TPMS campaign urges frequent tool software updates

LAS VEGAS – Several TPMS tool and sensor companies, normally competitors, have joined forces on a campaign to urge technicians to update their TPMS scanners.

"The issue we're going to talk about has been creating a lot of pain points for shops and for our retailers. Back in 2018, when TPMS became mandatory for all new cars in the United States, it was a really a win-win for drivers and the aftermarket industry. And despite some major learning curve, everything was going really well. And TPMS added a new layer of safety to the drivers and then definitely provided a very stable source of income for the shops and also parts retailers in the industry. …," Mariam Lochoshvili, global marketing communications manager for Sensata, maker of Schrader TPMS sensors, said during a press conference at AAPEX.

"We have seen an increasing amount of shops complaining about TPMS relearn procedures not working, or their inability to program TPMS sensors. Sometimes part retailers get back warranty returns of sensors that are actually working perfectly. This all comes down to one common issue -- the lack of updating the TPMS tool software," she added.

"The sensors today have changed and it's really important for the most efficient TPMS service to keep your tools up to date."

She spearheaded a coalition of TPMS sensor and tool manufacturers, including Sensata, ATEQ TPMS, Bartec USA and Continental Aftermarket Technologies.

The campaign, which launched earlier this year with a website, is dubbed "Don't wait, Update."

It encourage technicians to download updates to their TPMS scanners periodically throughout the year as the newest generation of TPMS sensors require the latest generation of TPMS tool software. The website provides links for technicians and service shops to get free training from the tool makers.

"All of us (TPMS tool makers) here were independently working on this topic for a really long time now and I think what we realized is that, you know, why don't we get together and put our efforts together because together we can reach a much broader audience than all of us do independently," Lochoshvili said.

"There's always new features, new benefits, new coverage on the sensors. Maybe it's new vehicle coverage, maybe it's a new feature. Maybe it's a new product, a new tool or a new accessory for the tool, all of which are very important reasons but it all comes back to protecting that initial investment (in the tools)," Bartec CEO Scott Holloway said.

"We walk into these shops and their tool hasn't been updated for sometimes two, three, four years. But then they're complaining that they can't do the updates or they can't cross-reference part numbers. There are so many different sensor types out there. You've got OE sensors, you've got programmable sensors, you've got the codable sensors, and you have configurable sensors. We have to keep these tools updated," added Sean Lannoo, technical training advisor for Continental.