While Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) have been required on all new vehicles in the U.S. since 2008, many professional service technicians still report frustration with servicing TPMS.
TPMS sensors that require the additional step of programming before relearning to the vehicle seem to be the chief sources of frustration. Getting the programming and to work correctly on the first try seems to be elusive for many pros, and it’s not surprising. In the world of TPMS technology, there are multiple communication protocols, multiple communication frequencies, and dozens of different TPM Systems used by car manufacturers. Getting all these variables to work together successfully is a real challenge.
At Continental, we’re happy to report that technicians who rely on REDI-Sensor multi-application TPMS sensors seem to have far fewer of these problems. We believe there are two reasons for this.
First, Continental is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems for auto manufacturers. We have a ground-up understanding of how TPMS systems work and how they integrate with the vehicle’s CAN Bus and computers. While some aftermarket TPMS sensor sellers have to ‘reverse engineer’ their sensor technology by studying OE sensor designs, we are a company that is creating those OE designs. And that gives us a better insight into the subtleties of communications between the sensor and the vehicle.
Second, with REDI-Sensor, there’s no programming required. The sensor comes pre-programmed and is ready to install right out of the box. Many other aftermarket sensors require programming that often involves specialized tools and software. Pre-programming eliminates one of the most common pain points for technicians who perform TPMS service.
For technicians who are performing TPMS work, we offer a collection of video tips that can help ease some of the TPMS service frustration.