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HOW MANY TYPES OF TPMS RELEARNS ARE THERE AND WHAT ARE THEY?

There are three basic TPMS sensor relearn methods.

Auto Relearn

Driving the vehicle is required to relearn new sensor IDs, but the vehicle manufacturer may require additional reset steps be taken prior to driving the vehicle. Autel’s TPMS tools display manufacturer-specific Relearn instructions for every TPMS-equipped vehicle. Auto Relearn is frequently used on Chrysler, Fiat, VW, Porsche, Bentley, Benz, BMW, Audi, Land Rover and Jaguar vehicles.

OBD Relearn

An OBD Relearn requires the use of a TPMS tool to write sensor IDs directly to the vehicle’s ECU. This procedure is frequently used on Japanese- and Korean-made vehicles, and Chrysler, Fiat, Land Rover and Jaguar vehicles.

Stationary Relearn

New sensor IDs are relearned to the vehicle without the need to write the IDs to the vehicle’s ECU or without the need to drive it. Stationary Relearn should be done with the vehicle in Park. This procedure is more frequently used on GM, Ford, some Chinese- and Japanese-made vehicles such as Nissan.

To access the Stationary Relearn mode, you need to:

1. Use the Autel TPMS tool’s OBD function to enable the Training or Relearn mode (this function is supported by the TS508 and TS608); and/or

2.Operate the necessary onboard keys as detailed in the Relearn Procedure instructions displayed on your Autel tool.

Next, activate all tire pressure sensors to complete the stationary relearn. Generally, the activation sequence is clockwise, starting from front left wheel and ending with rear left wheel.

WHAT IS ACTIVATION? HOW TO ACTIVATE A TPMS SENSOR?

Activating a sensor forces it to transmit tire pressure and temperature and sensor ID and battery status to the vehicle. Autel’s TPMS tools can activate sensors and display tire and sensor information.

OEM sensors can be activated by

1. An Autel TPMS tool; or often with

2. Rapid inflation/deflation of the tire (5 PSI or 20 kPa in 10 seconds)

3. OEM sensors on 2003 and older vehicles, may be activated when a magnet is placed over the sensor valve stem.

All Autel MX-Sensors support these methods of activation.

ARE AUTEL’S TPMS TOOLS COMPATIBLE WITH ALL DIRECT TPMS SENSOR FREQUENCIES? ARE MX-SENSORS AVAILABLE IN 433/315 MHZ?

All Autel’s TPMS tools can activate and read information from all current TPMS sensor frequencies: 315MHz, 433MHz and 434MHz TPMS sensors. If the sensor on the vehicle is labeled as 434 MHz, select the 433MHz listing on the TPMS tool.

Autel’s 1-Sensor can be programmed to replace 433MHz, 434MHz or 315MHz sensors. Previous MX-Sensors were available in either 315MHz or 433MHz.

WHY DOES MY WORKSHOP NEED A TPMS TOOL?

Simply put, if your shop doesn’t do TPMS servicing, you are missing out on a significant revenue stream. Since 2007 all passenger vehicles in the United States have been required to have TPMS systems. Some higher-end vehicles adopted TPMS much earlier, Porsche, for example, in 1986. Most of these systems use battery-powered sensors and those original sensors batteries have an average life of seven years and cannot be replaced. As these sensors die and trip the TPMS light on dashes of vehicles throughout the country, customers will be bringing their vehicles into their local repair shops to have these sensors replaced.

TPMS tools can be used to:

  • Check if sensors are still functioning by attempting to activate them, read a tire’s air pressure and temperature and display the sensor’s battery life and ID.
  • Display manufacturer-specific Relearns for all TPMS-enabled vehicles.
  • TPMS tools with OBDII-connection capability can perform sensor IDs/position Relearns. Nearly 30% of the vehicles on the road today, require such a tool for relearning TPMS sensor IDs to the TPMS module.
  • Autel’s TS508 and TS608 can not only perform OBDII relearns but also can diagnose the tire pressure monitoring systems to determine faults and prompts the user what the next step is towards repair.
  • All of Autel’s TPMS tools can program MX-Sensors to replace existing sensors on 98 percent of domestic, Asian and European TPMS-equipped vehicles.
WHAT TYPES OF TPMS SENSORS CAN BE REPLACED BY AUTEL SENSORS?

Autel MX-Sensors can replace direct TPMS sensors fitted on wheels, including original equipment (OE) and programmable universal sensors. Our MX-Sensors can be programmed to replaced 98 percent of the sensors on vehicles today.

WHAT TYPES OF VEHICLES CAN AUTEL SENSORS BE USED ON?

Autel sensors are designed to be used on passenger vehicles, pickups and light commercial vehicles. At this time, MX-Sensors are not compatible with heavy-duty trucks.

WHAT DOES THE TPMS DASHBOARD LIGHT/WARNING INDICATE?

A TPMS warning light might display if:

1. The tire pressure on one or more tires is too high or too low. A variation of 25% from the recommended air pressure will cause a malfunction light.

2. One or more of the TPMS sensors may be broken or sensor batteries may be dead

3. TPMS receivers may not be able to receive sensor signals

4. The TPMS module may not be functioning

WHAT DO I BENEFIT FROM DIRECT TPMS?

Compared to the Indirect system, Direct TPMS provides a more accurate and immediate pressure, temperature and battery status.

HOW TO ENSURE THE VEHICLE HAS DIRECT TPMS SENSORS?

Consult your Autel tool. Select the vehicle Make, Model and Year. The tool will note if the vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system is an Indirect (no TPMS sensors) system. Direct TPMS sensors are fitted with either rubber or metal valve stems.

HOW DO YOU DISTINGUISH INDIRECT TPMS FROM DIRECT TPMS?

Direct TPMS uses direct tire pressure sensors on each wheel to measure tire pressure while indirect TPMS does not use sensors. Indirect TPMS frequently use the anti-lock brake system (ABS) speed sensors to calculate pressure.