I've already spent about an hour looking for a definitive answer and didn't find one - so here is the situation / question.

In November I traded in my 04 TL for an 08 TL-S. The OEM Type-S rims have the TPMS sensors and I swapped the OEM tires for dedicated snows - no problem.
I had bought the 04 Gunmetal 8.5" A-Spec rims way back when. This past weekend I swapped my snow shoes for my summer sneakers and as expected I am getting the TPMS system error because I do not have any TPMS sensors on the A-Specs. I bought a second set of OEM sensors and stopped by my local mechanic shop to talk about getting them installed. Now I know the shop owner for years and he has always been fair and talken care of me. So as we are talking he tells me that the Honda/Acura and Toyota/Lexus TPMS systems "are a pain in the ass." Now I'm thinking these are plug and play, but he says no - while they may simply work, there may be the need to flash the ecu so the sensors synch with the receiver.
Again he has always been fair and never tried to upsell me on fixes or repairs I didn't need.
So can anyone give me a solid answer (plug and play or not) and/or give me your personal experience with a second set of rims/sensors?

 

No need to flash ECU to sync TPMS sensors. Not for the TL atleast.

Just make sure the sensors are for your car. It usually takes 15-20 minutes to sync TPMS sensors.

 

Thanks - Good to hear. I am scheduled to have these installed on Tuesday.

 

That's the thing I like about the TL or Honda/Acura. Get the correct TPMS sensors and install them. Then drive around for 15-20 minutes until they sync.

I believe most Lexus models require reprogramming ECU to sync new TPMS sensors.

Did you get new or used sensors?

 

OP, I had the same problem as you. I was swapping back and forth my wheels. So at first I thought my OEM TPMS were broken, because it was not registering to my car and I got that error message that you have been getting. So I bought a second brand new set hoping they will work and hoping it was a "plug n play," but still had the same problem. So I did a little bit of research, and found out that there is a tool to reset the TPMS. I called the dealer to see if I can get them to reset my TPMS, but they were going to charge me 150$ just for a reset. Luckily, one of my buddy's dad is a mechanic and he happen to have the device to reset my TPMS. I drove my car to his shop and he fixed the problem in literally a minute. All he did was plug the device in to my car and that was it. I suggest you call your dealer first to see if they can reset your TPMS since your car is still under warranty, maybe your dealership is a lot cooler then mine. Or call around your local honda specialist shops to see if they have the tool to reset your TPMS. Local shops were going to charge me $40-80 to reset.

 

I bought them used off eBay.

 

I don't see how the dealership would cover this under warranty when the A-Specs didn't come with TPMS and these are from 04?? I suppose I could ask, but I figured my local shop would be significantly cheaper. Again this is when I was thinking plug and play. Now I'm not sure.

 

^ and I also forgot to mentioned...I waited for about a week hoping the new set of TPMS will register to my car. So after a few days or so, if you still see that message, start looking around to see who has that device to reset your TPMS

 

I'll keep that in mind. Funny thing was that I drove for a day and a half, and the TPMS system was registering the pressure at 58 at all four corners. Then I got the system failure error. I get this everytime I start the car now.

 

Yup...same exact thing that happened to me.

 

Pretty sure my shop will get me set up right. I was just hoping to keep the cost down by not having to pay for extra labor while they are synching / flashing ECUs / reseting TPMS, etc.

 

I installed mines and drove around for a bit then they all synced up. So, I assumed it should be the same for all 3G TL sensors, but I was wrong.

I pretty much just mounted them and left them alone. Didn't do anything special. No ECU reset and No ECU flash.

 

I think "it depends." On what I'm not sure. I just found this -

http://acuratpms.com/quickset.aspx

 

Nice kit, but Acura TL is not listed in the manual. Only Acura CSX.

But, there are some Honda models.

 

***Update***

TPMS sensors were installed today and no flashing of ECU required . $74 and I'm all set.

 

Don't mean to revive a dead thread, but I figured it would be a better alternative to starting a new one. Does anyone know if the stock Lexus 350 F Sport TPMS sensors will work with my base 2008 Acura TL?