UNDERSTANDING TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is a vital safety feature that keeps you informed about your tyre pressure levels in real-time.

TPMS helps provide stability to the vehicle, maximise fuel efficiency, and reduce uneven tyre wear. In the event you have a flat tyre it will alert you.

Many new vehicles now come factory fitted with TPMS systems, and if your car doesn't have a factory fitted TPMS system, there is a huge aftermarket of TPMS systems that can be installed after the fact.

For TPMS to work, each tyre has a sensor installed on the rim, that communicates the status of the tyres pressure. Basic TPMS systems will trigger a warning light if a tyre pressure has dropped, where as more sophisticated systems provide real time tyre pressure readings to the driver.

WHAT ARE THE CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHANGING THE WHEELS ON YOUR TPMS FITTED VEHICLE?

1. Upgrading to a new set of wheels: You have just purchased a new car and the first order of business is to put on a new set of wheels. If you are switching to a new set of wheels and wont be hanging onto the old wheels the standard practice is to transfer the sensors from your existing wheels to your new set of wheels. The sensors are delicate and their location on the inner valve means they need to be handled with extreme care to prevent damage in the process. Once the physical sensor is changed and the new wheels are fitted to the vehicle, the TPMS system should reactivate.
2. Purchasing a second set of wheels & tyres: Many 4x4 owners often buy a second set of wheels and tyres for bush and outback adventures which means they alternate between two sets of wheels and tyres. In this scenario, a second set of sensors needs to be purchased and installed to provide constant TPMS regardless of which set of wheels and tyres are fitted to the vehicle. The job isn't done just by installing new sensors, as the sensors need to be calibrated and programmed to communicate with the cars TPMS receiver unit. This requires experienced techincians and specialised equipment.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I CHANGE MY TYRES, BUT NOT MY RIMS?

In most cases changing your tyres shouldn't have any impact on your TPMS system provding the sensors haven't been damaged in the process. Every system is different, and sometimes a warning light will need to be reset once the new tyres and wheels and installed back on the vehicle.

If you have had a flat tyre and driven on it for an extended period, the sensor needs to be tested to ensure it hasn't been damaged. If the sensor has been damaged, then a new sensor will need to be installed, calibrated and programmed with the car. 

At Canterbury Tyre & Mag Supamart we have extensive experience with TPMS systems, and can switch over TPMS sensors from $25 per sensor (plus regular fitting and balancing charges). We can also install new TPMS sensors from $60 per wheel (plus regular fitting and balancing charges). 

If you have got any further questions or would like to book in for TPMS services please contact us on (03) 9720 4933 or our contact form.