Tech Update: The Keys to Success with TPMS There are many factors to consider with a low tire pressure situation, not the least of which is safety. Underinflated tires roll at higher temperatures, handle poorly and require longer vehicle stopping distances. Underinflated tires also reduce gas mileage. More

Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems: The TPMS System That Knows The Road. Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are ones that do not have air pressure sensors inside the tires. Rather, they detect a low tire by comparing relative wheel speeds via the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) wheel speed sensors. When a tire loses air, its diameter decreases slightly. More

Tech Tip: TPMS Installation Procedures Anytime a TPM sensor is reused on a wheel, it is necessary to install a new sensor-to-wheel seal, metal washer and valve stem nut, to ensure proper sealing around the sensor valve stem. Wipe the area clean around the sensor/valve stem mounting hole in the wheel. Make sure the surface of the wheel is not damaged. More

Tech Feature: Preventive Maintenance Should Include Checking the TPMS Among several things, winter always drops unpleasant reminders of the many issues that can affect automobile and tire performance for the rest of the year. Tire pressure monitoring systems are just one of the more recent components whose operation can be adversely affected by winter's wrath. As is common, these issues last well into spring and sometimes are 12-month-long concerns for drivers - and... More

TPMS: Tire Pressure Monitoring Service for All Shops Recently, an owner of a 2008 Lincoln Navigator brought their vehicle in for a tire rotation. The tires were rotated front to rear. The customer drove away not knowing he was in great peril. A few days later, the right rear picked up a small leak. The TPMS system turned on the dashlight and indicated right front tire was below specifications. On the way home, the driver pulled in More

Tech Tip: Familiarity Doesn't Make TPMS Service Flawless As the global economy continues to affect businesses and industries, the tire industry continues to have its issues - albeit fewer of them - with tire pressure monitoring systems, especially in the service bay area. Mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, TPMS on OE passenger cars are now into their second model year of .... More

Tech Tip: Subaru Error Code Displayed in Odometer Even though 2005-2006 Legacy and Outback models are not equipped with TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), they still have the TPMS wiring harness and R211 connector. The wiring harness and connector are located on the driver's side, under the floor mat. If the connector comes in contact with moisture and corrosion forms, the BIU (Body Integrated Unit) may judge a speed pulse malfunction and, in... More

Tech Tip: What's New in TPMS? The increasingly hot topic of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) is very controversial yet compelling. TPMS brings about confusion and aggravation, but more importantly, opportunity. Adding to the TPMS frenzy is loads of information. This article will discuss a couple of new issues within TPMS that you need to be aware of .... More

Tech Update: Top 5 TPMS Questions From professional and college football down to youth-league soccer, everyone (including TechShop!) has a “Top Something-or-other” list. Why should the tire industry be different? Over the last year or so, Tire Rack has been conducting an informal and unscientific survey of its customers regarding the reoccurrence of issues dealing with tire pressure monitoring systems. Thanks to its wholesalers... More

The Ins and Outs of Indirect and Direct TPMS This is the year of the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor System). It’s been coming for some time. In response to a rash of highly publicized rollover accidents caused by tire failures on SUVs, Congress passed a law called the TREAD Act in 2000 which required all vehicle manufacturers to have TPMS on all their cars and light trucks by 2008. Time has run out, and as far as we know, all the vehicle manufacturers... More