Don't Confuse TPMS Relearn With TPMS Programming

TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Its primary job is to monitor your car’s tires and tell you when they are too low to be driven on safely.

A TPMS is one invention present in new cars designed to keep you safe and make monitoring your car easier.

So what are the difference between TPMS relearn and programming?

The fact is that they are competely different procedures.

Programming does not equal relearning. The technician can go through all the typical TPMS service steps flawlessly and relearn the vehicle, only to find the TPMS light still illuminated on the dashboard.

Programming a sensor is an essential step when working with universal or “programmable” TPMS sensors. These sensors come completely blank out of the box and they need to be programmed (also referred to as “activated”) to the unique make, model and year of the vehicle being serviced. Without this step, you are inserting a blank sensor into the tire. The sensor will not transmit any signal to the ECU and the vehicle will think the sensor is missing. This will cause the TPMS telltale light to remain lit on the dashboard.

Other than TPMS programming, there is another way to add more information to a sensor. It is called relearning and there is a minor difference between the two methods.

For programming, the sensor must come completely blank, and information is then input, so it can fit the specifications of the car. A programmed sensor would function the same as the sensor that comes with the car.

Relearning, on the other hand, occurs when tires are rotated, or a new sensor ID is introduced to the car.

The vehicle records all the individual sensor IDs, so they can all be recognized by it and so accurate information on the tire pressure can be displayed (if a car has the pressure by location function).

What are the recommended Autel tools for TPMS programming?

Autel MS906TS

MaxiSys MS906TS is built in the Android operating system, with the best possible coverage of OE-level diagnostics and TPMS integration. Autel MS906TS has an 8” capacitive HD touch screen and long-distance wireless communication and it efficiently offers comprehensive vehicle diagnostics and analysis together with universal TPMS solutions.

Autel MP808TS

When it comes to ultra-portability, MaxiPRO MP808TS is your perfect companion. Featuring a fast quad-core processor, MP808TS offers maximum convenience and swift diagnosis. The intuitive user interface makes using the device effortless through a 7-inch LCD touch screen that displays at 1024 x 600 quality. Together with the ability to quickly read and clear Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) enhanced codes for the TPMS module of the majority of the makes and models on the market, MP808TS provides you with superior special functions for TPMS services with ease.