Professional_Tool_And_Equipment_News_March_2020 - 40

Whether they're OEM or aftermarket,
TPMS sensors need to be able to withstand harsh environments and are typically designed to last 10 years or 100,000
miles. Given this goal, think about how
one should be treating these sensors during service. Things like valve stem caps
and proper torque of the Schrader valve
and mounting nut are equally important.
"[We see] lots of corrosion issues
leading to premature sensor failures,"
Fanslow says. "I believe that this is often
caused by not using the proper tools,
over-torquing, and not replacing seals
and [valve stem] caps."
Additionally, it's important to pay
attention to the vehicle and tire speed
ratings. According to a Schrader
International service bulletin TSB-201205, dated April 11, 2012, if you have a
vehicle equipped with tires that have a
speed rating greater than 115 mph (1852
kph), you must use aluminum clamp-in
valve stems as opposed to rubber, snapin stems. Just because the vehicle arrived
with rubber stems doesn't mean that
they're correct.
Technicians should always follow
the manufacturers recommended procedures when servicing TPMS sensors. Valve stem service is critical,
requiring the proper torque be used
when assembling. There are specialty
tools available from manufacturers
such as Schrader, Steelman, and Lisle
that help technicians achieve proper torque levels in TPMS and valve
core applications.

TPMS SERVICE

With some customers, half the battle
when it comes to TPMS service is helping them understand the importance of
proper system maintenance.
"We have lots of fleets and retail customers that don't see the value [in TPMS
service]," Gladney Automotive's Holland
says. "We push it pretty hard [because
it's] a safety item."
The next challenge can be having a
clear understanding of the system operation for the vehicle being serviced. The
best source of this information can be

PTEN

MARCH 2020

found within the service information.
However, one should be aware that highly useful information can also be sourced
from the vehicle's owner's manual.
Keeping this information straight
can be difficult, however. Different
vehicle manufacturers design their
TPMS differently, so each can present
unique challenges.
"Toyota is a regular suspect when it
comes to TPMS concerns," says Edmond
Francavilla, TPMS technical support representative at Autel. "Most of them just
seem to give inexperienced TPMS users a
hard time. There has been some confusion
with relearn procedures and them needing to be an OBD functionality. Some of
the new Toyotas are going to an automatic
relearn procedure. There is also a 'TPMS
reset' button that needs to be pressed after
a relearn on certain SUVs and trucks.
Some models even carry the option for a
main and secondary set.
"All of this combined with a difficult
sensor to replace can definitely be confusing, but we regularly explain that the
'Copy by OBD' feature is the easy resolution to avoid the relearn issues by combining both the sensor ID programming
and sensor position relearning steps into
one step easily completed through the
TPMS tool."
Other Asian automakers have TPMS
systems that can be similarly confusing
to work with, Bartec's Holloway confirms. Lexus and Honda both require
special procedures when initiating
a relearn.
"Lexus vehicles with the 'TPMS but-

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Data parameters such as air pressure,
temperature, battery condition, and hex ID
can typically be found on modern TPMS.

ton' can be confusing the first time doing
the relearn," Holloway says. "Making
sure the button is in the proper position before starting the relearn is the
key. There are few Honda vehicles that
require a sensor mode change before
relearning. Both scenarios are manageable providing you pay close attention
to the procedure on the tool or in the
TIA [Tire Industry Asssociation] Chart."
Another consideration when servicing TPMS is that on many vehicle makes,
the keyless entry system is likely part of
the TPMS, so it's important to think
about where the keyless entry module
is located on the vehicle and whether it
might be subject to a harsh environment
or extreme conditions.

TPMS TOOLS

The engineering that goes into TPMS
sensors is pretty amazing. Data parameters such as air pressure, temperature,
battery condition, and hex ID can typically be found on modern systems.
Retrieving this data, however, requires
the use of dedicated TPMS tools. In
most cases, the data is available using
a tool without any cabled connection
to the vehicle, of which there are many
on the market. Riverside Automotive's
Fanslow says his shop utilizes the Autel
MaxiTPMS TS508 as well as the ATEQ
VT55, while Gladney Automotive's
Holland is more familiar with the Bartec
Tech400 and 500.

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