Why Do You Need A TPMS Service Tool?

Tires are crucial components of a car, and tire pressure plays a vital role in their performance. Whether too low or too high, tire pressure can significantly impact tire performance and driving safety.

For more information, please visit foxwell.

TPMS, or Tire Pressure Monitoring System, continuously monitors tire pressure while driving, providing real-time alerts for air leakage and low tire pressure to ensure safe driving.

With Foxwell TPMS Service Tools, you can reset, reprogram, or activate TPMS sensors after replacement or adjustment. This ensures that the vehicle's ECU accurately reads the current tire pressure, enhancing overall safety and performance.

What is TPMS Diagnostic Tool?

A TPMS sensor is the central nucleus for each of your four tires which learns each individual code. TPMS sensors are programmed to work with specific vehicle make, model and year.

If customers have to replace their TPMS sensors because of repairs or tire rotations, the TPMS sensor is programmed to the vehicle and relearned with a TPMS tool to indicate which sensors are in which tires. Oftentimes, with indirect systems, that means a connection to the OBDII port to complete the relearn.

Why You Need a Foxwell TPMS Service Tool:

1. Ensure Driving Safety:

Underinflated tires reduce maneuverability, especially during tight turns and sudden stops, even before the TPMS light illuminates. TPMS reset tools enable early detection and resolution of issues, preventing potentially serious safety hazards.

2. Improve Fuel Efficiency:

Low tire pressure increases fuel consumption as the vehicle requires more energy to propel forward. TPMS reset tools help maintain optimal tire pressure levels, maximizing fuel efficiency and reducing unnecessary fuel expenses.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website TPMS Sensor Tool OEM.

3. Save Money and Time:

Without TPMS reset tools, tire and sensor maintenance typically requires professional assistance, costing both time and money. With a TPMS reset tool, you can easily reset sensors yourself, saving valuable time and avoiding service fees.

Capabilities of Foxwell TPMS Service Tools:

1. Reading TPMS Data:

These tools can retrieve TPMS sensor data, including pressure levels, tire temperature, battery status, sensor IDs, and more.

2. Diagnosing TPMS System:

In case of TPMS error light activation due to factors like low tire pressure, tire changes, rotations, or seasonal tire swaps, the TPMS reset tool can be used to deactivate the warning light.

3. TPMS Sensor Relearning:

After sensor replacement or adjustment, the Foxwell TPMS service tool assists in informing the engine control module about the new sensor's location, facilitating proper sensor recognition. It supports relearning for 98% of sensors.

4. TPMS Sensor Programming:

While relearning instructs the ECM on locating the sensor, sensor programming is necessary to configure the sensor with appropriate protocols and applications, ensuring full compatibility with the vehicle's ECM.

5. TPMS Sensor Activation:

These service tools can activate TPMS sensors to initiate data collection and transmission. Foxwell TPMS service tools are compatible with activating 99% of sensors available on the market.

For more information, please visit TPMS Device.

I have a TPMS tool and it can only program their brand sensor, this is common and that's ok. It works great that way.

I was just wondering since the tool can plug into the ODB2 and trigger relearn. If I know my car takes 315 mhz and I see a set from Ebay, can I just install them trigger relearn? (if the car supports ODB2 relearn or whatever strange procedure, the tool displays written instruction for each car)

I wouldn't think just a sensor 315 Mhz is enough to let the car know the sensor is for that car? Isn't there an identifier for the car's brand as well?

Ebay ones does not seem completely generic, they list a car brand / model so it should work?

The "programmable" sensor for my tool is around $90 for 4, and the Ebay ones are $35.
For example I search ebay for AA, they have a sensor of 4 for cheap, works on alot of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mitsubishi. etc. It looks very similar to my factory one, the factory one was continental. I'm pretty sure it just needs to be the correct frequency. There is a procedure for manually entering the ID of the sensor via a scantool, but I never needed to do that.

The TPMS tool I had (Autel) would ping any sensor for relearn. Most sensors can also be triggered by lowering the air pressure.

I'm sure someone will come along with more TPMS experience than me soon.... Activating a sensor and programming/learning it to the car are two different things.

Most sensors, even OEM, are not activated out of the box because the part numbers may work for many applications (even a OEM sensor is not made by Ford, its a Shrader or Dill) The Autel and other branded sensors are also not activated because there is one part # for basically almost all cars (315 and 433)

In either case, activating is what tells it to send out at the correct frequency and gives it the correct ID numbers that the car is expecting.

Activating most sensors is brand dependent. Autel only activates Autel, etc.


Programming them to the car is the second step (for cars that don't learn automatically). This reads the ID number the sensors are broadcasting and puts it in the cars computer (or whatever oddball steps the car requires to learn)

All of the tools will learn any brand sensor to pretty much any car.

So, to answer your original question: If the eBay sensors are pre activated to your car, your tool will work to learn them to the car. eBay would obviously be a little more buyer beware, but most other places selling sensors (TIre Rack, etc) are activating them before shipping.

