Knowing the different types of replacement TPMS sensors will help you find the best fit for your organisation and your customers.

When it comes to replacing your TPMS sensors, you have options that fall into one of three categories: direct-fit, programmable and pre-programmed.

Direct-fit sensors are usually original equipment that comes from the manufacturer. They only work for a particular make and model of a vehicle produced in a specific year.

Blank programmable sensors like Schrader’s EZ-Sensor are programmed with a TPMS programming tool. While they can work on any make, model or year of a vehicle, it is on the condition that the software on the instrument is kept up to date.

In this article, however, we’ll be discussing pre-programmed sensors, which have a selection of protocols pre-installed and can be a replacement TPMS sensor for a wide variety of vehicles.

Why Pre-Programmed TPMS Sensors?
Optimise Your Inventory

Where direct-fit sensors work for specific vehicles, pre-programmed sensors can be used in a variety of vehicles. This means the number of sensors you need to carry in stock can be drastically reduced, reducing required storage space.

Faster Service Speed

Pre-programmed sensors come with a wide range of vehicle protocols, which means they can work as a direct replacement while skipping the step of being programmed to work, cutting installation time. However, it should be noted that relearn procedures still have to be performed after the TPMS sensors are installed, which are vehicle-specific.

How to Service Pre-Programmed Sensors

With pre-programmed sensors, the first thing to do is to check whether the make, model and year is supported by default or if the sensor requires to be programmed. If not, you can proceed with the sensor’s installation guide from the manufacturer and execute the relevant relearn procedure.

Sometimes even pre-programmed sensors need to be programmed. This can be done with a relevant and compatible TPMS programming tool. You should make sure it is up-to-date for maximum vehicle coverage. After this, you can install the sensor and carry out a relearn procedure.