Not sure if anyone will know this, but I'll ask anyway.
For some silly reason Subaru Canada has decided that Canadian models don't get TPMS. I find this very irksome. I'm assuming that I'm missing some kind of wheel sensor (x4) and a central receiver or interface box.
I'm wondering if I order these parts through a US dealer if it's just a matter of installing them or would I need a software upgrade of some sort?
Sure you can, but it won't integrate into the car's systems, since the feature is probably disabled in the software.
You can buy all sorts of kits like these, with internal sensors or external. with a display and even with a phone app. I don't know how reliable they are, but the option exist.
I did stumble on stand-alone after-market systems during my search here in the U.S. for a do-it-myself TPMS programming tool. Programming my purchased wheel sensors to my factory ECU (can Canada model ECU work here?) with a $120 US tool used the OBD-II port near the driver's left knee, and your PC computer. The tool's software could not yet handle the 2017 Impreza.
Also, consider the following below.
Short version - neither cheap to purchase nor maintain over time; a factory system like US models would need re-programed repeatedly and who in Canada would handle that? While shopping for an after-market stand-alone unit make sure you can program/re-program it yourself easily or even turn the darned thing off if you need the cash to pay the utility bills. Living in the frozen north you might consider sensors for the second set of wheels with the snow tires here also.
Longer Story here - Just because the US has it you might not want to get too envious. Would you be missing a Donald and a Hillary? If you want to be irked - how about this aspect of Subaru (and some other BIG name car manufacturers) and their particular U.S. versions of TPMS.
Bought 4 snow tires on wheels for a 2017 Impreza. Wheel sensors alone (installed) were a total of $380 US from Tirerack - no choice given - mandatory. If I ruin a tire and maybe need a tow would it cost me $380? I'm sure someone can get sensors cheaper but is there a downside there too? Then I have to pay someone - likely my dealer - to program my factory ECU to the codes of the new wheel sensors. If you rotate the tires and your car's system is trying to id the particular wheel corner location (US Impreza Limited models apparently) then your faced with the dealer re-program again if you want that info to be accurate. Mount snow tires on seperate wheels and re-program again when the cold wind blows. Say 2 or 4 times a year at ???? per.
Expected life of the direct-read battery powered sensors is 5 to 7 years - it's on the internet so it must be true. I have my finger crossed on my 8 wheels used on another 2012 car. Lets see, maybe $380 again x 2 for sensors inside the two wheel sets, plus re-mount tires and re-balance and reprogram the ECU at a dealer. I think I just saw $1000-plus dollars leave my wallet. Now you know why more than a few folks just use black electrical tape to cover that mandatory warning light. Even saw a video of how to make a pressurized can and toss the sensors inside to avoid all this and turn off the dash warning light - no chintzey black tape required. Was this the silly reason Canadian cars are not required to have the system?
Hey - Subaru Canada - make the TPMS optional and the warning light owner switchable on/off!
There are safety considerations and advantages here and I do understand. You and your family members should be kept safe. I'm sure the US lawmakers had good intentions, but I bet you can sense my near rant coming. Here we go!
A TPMS warning light will not inform you any quicker of the problem if you have a blowout while driving - it may have helped prevent a blowout by warning you of a significantly and dangerously under pressure tire. I have known/seen/met people tooling along with obviously nearly flat tires. Seems like the seat belts are off and the kids are loose in the back seat. The dog has half of his body out the window while standing on the driver's lap. Did I mention texting at the same time and a sub-woofer that must be turning their internal organs to jelly? Would these same folk bother with investigating a warning light?
A Mark I eye-ball check with a decent tire gauge test can substitute. You should do it regularly anyway - just because. Maybe the bulb broke? Do it while you check your washer fluid so you can see after the slush gets thrown over your windshield. Or when you check your oil and battery and coolant so you don't freeze in a snowbank after an engine failure - oops, don't tell my US congressman or he will make that some law too. Sometimes the make-it-mandatory big-brother laws can REALLY BUG ME!
Whew! I feel a bit better - maybe less coffee in the morning. Good luck with your project.
Yeah, be careful what you wish for.... It just adds cost and is one more thing to break. Like pprknight says, You'd have to buy the sensors for winter tires too.
After reading that novel of a post (seriously though, thanks for taking the time to lay it all out), I think I'm happy without TPMS. It sounds like more trouble/cost than it's worth. Don't get me wrong, I love car gadgets but that's one I can live without!
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