Tire Pressure Monitoring System Sensor TPMS Sensors

TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The TPMS alerts drivers to low tire pressure conditions or system malfunction in the form of an illuminated icon on the dashboard.

As of 2007, all new passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and buses are required to be equipped with TPMS by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

Direct TPMS uses a wheel mounted sensor attached to the valve stem to directly monitor live pressure in the vehicle's tire. Indirect TPMS relies on measuring the performance of the ABS system to approximate tire pressure based on wheel speed.

There are three different kinds of TPMS Tools. The TPMS Reset Tool is used to reset or reprogram the sensor to the vehicle's ECU when tires are replaced or changed. The TPMS Activation or Trigger Tool can be used to 'wake up' the sensor out of sleep mode. And finally the TPMS Decoding Tool which can activate, program, and read data directly from the TPMS sensor in a tire.