I'm sure you guys have figured this out already but I finally got my tire sensor lights off after switching to aftermarket winter rims and tires.

I still had to buy all four sensors from Lexus which was the expensive part but after that it was simple. All four sensors are taped inside my spare tire. Works great!!

 

Ok, well don't hold us in suspense. What was the procedure for faking the system out?

 

He didnt. He put the sensors in his spare tire, which has the correct pressure.

So those sensors dont work on aftermarket wheels. Its a Shame

 

No faking required. The system doesn't care WHERE the sensors are - as long as it detects them it will read them. I have the smaller "donut" or "compact spare" and still have it at 60psi in case I might need to use it sometime. Just took my car to Lexus after installing them in the spare and they programed the system as my 2nd set.

 

I've been told by my Lexus dealer in the city that no one has found a aftermarket rim that will accomidate the sensors. They claim ONLY OEM rims will work.

 

Ah, I see. I thought you had managed to bypass a trip to the dealer.

 

Did they really find a good way to secure the sensors so they won't move and then spin balance the spare? If they just tossed them inside, you'll be in trouble if you ever get a flat.

 

So if the sensors are just sitting loose (not installed), why did you buy 4? Why not just enter one ID number 4 times into the system?

 

Either your dealer lied to you man so they can make a sale or they don't know anything. I even have a set of 20's aftermartket wheels and tires using the same stock sensor from the stock rims. They work perfectly. The wheels that don't work from what i heard is 2-3 peices wheels. Anyway my rims are 1 piece.

 

The sensors do work in aftermarket wheels, just not all aftermarket wheels. Not sure why you bought 4 new sensors. Your car is reading the sensors in you now useless spare. It is not reading the new sensors. The new sensors are not doing anything. I made a similar mistake in buying 4 new sensors. The computer can only read one set.

 

He bought a new set because his old set is still sitting inside his original set of wheels/tires, that he's going to remount when the snows come off.

 

Correct, I didn't want to do through the hassle of changing the 4 orig. sensors from my summer wheels and tires to my winter ones every season.

TimbolS: I like your idea of just buying one sensor and entering the same ID # but was told this would not fool the computer and the warning lights would still be on (and that the computer probably wouldn't even let you enter the same number again). I hope you're not correct and I didn't waste $300....

They are taped to the inside of the spare tire and not just thrown in loose. Yes, probably over a long trip of driving on the spare they will come loose but I'd never use the "compact spare" in that way. It would simply be a drive to the nearest wheel shop to get the flat fixed.

 

You may be overestimating the system. There are 4 slots for numbers, I doubt it checks for duplicate pairings (the radio lets me enter duplicate stations..hehe). Definitely worth a try before spending 3x$$$ more than you need to.

 

No money wasted guys. Well maybe you wasted a few dollars. I am here to buy your "extra sensors" if you don't need them. I need four. Good advice in this thread, but I'd rather mount them (if I can) rather than trick the system, that's not necessary at this point. Send me a PM if you have "like new" sensors you don't need, thanks.

BTW, my aftermarket wheels work with the sensors just fine.