TPMS

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What is a TPMS?

TPMS stands for “Tyre Pressure Monitoring System” and this is a special type of electronic tyre valve designed to monitor the tyre air pressure inside all 4 of your pneumatic tyres on your vehicle. The real-time tyre pressure data collected by the TPMS monitor equipment is then wirelessly sent to the vehicle display to report to the driver that the tyres are properly inflated and to alert when the tyre pressures are too low or too high. Garages can also connect to the TPMS sensor on customers vehicles to check tyre pressures before or after replacing or inflating tyres, often used after tyre replacement, balancing or prior to doing vehicle wheel alignment.

Did you know:

• America was the first country to introduce TPMS. It wasn't until 10 years later Europe followed suit!
• 75% of tyre blowouts are due to underinflation, an issue that TPMS can address.

What the Law says about TPMS:

Since November 2012, all-new type class M1 passenger vehicles (under 3.5 tonnes and up to 8 seats) must be fitted with TPMS as standard. From November 2014, all new passenger vehicles must be, by law, factory fitted with TPMS. Cars registered after January 2012 must have TPMS functioning to pass MOT’s. So, how many vehicles do you service or work on that legally require TPMS?

What are the Types of TPMS?

There are two main types of TPMS system to be aware of:

Indirect TPMS Systems:	Direct TPMS System
Indirect TPMS systems use the ABS sensors on the vehicle. Tyre pressure isn’t directly measured but is calculated by assessing the rotational speeds of each tyre.	Here the sensor is fitted in each wheel/attached to the bottom of the valves. The vehicle ECU will then get data directly from each individual sensor. In Europe, the transmission frequency is 433 MHz while in the US it is 315 MHz.
Pros: The technology is already installed Indirect TPMS doesn’t require servicing Won’t be damaged when removing tyres	Pros: Direct TPMS systems are fast reacting Very accurate Will detect a puncture, even after parking Detects a slow leak Able to specify locations of pressure issues
Cons: This type of TPMS is not known to be very accurate. It can be slow to react. Indirect TPMS doesn’t notify if all 4 tyres are underinflated Puncture after parking cannot be identified	Cons: Requires maintenance (servicing or a new sensor required after every tyre removal) Requires specialist tools & equipment TPMS sensors can be damaged when removing a tyre (if not careful)

TPMS Relearn Procedure

This is the final procedure when either:

• Replacing pressure sensors.
• When the position of the wheels has changed.

REMEMBER, it is the car’s ECU that re-learns, not the sensor. The types of TPMS re-learn are:

• Trigger-relearn
• Auto-manual relearn
• Auto-self relearn

Offering TPMS Servicing

Why should we service the TPMS system?

• It will maintain an airtight seal
• TPMS servicing prevents valve failure due to corrosion
• Servicing will prolong the life of the sensor

When servicing TPMS you need to make sure:

• the rubber TPMS valve is completely replaced.
• that the metal TPMS valve is slightly different as you need to replace the serviceable parts.
• and always begin threading a screw or nut by hand to avoid cross threading and then continue

Order TPMS Now on 01527 883 580