---

What is a TPMS?

TPMS stands for ‘Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.’ This is a special type of electronic tyre valve designed to monitor the air pressure inside all of a vehicle’s tyres.

The real-time tyre pressure data collected by the TPMS equipment is wirelessly sent to the vehicle display to report to the driver that the tyres are properly inflated (or 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. This step will often be taken after tyre replacement, balancing or prior to carrying out a wheel alignment.

Since November 2012, all new class M1 passenger vehicles (those under 3.5 tonnes and with 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 their MOT.

View Our Products Contact Us

What are the Types of TPMS?

Although there are hundreds of different TPMS systems out there, each design generally fits into one of two categories: indirect and direct. Here are the differences between the two.

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’s ECU will get data directly from each individual sensor.
Pros: The technology is already present on the vehicle Indirect TPMS doesn’t require servicing Sensors won’t be damaged when removing tyres	Pros: 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 the driver if all four tyres are underinflated Punctures picked up after the vehicle is parked cannot be identified	Cons: Requires maintenance (servicing or a new sensor required after every tyre removal) Requires specialist tools and equipment TPMS sensors can be damaged when removing a tyre

Request a call back

Call us on 01527 883 580 or

Contact Us

Our Featured TPMS Tools and Sensors

Here is a selection of our most popular TPMS products. Stock up on the sensors and tools you need below!

Related TPMS Information

Before you begin working on TPMS-equipped vehicles, it’s important to understand the benefits of servicing, how to carry out a service and when the relearn procedure is required. We’ve outlined the essential information below.

TPMS Servicing

TPMS Relearn Procedures

There are a number of benefits to servicing a TPMS system. It will help the system maintain an airtight seal, thus ensuring its accuracy and preventing air from leaking out of the tyre, causing a slow puncture. TPMS servicing prevents valve failure due to corrosion. Servicing will prolong the life of the sensor, giving the motorist one less potential headache when MOT time rolls around. When servicing TPMS, you need to make sure that rubber TPMS valves are completely replaced. Metal TPMS valves are different, as you instead need to replace the serviceable parts. We recommend threading every screw or nut by hand at first to avoid cross threading.

When a TPMS sensor is replaced, the vehicle’s ECU has to undergo a ‘relearn’ procedure. If this step is skipped, the system won’t function correctly, and your work replacing the sensor will have been wasted! Typically, the relearn procedure should be carried out every time a sensor is replaced or when the position of the vehicle’s wheels has changed. In other words, if you carry out a wheel alignment on the vehicle, you may have to perform the relearn procedure afterwards. There are three types of TPMS relearn, which are: Trigger-relearn Auto-manual relearn Auto-self relearn