By November 1st 2014 every new car in the EU must be fitted with a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The automotive industry is currently pinning its hopes on two different technologies; 1. An indirect system, tyre pressure is not measured actively, but calculated from the information provided by the wheel speed sensors, whereas in a direct TPMS system the tyre pressure is measured by sensors fitted inside the tyre. Direct systems with quicker and precise measurement have technical advantages over the indirect systems. Regardless of which technology is installed in the vehicle, new car owners and workshops must recognise that next year will bring a huge change when it comes to service.
Tyre Service will change in 2014 – REDI-Sensor Facilitates TPMS Service
With more and more vehicles being equipped with tyre pressure monitoring systems, this will have an impact on the workshops tyre service and on specialist tyre dealers. Vehicles with indirect systems must be recalibrated after tyre pressure is changed or if a tyre is replaced. For vehicles with direct systems, the easiest way to ensure proper operation, when used with both Summer and Winter tyres is to have an additional set of sensors. And this is where the VDO REDI-Sensor makes its mark: whereas today virtually every vehicle is equipped with a specific TPMS sensor, in the future workshops will be able to equip many of the vehicles on the market with only three VDO REDI-Sensors. This substantially facilitates stocking and logistics at workshops and in parts departments.
The VDO REDI-Sensor can claim other advantages:
· No additional sensor programming in the workshops, the VDO REDI-Sensor is delivered “ready for installation” pre-programmed and ready for the OE vehicle (hence the name “REDI”).
· New position of the sensor, the VDO REDI-Sensor is installed to the inner liner of the tyre. This helps to make sensor installation easier for workshops, and protects the sensor better against mechanical damage whilst reducing any corrosion.
· Comprehensive TPMS expertise: Continental combines the unique know how of a leading supplier of automotive electronics with the expertise of a leading tyre manufacturer, and can draw on years of experience in the development and production of direct-measurement TPMS systems. In the parts business, Continental boasts a comprehensive TPMS portfolio under the VDO brand ranging from the ContiSys Check TPMS diagnostic tools to replacement TPMS sensors and service.