Welcome to Toyota TPMS - Toyota TPMS Tool & Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

TPMS or Tire Pressure Monitoring System is fitted to Toyota cars to provide a warning of low pressure on any one of four or five tires on the vehicle (five if TPMS fitted in spare). A TPMS from one of two manufacturers is fitted as part of the valve assembly in all Toyota cars according to the table shown below.

The sensor measures the pressure and temperature in the tire and transmits this data along with the unique ID of the TPMS to the tire pressure monitor ECU/receiver.

If the TPMS ID is logged with the ECU then it is compared with the placard pressure and if under pressure then a warning light is lit on the dash mounted display. Toyota TPMS is also known as Toyota TPWS which means 'Tire Pressure Warning System'.

The manufacturers of the Toyota TPMS are TRW Automotive and Pacific Industrial Corp. The Toyota Model range utilising TPMS Technology includes:

• 4 Runner - TPMS
• Avalon - TPMS
• Camry - TPMS
• Corolla - TPMS
• FJ Cruiser - TPMS
• Highlander & Highlander HV - TPMS
• Land Cruiser - TPMS
• Matrix - TPMS
• Prius - TPMS
• RAV4 - TPMS
• Sequoia - TPMS
• Sienna - TPMS
• Solara - TPMS
• Tacoma & Tundra - TPMS
• Yaris - TPMS

TPMS replacement is called for when the TPMS fails due to mechanical or electrical failure, broken accelerometer, low TPMS battery power or blocked pressure port. One of the most common causes of failure is inappropriate handling during wheel or tire removal or servicing. The TPMS is an electronic component fitted as part of a heavyweight mechanical process.

Before attempting to replace a Toyota TPMS we advise the use of one our Bartec Wheelrite tools to establish the need for replacement and the nature of the fault. This may support a warranty claim but will also ensure that the dealer or tire shop is covered for liability claims. The legal position is that as soon as the dealer breaks down the wheel then he becomes liable and cannot allow the car to be driven away from his shop with the TPMS warning light still on. Many dealers have found that customers will not accept the costs for repair and may attribute any breakage to the dealer if there is no audit trail.

The Bartec tools offer the capability to carry out a TPMS audit of the car and then show the customer the audit results from the screen or download them to a PC and print the audit results to show to the customer so that a cost can be agreed and the go ahead given before work commences. It is important to have a tool which can distinguish the correct TPMS in order to avoid picking up the transmission of other TPMS sensors, key fobs etc. It is important to limit your liability for any problems which occur.

The TPMS tool should be able to decode the transmission from the sensor and display the data. This will enable the technician to establish if the sensor has failed or is not fitted, whether the pressure port on the sensor is blocked, where the part is running at too high a temperature and other diagnostic information which might be included in the specific sensor (e.g. if there is a low battery condition on the TPMS). The direct TPMS will be attached to the back of the tire valve.

If a sensor proves faulty or is damaged then it will need to be replaced. This requires a new sensor to be fitted and the ECU to be reprogrammed with its unique ID and its position on the vehicle. The procedures for all vehicles are illustrated in the Bartec 'Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Guide' which shows service requirements, reset procedures, dismounting/mounting instructions, torque specifications etc for all makes/models and years.

The technician should always: refer to manufacturer's specifications for proper torque requirements when replacing nuts and valve cores; use new grommets, nuts, plastic or nickel-plated valve caps and electro-less, nickel-plated valve cores when performing any tire service; never use a brass valve core or un-plated brass cap with an aluminum TPMS sensor stem. Contact between dissimilar metals can cause galvanic corrosion, which can lead to loss of air pressure.

Note: The technician should avoid the use of any liquid or tire sealant injected into tires equipped with TPMS as this may block the pressure port and cause malfunction. If evidence of the use of tire sealant is noted upon dismounting the tire, it is highly recommended that the TPMS are replaced. It is also very important to remove all residual sealant from the inside of the tire and rim surfaces prior to re-installing the tire.

The Toyota range of cars unlike most vehicles made in North America do not have an inbuilt relearn mode to enable the vehicles to relearn the TPMS IDs when a TPMS repair tool is used to activate the sensor. It is important therefore to have access to a Bartec Wheelrite TECH400 tool which is able to diagnose Toyota TPMS issues and also has an extra interface to the vehicle OBDII/CANbus to communicate with the vehicle Engine Control Unit (ECU) and download the TPMS data. The Wheelrite TECH400 has this feature.

The tool can display the Service kit number and the replacement part number for the TPMS sensor to ensure the correct part is fitted. It can program the car and also turn off the TPMS warning light!

Finally when the TPMS replacement procedure is complete it is good practice to do a final audit and print the results out for the customer. This completes the circle for your liability protection (showing the job has been completed professionally) and affirms your technical reputation with the customer.

The Bartec 'Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Guide' contains comprehensive information on the mechanical and electrical procedure for TPMS replacement for all makes/models/year types going back to the year of their introduction including:

• TPMS Service Requirements
• Special tools reference guide

Model articles referencing all makes/models/years and including:

• Description and operation of vehicle TPMS system
• Warning indicator reset procedure
• System Retrain/Relearn procedure
• Dismounting/mounting cautions & Notes
• Tire Pressure Sensor Replacement procedure
• Wheel Nut torques
• Tire Pressure Sensor Nut torques
  

Bartec are world leaders in the implementation of TPMS systems for the wheel and tire assembly plant and the car plant with over 70 installations worldwide.

As a result of this activity the company also leads the aftermarket with the most comprehensive range of TPMS dealer tools for the dealer, the tire shop and even the end user.

The market desperately needs information and training on TPMS, diagnosing faults and repairing/replacing, TPMS tools and support. Bartec has sought to answer some of the many questions by putting together a series of training videos which can be viewed by visiting www.bartecusa.com.

Customers have told us our help desk guys are the best because of their wealth of information and experience; that they care about helping; and that they try that bit harder to sort out problems.

When you buy a Wheelrite TECH400 TPMS tool you get a free copy of the Bartec 'Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Guide' and also gain access to the Bartec TPMS technical support for advice on replacement of TPMS and the use of TPMS tools on all vehicles not just Toyota.

The team has a wealth of experience with TPMS. These guys have worked in the car plants and also in the aftermarket solving the problems you are addressing.

Please browse our website for more information about Bartec USA LLC and our range of TPMS Tools and our professional support for Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors, then call toll free (866) 407-TPMS and speak to one of our team or e-mail us on sales@bartecusa.com.