I just came back from Toyota with the same problem!
There are two different types of TPMS systems on Highlanders. One using battery powered sensors in the wheels, and one using ABS monitoring.
Some models actually use both systems as well.
For the record, a 2005 should only have the ABS monitoring TPMS system, not sensors.
If you have a reset button under your steering column, you have the ABS monitoring system.
If your valve stems are metal, you also have the sensor based system.
If your valve stems are rubber, you do not have the sensor system, and as such the spare is not monitored.
A sensor fault (dead battery, erroneous reading, etc) on the sensor system will result in a FLASHING TPMS light, not just lit.
A lit TPMS light on either system indicates a low pressure problem.
-
The absolute biggest issue I have seen with the reset button system causing recurring lights is improper reset technique.
When you reset your tire pressure, you need to run the reset button TWO times times to clear the system and not cause a recurrence in the next day or so.
The reason is this:
When your light comes on, indicating a low tire, you go fill all your tires up.
Then you push the reset button, making the light go out......this tells the system "Tires are aired up to whatever the old pressure was, turn the light out!." If they are not aired up exactly as whatever value they were set to XX days/months/however long ago when it was reset right, you have a problem!
Now you should push the button a SECOND time, the light will come on, flash several times then go out... This tells the system "OK, from now on, THIS is the correct pressure to look for, not the old pressure!"
It will now use that value as the correct "pressure" (ABS rolling diameter) to verify tire pressure condition.
×