Guide to TPMS Sensor Replacement

Many cars today have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System or TPMS. The purpose of the TPMS is to monitor the pressure on each one of your vehicle’s tires.

Why is this technology necessary? Having underinflated or overinflated tires is dangerous and can cause accidents.

One of the integral parts of the TPMS is the sensor which is found on each vehicle tire or the anti-lock braking system (ABS). If any of your tires are overinflated or underinflated, the sensor detects the problem and the TPMS warning lights up on your dashboard.

For some vehicles, the TPMS warning looks like an underlined exclamation point between parentheses. For others, the TPMS display shows each wheel’s actual tire pressure value.

Types of TPMS

There are two types of TPMS – indirect and direct. The indirect type of TPMS does not have individual air pressure sensors inside the tires. What it has is a system that monitors reduction in tire pressure using the ABS wheel speed sensors.

How does an indirect TPMS work? When a tire is underinflated, its diameter becomes smaller. This results in a relatively faster wheel speed as compared to the others despite travelling the same distance.

The second type is the direct TPMS which uses individual sensors inside the tires to monitor air pressure. These sensors detect tire pressure real time and transmits the information to the vehicle’s computer system. For most vehicles using direct TPMS, this information is shown on the TPMS display.

For both types of TPMS, the system warns you when one or more of your vehicle’s tires are underinflated by 25% based on the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure.

When Do You Need to Get a TPMS Sensor Replacement?

As mentioned earlier, the TPMS is supposed to warn you when a tire does not have the correct tire pressure. However, there may be some cases when the warning lights up even when there is no issue with tire pressure.

This is often due to a malfunctioning sensor, especially if you recently had your tires changed as the sensor may have been damaged or misaligned. If it is damaged, you should get them replaced. Meanwhile, if alignment is the issue, you have to see your mechanic immediately.

There are also some reported cases of TPMS sensors malfunctioning in winter because of the cold weather. The reason for this is a drop in tire pressure due to the low temperature. If you experience this problem, it is best to have the sensor checked to make sure that it is still working properly.

TPMS Bypass Emulator: A Good Alternative

While the TPMS can be very helpful, it can also cause inconvenience when they frequently malfunction. It can be annoying to repeatedly see the dash light indicator flash even if there is no real problem with the tire pressure.

As an alternative, you can opt to bypass the TPMS to prevent the warning sign from lighting up when your tires pressure level is normal. This is achieved using the TPMS Bypass Emulator which works by disabling or resetting the dash light indicator.

What you need to keep in mind though when you go for this option is to choose a reliable product. Pick one that is designed by engineers and manufactured by a reputable brand. This is to ensure that the product works as it has been thoroughly tested. Moreover, you can be certain that it is durable because it is made from high quality materials.

Ideally, the device should be easy to install and have a step-by-step guide. More importantly, it should come with an after-sales support. This is important, especially if you are using this kind of tool for the first time. While well-made products should cause no issues, knowing that you can call someone when you have questions can be comforting.

Tired of seeing your TPMS warning sign light up even when there is no problem? Install our TPMS Bypass Emulator that is designed by experts and manufactured to the highest standards. Call us today on UK: +44(0) 77 837 25020 or IRL: +353(0)83 847 8878!