The true value of TPMS retrofit kits
If your customer owns a vehicle manufactured before 2008, they may be missing an important safety feature: a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). A TPMS monitors the air pressure and temperature of your vehicle’s tires and alerts you when a tire is under- or over-inflated to the point where it is unsafe to drive.
In addition to safety, improper tire inflation also reduces fuel efficiency, improves braking distance, can cause tire blowouts and can also affect your vehicle’s handling, comfort and tire wear. Fortunately, there is a perfect solution for vehicles that don’t have a factory-installed TPMS system: a TPMS retrofit kit. This kit provides your customers with the same benefits as modern vehicles, all while maintaining the integrity of their classic or antique vehicle.
A TPMS retrofit kit typically consists of four sensors attached to the valve stems and a receiver that displays the pressure and temperature of each tire on a screen, or LED, and warns you when the sensors are out of range. Due to rising tire prices, TPMS retrofit kits have become very popular among classic and vintage car owners, providing them with an ideal solution to protect their tire investment.
TPMS retrofit kits are also very popular among off-road vehicle owners, offering the ability to change tire pressure requirements with the push of a button. Thanks to retrofit equipment, off-road enthusiasts can lower the pressure in each tire for extra grip while still monitoring each tire pressure for safety and peace of mind.
Although choosing and installing a TPMS retrofit kit is relatively simple, it still requires some basic tools and skills. The market offers different types of tools that meet diverse needs and preferences. From six-tire monitoring to site-specific pressure readings, options abound. Installation involves attaching the sensor to the valve stems and remounting and balancing the tires. Some kits may require the sensor to be paired with the receiver and a basic pressure setting. The receiver must be installed in a visible and accessible location within the vehicle cabin. The receiver can be powered using several methods, including plugging into a fuse box, plugging it into a power outlet, or using solar panels – a more sustainable solution.
The price of TPMS retrofit kits varies by brand, quality, and features. However, this is definitely a worthwhile investment and can provide long-term savings by improving fuel economy and extending tire life and can also enhance driving safety, comfort and performance by ensuring your tires are always properly inflated. A TPMS retrofit kit is a smart way to add value and functionality to a vehicle without spending a lot of money.
Yannick Leduc has been a technical coach for over 20 years. Yannick began working in the automotive industry in 1992, and his career at Schrader TPMS Solutions began in 2017 when he joined the company as a technical training and support specialist. Since January 2021, he has been leading Schrader’s TPMS training team globally. He says that his passion for digital learning inspired Yannick to enhance Schrader’s digital training activities by launching www.TPMSAcademy.com and delivering several webinars.
