A safety feature of our modern vehicles, the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) helps keep calibrated, also for optimal tyre pressure, fuel efficiency, tyre longevity, and most of all, track safety. Nevertheless, a TPMS warning light on a vehicle’s dashboard can prove difficult to diagnose for the cause. TPMS Replacement Harrow is one of those mobile tyre fitters that will need to figure out if the issue is caused by a bad TPMS sensor or simply a calibration issue. The process requires certain diagnostic tools, technical expertise, and in-depth knowledge of various vehicle manufacturer TPMS protocols.
A visual and physical inspection of the TPMS is one of the first steps in diagnosing TPMS issues. Visible damage, corrosion, or leakage is checked on the valve stems and the sensor housings by mobile tyres fitters. As TPMS components can be exposed to the elements over time, they can wear, and the pressure sensors or signal can become false. If there is no visible damage, the next step is to use a TPMS diagnostic tool to see if there is sensor activity, battery life, and if the sensor communication is to the vehicle’s control unit.
Differentiating Sensor Failure from Calibration Errors
The TPSMS warning light usually does not mean sensor failure. In other cases it’s just a calibration issue that can be corrected by a system reset. Live data from each of the sensors are assessed by mobile tyre fitters using a TPMS scanner such as pressure, temperature, and battery voltage. Sometimes a sensor might not be transmitting data, or its signal may be weak, which requires it to be replaced. In that case all sensors should be transmitting, but the warning remains. A recalibration or reset may be necessary.
Most vehicles (especially cars with indirect TPMS systems) use the vehicle’s ABS (antilock braking system) to calculate tyre pressure differentials. Under these circumstances, TPMS warnings would appear after tyre rotations, replacements, or after having had significant changes in temperature. Such calibration issues can often be corrected either through a reset by the vehicle’s onboard system or an OBD-II tool and without replacing the sensors. But if sensors in each tyre are battery powered for use with direct TPMS, a lack of signal means the battery in a sensor has died, requiring it to be replaced.
Challenges of Replacing TPMS Sensors in High-Performance Vehicles
High-performance vehicles require replacement of TPMS sensors as unique challenges arise from tyre configurations, precision requirements, and manufacturer’s restrictions. Unlike a standard vehicle, high-performance cars tend to have staggered wheels and low-profile tyres, as well as elevated sensitivity to variations in tyre pressure, and this increases the importance of TPMS calibration.
A big challenge, however, is that the sensors are manufacturer-specific. Unlucky for those without a high-performance brand, Porsche, BMW M series, and Mercedes AMG are using proprietary sensors that aren’t universal replacements. Incorrect sensor installation can generate dashboard warnings, an inaccurate reading, or adversely impact vehicle handling at greater speeds. Mobile tyre fitters must also have access to OEM-compatible sensors and the tools needed to sync them with its electronic control unit (ECU).
Also difficult is the structural rigidity of low-profile tyres, which are common to performance vehicles. Because these tyres put extra stress on TPMS valve stems, they are especially at risk of damage when removing or installing them. There can be no accidental damage to sensors or alloy wheels when mobile tyre fitters use specialized tyre changing equipment. Moreover, advanced TPMS calibration methods such as road force balancing may be necessary for high-performance vehicles to achieve high-speed accuracy.
Additionally, some performance cars mate TPMS data to dynamic suspension and stability control systems. It could also impact the car’s traction control settings and cause handling issues if any TPMS reading is incorrect. In order to be mobile tyre fitters, you also need to ensure that TPMS sensors are installed correctly and programmed correctly so that they work with the vehicle’s performance monitoring systems.
Complications of TPMS Replacement in Electric Vehicles
As electric vehicles (EVs) use advanced battery management systems and need specific tyre requirements, calibration processes are based on software, replacing TPMS sensors in EVs becomes more complex. Unlike an internal combustion engine vehicle, EVs require the pressure of their tyres to be precise to maximize energy efficiency and range. Such deviations in the pressure readings will impair performance, shorten range, and lead to off-strip tyre wear.
The integration of the TPMS sensors with the vehicle’s software is one of the main challenges in EV TPMS replacement. This applies to Tesla, Rivian, and Hyundai, among many other EV manufacturers, requiring proprietary software updates after sensor replacement. The mobile tyre fitter has to make sure to get the correct programming tools or work in conjunction with an authorized service center to complete the process.
Moreover, some EVs start to lose TPMS signal when parked for long periods of time. If a TPMS sensor needs to be replaced while the vehicle is in sleep mode, then the sensor may not be recognized immediately, and a system wakeup from a specific vehicle command will be required. And unlike traditional cars, often a simple drive cycle will need to reset the TPMS, while some EVs will require manual activation on the infotainment system or through diagnostics.
