TPMS Tools?

[JHZR2]

Our 2014 odyssey just set its first tpms light.

My 2011 BMW is the only other car I have that uses active TPMS, and it’s all original(!). My 2015 accord uses a passive system (thankfully). So I have no real experience with TPMS.

I’d like to at least be able to diagnose which wheel has an issue. If it was risk of damage free, I’d even consider a bead breaker tool like @The Critic has to just diy and train these myself. Though, granted, I’m running an assumption that OE TPMS is best and therefore maybe this is a job worthy of the dealer… then again, when one goes, I assume the other three will too.

So what’s the right tool? I’ve read the Autel 508 is a good tpms tool for Honda. But is it really what I want? Figure I’ll need to diagnose four Honda TPMS, four BMW sensors, and then whatever the future brings…

So what do I want/need? Autel 508? Something else?

Is this a job worth getting a tool? Or is this a seldom enough job and requires enough other programming to be something better to farm out?

I know it’s not a tool question, but is there another brand of tpms that is superior to OE? Autel MX perhaps?

Thanks!

 

[oldcodger]

Personally i decided it was not worth the trouble and expense to buy a device and try to do it myself. I have a tire shop who did all 4 of the monitors on my truck for $284.00 out the door parts and labor.

 

[fantastic]

I'm in the same boat, the 2008 Volvo is the first TPMS & just bought it last year. It's been complaining on a daily basis. Problem is don't know what shape or age the're in until pull the tire's off.

 

[eljefino]

I break beads with the HF $40 tire changer, and have snuck sensors in through "the gap". If you don't remove the tire you shouldn't need to rebalance.

I've used "Carista" on Toyota, might be worth seeing if they support Honda. Their business model is to have a cheap dongle but nick you for a weeks software access every time you need it.

I've also use the $10 RF waker-upper thing for Chevy with success. What I'm saying is, buy for your current fleet as tool purchases are always a moving target. Their expense is more worth it for the DIYer if snow tires get into the mix or you manage to make the whole fleet one make.

 

[dubber09]

When my daughter complained re TPMS light on her car, I waited a bit and caught a good sale on TS508 kit with 8 sensors. Having access to tire machines helps, replaced all 4 and programmed. Tool should last me my lifetime, extra 4 sensors will find their tires too.

 

[aba4430]

I also use the Autel TS508K that I bought in 2019. It has been invaluable for us.

 

[SatinSilver]

From another thread on here:

"Walmart uses Bartec Rite Sensors for $28.88 a wheel, programmed and installed."

Meanwhile, Discount tire charges $60/wheel.

 

[Finklejag]

I had Discount tire replace all 4 on my 06 Acura for around $225 a few years ago. How often will you be changing out TPMS?

 

[Mainia]

My 2018 Hyundai auto finds TPMS. I throw summer rims/tires on and winter rims/tire on and they auto find them within 3 minutes driving. Granted your car is 4 years older and may not have that option yet. And I know all manufacture handle TPMS programming different. But for others reading this, just don't assume you need a small scan tool if you have new tires and rims in your future.

Can anyone post cars in say 2020 and newer that can't find their own new TPMS sensors?

When I bought my new summer rims I bought VDO brand TPMS from Rock Auto and had Discount Tire install them with the tires on those rims and save $125 vs their price. There should be zero charge to do that since they always change the rubber gasket every tire change.

 

[Mainia]

I had Discount tire replace all 4 on my 06 Acura for around $225 a few years ago. How often will you be changing out TPMS?

I heard 8-12 years. My wife's 2014 Rav4 are still going strong.

 

[Finklejag]

I heard 8-12 years. My wife's 2014 Rav4 are still going strong.

Exactly, no need to buy and own a specialty tool for something that doesn’t need to be replaced every few years.

 

[aba4430]

For folks who have dedicated winter tire/wheel sets like I do, a decent TPMS tool is well worth it.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I heard 8-12 years. My wife's 2014 Rav4 are still going strong.

Are the aftermarket lasting that long? Don't know, just asking.

I also had Discount Tire replace all 4 of mine maybe 3 years ago? Originals lasted about 10.

 

[cptbarkey]

I'm interested to know what you eventually find out. I have a few vehicles with TPMS lights on, but I'm certain one is a spare, and another was damaged by an installer. I believe the most common failure of a TPMS sensor is the internal battery has died. I think its inexcusable that the batteries are engineered to be non replaceable.

 

[97prizm]

Our 2014 odyssey just set its first tpms light.

My 2011 BMW is the only other car I have that uses active TPMS, and it’s all original(!). My 2015 accord uses a passive system (thankfully). So I have no real experience with TPMS.

I’d like to at least be able to diagnose which wheel has an issue. If it was risk of damage free, I’d even consider a bead breaker tool like @The Critic has to just diy and train these myself. Though, granted, I’m running an assumption that OE TPMS is best and therefore maybe this is a job worthy of the dealer… then again, when one goes, I assume the other three will too.

