Frequently Asked Questions

• Maintenance of the sensors in the wheels of a vehicle with direct TPMS at each wheel change
• To prevent corrosion of the valve and the sensor: renewal of the wearing parts valve core, nut, seal and cap by special service kits
• Determine the battery charge using diagnostic/proprietary programming tools
• Replace weak/flat batteries because of the finite battery life of a sensor (varies between 4 to 10 years)
• Analysis and correction of problems indicated on the display by the illumination of the warning light (in the event of loss or failure of a sensor, e.g. flat battery, corrosion or the sensor breaking off the valve)
• As a non-functional TPMS is evaluated as a minor fault during the main inspection according to section 29 of the German Road Traffic Licensing Act and must be rectified immediately by the owner/keeper, the workshop must be able to rectify these faults.

Recommendation for the workflow, if the customer wants a diagnosis and problem resolution if the warning lamp lights up, maintenance of their TPMS, or a tyre service (e.g. tyre change, assembly/disassembly):

1. Check the warning light and the indication in the display of the vehicle - if the lamp is lit a diagnosis is required, whether there is a system error or a air leak (cf. vehicle book)
2. Check the valve (Is the seal damaged?  is there corrosion?)
3. Scanning of sensors by a diagnostic/programming tool
4. Documentation of the results of the scanning (input state of the TPMS of the vehicle)
5. Execution of the customer order e.g. wheel change, renewing the tyres or sensors, maintenance of the valve.  If required: Training of the (new) sensors on the vehicle and checking the TPMS.
6. Documentation of the initial state of the TPMS of the vehicle (state of the TPMS may not be worse/less than the input state) and inform the customer

Please note: As a functional TPMS is part of the operational approval, the workshop must guarantee the functionality after each operation. Corresponding documentation of the condition of the TPMS before and after performing the maintenance, diagnostics and the customer order therefore constitutes a safeguard in the framework of liability and warranty.

Through the direct TPMS changes are coming to the workshops in the work processes for maintenance or tyre service.

It is important to prepare the employees for these changes, in order to ensure that all customers can be served properly and no errors take place in the advice and handling of TPMS. It is recommended, that employees take part in special training, to learn how to work with TPMS. There are many different providers of TPMS training.

In the case of a vehicle fitted with direct TPMS, note the following:

• Since all tyres must be equipped with sensors, a sensor is to be built into this vehicle for a set of complete wheels.
  
  
• Original sensors are already programmed vehicle-specifically and can be fitted without further programming in the wheel and then mounted on the vehicle.
  
  
• Universal sensors, however, need a programming by a special diagnostic/programming tool, to transmit vehicle-specific details to the sensor and therefore to be compatible with the TPMS of the vehicle. Depending on which programming tool the workshop has invested in, the sensors must be programmed before the production of the complete wheels or can be subsequently programmed via radio.

Customers must be informed about:

1. The technology and the demands of the TPMS
2. The higher time needed for the tyre service in TPMS vehicles
3. The higher prices for the tyre service with TPMS

• Setting up an appointment to determine whether or not the vehicle has direct TPMS.
• Creating a timetable (calculation of the extra expense involved in tyre assembly with TPMS).
• Preparation of required spare parts (e.g. replacement sensors or service kits).

Qualification / training of employees:

• Clear communication of the operating principle of the TPMS to the customer.
• For the customer understandable explanation of the specifics in tyre servicing.
• Inform the customer of all of the changes made
• Documentation of input and initial status of the TPMS.
• Verifiable reasons for the customer for the higher price of the tyre service due to the additional expenses (time, know-how, technical devices such as the programming tool, servicing the valves and sensors).