*I mostly have experience with Autel and Smart Sensors/31inc. I see my vendors sell Dill and Shrader that are labeled "Redi Sensors" and am not sure they are pre activated or what.

HTH,

DaveW

I have replaced sensors in my Volvo and added a set to my F150 for snow tires on rims and did not have to do any programming.

For the F150, did you have to put the vehicle in learning mode and use the trigger tool (garage door opener looking thing)? For Fords, most of the ones that DON'T show individual pressures require this (unless the new sensors are cloned from the existing ones) . The ones that show pressures pick them up automatically.

My point for the OP and others reading - almost literally every car model has a different procedure. It is not usually even consistent across a manufacturer. E.g A Escape might have a different learning procedure from a F150.

One can see the procedure needed for their car here https://tpmsnetwork.com/vehicle/-ford-f-150-/

@PoorOwner what brand tool do you have? I might be able to help you get sensors

DaveW

For the F150, did you have to put the vehicle in learning mode and use the trigger tool

Nope! There is a procedure that is used to acclimate the sensors to the vehicle but I couldn't get it to work correctly
so I just gave up and no TPMS light.
Swap out tires summer to winter no problem install and go!

Volvo, same thing. new TPMS sensors and drive .
And Oh! by the way if one is bad replace them all they are due to fail all because of failed internal batteries I misread your post, $90 for 4 sensors is a good deal. All of my sources are between $20-$27 each for various brands. Launch is a pretty big brand in automotive, I don't think they are going anywhere.

FWIW, I clone whenever possible to avoid relearns myself. I also don't mix the wheels up (location wise) when I do tires for customers, no reason to add a bunch of failure points to the interaction when not needed.

DaveW

I will buy known brands of sensors Denso , Motorcraft ,( FOMOCO)
and always buy new. never Ebay used

Just FYI (not arguing), the Motorcraft and other "OEM" are usually Shrader, VDO, Dill or Huf.

I'd never try and replace with used or even cheap new versions.

Autel will only work with Autel programmers.

VDO and Shrader are the best IMO. You only need worry about which stems you bave to match up. Black or Silver

TPMS Misinformation is my pet peeve because so many shops in my industry use it to screw customers which ticks me off, so just to clarify what I think we are agreeing on: Almost all brands need their own brand tool to activate new sensors. All tools will read all sensors and program most/all cars (that need it)



DaveW

By the way DaveW, do you know if you can just break the bead and replace the TPMS sensor?

I have not tried it but I think the bead breaker can push it below the TPMS sensor, at least it seems this way for tire profile bigger than 50

When I first bought my autel tpms tool I broke the bead and pushed it down far enough to replace the sensor. I did this for a few tires and then decided it was time to buy a tire machine. So yes it will work but it can be difficult, two people really help.

Just FYI (not arguing), the Motorcraft and other "OEM" are usually Shrader, VDO, Dill or Huf.



TPMS Misinformation is my pet peeve because so many shops in my industry use it to screw customers which ticks me off, so just to clarify what I think we are agreeing on: Almost all brands need their own brand tool to activate new sensors. All tools will read all sensors and program most/all cars (that need it)



DaveW

My TPMS (the shop's) tool does every tpms ....at least all I've come across...with the exception of Autel.
Autel does NOT sell any software to anyone else as far as I know.

And you're also correct...i thought I had mentioned but VDO and Shrader are OEM suppliers.

IMO the VDO's redi-sensor seem to be the easiest to setup.

Shrader EZ-Sensor isn't difficult but they need to get a wake-up call, then get a homing address, then programmed to the specific vehicle.

VDO's pretty much install, wake them up with a tool and that's aboit it

Shrader

By the way DaveW, do you know if you can just break the bead and replace the TPMS sensor?

I have not tried it but I think the bead breaker can push it below the TPMS sensor, at least it seems this way for tire profile bigger than 50

It depends on on the tire and wheel combo. Some you can, some not so much. And then the tech needs to not drop the old sensor or stem parts down inside the tire, ask me how I know (I am the tech)

Some of them are pretty different sizes (with older ones seeming to be larger, newer smaller) so depending on how anal you want to be, you might want to check balance anyway.

My TPMS (the shop's) tool does every tpms ....at least all I've come across...with the exception of Autel.
Autel does NOT sell any software to anyone else as far as I know.

That would be cool to have a tool that activated all(most) brands, but I probably don't do enough TPMS work to justify it. And the new Autel tablet based one works pretty well for me.


DaveW

Slightly off topic, but what is a good (reasonably priced) TPMS tool for the DIYer? Specifically I have a Honda Odyssey I need to get working.

I listed my budget TPMS tool in post #6. The price is comparable to paying a shop for 1 time swapping out all 4-5 sensors. It depends what you are trying to do now and how many cars in the future.

You preferably still need a tire machine to change the sensor.