TPMS service in Kirchdorf am Inn

TPMS service

What our TPMS service includes

Our TPMS service makes sure the tire pressure monitoring system of your vehicle works reliably. We check the sensors, replace faulty or depleted ones and program new sensors to the vehicle – for private customers as well as business customers and fleets from Kirchdorf am Inn, Simbach am Inn, Braunau and the surrounding area.

A tire pressure monitoring system, or TPMS for short, warns you when a tire loses air. This protects against damage caused by low pressure, keeps fuel consumption and tire wear in check and improves safety. Such a system is mandatory on newer cars – which is why it so often comes up during a wheel change.

At a glance

Checking and reading out sensors
Replacing faulty or depleted sensors
Programming new sensors to the vehicle
Sensors for winter and complete wheels
For private and business customers
By appointment

Check and read out

Using a TPMS tool, we read out every sensor and see whether it transmits, what pressure it reports and whether it signals a weak battery.

Replace sensors

Faulty or depleted sensors are replaced with new ones that we source to match your vehicle.

Programming

We register new sensors and wheel sets with the vehicle so the system recognizes every wheel correctly.

Winter and complete wheels

For your second set of wheels we fit the rims with their own sensors so the warning system also works reliably in winter.

Indirect systems

For systems without sensors in the wheel, we carry out the recalibration after a tire change or pressure adjustment.

For fleets

For business customers with several vehicles we check the systems during the tire change on request.

Direct and indirect systems

A direct TPMS uses a sensor in every wheel, usually mounted on the inside of the rim at the valve. The sensor measures the air pressure, often the temperature as well, and transmits the values by radio to the control unit of the vehicle. Many vehicles then display the pressure of each individual wheel.

An indirect TPMS works without sensors in the wheel. It uses the wheel speed sensors that are already present for ABS and ESC. When a tire loses air, its rolling circumference becomes slightly smaller and the wheel turns faster than the others – the system detects this difference. To compare correctly, it has to be recalibrated after every tire change and every pressure adjustment.

Direct TPMS: sensor in every wheel, reports the actual pressure
Indirect TPMS: evaluates wheel speeds, no sensors in the wheel
Direct: consider the sensors when changing or buying wheels
Indirect: recalibrate after a tire change or pressure adjustment

Why sensors matter when changing wheels

With a direct system, the sensors belong to the wheel, not to the vehicle. If you fit a second set of winter wheels without sensors, the warning light usually comes on after a short drive. Every set of wheels needs its own sensors that match the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle, the system detects them by itself after a short drive, or they have to be programmed with a TPMS tool or through a defined procedure.

Care is also needed when remounting tires, as the sensor sits inside the wheel. The seal and valve core should be renewed in the process so the valve stays airtight. On request we supply complete wheels with installed and programmed sensors – see tires, rims and complete wheels.

When the sensor battery runs low

The sensors of a direct system are powered by a built-in battery that usually cannot be replaced on its own. After a number of years it runs down – how quickly depends on mileage and usage, among other things. The sensor then no longer transmits reliably and the warning light comes on. The remedy is a new sensor.

It makes sense to check the condition of the sensors before new tires are mounted. That way you avoid having a freshly fitted tire removed again shortly afterwards because of a depleted sensor. During our tire service we carry out this check on request. In Germany, a TPMS warning light that stays on can also be flagged at the periodic vehicle inspection.

Battery permanently built into the sensor
Declining performance after a number of years
Check recommended before mounting new tires

How it works

Step by step

1.

Book an appointment

Briefly describe the issue or occasion, such as a wheel change, new wheels or a warning light that stays on.

2.

Check

We read out the sensors and determine whether a sensor is faulty, depleted or simply not programmed.

3.

Replace and program

If needed, we source suitable sensors, install them and program them to the vehicle.

4.

Verify function

Finally, we check that the system recognizes all wheels and the warning light stays off.

Frequently asked questions

Good to know

The TPMS warning light is on – what should I do?

First check the pressure of all tires and correct it. If the light then stays on or flashes, a sensor may be faulty, depleted or not programmed, depending on the vehicle. In that case, book an appointment and we will read out the system.

Do my winter wheels need their own sensors?

With a direct system, yes. The sensors belong to the wheel, so every set needs its own sensors that match the vehicle. An indirect system does not need sensors; it is recalibrated after the change.

How can I tell whether my vehicle has a direct or indirect system?

The owner manual gives a first indication. If your vehicle displays the pressure of each individual wheel, it is usually a direct system. If in doubt, we will check it for you.

How long do TPMS sensors last?

The built-in battery runs down after a number of years, depending on mileage and usage, among other things. For many sensors, a TPMS tool can show whether replacement is likely to be needed soon.