What to Look for When Choosing a TPMS Diagnostic Tool?
Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are now standard equipment on new cars. This means that virtually every tyre service shop has to deal with these sensors today. In this article, you will learn what to look for when choosing the right TPMS diagnostic tool to ensure that work in your garage runs quickly and trouble-free.
What are TPMS tyre pressure sensors?
TPMS stands for Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. This solution is a standard in modern cars, and its job is to continuously monitor the tyres’ pressure and temperature and alert the driver to any issues.
If the pressure drops below a safe level, a warning light immediately appears on the dashboard. TPMS sensors ensure you are alerted to a fault before it becomes visible to the naked eye. The system was introduced to improve road safety and prevent premature tyre wear.
Is TPMS common?
Remember that under European Union regulations, every new car registered after 2014 must be equipped with a TPMS. Because of this, there is a very high probability that you will need to service such a vehicle in your car workshop.
Why is it worth having a TPMS diagnostic tool?
Even though TPMS sensors run silently in the background, they can cause trouble from time to time. With a diagnostic tool on hand, you will easily diagnose and fix even the most stubborn faults reported by your customers.
What are the symptoms of TPMS faults?
A TPMS sensor failure won’t stop your car from running, which is why it’s worth knowing the most common symptoms that go with it.
Here are some of the most common signs of TPMS issues:
- TPMS warning light on the dashboard – a constantly lit warning light (shaped like a tyre with an exclamation mark) indicates incorrect pressure or a faulty sensor.
- No system response to pressure drops – a simple test of letting some air out of the tyre will quickly show if the sensors are actually working.
- Failure to detect a new wheel or sensor after replacement.
How long do TPMS sensors last?
The average lifespan of TPMS sensors is typically 5 to 7 years or 100,000 to 150,000 kilometers. The main factor affecting how long your sensors will last is their operating temperature. The higher the temperature, the more frequently they need to be replaced.
After this period, the entire sensor must be replaced. Because of this, your company will handle not only customers coming in for seasonal tire changes, but also those needing sensor replacements.
This is a perfect opportunity for additional revenue, as long as you have the right equipment to program the sensors.
What features to look for when choosing a diagnostic tool?
When deciding on a diagnostic tool, you need to consider a few key aspects. To ensure your investment pays off, take a close look at these parameters:
Application: Do you need a tool strictly for TPMS servicing, or for comprehensive vehicle diagnostics? If you run a tyre shop, a dedicated TPMS tester will be more than enough. However, for a general car repair, it might fall short. Before buying, check exactly what functions are supported by the manufacturer.
Communication Protocols: Diagnostic equipment is useless if it cannot communicate with the customer’s car. This is a common issue for owners of cheap, low-quality devices with limited protocol support. A wide range of supported standards guarantees you can handle most car models on the market.
Manufacturer Support: Some diagnostic equipment suppliers offer a very short support period, usually lasting just one year. After that, you need to pay a subscription to maintain access to the latest databases. By choosing REDATS diagnostic tools, you get lifetime updates without additional costs.
Working Comfort: Professional diagnostics is the core of any car workshop, whether you run a tyre service or a mechanical garage. It is worth choosing a device with a large, clear screen to avoid eye strain. Also, check if the device supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which significantly speeds up wireless communication and data transfer.
What can REDATS diagnostic tools do?
Not all diagnostic tools are created equal – the market is flooded with dozens of cheap, low-quality models. Many of them offer only basic functions, which might work fine for DIY enthusiasts, but definitely not in a professional auto repair or tyre shop.
The REDATS range includes two diagnostic tools: the C-120 and the C-220.
The REDATS C-120 is an excellent choice if you handle basic TPMS jobs. It offers everything you need to work with these sensors, including programming, cloning, and full system diagnostics. What’s more, the device supports key communication protocols, allowing you to easily connect to the most popular car brands. It is a reliable, go-to solution for everyday TPMS servicing.
REDATS C-220 – The Comprehensive Diagnostic Tool
If you need a tool that not only handles TPMS flawlessly but also offers comprehensive vehicle diagnostics and programming, choose the C-220.
This device includes all the features of the C-120, and much more. It supports a significantly wider range of communication protocols, allowing you to easily service both new and older vehicles. What truly makes it the ultimate, versatile solution is the sheer number of supported functions. With the C-220, you can perform full vehicle diagnostics and programming, including reading live data, diesel injector coding, battery registration after replacement, and much more.
Sensor Cloning – Why Is It a Must-Have?
We have equipped both the C-120 and C-220 models with a TPMS sensor cloning function. Not sure how it works? Let us explain.
Every sensor has its own unique ID number, which the on-board computer uses to recognise it. Without the cloning option, every sensor replacement forces you to upload new ID numbers and perform a vehicle relearn procedure.
A tool with a cloning feature completely eliminates this issue. It simply copies the ID of the old sensor onto the new one. This way, the on-board computer doesn’t even notice the replacement, as it “sees” the exact same ID numbers.
REDATS Diagnostic Tools – Model Comparison
To help you choose the right REDATS diagnostic tool, we have prepared a brief comparison of our models
| REDATS C-120 | REDATS C-220 | |
| Updates | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Supported sensors (reading) | > 99% | > 99% |
| Wi-Fi support | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth support | Yes | Yes |
| TPMS diagnostics & programming | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle fault diagnostics (reading error codes and live data) | No | Yes |
| Communication protocols | ISO 15765-4 (CAN) SAE J1850 (PWM) SAE J1850 (VPW) ISO 14230-4 (KWP2000) ISO 9141-2 | ISO9141-2, ISO14230-2 ISO15765-4 K/L lines dual K-line SAE-J1850 VPW SAE-J1850PWM CAN ISO 11898 High, medium, low and single-wire CAN KW81 KW82 GM UART UART Echo Byte protocole Honda Diag-H TP2.0 protocole TP1.6 SAE J1939 SAE J1939 |
Summary
The TPMS is no longer a novelty – it is a market standard. Cars with tyre pressure sensors have taken over the roads. For any garage, lacking the right diagnostic equipment means losing customers. Equip your garage with a modern TPMS diagnostic tool and ensure you never have to turn a customer away.