By Scot A. Holloway, General Manger, Bartec USA, LLC

The increasingly hot topic of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) is very controversial yet compelling. TPMS brings about confusion and aggravation, but more importantly, opportunity. Adding to the TPMS frenzy is loads of information. This article will discuss a couple of new issues within TPMS that you need to be aware of.

TPMS Sensor Commissioning
Recent developments in TPMS have some sensors showing up in the aftermarket in a storage mode. In order to conserve sensor battery life, TPMS sensors are sometimes shipped in “off mode,” “de-energized mode,” “accelerometer off” or “shipping mode.” In some instances like the “banded sensors” that Ford currently uses, simply putting the sensor under pressure will energize or turn the sensor on. Other sensors require a special Low Frequency (LF) command to change their mode. For the latter, a TPMS tool is required, one that has this special LF command.

Diagnostic Point: Sensors that are not properly commissioned (or set-up), can be successful...