Resetting the TPMS sensors
What’s involved?
From 1st November 2014, all new vehicles leaving the factory must be equipped with tyre pressure measurement systems (TPMS).
There are two types of system:
- Direct TPMS, which uses pressure sensors attached to the valves and transmits accurate, real-time information on tyre temperature and pressure to the dashboard.
- Pressure sensors (direct TPMS) are additional sensors that provide much more accurate information.
- Indirect TPMS, which uses the vehicle’s ABS system to detect wheel speed and determine that, if one wheel is spinning faster than the others, meaning the tyre is deflated.
There are different types of sensors (direct TPMS)
Original sensors
These sensors, fitted as original equipment on vehicles, use a pre-encoded protocol that will only communicate with the vehicle group for which it was designed and developed.
Replacement sensors
These universal sensors, free of any programming, can be installed on most vehicles. The protocol will then be programmed via a specific tool on the blank sensor, according to the vehicle. Once installed, the sensor will be a clone of the original sensor.
When should the sensors be reset?
- Tyre change
- Summer/Winter changeover
- Wheel changeover
- Tyre repair
- Sensor replacement
Depending on the vehicle, there are 3 methods of relearning:
Auto relearning:
After a certain driving time (e.g. 10 minutes) at a certain speed (e.g. between 20 and 100 km/h), the sensors are automatically recognised, and the signal is switched off.
Manual relearning:
The sensors can be re-learned manually via the vehicle menu or by a manual procedure, indicated in the vehicle user manual. A new sensor can be recognised without having to make a journey.
Re-learning with reset tool:
The sensors are relearned by means of a reset tool via the OBD connection or a diagnostic scanner.
Every car manufacturer has a re-learning procedure that must be strictly followed to ensure that the system works properly.
If the re-learning procedure is not done or is not complete, the warning light will remain on and the vehicle will not detect the new sensors, or, will detect them incorrectly, which could generate false pressure indications.