So what’s the right tool? I’ve read the Autel 508 is a good tpms tool for Honda. But is it really what I want? Figure I’ll need to diagnose four Honda TPMS, four BMW sensors, and then whatever the future brings…

So what do I want/need? Autel 508? Something else?

Is this a job worth getting a tool? Or is this a seldom enough job and requires enough other programming to be something better to farm out?

I know it’s not a tool question, but is there another brand of tpms that is superior to OE? Autel MX perhaps?

Thanks!

If itsfoss an active system does the dash display not tell you?

 

[Nukeman7]

Our 2014 odyssey just set its first tpms light.

My 2011 BMW is the only other car I have that uses active TPMS, and it’s all original(!). My 2015 accord uses a passive system (thankfully). So I have no real experience with TPMS.

I’d like to at least be able to diagnose which wheel has an issue. If it was risk of damage free, I’d even consider a bead breaker tool like @The Critic has to just diy and train these myself. Though, granted, I’m running an assumption that OE TPMS is best and therefore maybe this is a job worthy of the dealer… then again, when one goes, I assume the other three will too.

I have a X-Tool D7 bi-directional tablet and it is capable of identifying which specific TPM sensor(s) is bad due to a depleted battery.

So what’s the right tool? I’ve read the Autel 508 is a good tpms tool for Honda. But is it really what I want? Figure I’ll need to diagnose four Honda TPMS, four BMW sensors, and then whatever the future brings…

So what do I want/need? Autel 508? Something else?

I don't have an Autel 508, but some of the reviews seem to indicate it can only program the Autel MX TPMS sensors and no other brands. If true, I would be reluctant to spend ~$270 on a 508 that won't program other brands of TPMS sensors. Maybe someone on BITOG who owns one can chime in on this issue.

Is this a job worth getting a tool? Or is this a seldom enough job and requires enough other programming to be something better to farm out?

You can do the math for your specific usage scenario, but it seems to be a break even point on ROI after programming 8 sensors.

I know it’s not a tool question, but is there another brand of tpms that is superior to OE? Autel MX perhaps?

I would go with the OEM supplier sensors (e.g., Schrader, etc.) first to ensure comptability, but the Autel products seem to have a good reputation for an aftermarket product.

 

[michaelluscher]

I don't have an Autel 508, but some of the reviews seem to indicate it can only program the Autel MX TPMS sensors and no other brands. If true, I would be reluctant to spend ~$270 on a 508 that won't program other brands of TPMS sensors. Maybe someone on BITOG who owns one can chime in on this issue.

First hand experience here
I had a TS508 and a TS900 from Autel, and both can happily identify/read/OBD relearn factory and most aftermarket TPMS sensors
The TS900 also does Dill/VDO "Redi Sensors"
The only exceptions are the Bluetooth ones that Tesla uses, but I haven't had an issue with any Asian or domestic TPMS job I took on
You aren't locked into their MX sensors, in fact I've never used them

I would go with the OEM supplier sensors (e.g., Schrader, etc.) first to ensure comptability, but the Autel products seem to have a good reputation for an aftermarket product.

I also like using Schrader (often OE for some brands like Ford)
I also hear good of BH Sens and Denso
As long as it's an OE Replacement (Programmed), they relearn very smoothly

 

[JeffKeryk]

@JHZR2 did you solve your TPMS issue? Our 2013 GS350 TPMS sensors are wack. I was considering a ball peen hammer to dash light fix...

 

[JHZR2]

@JHZR2 did you solve your TPMS issue? Our 2013 GS350 TPMS sensors are wack. I was considering a ball peen hammer to dash light fix...

Not yet. Not enough hours in the day/week/month/year, and we track our pressures the old fashioned way.

I did ask my tire shop about the cost to do a generic autel or some similar brand sensor for $85 each.

And that’s the calculus. How much for the scan and programming tool, the sensors, the bead breaker, etc. versus just taking it and getting it done.

I’m going to call the Honda dealer to see their pricing.

 

[JHZR2]

First hand experience here
I had a TS508 and a TS900 from Autel, and both can happily identify/read/OBD relearn factory and most aftermarket TPMS sensors
The TS900 also does Dill/VDO "Redi Sensors"
The only exceptions are the Bluetooth ones that Tesla uses, but I haven't had an issue with any Asian or domestic TPMS job I took on
You aren't locked into their MX sensors, in fact I've never used them

I also like using Schrader (often OE for some brands like Ford)
I also hear good of BH Sens and Denso
As long as it's an OE Replacement (Programmed), they relearn very smoothly

Can you help me understand this a bit more?

Say I want to get OE Honda sensors, made by TRW.

I’d use the 508 to connect to tpms via OBD, and remove the fcc id of the bad sensor, and swap it with the ID of the good one, right?

If I got a generic sensor I’d use the 508 to write the old/bad sensor id info to the replacement, so the computer thinks it’s the same one.

The 508 may or may not do other sensors. If it won’t, what tool will? I’m thinking along the lines of vdo or schrader brands. I’m not sure the value proposition of something more than the 508 is justified considering the amount of work required in total.