TPMS - how do they work

Nope, it is ALL science!

TPMS sensors measure pressure. Each sensor has a radio transmitter that sends pressure data to the car. Each sensor has a unique ID code. There is a learning procedure for the car to know which sensor is where. If you don’t teach the car, it does not know which sensor is where. That RF sensor failure means ONE of the sensors is bad but not necessarily the RF since you moved it and did not teach the car the new location.

It really doesn’t matter. Why? The sensor has likely gone bad because the battery went dead. If ONE went dead, pretty darn likely the other 3 will soon follow. If the car is 7 to 12 years old, change 'em all. If its 1-3 years year old, change one. The tire store has a tool that can determine which radio is dead. The new sensor will have its own unique ID code. the tire store has a tool to ink it to the car in the right location… until you rotate the tires again. Your manual likely tells you how to teach the new sensors the new location.

2 Likes