TPMS programming

[TyWebb13]

I am sorry to start yet another thread about TPMS sensors, but I haven't quite gotten my question answered from other posts and I have received some new information that has generated new questions!

I have a 2006 Pilot with OEM rims and TPMS. I have a second set of rims without TPMS that I want to use for snow tires each winter. In the winter, I realize that my TPMS light will be on. My OEM rims w/ TPMS will be stacked in the corner of my garage at that time. I would change the wheels myself in my garage, of course.

In the spring, I would like to know if my TPMS sensors will still work when I put the OEM's back on and if the TPMS light will go off. Will they need to be learned in again? I have called two dealerships and they both told me that they would have to be learned in again by the dealer. However, I have seen a lot of posts suggesting that older models can learn them in themselves but the newer models require the tool. Does anyone know for sure how this will work on a 2006?

Also, does anyone know if there is a way to program them myself?

Thanks!

[theirishscion]

Edit Just read your post more closely; I don't see any reason for you to need a reprogram in the Spring. It's not like you're instructing it to forget the previous TPMS sensors. It's just going to spend the winter wondering where they are, the enjoy being reunited again in the spring.

I can't give you a definitive answer on the 2006, but I can definitively say that the 2nd generation (2009-11) requires no programming. Just mount it and drive a few hundred yards (you have to do an initial sharp pressure drop when the sensors are brand new to wake them out of their shipping torpor, but after that, they're movement activated.

According to this site your Pilot uses TRW transmitters, not the Pacific ones on the 2nd gen Pilots. I get the impression that you need a shop with the correct programming tool to set them up, but one of the many many folks around here with a first gen can I'm sure tell you in detail for sure.

Plan B: Ask at any chain or bigger independent tire shop. They'll know. Costco would be a good candidate if you have one near.

[TyWebb13]

Great insight, thanks! I agree with you 100% that it does not seem like they should "forget" just because they have been out of range for a few months. I'm just not sure because I have had two dealers tell me they would need to be relearned, which surprised me.

I go to Costco all the time, I will ask them there. Great idea.

Anyone who has any more details about the first gen Pilots, please let me know! Thanks!

[carguy07]

I'm 100% sure that there is no such thing as relearning the sensors at the dealer on a first gen pilot. Take them off, mix them, use aftermarket ones from tirerack, no issues at all. Bolt on the wheels and drive. What I can't say 100% for sure is that the anti-locks and stability control will still work with the light on. I remember someone saying that it will disable some of the nannys on this car.

[theirishscion]

Originally Posted by carguy07

What I can't say 100% for sure is that the anti-locks and stability control will still work with the light on. I remember someone saying that it will disable some of the nannys on this car.

Perhaps, but I'd be surprised. If that's the case, it's the opposite of the 2nd gen. With mine, if the TPMS goes off, it becomes impossible to disable the Vehicle Stability Control system until the tires are aired back up. This is probably a good thing from a 'keeping your beloved in one piece if a tire goes low and for whatever perverse reason they try to turn VSC off' perspective, but is actually quite annoying if you want to both air down your tires (for enhanced traction) and do some selective wheel spinning (often necessary in off road/stuck situations)

[TyWebb13]

I believe that you are right that the only problem is that the VSC cannot be turned off. Although I guess I don't know if the other person I heard that from was referring to gen 1 or gen 2 or both. But anyway, my wife drives this vehicle, and she would have no idea how or when to turn it off anyway or how to do "selective wheel spinning". So it seems to me that snow tires with VSC always on and no TPMS will be better for Minnesota winters than all-season tires with VSC optional and TPMS on. Agreed?

I am 99% sure that ABS is not affected by TPMS being turned off.

Carguy, thanks for sharing. I think I should be good to go without taking it into the dealer every spring. Once I get through next spring and verify it for myself, I will post it in the forum as it seems to be a common question with not very concrete answers, both here and on other forums I've seen.

[theirishscion]

Originally Posted by TyWebb13

So it seems to me that snow tires with VSC always on and no TPMS will be better for Minnesota winters than all-season tires with VSC optional and TPMS on. Agreed?

Correct, the Honda approach is very conservative and fail-safe-ish. Your wife is in good hands (on good tires? )

Originally Posted by TyWebb13

I am 99% sure that ABS is not affected by TPMS being turned off.

Also correct, ABS cannot be intentionally turned off without removing fuses. However, if the ABS malfunction light is lit, it can and often does indicate a failure of the system that will lead to it not even trying to prevent lockups.

[carguy07]

You guys are right, I had it backward. Can't turn off the VSC. No big deal unless you get stuck and need to rock it out (never needed this).

Here is a service manual scan from another thread that shows how to automatically memorize the sensors without a dealer.

[theirishscion]

Originally Posted by carguy07

You guys are right, I had it backward. Can't turn off the VSC. No big deal unless you get stuck and need to rock it out (never needed this).

Here is a service manual scan from another thread that shows how to automatically memorize the sensors without a dealer.

Wow, suggesting that not only are the dealers that our OP asked liars, their pants may very well be on fire.

Quel surprise.

[mgbabe]

I have a 2006 with summer and winter tires on aftermarket & OEM rims respectively and with OEM TPMS sensors in each, and I do not have to re-learn the sensors ever. Same thing goes for my Fusion.