TPMS tool / experts here? | The Garage Journal

I have a TPMS tool and it can only program their brand sensor, this is common and that's ok. It works great that way.

I was just wondering since the tool can plug into the ODB2 and trigger relearn. If I know my car takes 315 mhz and I see a set from Ebay, can I just install them trigger relearn? (if the car supports ODB2 relearn or whatever strange procedure, the tool displays written instruction for each car)

I wouldn't think just a sensor 315 Mhz is enough to let the car know the sensor is for that car? Isn't there an identifier for the car's brand as well?

Ebay ones does not seem completely generic, they list a car brand / model so it should work?

The "programmable" sensor for my tool is around $90 for 4, and the Ebay ones are $35.
For example I search ebay for AA, they have a sensor of 4 for cheap, works on alot of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mitsubishi. etc. It looks very similar to my factory one, the factory one was continental. I'm pretty sure it just needs to be the correct frequency. There is a procedure for manually entering the ID of the sensor via a scantool, but I never needed to do that.

The TPMS tool I had (Autel) would ping any sensor for relearn. Most sensors can also be triggered by lowering the air pressure.

I'm sure someone will come along with more TPMS experience than me soon.... Activating a sensor and programming/learning it to the car are two different things.

Most sensors, even OEM, are not activated out of the box because the part numbers may work for many applications (even a OEM sensor is not made by Ford, its a Shrader or Dill) The Autel and other branded sensors are also not activated because there is one part # for basically almost all cars (315 and 433)

In either case, activating is what tells it to send out at the correct frequency and gives it the correct ID numbers that the car is expecting.

Activating most sensors is brand dependent. Autel only activates Autel, etc.


Programming them to the car is the second step (for cars that don't learn automatically). This reads the ID number the sensors are broadcasting and puts it in the cars computer (or whatever oddball steps the car requires to learn)

All of the tools will learn any brand sensor to pretty much any car.

So, to answer your original question: If the eBay sensors are pre activated to your car, your tool will work to learn them to the car. eBay would obviously be a little more buyer beware, but most other places selling sensors (TIre Rack, etc) are activating them before shipping.

*I mostly have experience with Autel and Smart Sensors/31inc. I see my vendors sell Dill and Shrader that are labeled "Redi Sensors" and am not sure they are pre activated or what.

HTH,

DaveW

I have replaced sensors in my Volvo and added a set to my F150 for snow tires on rims and did not have to do any programming.

For the F150, did you have to put the vehicle in learning mode and use the trigger tool (garage door opener looking thing)? For Fords, most of the ones that DON'T show individual pressures require this (unless the new sensors are cloned from the existing ones) . The ones that show pressures pick them up automatically.

My point for the OP and others reading - almost literally every car model has a different procedure. It is not usually even consistent across a manufacturer. E.g A Escape might have a different learning procedure from a F150.

One can see the procedure needed for their car here https://tpmsnetwork.com/vehicle/-ford-f-150-/

@PoorOwner what brand tool do you have? I might be able to help you get sensors

DaveW

For the F150, did you have to put the vehicle in learning mode and use the trigger tool

Nope! There is a procedure that is used to acclimate the sensors to the vehicle but I couldn't get it to work correctly
so I just gave up and no TPMS light.
Swap out tires summer to winter no problem install and go!

Volvo, same thing. new TPMS sensors and drive .
And Oh! by the way if one is bad replace them all they are due to fail all because of failed internal batteries I misread your post, $90 for 4 sensors is a good deal. All of my sources are between $20-$27 each for various brands. Launch is a pretty big brand in automotive, I don't think they are going anywhere.

FWIW, I clone whenever possible to avoid relearns myself. I also don't mix the wheels up (location wise) when I do tires for customers, no reason to add a bunch of failure points to the interaction when not needed.

DaveW

I will buy known brands of sensors Denso , Motorcraft ,( FOMOCO)
and always buy new. never Ebay used

Just FYI (not arguing), the Motorcraft and other "OEM" are usually Shrader, VDO, Dill or Huf.

I'd never try and replace with used or even cheap new versions.

Autel will only work with Autel programmers.

VDO and Shrader are the best IMO. You only need worry about which stems you bave to match up. Black or Silver

TPMS Misinformation is my pet peeve because so many shops in my industry use it to screw customers which ticks me off, so just to clarify what I think we are agreeing on: Almost all brands need their own brand tool to activate new sensors. All tools will read all sensors and program most/all cars (that need it)



DaveW

By the way DaveW, do you know if you can just break the bead and replace the TPMS sensor?

