m500

I know it has been talk about many times before and the anwser is NO. But per Motor week that the tire pressure sensor is only required by Law if you're keeping the Stock wheel on the Car that came with TMPS. TMPS is not required when you upgrade to an aftermarket tire. With this been said, had anyone tried to convince their dealer to disable it when going with aftermarket wheel.

pvo

iTrader: (2)

Do your car actually have a sensor in the wheel? I have an 04 but there isn't one in the wheel so when I changed to 19, I didn't have to do anything.

Tammy

As an 2006 LS430, it has active sensors in the four running wheels. They are part of the valve stem assemblies.

These are a result of the Ford Explorer / Firestone fiasco.

The TPMS is mandatory by our National Traffic Safety Commission.

Like seat belts and safety glass, it is meant to protect occupants of the vehicle from a driver that ignores the tire pressures and then sues the tire and auto manufactures.

socalJD

Are you sure about the sensor in the wheels of a '06 LS430 ?
Reason I ask, typically if you have the sensors in the wheel, the valve stem assembly is made of metal, as opposed to the usual rubber valve stems on non-TPMS wheels. My IS and Mdx have sensors in the wheel and have the metallic valve stems, whereas my parent's LS430 still has the rubber valve stems. I know that the earlier LS had the passive TPMS system w/out the sensors in the wheels . . .

justfixit

LS430 of any year never had Direct Tire Sensors. Tire Pressure Warning Systems became manditory as of 2007 model year production. The LS430 system along with the RX330 system was not very accurate and now upon the release of the LS460 and RX350 (2007 model) they have tire sensors incorporated into the valve stem.
Any aftermarket wheel or tire combination will work with the LS430 but may have less than desirable results. Remember that with this system any time you rotate, remove or just add air to the tires you must reinitialize the system or light will come on within a few miles.

Tammy

Thanks for the correction. The 2007 LS460 then started using the direct sensors.

justfixit

Yes the LS460 is the first year for LS with tire sensors. What is even worse for the LS460 is that it also has a sensor to monitor spare tire also.
Lexus models LS460, RX350, some ES350 and GX470 all monitor the spare. I can only assume this will be the industry norm over the next year or two.

socalJD

Is this more a function of a full sized spare ? I can see where a FSS could have a sensor in it since it can easily be used as a standard wheel, whereas on a compact mini spare, it would serve absolutely no useful purpose since it is only good for about 50 miles and should not be driven over 50mph . . .

daryll40

My friend with a late model Chevy Suburban reports that she can actually see all four tire pressure numbers, at the same time, on her dash. Now THAT makes the most sense of ANY monitoring system I've heard of. Why does GM have it and Lexus is still fooling around with this mere "dummy light" system?

justfixit

Have a look at the LS460 multi information display and you will see all tire pressures including spare. Thats all FIVE tires.
I guess Lexus one upped GM on that one.

daryll40

Good! It's about time they did this tire pressure thingie right !