new TPMS, techstream and Macs?

[Chrisleduc1]

I did some searching, but seem to get conflicting data.

I am adding a set of winter rims/tires/sensors.

I am not paying the dealer to program the new TMPS!

I am trying to clarify what I need for the '18 LX570 ??

I am thinking to just buy the OEM (denso?) TMPS online somewhere, rather than aftermarket.

Then I need the techstream software?

I am guessing I need to buy something to plug into the OBD?

I have had re=programmers in the past. For this vehicle, I am almost certainly not going to tweak anything else, so just the simplest unit is what I would want.

And I "think" I am OK with Mac OS ?

And if I understand it correctly, when I switch back to my summer tires, I will simply need to grab the OBD scanner and just re-program back to my old sensors?

Thanks guys.

 

[KLF]

I have the Techstream software and the special OBD cable, but my experience is that you can't change the sensor IDs registered in the vehicle this way, they are read-only. You can see the values that are registered, but not edit them. You must have a proper TPMS scanner to register the sensors. I just had to have my winter tires/rims registered today.

Somebody please correct me if this is incorrect. Not looking forward to paying for this service twice a year, but I also don't want to drop $150 on a scanner.

Pretty sure that Techstream only runs on Windows.

 

[Chrisleduc1]

If you Google “techstream TPMS” there are quite a few videos on YouTube that claim to show step by step how to enter the new IDs.

 

[M1911]

I think the best bet might be to get aftermarket TPMS sensors that can have the id set. Then have the tire shop clone the ids from your summer set to your winter set. When you swap tires, the ids will be the same so no programming needed.

Now I don't know if these aftermarket sensors are as good as the Toyota sensors, but if they are good enough this would eliminate the need for programming, so no need for you to buy techstream software.

 

[Chrisleduc1]

I “think” that whatever sensors are clone-able will not work for my vehicle...

 

[Sandroad]

And I "think" I am OK with Mac OS ?

Techstream does not run on Mac OS. If you want to use a Mac, you’ll have to use Windows emulation software.

 

[M1911]

I “think” that whatever sensors are clone-able will not work for my vehicle...

I looked at Schrader EZ Sensor which is programmable. I looked through the application catalog and found that they have sensors for the 2008-2015 LC, but nothing showing for 2016 plus. They show applications for the LX570 for 2008-2016. I suppose it is possible that it doesn’t work on the 2018, but I would try contacting them to check. Perhaps their applications catalog is out of date.

I think that Autel has a sensor that fits the 2018 LX570 and is programmable, but I’m not sure.

TPMS Application Catalog

I would definitely check with your tire shop to see if they can find a programmable TPMS sensor that fits. It would be easier than reprogramming your TPMS each time you swap tires.

 

[Chrisleduc1]

I’m kinda out in the boonies nowadays so I’d rather be able to update the vehicle myself, rather than rely on the one local shop to program the sensors initially, or if needed in the future.

So I’m gathering that I do not need an obd scanner - just the techstream, cable and a pc?

 

[M1911]

I don’t understand the objection. You are having a tire shop install the tires, correct? They will be installing the tire pressure sensors as well, correct? If they use programmable sensors, then they set the ids of the new sensors to match the ids on your other set of tires. You are now done. No other programming to be done. Nothing else to do when you swap over tires.

 

[Chrisleduc1]

I’m planing to have the Lexus dealer install and mount as I need a service there since it’s free. They are much better equipped at balancing a large 20in wheel than the small local tire shop. I seriously live in a time warp here.

Regarding cloning my existing sensors, my understanding is that they have to pull the tires off my current wheels in order to clone my current ones?

Additionally, everything I have found says that there are none that can be cloned.

Pre-2016 sensors do not work on my vehicle as I had some that did not work, when I sold my stock wheels and tires and tried to use the ones that came with the 2015 Lexus wheels.

Assuming I can even find sensors, by the time I pay the local shop them to pull the tires and then re-mount and balance them and clone the sensors I’ve already greatly exceeded the cost of techstream.

Then, if I have any problems in the future I am dependent upon them.

My goal is always to do whatever I can without paying someone else unnecessarily.

The YouTube videos make it look like installing new sensors via techstream is simple, like 5 minutes.

 

[chipsterguy]

Tire shop may be your best bet for programing sensors. My local discount tire does not charge me for this service, especially since they installed the wheels/tires. I have used OEM TPMS sensors.

If you want to play with Techstream, you will need to emulate windows (e.g., via Parallels) and can make this work just fine. But if you plan to play with TS a fair amount, you can always purchase a cheap windows notebook for a more dedicated set-up.

 

[40Man]

I swap winter tires for ATs and vice versa twice a year. I bought the "correct" techstream cable (that is supposed to write/program TPMS). I could not get it to work to write (it will read and let me know the sensor ids, etc.) However, I have found two options that will work:

1) Take the tires to Discount Tire. They will program the TPMS for free, even if you aren't a Discount customer (done it a few times).
2) Buy Carista OBD Device. You get some time free when you buy the sensor (30 days maybe, I don't recall...) A daily subscription is $10 (or you can apply to be a beta tester--just tell them you have a car they have listed in their beta program, even if you don't ). I have confirmed that through Carista, you can in fact change the TPMS settings in the car along with many other changes that techstream will allow me to change. However, you will need the ID off of every new pressure sensor (Carista will only read what is currently programmed, so if you are trying to add new sensors, you will need the IDs). If you go this route, get the current id numbers from your current tires and write it down/keep in a safe place. Then change the sensor IDs to the new numbers.