I have not tried it but I think the bead breaker can push it below the TPMS sensor, at least it seems this way for tire profile bigger than 50

When I first bought my autel tpms tool I broke the bead and pushed it down far enough to replace the sensor. I did this for a few tires and then decided it was time to buy a tire machine. So yes it will work but it can be difficult, two people really help.

Just FYI (not arguing), the Motorcraft and other "OEM" are usually Shrader, VDO, Dill or Huf.



TPMS Misinformation is my pet peeve because so many shops in my industry use it to screw customers which ticks me off, so just to clarify what I think we are agreeing on: Almost all brands need their own brand tool to activate new sensors. All tools will read all sensors and program most/all cars (that need it)



DaveW

My TPMS (the shop's) tool does every tpms ....at least all I've come across...with the exception of Autel.
Autel does NOT sell any software to anyone else as far as I know.

And you're also correct...i thought I had mentioned but VDO and Shrader are OEM suppliers.

IMO the VDO's redi-sensor seem to be the easiest to setup.

Shrader EZ-Sensor isn't difficult but they need to get a wake-up call, then get a homing address, then programmed to the specific vehicle.

VDO's pretty much install, wake them up with a tool and that's aboit it

Shrader

By the way DaveW, do you know if you can just break the bead and replace the TPMS sensor?

I have not tried it but I think the bead breaker can push it below the TPMS sensor, at least it seems this way for tire profile bigger than 50

It depends on on the tire and wheel combo. Some you can, some not so much. And then the tech needs to not drop the old sensor or stem parts down inside the tire, ask me how I know (I am the tech)

Some of them are pretty different sizes (with older ones seeming to be larger, newer smaller) so depending on how anal you want to be, you might want to check balance anyway.

My TPMS (the shop's) tool does every tpms ....at least all I've come across...with the exception of Autel.
Autel does NOT sell any software to anyone else as far as I know.

That would be cool to have a tool that activated all(most) brands, but I probably don't do enough TPMS work to justify it. And the new Autel tablet based one works pretty well for me.


DaveW

Slightly off topic, but what is a good (reasonably priced) TPMS tool for the DIYer? Specifically I have a Honda Odyssey I need to get working.

I listed my budget TPMS tool in post #6. The price is comparable to paying a shop for 1 time swapping out all 4-5 sensors. It depends what you are trying to do now and how many cars in the future.

You preferably still need a tire machine to change the sensor.

Q: When should tire pressure be checked?

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A: Most TPMSs are calibrated to a vehicle’s cold tire pressure, but check the owner’s manual for the correct procedure. Volvo, for instance, recommends a vehicle be parked for at least three hours before filling the tires with air to the cold tire pressure specs in the owner’s manual. If filling a warm tire, Volvo recommends going ­2-4 psi above the recommended cold tire pressure. This should switch off the low tire-pressure warning light if it is illuminated.

Q: How does ambient temperature influence tire pressures?

A: Ambient temperature affects tire pressure, and in the new world of TPMS where the vehicle is constantly monitoring tire pressure, these sometimes subtle changes in pressure could trigger the TPMS. For each 10° F of ambient temperature, tire pressures will change about 2%, or about 1 psi. So, as the seasons change, and as 70º F dips to 20º F in some parts of the country, that could mean a difference of 5 psi and a TPMS warning light. Also, you need to account for the temperature of the tire itself. As a vehicle is driven, its tires heat up, causing the air inside the tires to expand. In a TSB concerning TPMS warnings tied to cold ambient temperatures, Hyundai recommended that customers check and adjust tire pressure once a month.

Q: What is the best investment a consumer and/or shop can make for servicing TPMSs?

A: Buy yourself or the shop a quality tire pressure gauge. A quality tire pressure gauge should have a tolerance of ±1%. Anything beyond 2% can cause you to set tire pressures too low or too high. Also, treat a tire gauge like an expensive torque wrench. Dropping a gauge from only 4 feet can change the readings — this goes for both digital and analog gauges.

Q: What signals from inside the shop can interfere with TPMS signals?

