About TPMS
Direct Systems
An extra sensor installed in each tire measures the tire inflation pressure as well as the air temperature in the tire. The sensors send their current measurement values at regular intervals to the vehicle's control unit. In this way small deviations can be individually identified for each tire and immediately displayed to the driver. The sensor battery has a lifetime of around 7 to 10 years. A vehicle fitted with a direct tire pressure monitoring system can only be run on wheels fitted with TPMS sensors.
Indirect Systems
Using the ABS sensors installed in the vehicle, it is possible to calculate the tire inflation pressure from the wheel RPM and the tire rolling circumference. If the tire pressure (and therefore the rolling circumference) changes, this indicates a loss of pressure. Fundamental to this principle is the calibration of the system with exactly the right tire pressure.
In the indirect system, two effects are assessed. Firstly, the tire rolling circumference: If there is a loss of pressure, the rolling circumference becomes smaller and the wheel must rotate more quickly compared to the other wheels. This change is noted and the driver is warned. Secondly, the frequency of oscillation between the tire and the rim is examined: When this drifts, it can be interpreted as a loss of pressure. In general, the following applies: Indirect systems must be re-calibrated each time a tire is fitted or the tire inflation pressure is changed.
Legal requirements
In accordance with EU Directive No. 661/2009, all new type-approved vehicle models, i.e. all those permitted on European roads, must be equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system from November 1, 2012.
From November 1 2014 all new cars must be equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system.
Most automobile manufacturers will sell their new vehicles already equipped with TPMS from the middle of 2014.
Changes
What changes for you due to the introduction of tire pressure monitoring systems?
When you buy a new car, it will be equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. You will mostly notice this when you switch on the ignition. In the cockpit, an extra TPMS monitoring lamp will light up for a short time. This will become important to you at the very latest when you want to change over to summer or winter tires, have a puncture or other tire problem or when you fit new tires to your vehicle.
If the new wheels are not fitted with TPMS sensors, the first time you change these it will take longer than normal and you will incur extra costs. The reason for this is that TPMS sensors must be fitted and the tire fitter must have the necessary special knowledge to do so. In addition, there are extra work steps that have to be carried out, thus increasing the overall amount of work involved in changing wheels.
What changes for professional tire fitting operations due to the introduction of tpms?
When a vehicle comes into the workshop and any work is to be carried out on the tires, a check should be made as to whether a TPMS system is fitted. This can be checked in the vehicle's cockpit or with a special TPMS diagnosis and programming unit such as the REMA TIP TOP PROFILER TPM II. In a direct system, it is absolutely necessary to check whether sensors are fitted before removing the tires. A check must also be made as to whether all sensors are operating without error and whether any defective sensors have to be replaced. Moreover, the sensor batteries should be generally checked and all data read out from them logged.
When the tire is removed, care must be taken that the valve containing the sensor is sufficiently far away from the bead breaker to prevent it being damaged.
Products
Diagnostic and
programming units
The specialized REMA TIP TOP TPMS Diagnostic and Programming Unit product line covers all the needs of a demanding and quickly developing market.
Universal sensors
In the field of programmable universal sensors, REMA TIP TOP offers only high-quality premium products such as Alligator sens.it, Schrader EZ-Sensor and Huf IntelliSens.
OEM replacement sensors
OEM replacement sensors from Huf, VDO and Schrader are also included in the REMA TIP TOP portfolio of products. The range of products available covers the market needs for common vehicles and is continually being updated and extended.
TPMS special tools
When fitting or servicing TPMS sensors and valves, the manufacturer's torque and fitting instructions must be followed exactly. A special TPMS hand tool kit helps here.
Service kits
As well as universal sensors and OEM replacement sensors, REMA TIP TOP also delivers all of the service kits for the TPMS valve and the TPMS sensor required for a tire change. This permits spare parts to be exchanged quickly.
According to the instructions of the sensor manufacturers, a TPMS service must be carried out each time a tire is changed and wear components such as seals or screwing elements must be replaced.
