My spare tire was knocked off the car when I hit some snow. The cable was rotten and I supposed this was the last thing it took to have it fall. We didn't find the spare tire but found the cover and the broken piece inside. I'm sure someone picked up that tire and Lexus rim and sold it? Anyway, we have replaced the tire with one we bough on Craigslist (hopefully we didn't buy our old tire from them) and have installed it - but how does my car know it's there now? The light is still on on the dash and we have reset it and driven a bit. I'm just so confused on how my car knows that I replaced the spare tire? Thanks for ANY help!

 

The reset button does not read the sensors or link them to the computer, but calibrates pressure. You may want to set all the pressures to the appropriate rating and reset again. If your light is still on, the car doesn't see the sensor (because it isn't in the computer). Any tire shop or dealer should be able to program the new tire sensor into the car's computer with a specialty tool.

 

Thank you for your help! I did end up taking it to a tire shop and they replaced two sensors (the one in the wheel that I originally hit the snow with, and the new spare I had purchased off of craigslist). All done - and the light is out!
Whew! I'm glad I understand the car a bit more now.
Thanks again!