Intro to TPMS

In a recent study, 42% of drivers were unable to identify the TPMS symbol.

In this study, 4 out of 10 drivers could not identify the TPMS warning light, even though 96% of drivers considered under-inflated tires an important safety concern and 89% believed that properly inflated tires and a warning system could save their lives.

This is your TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) warning light and when illuminated it indicates the tire pressure monitoring system has found a tire with low air pressure, a sensor with a dead battery or a TPMS system malfunction.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is a safety device that measures, identifies and warns you when one or more of your tires are significantly under-inflated. The TPMS light on your dash will flash if there is a system malfunction, while a steady illuminated light indicates an air pressure problem.

If the TPMS light is illuminated the first order of business is to check your tire pressure. If driving, pull over safely at the first opportunity. Once you determine you are not having a blowout, check the pressure in each tire with a tire gauge. If the problem is low tire pressure, fill your tires to the recommended pressure noted on your placard. Once corrected most vehicles will reset the TPMS light automatically, some will require a manual reset and some may require professional attention (refer to the owner’s manual). If your TPMS light is still illuminated after correcting the air pressure or you notice any tire damage, see a professional technician immediately.

Some vehicles may feature a different TPMS display but regardless of the type of TPMS alert in your vehicle, if it’s illuminated, your vehicle is trying to tell you something. One or more of your tires is underinflated or the TPMS system itself is malfunctioning and it needs immediate attention from you or your service professional.

Ignore TPMS at your own risk

Ignore your TPMS light and you may experience one or more of the following:

• Poor fuel efficiency
• Compromised vehicle handling
• Increased risk of hydroplaning
• Diminished braking performance
• Shorter tire life

Did you know?

• 35% of drivers admit to never checking tire pressure.
• There’s a flat tire for every 46,000 miles driven.
• Three out of four roadside flats are preceded by a slow leak or under-inflation.
• Low tire pressure is responsible for nearly million ¼ million accidents annually.
• An SUV owner can save up to $600 a year just by keeping the tires properly inflated.
• Under-inflated tires waste 2.8 billion gallons of gas annually in the US at a cost of $11.2 billion.
• NHTSA estimates that TPMS could save as many as 660 lives annually.
• It is a violation of federal law to render a TPMS system inoperative.
• The TPMS sensor is typically located as a valve-mounted stem in the tire. There are also band-mounted sensors that are 
 attached to the wheels themselves.
• TPMS sensors can fail due to road hazard damage, over-tightening, using an improper valve core, electronic failure or sensor 
 battery discharge.
• Virtually every original sensor will need to be replaced.
• The TPMS warning light illuminates when one or more tires become 25% under-inflated. This can lead to decreased vehicle 
 handling, risk of hydroplaning, diminished braking performance, uneven tire wear and shortened tire life.
• The TPMS warning light will illuminate if there is a problem. A professional technician can test TPMS sensor operation.

TPMS Wireless Technology

TPMS Sensors communicate wirelessly with the vehicle

• Transmits “protocol” specific to the vehicle
• Transmits unique ID - a sensor serial number identifying tire and location to the vehicle

Sensor replacement

• New sensor must have matching protocol to OE sensor
• Vehicle needs to learn each new sensor’s ID
  • Traditional installation requires “re-learn process”
  • NAPA Echlin OE-matching sensors can be installed right out of the box and OE-relearned or can be ID-cloned eliminating the need for the OE-relearn process