A TPMS monitors the pressure in each tyre using a sensor inside the wheel that transmits by radio. When a sensor's battery dies, it breaks while the tyre is being changed, or you fit a set of winter wheels, the car doesn't recognise the new sensor and puts the warning light on. To fix it you need to program the new sensor and, on many cars, register its ID with the control unit.
What you need to know first
- Sensor ID: every sensor transmits a unique code. The car's control unit stores the IDs for all four wheels and only listens to those.
- Frequency: sensors work on 315 MHz or 433 MHz depending on the vehicle's market. In Europe, 433 MHz is the norm.
- Programmable or "blank" sensor: leaves the factory without any car's protocol. The TPMS tool loads the right protocol and ID onto it.
- Relearn: the process by which the car registers the new IDs. Depending on the manufacturer it is done via OBD2, automatically while driving or with a manual procedure.
Three ways to program a sensor
| Method | When to use it | Is a relearn needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Clone (copy the original sensor's ID) | The old sensor is still transmitting | No, the car sees the same ID |
| Create a new ID | The original sensor is dead or missing | Yes |
| Write the ID to the control unit via OBD2 | Cars that allow it through diagnostics | The tool does it for you |
Safety: to replace the sensor the tyre has to come off the rim. Use a tyre changer and take care not to damage the valve; when refitting, tighten the valve nut to the torque given by the sensor manufacturer and balance the wheel. Check the pressures cold before driving.
Step by step with the TPMS V800 and S6000 sensors
- Read the existing sensors. Hold the TPMS V800 next to each wheel's valve and trigger it. You will see the ID, pressure, temperature and battery status of the working ones. Note which one is faulty.
- Identify the vehicle on the V800 (make, model and year) so it picks the right protocol.
- Program the S6000 sensor. Place the S6000 sensor next to the tool and choose the method: copy the old sensor's ID if it can still be read, or generate a new one (automatically or entered by hand).
- Check the programming by triggering the S6000 with the V800: it should show the assigned ID and protocol.
- Fit the sensor to the rim, refit the tyre, inflate it to the correct pressure and balance it.
- Run a relearn if the ID is new. Plug the V800 into the OBD2 port and follow the on-screen instructions: on compatible cars it writes the IDs straight into the control unit; on others it shows you the manufacturer's manual or automatic procedure.
- Clear the TPMS faults and switch off the warning light from the diagnostic menu.
- Check on the move that the dash shows all four pressures (if your car displays them) and that the light stays off.
If the old sensor's battery is flat, you won't be able to clone it. In that case, create a new ID and run a relearn. The same applies if you fit a complete set of winter wheels with new sensors.
What if my car has no sensors in the wheels?
Some cars use indirect TPMS: they have no sensors and instead work out the pressure from how fast each wheel turns, using the ABS sensors. There is nothing to program on those; just inflate the tyres to the correct pressure and run the calibration from the car's menu or with the TPMS function of a diagnostic tool.
Which iCarsoft products you need
- TPMS V800: a dual-frequency TPMS tool (315 and 433 MHz) that triggers and reads sensors, programs blank sensors such as the S6000 with a copied or generated ID, guides you through the relearn, reads and clears TPMS faults and writes IDs to the control unit. It also diagnoses every system on 58 makes and includes 9 service functions (oil, EPB, SAS, DPF, BMS and others), with free lifetime updates via TF card.
- S6000 TPMS sensor: a dual-frequency 315/433.92 MHz programmable sensor with valve. iCarsoft states it is compatible with the TPMS V800.
- CR multi-brand tools (CR Pro, CR Max P…): include the TPMS service function to check the IDs stored in the control unit, enter those of replacement sensors and switch off the warning light via OBD2. They do not trigger or program sensors by radio: that is what the V800 is for.
You can see the tool and the sensors together in our TPMS tools and sensors collection. If tyres are part of your professional work, have a look at the rest of our workshop tools.
Tips to avoid doing the job twice
- When you replace a sensor because its battery has died, check the other three: they are usually the same age.
- If you keep a set of winter wheels with sensors, program their IDs and save them so the seasonal swap is quicker.
- After changing sensors, make sure no faults are left in the TPMS module with a full fault scan.
