mfburger

I have a 2008 Accord LX 4-door, for which I bought new snow tires. I also bought new wheels for my snow tires, so that I can put them on, rotate, and remove them at home. Because the car has a TPMS and I did not want to look at a warning light all winter, I also bought new sensors for the new wheels.

I thought I was all set, but I just learned that I still have to take the car to the dealer each time I swap the tires (snow for all-seasons in the fall and the other way around in the spring) so that the sensors can be calibrated (or something like that). And, on top of that, it's going to cost $85 plus each time. Ridiculous.

Does anybody know if I can calibrate the sensors myself, and, if so, how would I do that?

ekb16

iTrader: (1)

u need the HDS (honda diagnostic system) which is a hand held scanner that honda uses to be able to calibrate the sensors...i dont think there is another way around that

non-VTEC

you just wasted a ton of cash for that stupid tire pressure monitor system.

you should have just lived with the light on the dash for the few months of winter.

postman

ekb16 is correct

stumpyf4

More correctly the sensor ID codes need to be programmed into the TPMS ECU. I hope you wrote down the ID's before mounting the tires. If not you may make to breakdown the tires to retrieve the codes. However there are tools to pull the code off the sensor without breaking down, not sure if Honda has this tool as a mandatory tool.

mfburger

Thanks to those who responded.

Unfortunately, I am starting to think that non-VTEC is correct. The irony is that I do check my tire pressures regularly, especially during times of changing temperatures, and I am sensitive to how the car feels with a tire going flat. I don't even need the TPMS, but I guess I can't necessarily say that about the other member of my household who also drives this car. I haven't paid for the new sensors yet, maybe I can tell the dealer I changed my mind about them.

We have to keep our snow tires on more like 5 months of the year. If I don't get the sensors, is the only issue going to be looking at a warning light. Can use electricians tape over the display to fix that!

But, let me make sure I have this correct.

Basically, to do this myself, I would need the HDS, which seems to be cost-prohibitive according to the little research I just did.

If having the dealer do it, they need to know the sensor codes for the new tires to program those in after mounting them on the car.

I assume, then, they should also write down the codes of the all-season tires/wheels they will be taking off the car so that in the spring they can enter those into the TPMS system, right?

Are these codes position-sensitive? Do they have to specify which position on the car each sensor is located when they enter them into the TPMS system? If so, does that mean they re-program the TPMS system each time they rotate the tires?

Thanks again.

onepoint6i

Your gonna have to bring your car to honda everytime you swap wheels, and no you dont need serial numbers off the sensors..All Honda dealerships have the necessary equipment to wake up sensors and initialize them to your cars tpms control unit.. when you rotate tires the tpms still works ..its only when you introduce new sensors to the control unit is when you have wake up the sensor to work with that control unit...

Or you can try removing the gauge cluster and remove the tpms bulb..

mfburger

Thanks, onepoint6i

twitch27

Something to try is call your local Sears automotive and see if they can do it. They all should have the right equipment, and I just looked it up it cost a whole $5 to do. The only time the indicator will come on if the tire drows below 24psi or theres a problem in the system (like the tpm sensors being swapped) so it wont come on with a rotation.

Power of Dreams

Twitch, the TPMS light does not come on when your tire pressure is below limit (e.g., 24 psi).

Your low tire pressure light does.

twitch27

Thats why I just used the word indicator, and didnt specifily say tpms light or t.p. light. Kinda figured the op would get it. Sorry I wasnt clear enough for you.

philafelman

just keep your other wheels in your car...lol.

racerxh00

PLZ READ THIS REGARDING TPMS!!!!
im a service manager at wal-mart. we carry all of the sensors for tpms for cheaper than anywhere else. we recalibrate for 11 bucks a wheel. your car just has to go through the proper re learn for each sensor, which we have the schrader/bridgport manual for. stop into one and ask the SERVICE MANAGER!!!! itll save you alot of time and money. i do these all day long.... some sensors work way differently.... some read and trhow the light if they are off by 1.6 psi low-chevy corvette.... some are at 10% below calibrated amount (whichever size tire and rim are calibrated for and the psi at time of recalibration).

philafelman

what do you use to enter in serial #'s of new sensors. i work for toyota and i did not know that anything other than techstream would allow you to do so.

toddone

I hate to say it but your dealership sucks. Small things like that are a courtesy at the dealership that I work at. It takes like 5 minutes, Maybe.

racerxh00

no serial numbers with the new sensors. you just need to relearn the sensors and the cars, there is a re learn and re calibration procedure for every car. consult the mitchell manual.