A: Direct TPMS uses radio signal technology and is prone to interference. The majority of TPMS sensors are activated with a low frequency (LF) signal (125 KHz). This LF signal varies from vehicle to vehicle (some require more power than others), and forces the sensor to transmit. The TPMS sensors then transmit information and communicate via a UHF signal (314.9-433.92 MHz). So, anything transmitting in this range, or anything that would block a radio signal, such as metal, could cause moments of interference. But interference isn’t too common overall, and requires the interfering source to be within close range and remain constant for a period of time.

Q: Will tightening the nut on a sensor fix a leak?

A: A leak will not be eliminated by tightening the nut more. The sealing grommets are engineered to work at a specific torque. Any torque above the specified value will cause the seal to leak, and extra force may damage the nut and stem or fracture the sensor body.

Q: What can be reused from a TPMS sensor?

A: Never reuse the nut, grommets or valve stem. TPMS nuts are designed in anodized aluminum to eliminate the contact of two dissimilar metals that would create galvanic corrosion and material deterioration. The nut has a bonded lubricant to help provide the proper torque required for seating a new grommet. If a nut is reused, the anodized surface may be scratched away and corrosion may occur between the sensor, wheel and stem. The nut may then be impossible to torque to the correct specifications or remove due to corrosion on the threads. Grommets conform to the mating surface of the rim. The instant the nut is torqued, it starts to take on the shape of the surfaces it is sealing against. This memory cannot be erased. If the seal is reused, it could cause a slow leak.

Q: Are TPMS sensors able to report on the status of their battery life?

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A: This depends on the TPMS sensor. There are some models that can send a signal to indicate reduced battery voltage if it dips below a specified limit, but not all sensors send such a signal, and this information is often inconsistent. For instance, cold temperatures can cause a temporary voltage reduction that corrects itself once the tires warm up. The only proven way to know how much battery life remains is to fully use the sensor to depletion.

But a report on a sensor’s battery life might not be necessary after all, since these batteries have shown to have a fairly long shelf life. Road hazards and environmental decay are much bigger factors in sensor life than battery depletion, which underscores the need for proper service of TPMS sensors. Be sure to replace the wear items — the valve core, assembling nut, seal and dust cap — when necessary.

Q: Can the Tire Type and/or Placard Value be changed if aftermarket tires or wheels are installed?

A: The Tire Type (P Metric, LT Load Range C/D/E) and the Placard Value (Front Placard and Rear Placard, individually) are stored in the receiver as calibrations and can be revised on some vehicles through flash reprograming. Since the under-inflation threshold is calculated as a percentage of the placard, correcting the placard values when different tires are installed will bring the vehicle back into compliance.

Q: Can Tire Pressure Monitoring be turned off?

A: No. Tire Pressure Monitoring is now a mandated safety system in the United States and cannot knowingly be disabled by either an OEM or an aftermarket service provider (49 USC ).

Q: Will a tire pressure sensor fit in every wheel?

A: Stock wheels are designed to accommodate tire pressure sensors. Many aftermarket wheels also accommodate tire pressure sensors, but not all do. In some, the valve stem hole is placed in such a way (pointing straight into the middle of the wheel on some off-road wheels) that the motion-detection components inside the sensor will not work correctly.

Q: Why are dashes (” – – “), or a pressure value of 148 psi ( kPa), sometimes displayed after a battery disconnect?

A: These displays come up after a battery disconnect/reconnect because the system is waiting for updated pressure information to be sent from the tire pressure sensors. As each sensor transmits its information, the display is updated appropriately. Note that when dashes or 148 psi ( kPa) are displayed after a battery disconnect/reconnect, the System Malfunction warning is NOT displayed because the system is still working properly and simply waiting for updated information from the sensors. Driving the vehicle above 20 mph (32 km/h) for 2 minutes gets the sensors talking, and restores the correct pressure values to the display. It is also possible to restore the values by using a TPMS tool by using the “Activate” function at each tire to activate the sensor (it is NOT necessary to put the system into Learn mode, in this particular case).

Q: Do some TPMS relearn procedures require a tool that can connect to the OBD-II port?

A: On some applications, the TPMS relearn tool can be connected to the vehicle’s OBD-II diagnostic connector to read and clear codes, display system data and perform sensor ID programming. On many Asian and European applications, each individual tire pressure sensor has a unique ID code. Vehicles that currently require this kind of reprogramming include most Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota models. If one or more sensors have been replaced, the new ID information has to be inputted directly into the system. So, if you don’t have a TPMS tool that can do this, your only alternative is to send your customer back to the new-car dealer to have the ID reprogramming done.

For more information, please visit TPMS Relearn Tool.