How to Install an Indirect TPMS
Tire pressure monitoring system is a technology that prevent you from driving with a flat tire and monitor for vehicle safety. The system uses wireless pressure sensors and a receiving unit to warn you of significantly high-pressure loss in your tires. Newly produced vehicles are forced to be installed with TPMS, still, there are lots of existing vehicles can only install indirect TPMS. For these drivers that want to monitor your tire pressure and be safer on the road, you can install an indirect tire pressure monitoring system at home or turn to mechanic.
The indirect type uses sensors built into valve stem caps. You can typically install cap-based tire pressure monitor systems without any special equipment. These are the better choice if you want to install the TPMS at home.
Before install the system, you have to ensure
Enough sensors for your tires: Confirm with TPMS dealer that how much sensors you would receive. Meanwhile, check your wheels. Most vehicles only need four sensors, but you'll need six if you have dual rear wheels. Make sure the sensors are designed for your tire size.
A compatible receiver unit for sensors: Sensors come with a reader to receive signal from sensors. Make sure the sensors and receiver are functional.
Store the old valve stem caps: If you remove the sensors or switch the sensors to a different vehicle, you'll need the old valve stem caps. Don't lose them.
Ensure your tire not damaged: This is optional, if you recently checked tire pressure, you could start to install TPMS. Please read all instructions and warnings before installation.
Here we come to step-by-step instructions on how to install tire pressure sensors:
1. Remove washer, nut as well as cap from the brand-new shutoff stem. and store them somewhere safe.
2. Check the tire pressure if you haven't check in a while. If the tire pressure is low, inflate tire pressure to a proper level before installing the sensors. If you aren't sure how much pressure the tires need, please refer to user's manual.
3. Calibrate the TPMS. If you can calibrate your system, set it to the specific amount of pressure your vehicle needs. You might also be able to select the threshold at which the system alerts you.
If you buy a system that you can't calibrate, select one that's compatible with the amount of pressure in your tires. For instance, if your tires need 35 PSI, but you buy sensors calibrated to 50 PSI, the TPMS would alert you even if the tires aren't under-inflated.
4. Install the TPMS. It is straightforward to install cap-based tire pressure sensors. Even if you have no experience before, you could successfully install TPMS as all you need to do is screw on the sensors in place of the valve stem caps.
Firstly, mount brand-new TPMS unit via the rim opening. Secondly, put stem after that put the washer complied with by the nut back on the valve. Thirdly, tighten the nut to ensure the system to work effectively.
In some cases, the sensor threads corrode or fuse to the valve stem threads. If that happens, you might not be able to remove the sensors. You might want to use anti-seize compound when installing the sensors.
5. Turn on TPMS. Pressing the TPMS button that is located on your steering column will start the process. Then hold down the button until you see the indicator light blink twice. You could verify if it receives a signal from each tire. If it doesn't, go through a troubleshooting procedure to determine the problem.
Sometimes, for systems designed for passenger cars, signal is not strong enough to work on a long truck, SUV, or recreational vehicle. The system may also fail to work effectively due to low battery levels in the sensor caps.
Replace New Tires or Vehicle with sensors
If you equipped new tires or rims, or you upgrade your entire vehicle, it's easy to replace an indirect tire pressure monitoring system for vehicle. While in-tire monitors typically have to go with your old car, it's straightforward to pop off the sensors in a cap-based system and take the sensors with you. Remove the sensors, replace them with the caps that you saved in previous installation procedure.
Swapping a cap-based aftermarket tire pressure monitor system to a new vehicle is quite easy. After installing the sensors on the new vehicle, it’s a must to test whether TPMS is correctly calibrated, and your vehicle will alert you according to the threshold you set up.
If the TPMS system fails to operate properly, check all installation procedures to ensure proper installation. CDWTPS is also here to assist you troubleshoot any issue you may be having.