Yes, TPMS was around for years before it was required by law, not unlike backup cameras. New technologies, no matter how good, always go through a process before being adopted as law. Manufacturers always resist, and I'm not sure why, as they simply pass the costs down to the consumer. Maybe they feel it's more profitable to have an option they can charge extra for as opposed to building the cost into the base price?

 

Are you sure your dads 99 Sienna has TPMS? None of my Toyota products from that period up to 2010 had it.

 

Lots of 2000 Lexus models have it. SC, GX470. Our LX470 at the time. My 04 Toyota has them, 09 Matrix too. . 99 sienna, not sure but maybe.

 

You know what it is, it’s because you’re in Canada. My LS400 didn’t have it, nor did the LS430. Nor did my 2003 ES. It debuted here on the 2007 models.

 

Ls430 had tpms. Not sure the year.

Just looked it up. 99 Sienna had a low tire pressure warning system.

 

100%. I've seen the indicator come on numerous times.

 

Now that I look back on it, the LS430 did. LS400 and ES300 definitely did not

 

My 2006 Scion tC had a pressure warning system, but it was not by sensors in the tires, but rather differences in rolling diameters. Kind of a rudimentary setup, but it worked well enough.

 

I had an Audi Q5 and then an A6 and both of them had the same type of system. It worked fine in both vehicles, Not much in the way of details though.

 

115 posts about a flat tire.

 

I believe thats how the earlier Toyota systems in the LS430, etc worked also. I don't remember having any TPMS sensors in the wheels like we have now.

Hey, we don't have much else to keep us busy nowadays LOL

 

Doesn't Engineering Explained say tires are the most important part on a car? Seems appropriate.

 

My son's 2006 Toyota Matrix has this type of system as well. My hunch is it isn't as good as wheel pressure sensors as it can be fooled by unevenly worn tires. It is integrated into the antilock/antiskid system. I assume the better system, the TPMS, is the only one acceptable to the NHTSA for meeting the requirements of the 2007 law.

 

I won't say LOL because I understand what you are saying, but, still, 115's nothing. Remember the thread I did on the GM/UAW strike?

 

No need for a hunch, it isn’t as good, which is why it was replaced