car in for balance & rotation with the tpms light on and they will do the work.

 

https://www.moderntiredealer.com/10...ies-of-tpms-ignorance-of-the-law-is-no-excuse

This pretty much explains everything

 

Not to hijack this thread, but seems as I also have new wheels and tires that'll be going on shortly, and the internet doesn't seem to give me a direct answer, what sensors do you need for aluminum wheels for the 2020's?

 

I did the same on my truck - replaced the factory steel wheels with alloys - I just pulled the pod cover off and put a small black sticker over the light !

 

Very good question.
I spoke to a guy at Discount tire on Friday and told him I had a 2020 with steel wheels and was switching to aftermarket aluminum.
He assured me he could just re-use my factory sensors... which I believe is utter bullshit.
I have an appointment to get my new wheels and tires mounted and balanced this coming Friday... so we will see how that turns out.

I'm sure whatever the case, it will cost me more money.

 

If the government and the auto industry is going to ram TPMS's down our throat, they should make the system much more user friendly. Having to buy a whole second set of sensors and the technology to program those sensors just to have a second set of wheels is preposterous!

VW did it right IMO. The vehicle just measures the circumference of the wheel while rotating. No sensors in the wheels at all. If the circumference decreases by a certain amount, the warning light illuminates. So much easier and cheaper to run two sets of wheels.

 

This is something I have considered... but if I can make it work as designed without too much hassle, I will keep the TPMS operational.
That said... the indicator light is nothing more than a small LED soldered to the instrument cluster board and can be easily picked-off with a razor blade or small screwdriver.
I've done it before and won't rule it out this time if it's warranted.

 

ehhh ill just get senors lol, besides i like knowing if a tire drops pressure, especially when the weather changes

and i dont think the sensors from the steel wheel would work, something tells me id have to get a different sensor all together

 

Technically it's possible to reuse them, but if the next person who breaks your tires loose doesn't know the wrong ones are in there, they could damage them.

 

You’ll get answers all over the place about whether the TPMS sensors from steel wheels can be swapped to alloy/aluminum wheels. They have different fitment and some say they can get them to “work”. My tire shop tried and broke one so they just installed new sensors that fit right. The issue is the 20° sensors won’t lay flat/flush on the Alloy wheel and when they try to mount the tire they might break the sensor because there is not enough clearance. It’s hit or miss.

You can buy OEM sensors and have your shop install or like me, just have the shop install what they carry. In my case, they couldn’t get the new OEM sensors to program so they just installed a different set (Autel sensors).

Here’s a thread that helps:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/tpms-sensor.70189/#post-1812739

 

Excellent, thanks for that.

I will leave it up to Discount Tire to make it work. I will have my wallet ready.

 

Good call. I figured if I let my shop do it and there are issues then the shop can fix it!

 

Exactly my thought process.

 

yeah im thinking ill just do the same... i forgot how tpms can be such a hassle

 

I have a 2012 Lexus RX 350 and am getting ready to sell it and wouldn’t you know I have a TPMS error light. Probably a bad sensor but I don’t have the right scanner to figure out which one so it’s gotta go into the shop for probably a new sensor! All this fancy digital technology when a $2 tire gauge would suffice!

What happened to the days when car owners actually had to be responsible for the care and maintenance of their vehicles??

 

w/

 

you know, there is a way to fix this problem. And it’s not hard.
If you use programmable sensors, and clone each one of the four wheels individually, you could very easily Switch between sets of wheels with no problem. Just a thought.

 

Many people weren't responsible and caused issues. My aunt was involved in an accident in the 90s where a driver with an underinflated tire had a blowout and put her into the k-rail. Totaled her 2 year old diesel Merc.