Shop technicians know all about TPMS and the benefits of monitoring tire valves and sensors. But do your customers know what TPMS is and why it’s important to their safety? Here’s what you need to teach your customers about TPMS and how JohnDow Dynamic can help maintain and replace these parts.
What is TPMS?
TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The TPMS warning indicator is a light on the dashboard that signals if there is an issue with tire pressure. The solution can be as simple as adding more air, or there could be bigger issues.
When the TPMS warning symbol FLASHES then remains illuminated on the dash after starting the vehicle, there is a problem with the TPMS system. Always guide your customers to bring their vehicle into your shop or any other local tire repair shop for evaluation.
When the TPMS warning symbol illuminates SOLID on the dash, one or more of the vehicle’s tires is at an unsafe pressure level. Either way, reiterate to your customers to NOT ignore this light and check their tire pressure right away.
Why is TPMS Important?
All vehicles made after 2007 come equipped with TPMS as mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This is because underinflated tires can cause catastrophic failures that lead to accidents. The tires may lose traction and responsiveness in all weather conditions. The tire tread can wear out faster. Underinflated tires make a vehicle work harder, which uses more fuel.
What Do My Customers Need to Know About TPMS?
TPMS sensors are battery-powered and last 7-10 years and/or 100,000 miles. When one sensor goes bad due to battery failure, it’s recommended to replace all four sensors at the same time.
Because this requires a special TPMS tool and a reset of the sensor system, it’s best to have your professional technicians perform the service. If your customer only replaces one sensor at a time, they may become frustrated because of a returned trip (or several returned trips) back to your shop each time a TPMS sensor fails.
TPMS valve maintenance is crucial to prevent any type of air loss from turning on the solid light. The TPMS sensor is equipped with a metal or rubber valve stem. Every valve has specific components that need replacement each time a customer installs new tires or during a tire repair. As long as the sensor is working properly, only the valve or its components will need replacement.
How Can I Prepare for TPMS Sensor and Valve Replacements?
Since the pandemic continues to cause supply chain issues, you need to stock your inventory with TPMS sensors, valves, and their components. If a customer comes in because their TPMS light is on, and you discover there’s a bad sensor, you want to make sure you have not just one, but four sensors in stock so you can replace all of them.
There’s also a major focus on tires this time of year as customers change tires from winter to summer. It’s a great time for your technicians to check out TPMS sensors and replace or maintain the valves—both on the tires going on the vehicle as well as the tires that are coming off for storage.
Did you know you can create a second set of TPMS sensors to match your customer’s original sensor IDs? The Dynamic DVT-PRO single sensor can copy the original set and provide duplicate sensors to be installed in the second set of tires. This allows for easy TPMS system ID pairing when tires are changed because the IDs are already in the ECU.
Teach Your Customers about TPMS
As they learn more about why and when they should check and replace their sensors and valves, you will be ready to help them with professional service and a stocked inventory of parts.
JohnDow Dynamic offers a single, dual-banded TPMS sensor solution, TPMS replacement valves, and service kits that cover the majority of the vehicles on the road today. Check out our full line of Dynamic TPMS products at JohnDow.com/TPMS!