Sensor-Database
Support / FAQ
What is a TPMS?
As soon as the air pressure in one or more tires changes, the TPMS warns the driver. Measurement of the tire pressure is carried out by various systems, but mostly through sensors in the wheel that transmit the data to the onboard computer by means of a wireless link. If there is a loss of pressure of 20% or more (depending on the vehicle) the driver receives an acoustic signal and a warning symbol lights up in the cockpit.
Direct tire pressure monitoring systems
Direct tire pressure monitoring systems
An extra sensor installed in each tire measures the tire pressure as well as the air temperature in the tire. The sensors send their current measured values at regular intervals to the vehicle's control unit. In this way small deviations can be individually identified for each tire and immediately displayed for the driver. The sensor battery has a lifetime of around 7 to 10 years. A vehicle fitted with a direct tire pressure monitoring system can only be run on wheels fitted with TPMS sensors.
Indirect tire pressure monitoring systems
Indirect tire pressure monitoring systems
Using the ABS sensors installed in the vehicle, it is possible to calculate the tire pressure from the wheel RPM and the tire rolling circumference. If the tire pressure (and therefore the rolling circumference) changes, this indicates a loss of pressure. Fundamental to this principle is the calibration of the system with exactly the right tire pressure.
In the indirect system, two parameters are assessed. Firstly, the tire rolling circumference: If there is a loss of pressure, this becomes smaller and the wheel must rotate more quickly compared to the other wheels. This change is noted and the driver is warned. Secondly, the frequency of oscillation between the tire and the rim is analyzed: When this drifts, it can be interpreted as a loss of pressure. In general, the following applies: Indirect systems must be re-calibrated each time a tire is fitted or the tire inflation pressure is changed.
What does it mean when my TPMS warning lamp illuminates?
If your warning lamp goes on while you're driving, exercise the greatest care. It means that the pressure of one or more tires is at least 20% under the recommended value. Drive slowly and in a controlled manner out of the traffic and stop at a safe spot, ideally directly at a gas station. Our tip: Hold the steering wheel with both hands – this is the best way to retain control of your vehicle if the pressure drops suddenly.
First, check your tires visually. Is there any obvious damage or loss of pressure? Under no circumstances drive any further. It there is no obvious loss of pressure, check the inflation pressure of all of the tires at a gas station and set these to the recommended value if necessary. The values can be found on the fuel filler cap, in the vehicle handbook or on a label attached to the doors. If you do not wish to check the tire pressure yourself, have it performed by a professional tire technician.
After the tires have been pumped up to the correct pressure, the TPMS warning lamp should extinguish. If the warning lamp does not extinguish, please contact a professional tire fitting operator. A TPMS warning lamp can also light up when the sensor is defective or there is other damage to the system.
Can defective sensors only be replaced by original sensors?
Can defective sensors only be replaced by original sensors?
As an alternative to OEM replacement sensors, and depending on the vehicle, less expensive universal sensors can also be fitted. These can be specially programmed for the specific vehicle type and they function in the same way as the sensors originally fitted. REMA TIP TOP offers only high-quality premium products such as Alligator sens.it, Schrader EZ-Sensor and Huf IntelliSens.
You can find out if universal sensors are available for your vehicle in our sensor database.
When the TPMS warning symbol lights up and i then pump up my tires again, does the lamp extinguish itself or must i take my car to the dealer or tire service operator?
If there are no further defects or damage and the re-inflated tire maintains its pressure, the TPMS warning lamp generally extinguishes by itself. This procedure can however differ from vehicle to vehicle. If the warning lamp does not extinguish, please visit a tire fitting operation or a car workshop.
When the TPMS warning symbol lights up, does that mean that there is not enough pressure in one or more of my tires?
When the TPMS warning symbol remains on all of the time that means that there is too little pressure in at least one of the tires. This does not exclude the possibility that the other tires have insufficient inflation pressure. If the lamp is illuminated you should in general have all of your wheels checked. Some direct TPMS show you whether, and which, tires have too little inflation pressure.