 

[Chrisleduc1]

Anyone with techstream willing to try this? Or have tried?



Discount Tire is not an option for me.

 

[UCrazyKid]

Yes, you can do this.
You need this cable and software (must be firmware 2.0.4 for 2018 vehicle) DIAGKING Toyota Techstream Diagnostic Cable Mini VCI J2534 OBD Scanner V2.0.4 for Toyota Lexus TIS Techstream (Updated Version) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BCL3DFR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hYKlCbNYAWAKB

Yes, you can run on a Mac. Down load a Virtual Machine software. I used VirtualBox (free). Install and then d/l Windows 10 64-bit from Microsoft (free, registration is not necessary if you do not customize settings). Then install Techstream that comes with the above cable. Add USB connection in VirtualBox for the cable.

Adding TPMS through Techstream is detailed in the Toyota document below.

https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/ins...er TRD Alloy Wheel PTR45-34070-34120 IssF.pdf

Good luck.

 

[40Man]

Yes, you can do this.
You need this cable and software (must be firmware 2.0.4 for 2018 vehicle) DIAGKING Toyota Techstream Diagnostic Cable Mini VCI J2534 OBD Scanner V2.0.4 for Toyota Lexus TIS Techstream (Updated Version) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BCL3DFR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hYKlCbNYAWAKB

Yes, you can run on a Mac. Down load a Virtual Machine software. I used VirtualBox (free). Install and then d/l Windows 10 64-bit from Microsoft (free, registration is not necessary if you do not customize settings). Then install Techstream that comes with the above cable. Add USB connection in VirtualBox for the cable.

Adding TPMS through Techstream is detailed in the Toyota document below.

https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/installation/40362D86F9D917D98825767800785BB2_Tundra_Sequoia_Land Cruiser TRD Alloy Wheel PTR45-34070-34120 IssF.pdf

Good luck.

I have the referenced cable (had an older version first and bought the 2.04 cable thinking it would work). Like a few others, I still have not been able to program the TPMS sensors with techstream. I have a computer running Windows XP 32 bit just for techstream. Most other features can be changed, but the TPMS would not change for me in my 2011. Won't work on my wife's 2012 4Runner either. Not sure why it seems to work for some but not others. I have verified that the 2.04 cable will in fact not work on my rig after multiple attempts, including trying on a 64 bit laptop as well.

I have verified that Carista does in fact work, and costs $20 on Amazon with a free month. Subsequent changes cost $10 (for a 24 hour pass).

 

[Chrisleduc1]

Bamma is the process in the video I posted any different than what you’ve tried?

 

[40Man]

Bamma is the process in the video I posted any different than what you’ve tried?

I've tried the exact same thing. I put the codes in quickly (within the 5 minutes) but get an error (been over a year since I tried so I don't recall what the error is). Others have reported the same issue I have had in a different thread.

Edit: Here is the error I get. I first tried with a 1.4.1. cable, which I was told would not work, so I paid a good amount more to upgrade to the 2.0.4 cable but still get the same error.

 

[grinchy]

I'll add noise to the mix. There are several parallel info streams here.
1) You can retrieve the sensor IDs from Techstream or from a TPMS computer (I use the Autel 408, which is about $125). You can do this with the tires on the wheels. You can do this with Techstream even in read-only mode / botched install.
2) You can use a TPMS computer to clone your existing ids onto a new set of five programmable sensors. This takes about 3 min per sensor. Autel programmable sensors are $30 each. Or $25 each on sale/in volume.
3) You can use Techstream to input new sensor IDs from aftermarket or OEM sensors. You need a good install (drivers, good cable, compatible OS host - I use a very old Win 7 on a 2008 netbook). It took me several tries to get Techstream installed correctly. After the install is correct, it switches from read-only to update mode, more settings are available, and you can do many things, most of which you'll never need or want to. The input ID process is linked above. It is awkward, I wouldn't even want to do it twice a year, better IMHO to get a TPMS computer and clone sensors, which is also probably cheaper if you have multiple wheel sets.

$ analysis:
TPMS computer $125
5 sensors $150
$275

Techstream
$30 for a cable +
Six hours fiddling with install (or more)
5 sensors $50 each $250 (OEM, aftermarket is $150)
$280
and 30 minutes a year programming (15 min x2)

I have had absolutely zero issues with the Autel sensors. They have better signal than the OEM ones (detected from farther away), and they are much less, so I can run more wheel sets.

And I can do it in my garage, without having to drive somewhere and be dependent on an third party.

I'm not sure however I would recommend going all in and getting dismounting, mounting, and balancing tools; that is another kind of nightmare, though it is a useful skill to have/understand. I guess.

 

[Chrisleduc1]

What year is yours Grinchy? I know that the OEM sensors from pre-16 do not work in mine. So I’m wondering about actual availability of sensors for mine.

 

[grinchy]

I have a 09 LX. Programmable sensors fit a very large array of makes and models and years. They also make slightly more expensive Programmable that have both frequency bands. The sensor angle is adjusted at install via a pivot and screw so they fit nearly any wheel.

A quick search on Autel site shows the 2016+ sensor as compatible with their standard product, the 315 mhz mx.

Sensors are really very simple to deal with.

I did break several oem while remounting tires manually, they didn't look damaged but they were reading incorrectly. So care should be taken. I attributes the install issues some have experienced at tire stores to this. Even with the breakage I am far ahead $ wise, I've mounted 13 tires bought 8 or 9 sensors. It's paid for all the TPMS stuff and the mounting tools.