We Are Looking After Your TPMS System

Please Look After Your Sensors: Service or Replace

Think TPMS, Think Autogem

If you are unsure about anything related to TPMS or your tyres please feel free

to ask our experts for further information.

TPMS CAP:

• The rst line of defence against

contaminants enter the valve system

• Ideally plastic to avoid corrosion

TPMS CORE:

• Nickel plated core, NEVER BRASS in

aluminium stemmed sensor valves

• Allows tyre to be inated, seals upon

release

• Should always be torque tightened

HEX NUT:

• Used to tighten the valve to the wheel

• Look out for corrosion which may make

removal difcult

• Should always be torque tightened

WASHERS (Metal / Nylon):

• Aids the seal between the rim & the

sensor valve

• Always t correct washer(s)

VALVE STEM:

• Attached to the sensor body

• Allows access in order to inate /

deate the tyre

• Can be damaged when using

incompatible valve caps, usually chrome

• Can be damaged when inating tyre

with rigid ination gauges

• Sometimes the valve stem can be

replaced, but not always

• Look out for corrosion

SENSOR BODY:

• An electronic device transmitting:

Tyre Pressure

Tyre Air Temperature

Battery Status

Unique ID Number

• Some or all of these data elds are

captured by the vehicle ECU to report

low pressure / punctures to the driver

• Battery is not replaceable but usually

lasts between 3-5 years dependent on

use of vehicle / miles travelled

SCREW:

• Holds replaceable stems in place

• Should always be torque tightened

SHEARED

CORRODED

& CRACKED

CORRODED

& SHEARED

DAMAGED

SENSOR

KEEP YOUR EYES

PEELED, DAMAGE &

CORROSION CAN BE

DANGEROUS!

RUBBER SEALS / GROMMETS:

• Additional seal between the rim & the

sensor valve

• Fastened under torque & deteriorates

over time, similar to rubber valves

Note: Some sensors have rubber valves, not

metal valves. These rubber stems & xing

screws should be replaced at every tyre

repair / replacement.

We Are Looking After Your TPMS System

What is TPMS?

TPMS stands for Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and EU legislation requires that all newly approved vehicles

must be tted with TPMS as standard from November 2012.

In it’s simplest terms, either:

Sensors are tted to the air valve within each wheel, reporting tyre pressures to the vehicle ECU (DIRECT TPMS)

The vehicle utilises other sensors (ABS) to approximate the air pressure in the tyres (INDIRECT TPMS).

Vehicles tted with TPMS as standard AND rst used / registered on or after January 1st 2012 will have their

TPMS system tested as part of the MOT road worthiness test from 2015 onwards.

What Is An Electronic Reset & Will I Need One?

When new sensors are tted to a vehicle it is important that they are paired to the ECU (the car’s brain). This

process is also a requirement after wheel rotation, as the sensors need to be relocated within the ECU.

With OE sensors this means there may be some type of reset that needs to be performed, which may require the

car to be driven for a certain amount of time at a minimum speed, or it may need some specialist equipment to

be connected to the vehicle. Any resets that are performed by us may incur an additional charge.

Why Do Direct TPMS Sensors Need Servicing?

Tyre Pressure Sensors are relatively expensive pieces of technology where tyres

are concerned, in some instances costing over £100 per unit for the OE product.

Ideally, the only time a sensor should need to be replaced is when the internal

battery runs at. However, due to environmental weathering and sometimes

galvanic corrosion of some of the components fastening the valve to your

wheel and sealing the valve air tight, TPMS valves can become faulty or fail

completely.

A simple and considerably cheaper solution is to keep the valve in good condition

through servicing, replacing the old components with a brand new set.

Servicing of TPMS Sensors every time the tyre bead is broken is considered a

standard requirement by sensor manufacturers in order for them to last a full

lifetime.

Why Do TPMS Sensors Need Replacing?

In ideal circumstances, sensors generally require replacement once the internal

battery has died. Realistically, battery life of each sensor can be anything between

3 & 7 years, or around 100k-150k miles.

The internal battery of a sensor is in use at all times but at varying levels, with

minimal use whilst the vehicle is stationary, normal use when the vehicle is moving

and heavy use if the TPMS system is in alert mode due to low tyre pressure or

puncture detection (warning light on dashboard).

Unfortunately, due to incorrect handling or neglect of servicing, sensors and

sensor components can also break which in some cases may require a complete

sensor replacement.

SHEARED

CORRODED

& CRACKED

CORRODED

& SHEARED

DAMAGED

SENSOR

Information supplied in association with Autogem Invicta Ltd. Think TPMS, Think Autogem.

If you are unsure about anything related to TPMS or your tyres please feel free

to ask our experts for further information.