Rant for the day

[chazmo]

I have a 2020 Subaru WRX, which is a really sporty car that's got the Subie heritage of being an AWD sedan. I bought snow tires and aftermarket wheels equipped with TPMS (tire pressure) sensors which I used through the winter. Thing's a mountain goat. When I first got the snowies I had to bring the car to the dealer to program the WRX to recognize the new sensors. OK, that's understandable.

But, when I put the stockers back on, the dealer had to reprogram the car again. Talking to the tech, he says this is required any time I swap them.

So, here's my rant... Not only do I have to pay big $$ to get the TPMS sensors for my extra wheel set, but now I have to pay $40 every time I swap the wheels. WTF?? How can Subaru sell a sporty car without supporting multiple wheel sets? And, really, are they trying to discourage the use of TPMS, which is a safety device in my opinion, analogous to seat belts.

Does anyone else have this problem with other brands? Would I be wrong to write to Subaru and complain?

 

[bluesypicky]

Yep. That's a major pain, and a trend amongst manufacturers to add shop traffic / revenue.
I actually bought the tool for the vette (relatively cheap) that lets me reprogram sensors on each wheel.
On the same range of rant, when I installed my aftermarket towing hitch on the Grand Cherokee, I was getting pissed because no matter how many times I went through the wiring, I couldn't get the lights to work on the trailer.... guess what?..... yep again. Gotta bring the car to the shop so "big brother" can recognize that your vehicle is equipped with tow package, and flash the ECM to make the damn trailer lights work .
What a drag.

 

[chazmo]

Gotcha', bluesy... So, you can do the reprogram yourself on the Vette? Is that an OBD tool that you have? And, jeez, that's crazy about the Jeep... who doesn't have a tow hitch on one of those???

 

[fronobulax]

The TPMS in a 2015 Honda said there was a problem. Filled the tires and checked with a gauge. Still indicated a problem. Read the user's manual and there actually was a self calibration procedure. Did it and no problem. Makes me wonder whether your visit to the dealer was really necessary? Not something I expect to find out since it has been decades since I needed snow tires, or more to the point, owning them was cost effective.

 

[GAD]

I have an Audi, so everything is expensive. I have a problem with my stereo which is also part of the nav/climate/ride/everything computer. $400 for a software upgrade. I have no problem paying more for service on a luxury sedan, but $400 for them to cram a DVD (that they already have) and push “update” is insulting.

Back to the TPMS, they link to the computer so the computer has to pair with them. That’s just not a common thing for the average consumer to need which is why it’s not just on the menu like pairing a phone would be.

 

[chazmo]

The TPMS in a 2015 Honda said there was a problem. Filled the tires and checked with a gauge. Still indicated a problem. Read the user's manual and there actually was a self calibration procedure. Did it and no problem. Makes me wonder whether your visit to the dealer was really necessary? Not something I expect to find out since it has been decades since I needed snow tires, or more to the point, owning them was cost effective.

... checking my owner's manual now...

 

[GAD]

Oh, and try changing the headlights in a modern car. The manual pretty much says “don’t”.

 

[GGJaguar]

My Tribeca went about 10 years before each of the TPMS batteries died. They are not replaceable and new sensors would be needed ($$$). So, I decided I'd just checked the tire pressure once a month like in the olden days.

 

[chazmo]

I have an Audi, so everything is expensive. I have a problem with my stereo which is also part of the nav/climate/ride/everything computer. $400 for a software upgrade. I have no problem paying more for service on a luxury sedan, but $400 for them to cram a DVD (that they already have) and push “update” is insulting.

Back to the TPMS, they link to the computer so the computer has to pair with them. That’s just not a common thing for the average consumer to need which is why it’s not just on the menu like pairing a phone would be.

Yeah, GAD, that's pretty damn steep.

That's right about the "pair"ing thing. My real gripe here isn't that I had to go once to get them to program the new wheels, it's that the computer doesn't remember more than one set. I mean, c'mon.

 

[bluesypicky]

Gotcha', bluesy... So, you can do the reprogram yourself on the Vette? Is that an OBD tool that you have?

This is the tool in question.
Put the car in "learn mode" then go around the car clockwise starting at the driver side front pointing the little black antenna towards the sensor and press the white button.
The horn will honk once on the first 3 wheels and twice on the last one indicating the sequence has been successfully completed.

 

[chazmo]

My Tribeca went about 10 years before each of the TPMS batteries died. They are not replaceable and new sensors would be needed ($$$). So, I decided I'd just checked the tire pressure once a month like in the olden days.

So, this is definitely a tangential part of my rant... TPMS is a safety device. The cost is too high to buy and replace sensors, yes, so IMHO the vendors should be subsidizing this, not essentially discouraging their use.

 

[chazmo]

This is the tool in question.
Put the car in "learn mode" then go around the car clockwise starting at the driver side front pointing the little black antenna towards the sensor and press the white button.
The horn will honk once on the first 3 wheels and twice on the last one indicating the sequence has been successfully completed.

Oh, this is awesome, Bluesy. I wonder if some analogous process exists for my Subaru.

 

[bluesypicky]

Oh, and try changing the headlights in a modern car. The manual pretty much says “don’t”.

Ah ah ah..... reminds me of when I decided to replace the headlight lenses on the vette as the old ones were dull and beyond buffing repair.
Had to remove the front fenders to get them lose!!! (I'll save you the oven heating procedure story to loosen the glue on the old lenses)
But the end result was amazing and made the whole thing well worth it. The car looked new again.

 

[chazmo]

Oh, this is awesome, Bluesy. I wonder if some analogous process exists for my Subaru.

Sadly, none. I scoured the owner's manual and no joy. Everywhere you might expect to talk about fixing the TPMS, it just says you gotta' go to Subaru. No "learn mode" or anything like that. Looks like only a Subie dealer is provided with the technology to recognize the sensors. Kudos to General Motors for enabling this at least for Corvette owners.

I think I am going to make a complaint to Subaru after all.

 

[spoox]

You think y'all have problems? Lately, whenever I call my local Studebaker Service Center the phone just rings and rings--they never answer!
I think my warranty has expired, too...

 

[FNG]

Did you buy the tires at a store? If so they should be able to reset the TPMS.

Google some Subaru forums, a quick check found some threads and info.

How to deal with TPMS on second set of tires - NASIOC

How to deal with TPMS on second set of tires Newbies & FAQs

forums.nasioc.com

 

[5thumbs]

You think y'all have problems? Lately, whenever I call my local Studebaker Service Center the phone just rings and rings--they never answer!
I think my warranty has expired, too...

Have you tried their website?

 

[bluesypicky]

Can't find a relearn tool for Subaru....
When I tell you the GM relearn tool was cheap:

Amazon.com: VXDAS GL50448 TPMS Relearn Tool Compatible with GM Chevy Tire Pressure Sensor Reset Activation Tool OEC-T5 for GM/Buick/Chevrolet/Cadillac/Nissan/Series Vehicles 2021 Edition: Automotive

Buy VXDAS GL50448 TPMS Relearn Tool Compatible with GM Chevy Tire Pressure Sensor Reset Activation Tool OEC-T5 for GM/Buick/Chevrolet/Cadillac/Nissan/Series Vehicles 2021 Edition: Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[spoox]

Have you tried their website?

Nah, but I drove by--see? Nobody's there!

 

[matsickma]

I covered the TPMS warning light with black electrical tape on my 2005 Grand Cherokee dash and moved on.
M