ACDelco expands into TPMS, brake caliper aftermarket

LAS VEGAS — ACDelco, a General Motors Co. subsidiary, is expanding its aftermarket parts portfolio with the introduction of tire-pressure-monitoring system (TPMS) sensors and brake calipers that will be sold with no core charge.

Both aftermarket products will be available for all vehicle makes and models. ACDelco is the exclusive OE parts brand for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles.

ACDelco said its TPMS sensors, which will be available in the first quarter of 2018, will fit almost three-quarters of the TPMS-equipped vehicles currently on the road, or more than 108 million cars, trucks and crossovers built since 2006.

The company said it decided to delve into the TPMS market since more than 62 million vehicles on the road may soon need new TPMS sensors as their batteries wear out.

"TPMS sensors need to be replaced after five to seven years of service because no battery lasts forever," said David Mestdagh, general director product development, ACDelco.

"Our design strategy with this new product line was to deliver a high quality part while reducing stocking requirements and installation time."

The TPMS components include a sensor body, a 3-volt lithium battery, corrosive resistant snap-in rubber valve or aluminum valve stem, plastic cap and electro-less nickel-plated valve core.

Shops need to carry just five part numbers to cover the majority of TPMS-equipped vehicles, the company said. The sensor is pre-programmed to follow existing OE re-learn procedures, eliminating the need for special calibration tools or loading software.

Meanwhile, the new aftermarket brake calipers will be available in cast iron and aluminum with no core charge. About 200-300 SKUs will be available in December.

The cast iron parts are zinc-plated to help with corrosion protection. Critical components come pre-lubricated for smooth operation, including the pistons and bleeder screws, the company said.

The new calipers are launching just as remanufactured aluminum calipers for vehicles built in the 1990s and 2000s are becoming harder to find, ACDelco said.

"Aluminum calipers can only be remanufactured so many times," said Josh Shuck, brake product specialist, ACDelco. "This caliper gives shop owners a new, high-quality option that eliminates a few headaches along the way."

For more information, visit ACDelco.com.